The 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

August 23, 2026

GOSPEL MEDITATION

The first time I stood inside St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, its majesty overwhelmed me. The sheer beauty of Michelangelo’s dome seemed to lift my soul right out of my body. Later, I joined the Scavi tour that winds below the basilica, down into the ancient pagan cemetery where Peter was buried. There, in the dim light and narrow passageways, I found myself looking at the bones of a murdered Jewish fisherman, his feet cut off so his crucified body could be taken down more easily.

What a paradox. Above me, the most glorious church ever built. Beneath me, the remains of a backwater fisherman. But this man dared to answer Jesus’ question, “Who do you say that I am?” And crowning that immense dome above his tomb are the words from today’s Gospel, “You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church.”

Within you and me is the drama of the lowest and the highest. Every time we confess Christ, humbly, imperfectly, maybe even trembling, we enter that same mystery. The dust of our humanity, touched by the splendor of heaven. God’s presence and our dry bones together. Humility and glory. May our lives embrace both the lowest and the highest, like that great basilica, as we profess Jesus
- Father John Muir

PRO-LIFE CORNER

“The hairsplitting difference between formed and unformed makes no difference to us. Whoever deliberately commits abortion is subject to the penalty for homicide.”
- St. Basil the Great (329-379), Father and Doctor of the Church.

END OF SUMMER SOCIAL

All Sacred Heart Parishioners are invited to join in fellowship at our annual end of summer social! Donuts and coffee will be served by the parish Social Committee at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, August 30,2026 in the courtyard.

CEREAL DONATIONS

Sacred Heart Parish will be collecting breakfast cereal August 9, 2026, through September 6, 2026. This cereal collection directly benefits the Sacred Heart Food Pantry in their effort to help fellow parishioners and families in our surrounding area. Parishioners are invited to place the cereal in bins at the main entrance of the Church.

EVERYDAY STEWARDSHIP

Our readings today reveal beautiful truths about our God, and they challenge us to look at the truth about ourselves as well. Our Gospel passage, from Matthew, leads us to take a serious look at whether our lives give God the glory He deserves. It comes in the form of a question that Jesus poses to the disciples. He leads up to it gently enough: “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they offer varying responses. Then, Jesus gets personal with them, “But who do you say I am?” Peter gets the answer right, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus is getting personal with us today. He poses the same question to each one of us who call ourselves His stewards and modern-day disciples. Surely, we would not hesitate to answer just as Peter did, that Jesus is the Christ, Son of the living God. But do our lives truly reflect this answer?

The gifts and blessings that God has given us – our time, our talents, our material possessions – are meant to be used in a manner that says “Christ is my Savior and I am His disciple.” The most eloquent praise we can offer Him is a life lived in grateful response to His unfathomable love. This is the beauty and power of a stewardship way of life.

A FAMILY PERSPECTIVE

Jesus tells us in the gospel: “I am in the Father and the Father is in me!” The point is: God is in each one of us, in our relationships and in our homes. The vocation of the Christian family is to live the divine gift which is already in and around us.
- Bud Ozar

2026/2027 ANGEL FUND GRANT

Applications are now available at the main entrance of the church. Grants are based on need, and on participation with in the Sacred Heart Community, volunteering your time, talent and treasure. Applications must be returned to the church office no later than August 15, 2026

PROCLAIM! NIGHT WITH THE ALTOONA CURVE

In celebration of the 125th anniversary of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, Proclaim! is sponsoring a night with the Altoona Curve on August 14 at PNG Field in Altoona. The game starts at 6:00 p.m., but before the game, Proclaim! is hosting a picnic supper at 5:00 p.m. Game tickets are $9 for adults; $7 dollars for children ages 3-12. The picnic supper is free with the purchase of a game ticket. To purchase tickets, contact Cory Homan at the Altoona Curve at 814-28 3-3128 or choman@altoonacurve.com. As part of the celebration, the Very Rev. Frank Sconaienchi, TOR, the Very Reverend Matthew Baum, and Father Michael Pleva will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

TO SCHEDULE A MASS INTENTION

Please contact the parish office. The suggested donation for a Mass intention is $10. We will Schedule on or as close as possible to the date(s) you request.

MASS INTENTIONS

If we are unable to offer a Mass Intention on a date you are hoping for, Father Bonaventure is available to celebrate Mass at the abbey in Latrobe. He would welcome any Mass intentions you would like to send him. At: Fr. Bonaventure OSB, St. Vincent Archabbey 300 Fraser Purchase Road Latrobe, PA 15650

Prayer Requests

Kathy Ansman, Mark Blackie, Rod Baronner, Dan Bauer, Dave Bauer, Jack Chilcote, Harry Chirdon, Karen Claar, Brandon Conaway, Shirley Conlon, Denise Conrad, James Conrad, Kathy Corl, William Costlow, Joe DeGennaro Jr., Colette DiMemmo, Tim Dodson, Joan Donnelly, Matthew Dorman, Nate Dorman, Amelia Doughurty, Lois Duncan, Thomas Duncan, Ashley Eagen, Corinda Ermin, Roberta Farabaugh, Herman Frederick, Pat Harpster, Leighton Hess, Lucy Horton, Raymond Kargo, Russell Keith, John Kleine, Ruth Lamca, Cyndi Lansberry, Mary Ann Larson, Donna Laughlin, Beth Lloyd, Joel McElhinney, Charles McGrain, Shirley McIntyre, Mason Wayne McManus, Paul Angelo Morelli, Bev Mueller, Bonnie Neal, Jessica Neff, Lee Neff, Sarah Rihnovich, Nancy Servello, Elizabeth Siglow, Laura Snyder, Alex Walter, Margo Wascherl, Scotty Wavrek, Joan Weston, Renee Williams, Pat Zeak.

If you would like to add a sick or hospitalized person to our prayer list or readd a person, please call the rectory office, at 943-8553. Parishioners of Saint Mary are encouraged and welcome to participate. Remember, you must have the permission of the ill person/family to publish their name.

Sacred Heart Church