We are told in our first reading, an incredibly important truth, The Lord Rejoices in YOU!
We often feel incredibly unworthy, but God rejoices in us.
Author Archives: Tammy Houser
Fr. Todd Bulletin, January 20 2019
Dear Sacred Heart Family,
It has been great having Dan join us. One of the things he will be getting involved in is our confirmation program. That began last week with helping them prepare and serve food for Share the Warmth in Adrian. I also taught him and Fr. Tomy how to play dice – one more game for the repertoire.
I want to continue with our theme of new Year’s resolutions. Last week was faith – patience with God. This week is Hope – patience with ourselves. A few things to consider:
How well do we know ourselves, or weaknesses and our strengths?
St. Ignatius says the evil one is like a robber who comes to our walled city and, after having examined all of our defenses, attacks us where we are weakest. The best way to defend ourselves then is to know our weak points so we can shore them and so we won’t so easily be tripped up. While it can be discouraging to think of our weaknesses it is simply good information to help us better live.
We learn to see ourselves in the same light that God sees us in:
Psalm 25:7: “Remember no more the sins of my youth; remember me according to your mercy, because of your goodness, LORD.” This is how God thinks of us, not with condemnation but with love. He thinks of us in the light of His mercy and love.
There is a prayer I love that paraphrases Psalm 25:7 like this “Lord forgive the sins of my youth and stupidity”. Any introspection will dredge up stuff that we are not proud of and we can wonder what God thinks of us, if He can help grow through our mistakes. The answer is yes and we need to see ourselves the same way He see us and move forward with Him.
Don’t despise the small, practical beginning
We hear in the prophet Zechariah 4:6-10: “Then he said to me: “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, and not by power, but by my spirit, says the LORD of hosts. Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you become a plain. He will bring forth the first stone amid shouts of ‘Favor, favor be upon it!’” Then the word of the LORD came to me: The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundations of this house, and his hands will finish it. Thus you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you. For whoever has scorned such a day of small things will rejoice to see the capstone in the hand of Zerubbabel.”
Zechariah was looking at the impossible task of rebuilding of the Temple. God encouraged the people to just be faithful and persevere even with small steps. For us, is it any surprise that it takes a little while to break a habit that has gotten entrenched over years of my life? We persevere in the small steps of growth that we can too easily overlook, these works of grace in our lives.
Choose truth consistently:
We hear in 1 John 3:1-3: “See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. Yet so we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed. We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope based on him makes himself pure, as he is pure.”
This is the truth of who are, our identity that nothing can take away. When things get really hard, when we really don’t have any more patience with ourselves, we lean back on these truths.
God Bless!
Fr. Todd
Principal Anne Atkin Bulletin, January 20 2019
Have I Told You How Much You Mean To Me Lately?
On Fridays during lunch, the school counselor, Marshall Hesslau chooses three students to be the recipients of positive affirmations. Without fail, each student chosen beams from ear to ear as they walk up to the large board where we will be writing positive words that apply to them. Hands go up across the lunchroom to say something nice about the chosen recipient. The kids tell the student how fast they are at recess or how smart they are in class. Hands go up to say they are nice or funny or the best brother ever. The kids just love it and the mood of the lunchroom is joyful and kind.
It is so simple. It so powerful. What do people think of me when they are thinking of my good qualities? We almost never get to hear it. And yet it means so much. A simple act of kindness or a pleasant thought that we actually tell the other person can truly alter a relationship. It can change it for the better and change a person to think about the good in themselves. It is contagious.
As we head into Catholic Schools Week at SHS, we are really pushing our positive thoughts and energy to the front of our brains. We want to reflect on the times when someone has been positive to us and use that energy to keep the affirmations moving forward. So we are challenging ourselves to think about the effort it takes to clear the sidewalks after a snow at the school. Or how the lunch lady is always on time and our food is always hot. Or how one of our classmates let us borrow a pencil. Or how my teacher is so patient and joyful and wants me to be great every day. Then, we want to think about how we can pass on the kindness. How can we make someone feel special with a small act of just noticing that they are special? During Catholic Schools Week we want to share our positive outlook for the people in our lives and we hope you will join us. Let’s open our hearts and let the goodness flow to our soul and our brain. We want to spring into action with positive actions and words. We want to make it a habit. I hope it is a habit our students will take with them for the rest of their lives. There is no better way to honor Jesus than to honor his people with an open loving heart. We cannot wait to share our positive affirmations with you.
God Bless,
Anne Atkin, Principal
Deacon’s Corner, January 20 2019
In our Gospel today, Jesus begins His public ministry at a wedding feast in the village of Cana – about four miles from His hometown of Nazareth. Over the past month, we heard the stories of Jesus’ birth, His dedication in the Temple eight days later, and the visit of Magi when He was about two. And now, Jesus is around 30 years old. The last we heard about His youth was Mary and Joseph finding Him in the temple teaching elders when He was about 12 years old. That story ends with “He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor before God and man.” (Luke 2:51-52) Those two sentences contain all that is recorded in Sacred Scripture about the next 18 years in the life of Jesus. We call these years the “Hidden Years”.
Our Catechism tells us during these years, Jesus was just like every other young, Jewish man growing up in Nazareth – “a life spent without greatness, a life of manual labor. His religious life was that of a Jew obedient to the Law of God, a life in the community (CCC 531).” Jesus lived an ordinary and unremarkable life, out of the public spotlight. He probably learned his foster-father’s trade as a carpenter. Eventually, maybe after the death of Joseph, He continued working as a carpenter in and around Nazareth and took care of His mother.
Understanding these Hidden Years provides us with the perfect model of humility, work ethic, faithfulness, and obedience. By living an ordinary life, Jesus teaches us how to fight our vanity which causes us to do only what seems great, important, or bringing praise and notice to ourselves. Jesus went about His work dutifully, day after day, without complaining or being impatient. In all these things, Jesus obeyed His parents with great love. The God of all things, almighty and infinite, became submissive to two, poor unknown human beings – Joseph and Mary of Nazareth.
St. Josemaria Escriva, the “saint of ordinary life”, wrote the Hidden Years of Jesus “speak eloquently for itself and contain a wonderful message for us Christians. They were years of intense work and prayer, years which Jesus lived an ordinary life, a life like ours…which was both divine and human at the same time…He lived in obscurity, but for us, that period is full of light. It illuminates our days and fills them with meaning for we are ordinary Christians who lead an ordinary life.”
As our new year begins to unfold, may the ordinary life of Jesus be the example we seek to live the Cardinal Virtues of “temperance, prudence, justice, and fortitude; and nothing in life is more useful than these (Wisdom 8.7)”
Deacon John
Adapted from “Introduction to Catholicism for Adults” by Fr James Socias
Parish News
ALTAR SERVER TRAINING
Sunday, February 10
12:00 – 2:30
Fr. Todd and Deacon John will offer training to learn the skills of being an Altar Server. Open to all kids, grades 3 and up, who would like to become an Altar Server and anyone needing a refresher! Lunch will be provided. In order to have an accurate lunch count, please RSVP to the parish office, 448-3811
RCIA SNACK SCHEDULE
- January 22: JoAn Mende
- January 29: Angie Monahan
- February 5: Christ Hoyt
- February12: Bernadette Barrett
- February19: Linda Komarynski
- February 26: Stephanie Bean
- March 5: Stacy Parker
UPCOMING BIBLE STUDY DATES:
Jan 23 – Sacred Heart at 6pm
Jan 24 – SMOL at 10am
Feb 6-Sacred Heart 6pm
Feb 7-SMOL 10am
THE ALPHA OMEGA CARE CENTER
We will be participating in the Alpha Omega Care Center Annual Baby Bottle Drive fundraiser. Alpha Omega Care Center exists to empower men and women to may life affirming decisions regarding pregnancy through counseling and education and providing a safe and welcoming environment that projects the love of Christ.
You can help… simply pick up a bottle after Mass, fill it with loose money. If you would like to write a check, please make it out directly to Alpha Omega Care Center.
For more information, please visit our website: www.alphaomegacc.org
A MOTORCADE FOR LIFE will be held in Jackson on Tuesday, January 22, 2019. It is our opportunity as a body of Christians to witness to the sanctity of life and destruction of abortion to both unborn child and mother. The Motorcade for Life, Interdenominational Prayer Service and Wreath Laying Ceremony will begin at 10:30 a.m. at New Covenant Church, 2405 West Washington Avenue at 24th Street, where vehicles will assemble. The procession of cars will travel down Michigan Avenue to Francis Street, ending at St. John Cemetery where a prayer service will be held. Please contact Jackson Right to Life at 784-1300 for more information. In the event of inclement weather we will post information on the Jackson Right to Life Facebook page. A flyer with more details can be printed at www.jacksonforlife.org.
RIGHT TO LIFE RALLY
46 years ago this week abortion was legalized in the U.S. Since then over 60 million precious citizens have lost their lives because of our nation’s most scandalous law. Please plan on joining pro life Christians throughout Lenawee Co. for the Pro Life Rally . It will take place at St. Joseph Church, Adrian on Monday, January 21st starting at noon. A brief program at the Courthouse with our pro life legislators and an open house at the Care Pregnancy Center will follow.
For more information, please contact Kate Hayes 517 438-2454.
Online Giving
Have you considered using Online Giving? By creating a login and contributing online you’ll always have a report of your giving history available. You can access your giving report easily and securely via the web, and your information will always be up-to-date with your latest contributions.
ParishSoft is offering the Youth Scholarship Program. For every 25 NEW recurring givers, they will donate $200 to our Youth Program.
You can find the Online Giving link on our website: www.sacredhearthudson.org
From the Diocese!
Marriage Encounter Weekend
Jesus was and is the world’s most perfect gift. Experience that gift anew in your marriage and grow close than ever before on a Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend. Upcoming weekends will be held Jan. 25-27 at Holiday Inn-Troy and March 15-17 at St. Francis Retreat Center-DeWitt. Apply online at wwme.org or contact Chris & Darla Vinton at 734-531-9191
The Man Event 2019 Diocese of Lansing Catholic Men’s Conference
Men, come to grow in your faith at the annual Diocese of Lansing’s Catholic Men’s Conference. In carrying out the tradition of providing an atmosphere of support and helping the Catholic men among us to courageously live a Christ centered life in today’s world, this year’s theme will focus on how to “Wear The Armor of God”. (Ephesians 6:10-18)
When: February 23, 2019
Where: Our Lady of Fatima (913 Napoleon Road, Michigan Center, MI 49254)
Time: 10 AM – 5 PM
Individual Ticket Prices: Adults $40 / Students $30
What to Expect: Motivating messages from Deacon Harold Burke Sivers and Fr. Tim MacDonald Adoration and confessions A mouth-watering pig roast BBQ lunch from Stick-A-Pig-In-It Music by Brian Flynn & Band Mass with Bishop Boyea (4 PM)
Registrations are now open. For more information or to purchase your tickets, visit www.themanevent.org.
FIND YOUR GREATNESS Saturday, March 16, St. Rita Church, Clarklake Our friends in Clarklake are sponsoring a regional event with the Dynamic Catholic Organization. Speaker Jonathan Fanning will discuss the Four Signs of a Dynamic Catholic. The event is Saturday, March 16, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. St. Rita is located at 10516 Hayes Road. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online at www.DynamicCatholic.com or by calling 859-980-7900. About the speaker: Jonathan Fanning is a seasoned life coach dedicated to helping leaders grow their businesses and pursue excellence in every area of their lives. Voted best speaker at a TED conference, Fanning has spent decades inspiring and guiding individuals through keynote speaking, workshop training, and consulting. With a dynamic speaking style combining blunt honesty with humor, emotion, and practical examples, Fanning successfully provides his audiences with a road map to the future they desire. Fanning has written a book, Who Are You Becoming?, which guides people on a quest for a deeper sense of purpose, meaning, and significance (www.DynamicCatholic.com).
CROSS AND LIGHT Thursday through Saturday, March 21-23, St. Gerard Church, Lansing Cross and Light is a 90-minute dramatic and musical representation of the Life and Passion of Jesus. In the tradition of the Broadway and Hollywood hit Godspell, this is done in a more contemporary setting with lights, special effects and music. There will be five showings of Cross and Light at St Gerard Church, 4437 West Willow Highway in Lansing on Thursday through Saturday, March 21-23, including daytime and evening show times. You can learn more at www.crossandlight.com/stgerard where you can purchase your $25 ticket, well in advance, because each show is expected to be a sellout. This, and the Dynamic Catholic event mentioned above at St. Rita would be excellent ways to start your Lenten season. We will share more information about all these events as the dates near but mark your calendars now!
Witness to Hope Update
Following is a letter that we received from the Diocese of Lansing in regard to the Witness to Hope campaign.
Dear Pastors, Business Managers and Parish Secretaries –
This morning we learned of errors in the Witness to Hope January pledge reminder mailing dated January 1, 2019. We are sharing this information so Parish staff are aware and equipped to respond to anyone with questions or making inquiry about this matter.
Some donors were mailed an erroneous Witness to Hope pledge reminder dated January 1, 2019. That letter erroneously referred to the “Diocesan Services Appeal” and wrongly directed that payment be made to “DSA.”
We apologize for these mistakes and for the confusion they have caused. We are taking the following actions to rectify this matter and are available to provide personal assistance as needed.
A corrected Witness to Hope January pledge reminder will be mailed to those same donors today. It will include a statement from our printer and me which identifies and apologizes for these errors – then requests that our supporters disregard the incorrect statement dated January 1, 2019, and instead utilize the corrected statement dated January 3, 2019. Donors will be advised to make gifts payable to “Witness to Hope.”
Anyone with questions regarding this matter should contact me at (517) 342-2450, or Colleen Andrews or Julie Gill of our Donor Services staff at 517-342-2590.
Again, please accept our apologies for this erroneous mailing.
We are grateful for all that you do,
John Madigan
President
The Catholic Foundation
209 N. Seymour
Lansing, MI 48933
Direct: 517.342.2450
Cell: 517.290.8660
PARISH NEWS
A GIFT FROM US TO YOU
At the Christmas Masses, every household should have received a free copy of Signs of Life: 20 Catholic Customs and their Biblical Roots by acclaimed author and Catholic apologist, Dr. Scott Hahn OR Into His Likeness: Be Transformed as a Disciple of Christ by Edward Sri. Inside the book is a bookmark detailing our parish-wide subscription to www.formed.org. I hope all of you will use these resources wisely, especially to assist each of us in growing in our faith during the Year of Prayer. Both are free resources can help all of us to better understand the deeper meanings behind so many of our Catholic traditions and practices. Learning more about these things can help us to participate more fully in our faith and not just go through the motions. Once you’ve read the book, pass it on to someone else!
If you haven’t already joined, why not start 2019 with FORMED? It’s easy to register and FREE!
FORMED is a avenue that allows us, as Catholics, to delve deeper into our faith and understand why we believe what we believe.
Discover the best Catholic content in one place; Entertaining movies, programs, talks, audio and ebooks – all just a click away.
To join FORMED, simply go to our link and register. sacredheart-stmary.formed.org
THANK YOU to all who used their time and talent decorating the church during the Advent/Christmas season.
We are in need of snacks for 8 people for the Tuesday night RCIA program. There is a sign up sheet in the entrance of the church. Thank you, Linda Higgins
Emmaus Group will have a meeting on Monday, January 14 at 6:30 in the church hall.
UPCOMING BIBLE STUDY DATES:
Jan 23 – Sacred Heart at 6pm
Jan 24 – SMOL at 10am
Feb 6-Sacred Heart 6pm
Feb 7-SMOL 10am
Online Giving
Have you considered using Online Giving? By creating a login and contributing online you’ll always have a report of your giving history available. You can access your giving report easily and securely via the web, and your information will always be up-to-date with your latest contributions.
ParishSoft is offering the Youth Scholarship Program. For every 25 NEW recurring givers, they will donate $200 to our Youth Program.
You can find the Online Giving link on our website: www.sacredhearthudson.org