18th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Rich in what matters to God A favorite contemporary singer-songwriter of mine is Greg Brown. His blues and folk tunes tell down-to-earth stories. In one of his songs, entitled "The Cheapest Kind," Brown sings a first-person account of a man who grew up as the son of a preacher. The family was poor, and they traveled about the country preaching the Good News. Their poverty led the parents to reluctantly settle for always buying the "cheapest kind" of food or clothing. But Brown sings that the love in that family wasn't cheap: It was, rather, what made them truly rich.

His song comes to mind as I reflect on today's Gospel. Jesus invites us to ponder what are the true riches in human life. In the story Jesus tells, the man whose barn is bursting with an abundant harvest, plans on building bigger barns. He believes he's totally self-sufficient with all that stored-up wealth.

Jesus teaches that those who rely solely on material goods, and allow them to control their existence to the point of greed and possessiveness are storing up treasures that will not last. It's being "rich in what matters to God" that is true wealth in the Kingdom. Examine your heart this Sunday. Have you focused on material goods, treasures that will not last? Or have you allowed God to fill you with love—with wealth of the "richest kind?"
- by Franciscan Father Greg Friedman, O.F.M, courtesy of FranciscanRadio.org, Copyright © 1996-2010.

“Dear Good People of Sacred Heart Parish"

It is with much sadness in my heart that I announce to you that I will be leaving my ministry here at Sacred Heart. I have been assigned by my Community to do Pastoral Ministry for the churches of St. Monica in Chest Springs and St. Augustine in St. Augustine.

Goodbyes have always been difficult for me, but I find consolation in the truth that I am leaving Sacred Heart Church a richer person for having had the opportunity to minister to all of you and grow to love you, whether it was through Liturgy and worship, Choir, Christian Initiation, Adult Education, Religious Education, parent meetings, or with our high school teens. I have grown spiritually because of my association with all of you. A great plus in my life is that my devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus has deepened over the years and I know I will carry this devotion in my heart forever. I will always feel beckoned to rest on the Heart of God, because of my prayer experiences with you. You became the Sacred Heart of Jesus Presence for me in my ministry. Your zeal for the Lord, your gentle prayer, your kindness and your love and support, have radiated the presence of God to me. I cherish the knowledge that deep within all of us is an amazing sanctuary of the soul, a holy place. I will continue to hold you in that holy place because of what you have brought to my spiritual life. I want to carry Sacred Heart’s parish motto with me to the faith communities for which I will be ministering: ‘May the Christ in me reach out to the Christ in others.’

Thank you people of Sacred Heart for the blessed opportunity to serve you. I will continue to hold you in prayer, asking God to allow your hearts to enjoy the pure delight of union with the Heart of God.

Thank you Monsignor Carson for inviting me to the “Heart”. Thank you parish staff, Pauline, Paulette and Eric. It was a pleasure and a blessing to work side by side with you.”
In gratitude and love,

Sr. Linda LaMagna CCW

Rectory Office

The rectory business office will be closed this Tuesday, August 3.

COMMUNION CALLS

Msgr. Carson will be making his monthly Communion Calls to homebound parishioners on Thursday and Friday of this week, August 5 and 6. If you know of a parishioner who would like to receive Holy Communion, please call the office by Wednesday. Last month, 23 people received the Blessed Sacrament.

FIRST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH

You are encouraged to honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus by participating at either the 7:45 a.m. or 11:30 a.m. Mass on Friday, August 6, the First Friday of the Month. Confessions will be heard at 7:15 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

EUCHARISTIC DAY OF PRAYER

This month’s Eucharistic Day of Prayer will be on Sunday, August 15, the Feast of the Assumption of Mary. We will have exposition of the Blessed Sacrament from after the noon Mass until Benediction at 5:00 p.m.

SUMMER SOCIALS

The courtyard socials that were scheduled for this weekend have been transferred to next weekend to provide an opportunity for parishioners to bid farewell to Sr. Linda.

ANGEL FUND GRANTS

Angel Fund Grants for the 2010-2011 school year have been distributed. A total of $13,848 was given to twelve families. The amount of assistance was basically 1/3 of the family’s tuition bill. This year, the amount available was higher than normal due to a designated bequest.

ANNUAL CATHOLIC APPEAL

$44,775 has been pledged to the Annual Catholic Appeal by 248 families. We presently have 685 registered families in the parish. If you haven’t already sent in your pledge, please consider doing so.

Angel Fund

A donation has been made to the Angel Fund by Mr. and Mrs. John Clouser in memory of Troy and Brianna Clouser. Thank you.

Words matter - listen carefully to our current administration

Since the initially strong language on religious freedom used in President Obama's Cairo speech, presidential references to religious freedom have become rare, often replaced, at most, with references to freedom of worship. A purposeful change in language could mean a much narrower view of the right to religious freedom. Does this change of language indicate a change of policy? As Catholics, this is an area where we must remain vigilant. These small changes can be used to change our perception of rights and freedoms.
- Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

Read more of Obama Moves away from 'Freedom of Religion' toward 'Freedom of Worship'?

In Your Prayers

Please remember in your prayers the health intention of Donald Archey, Barb, Alisa Battisti, Nathan Battisti, Richard Beere, Robert Bollinger, Brian, Emma Helen Brolley, Diane Brown, Dylan Callahan, Kierra Chirdon, Carri and Austin Clegg, John Clouser, Denise Conrad, Paul Conrad, Ed Dalansky, Judy Davis, Dr. Ron Dietrick, Thomas Dobson, Marian Dodson, Joan Donnelly, Mary Duey, Angie Douglas, Jacob Eshlenan, Don Ezelle, Bob Frederick, Rita Gensamer, Cindy Gibbons, Derry Gilbert, Anna Marie Gority, Rosella Greiner, Greg Griffith, Patty Halterman, Samantha Hilyer, Wendy Himes, Genevieve Hornung, Diana Horton, James Horton, Jr., Ruth Irvin, Sarah Ivory, Nancy James, Diane Kane, Ken Keagy, Larry Knott, Sr., Cherie’ Langenbacher, Cyndi Lansberry, Clara Lindsay, Max Manney, Benjamin and Jacob McConnell, Mary Ann McDermott, Brigid McManaman, Charity Meyer, Clarence “Ed” Miller, Heather Miller Family, Stephanie Miller, Dottie Musser, John Nale, “R. J.” Ott, Angel Page, Josephine Page, Melody Paul, Barbara Rickard, Richard Rickard, Elia Rocci, Jason Shoeman, Richard Slates, Patty and Bill Slone, Jacqueline Smith, Amber Stephens, Beth Stevens, Caitlin Thompson, Christine Thompson, Peggy Trexler, Kathy Wagner, Rhonda Weyandt, Angie Yingling, Jen O’Neill Yohn and the personal intentions of Daniel O’Brien, Angeline and the safety of Ian Chilcote and Zachary Corle.

In the event our prayers have helped, you are asked to call the rectory to have your name removed from the list. You can always have it put back on if need be. Thank you.

To have a name added to the prayer list, please call the rectory office before noon on Monday to have the name placed in that weekend’s bulletin. You must have the person’s permission to print their name.