Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear Parishioners,

Next weekend we have what we call Offertory Commitment Weekend. This is a weekend every year when each parishioner is asked to contemplate the offertory gift that they give to the parish. You should be receiving a mailing this week about this effort.

The offertory gift is part of everyone’s stewardship. We all have been given gifts and abilities by our God. Do we share those gifts, or do we hoard those gifts? It is always interesting to me that when we read the Gospels that Jesus speaks often about material goods and how we use them. Jesus says that this is a spiritual challenge that we need to pay attention to.

Someone once said that it would be good, occasionally to pray by not opening our favorite prayer book, but by opening our check book (Perhaps today we might look at all the things we have automatically withdrawn from our accounts). When we engage in this type of prayer, we see what priorities we really have.

Is our charity on display there? Do we give a certain percentage back to God by giving to the poor and the church? What is that percentage or amount? Does it ever change? Or does it stay the same year after year.

Occasionally, someone will say to me. “Father, I am sorry that I have not given anything to Sacred Heart in a long time, but you see I have had this or that financial problem.” The person seems to believe that I go over our accounts each week to see who is donating. I rarely ask what someone’s donation is. I do appreciate the sincere desire a lot of people have to practice true stewardship.

I encourage everyone to be that conscientious. Take time this week to discern in prayer how you can help Sacred Heart. I believe that if we all do that the financial needs of our parish will be met. As your pastor, and with the leadership of the parish we will also pray that we will use the resources you have given us with the greatest possible care.

Blessings,

Fr. Mark

P.S. Thanks to all those who planned our Mass of Remembrance last week. Many people were deeply touched by the symbolism and the prayers for their family members. They complimented me, and I pass that compliment on to our Musicians and our Pastoral Care ministers.