14th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear Parishioner,

This week we welcomed Fr. Matthew Abu Cole to Sacred Heart. He is a priest of the Society of African Missions. He will be visiting us the next two months and helping with the sacramental needs of our parish. Fr. Cole is from Liberia. He has been in the United States several times, mostly on the east coast. This is his first extended stay in the Midwest.

I am glad that Fr. Matthew is with us so we can better serve the sacramental needs of the parish. Unfortunately, things are still uncertain for months after he leaves in September. I hope that the Society of African Missions can supply us with a priest on a long-term basis, but we must wait and see. We will be having 6:30 Mass on Monday while Fr. Matthew is here, but we will leave the rest of the schedule the same for the summer.

Fr. Matthew does not have a driver’s license for the United States so I would like to request drivers to take him to hospitals and nursing homes and sick calls. If anyone can volunteer please contact our office or Deacon Pat. He is trying to compile a list of people that can be called.

The other thing I would mention is that if anyone would like to invite Fr. Matthew to dinner or lunch I am sure he would be open to that. This will get him out of the rectory and help him to see a little of the Quad Cities. This is also a wonderful opportunity to learn about the church in Africa. We do not have a cook at the rectory so this would also allow him to have a home cooked meal. Unfortunately, I do not always have the time to entertain. I have my own schedule of meetings, etc.

Some people have asked if I have written the bishop asking for an assistance. The reality is there is no one available to send. We are like every other diocese, short on priests. I will do my best to find help where I can and we will continue to build the kingdom.

Thank you to all who are doing lay ministry and being so helpful. This makes life easier.

Blessings,

Fr. Mark