Third Sunday of Easter

Dear Parishioners,

     Next Sunday we will be starting our Annual Diocesan Appeal drive.  This year our goal is $147,521.  This goal is set by the Diocese of Peoria and this represents a $10,000 increase from last year.  The goal, we were told, went up for a variety of reasons. Mostly it was because the diocesan goal was raised by around $200,000.  Last year, despite a lot of toil and effort we were $25,000 short in our drive.  The shortfall had to be made up out of our ordinary collections.  We have budgeted for the same results next year.  If we could make our goal, it would be of great help to our parish.

     The monies from the Annual Diocesan appeal support the administration of the diocese, seminarians, Catholic Charities, Hispanic Ministry, Marriage Preparation and a variety of other ministries. One program that our parish will benefit from in a new way is the diaconate training program.  We have three men and their wives in formation now.  This is a five-year process.  Having three more ordained staff would be a wonderful help in our parish.  I am sure we all appreciate the ministry of former deacons at Sacred Heart and Deacon Pat who is presently serving. 

     I would like to thank all of you for support of ADA in these past few years.  The amount we have collected has increased each year I have been pastor at Sacred Heart and this has helped the financial health of the parish.  Once again, I emphasize that if we do not make our goal we must make up the monies we are short.

     You should be receiving a letter in the mail this week with your pledge card.  Please prayerfully consider what you can donate. May God bless you for your support of Sacred Heart and our diocese.

Happy Easter,

Fr. Mark

P.S. I would like to congratulate the 8th graders who are receiving confirmation this weekend. Their names are listed in the bulletin today. I'm sure our parish is proud of all of them. May the Spirit guide them as they face the future. Thank you to all who prepared the students for this day and for all who prepared the liturgy this weekend.