Author Archives: Tammy Houser

Principal Anne Atkin Bulletin, May 26 2019

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Dear Sacred Heart Families,

Our students pray every day for our veterans. It is always an intention offered by our students during morning prayer. They seem to truly understand the great sacrifices that have been made by our brave men and women throughout our history. We have talked this week about the importance of Memorial Day to our country. I wanted to share some of what we talked about with you.

National Moment of Remembrance-established by Congress in 2000, asks Americans, wherever they are at 3:00pm local time on Memorial Day, to pause in an act of national unity for a duration of one minute.

  • Memorial Day is a day to honor and remember all of the men and women who died fighting for our country. These men and women dedicated their lives so we can be a free nation.
  • Memorial Day is celebrated on the last Monday in May.
  • The original name was Decoration Day because family members of fallen soldiers decorated their graves with flowers.
  • Decoration Day originally only honored the soldiers who died in the Civil War. After World War I, it was changed to all soldiers who lost their lives in war.
  • In 1950 Decoration Day was changed to Memorial Day.
  • President Nixon declared Memorial Day a federal holiday.
  • The official flower of Memorial Day is Red Poppies.

People celebrate Memorial Day by placing flowers on soldier’s graves, flying the flag at half- staff, attending parades and remembering soldiers who lost their lives.

God Bless,

Anne Atkin, Principal

References: kidsplay and create, retrieved on May 22, 2019. Memorial Day Facts For Kids.

 

Deacon Corner, May 26 2019

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As Americans, we are blessed by God with freedoms to do or say almost anything we want, with more food than one nation can possibly consume, more resources than we can possibly use, and the protection of the mightiest military ever assembled.  As Christians, we strive to be more than the material world.  By virtue of our human reason and free will, we are unique among all other created things.  We can freely choose to accept or reject God’s graces. Turning away from God is not true freedom.  It is an abuse of our freedom that enslaves us into a culture of apathy and violence which threatens human life and dignity.  The Church teaches to understand freedom we must consider the nature and purpose of our humanity – that each of us are made in the image and likeness of God.

St. Pope John Paul II said freedom destroys itself when it is not based on objective truth.  By virtue of our ability to reason and our free will, we are compelled to seek the truth. Our Creator instilled this divine drive within us so we would seek Him, for God is the truth.  Once we find the truth, we are obligated to live it to the best of our ability.  Those obligations include sacrificing our blessings to ensure everyone can enjoy the “certain unalienable Rights” that we believe in.  We cannot satisfy this obligation knowing there is coercion in our society.  After all, how can we thank God for our blessings but ignore the suffering and death of people at the hands of ruthless oppressors, natural disasters, and in famine stricken regions of the world?

As Americans we have the moral responsibility to stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves when these privileges are threatened or violated.  This Memorial Day we honor our fallen brothers and sisters who gave their life so others may choose freedom and seek the truth.  The “truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”  May we pray for those who sacrificed their lives for a purpose they believed was greater than themselves.  May perpetual light shine upon them, and may they rest in peace.

Deacon John

 

Memorial Day Mass

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On Memorial Day, weather permitting, we will have Mass at Calvary Cemetery in Hudson at 8am  (5560 Meridian Road Hudson, Michigan).  Please bring lawn chairs or a blanket for sitting on the grass.  If it is raining that morning, we will have Mass at Sacred Heart Church.

 

Fr. Todd Bulletin, May 19 2019

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Dear Sacred Heart Family,

Our family had a great surprise for Mother’s Day with one of my sisters announcing that she was expecting her second child.  The 10th grandchild will be joining the Koenigsknecht clan right around Thanksgiving of this year.  That kind of news trumps any other Mother’s Day present!

While I was home for my day off this past week I was able to see one of my favorite spring time events- the cows being let out on the pasture after the winter months of being confined to the yard.  They are a picture of joy that never gets old- running, bellowing, frisking and kicking their tails in the air.  It is a scene the prophet Malachi references for the joy that comes from following God and His ways, of the confidence found living under His protective care: Malachi 3:20 “But for you who fear my name, the sun of justice will arise with healing in its wings; and you will go out leaping like calves from the stall”.

The world of spring time in is meant to shout out a reminder of God’s presence and providence.  That just as the world and the universe in all its immensity is ordered so He can bring order to what can be at times a chaotic life.

Spring time, Eastertime is an invitation to lean into our Father’s loving care.  There is a beautiful old Hymn that captures this reality much better than I can: “I sing the mighty power of God” by Issac Watts.

 

I sing the mighty pow’r of God, that made the mountains rise,
That spread the flowing seas abroad, and built the lofty skies.
I sing the wisdom that ordained the sun to rule the day;
The moon shines full at His command, and all the stars obey.

I sing the goodness of the Lord, who filled the earth with food,
Who formed the creatures through the Word, and then pronounced them good.
Lord, how Thy wonders are displayed, where’er I turn my eye,
If I survey the ground I tread, or gaze upon the sky.

There’s not a plant or flow’r below, but makes Thy glories known,
And clouds arise, and tempests blow, by order from Thy throne;
While all that borrows life from Thee is ever in Thy care;
And everywhere that we can be, Thou, God, art present there.

 

Of this song I think the verse that captures the greatest nugget of truth is the last line: “While all that borrows life from Thee is ever in Thy care; And everywhere that we can be, Thou, God, art present there.”  This Easter time be reassured of Jesus’ presence with you.  Be amazed at the world coming to life around us and simply ask Jesus to bring that new life into your own.

 

God Bless,

Fr. Todd

 

Deacon’s Corner, May 19 2019

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In the Gospel today, Jesus sums up Christian discipleship in three, simple words: “love one another.”  Because, at the end of the day, when the doctrine has been debated, the prayers have been prayed, traditions lived out, hymns have been sung, and the liturgies celebrated, we are left with just one thing: love.

But, what is ‘love’?  After all, I love my wife and family.  I loved my job.  I love my Fighting Irish and would love to see a national championship someday.   I love good food and love sharing it with good friends.   The word ‘love’ has different meanings depending on how we use it.  And to make it harder, Jesus redefined love when he said “love one another, as I have loved you”.  So, how did Jesus “love”?

Jesus showed us love is sacrificial.  At the very heart of our Christian faith is the fact that Jesus died on the cross; not some empty, meaningless, failing type of death, but a death that won a significant victory over the power of sin and death so that we could live in a beautiful relationship with God.  There was no limit to Jesus’ sacrifice – because there was no limit to his love for us.  Jesus gave up everything so we could live:  He gave up his birthright, his power, his majesty, his glory, his own life.  Jesus didn’t just make sacrifices for us. He became a sacrifice for us.

Jesus showed us love is unconditional.   We constantly make a mess of our lives.  But, God loves us anyway. Jesus didn’t set conditions on his love. He never said that we need to do something first in order for him to love us. He never waited until we had proved ourselves worthy of love.  Jesus’ love was absolutely unconditional.

Jesus showed us love is practical.  There are many poems and love songs written to express the emotion of love. But in reality, love is intensely practical.  Like the hospice nurse caring for a dying patient.  The mother cleaning up after her sick child in the middle of the night.  The food pantry volunteer listening to a client and providing for their needs.  The father working two jobs to take care of his family.  And parents sacrificing their own dreams for the sake of their children.  Jesus’ death on the cross was intensely practical. It wasn’t a glorious; he was alone, he was in pain, he had to grit his teeth and just get on with it. That is practical love in action.

We are called to love as Jesus loved. It is not easy, but loving as Jesus loved must be the hallmark of our church and our own lives.  As St. Paul said, if we don’t have love, we are nothing (1 Corinthians 13:1-3).  Without love, our worship is empty, our hymn singing is empty, and all the activities of our church and life are meaningless.  As we prepare for the week ahead, may we pray for the grace to follow the example Jesus set, and fulfil His commandment to love each other as he loves us.

Deacon John

 

Principal Anne Atkin Bulletin, May 19 2019

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Our Sin Is What Makes Us Human?

This week in morning prayer we have been talking about what makes us human. The students quickly know it is our ability to use free will, to love, to sin and to forgive. In a nutshell, it is our ability to think. To think ourselves in or out of any situation. The students also realize this is a huge responsibility. I can make absolutely any decision I want to? Yes, you can. You can choose to be kind or happy. You can choose to be lonely or sad. You can choose to be helpful or lazy. You can choose to lie, or say bad words. You can choose to be hard working or be a good friend. You can choose to gossip or be negative. You will do good things and you will do sinful things, because that is makes us human.

Our soul is connected to God. From the moment we were conceived, we are being called back to the Divine. It is a gentle tug at our hearts and we feel it growing as we live and breathe and thrive and struggle. Without this constant pull we would be lost. Sin is everywhere. Even for children. They must be raised in an environment that allows them to be completely human. It is so important for adults to understand that their children will sin and the children around them will sin. The Devil loves to come for us in the doubt we feel when sin is involved. This sin feels terrible and makes joy seem impossible. It is not uncommon for parents to want to believe that their child is the good one and other kids are causing all of the trouble. Does that mean your child is not human? We must own the fact that our children are going to sin and others will hurt them with sin. The bigger their world gets through sports, bigger schools, different friends, social media etc., the more challenges they will meet. So how do we parent this? What do we say to our children whose friends have turned on them or who have been left out of something very important? What do we say to our children when they commit a pretty big sin and we find out about it? Tell them to:

  1. Talk to God first. Forgive yourself. Make things right with God. Really reconnect with your maker and your soul.
  2. Think. Think about what got you into this mess in the first place. Think about what you have already learned from it and what you can learn now that God is involved.
  3. Pray for God to be with you as you heal from your latest sin.
  4. Go to reconciliation.
  5. Pray for the people who have hurt you and/or the people whom you have hurt. This takes a strong soul. That is why we are given the fruits of the spirit. Use them.
  6. Pray for grace. Grace for yourself and for the people God gave you to learn from. They are not in your life by accident. They are a gift to help you grow in spirit.

Remember, that being human means we have endless chances to grow. If lived well, your life will be full of new and challenging people and situations that help you grow closer to God. This is wonderful! We all have the chance to make it to sainthood. We just didn’t know that “girl drama” or “overly competitive boys” might be just what we need to help keep our kids on the path to march with the army of saints. Believe it or not, it is by design. We can handle this struggle, but we have to have God’s help fighting the Devil and his false promises. Just ask, and you will have it.

 

God Bless,

Anne Atkin, principal

 

2019 DSA Update

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DSA 2019 

Thank you to all who have pledged to the Diocesan Services Appeal.  Sacred Heart 2019 DSA goal is $25,627.00.

We have reached our goal!!  We have 89 families, pledging $25,715.00 to DSA.

You can still contribute to DSA.  A portion of our overage will come back to 0ur parish!!
Every gift is tax deductible. You can make a one time gift using cash, check or credit card or make a pledge to be paid over time on a schedule of your choosing. Envelopes can be found at the end of the pews and at the entrances in church, or you may use the envelope included in the DSA edition of FAITH magazine, or you may click here for the DSA brochure or click here for a pledge form. 

If you would like to give your gift online, please click here.

 

 

2019 DSA Prayer

Loving and gracious God, we praise you and we thank you for the bountiful gifts that you have bestowed upon us.

You have called us to discipleship, to share your gift of salvation with everyone we meet.

Please bless our efforts to form our parish as a community of missionary disciples, united across the diocese in our commitment to go and announce the Gospel of the Lord.

Instill in us the courage to sow bountifully, without sadness or compulsion, so that we may produce a bountiful harvest in service to all and enduring forever.

Amen.

 

 

 

Please take a few moments to listen to Bishop Boyea Appeal for DSA.

Fr. Tomy Homily, May 12 2019

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Today is the Good Shepherd Sunday and the Vocation Sunday and the word of God presents us with two images, the Children of God and the Good Shepherd. In today’s gospel passage Jesus emphasizes the self-sacrificing element in his own life that he is the good shepherd who is laying down his life for his sheep. He contrasts the good shepherd who owns the sheep to someone who is simply hired to look after them. The scriptures tell us of the extraordinary love of God for us has taken in Jesus the form of the good shepherd.

Jesus uses the imagery of the shepherd from the ordinary usage of life and calls himself the Good Shepherd. Every good shepherd knew every one of his sheep by name and he was aware that his sheep also knew him. This showed the intimate knowledge of the shepherd. There was the mutual understanding, a bond of love and intimacy between them and the sheep acknowledged its shepherd. When they were lost he went in search of them and carried them on his shoulders and brought them to the flock.

As we celebrate Good Shepherd Sunday, let us ask the Lord that we may be his good sheep, listening attentively to his voice, and follow his example of self-giving love. Jesus gives us the example of a good shepherd who shows his concern and care for his own sheep. The Lord of compassion promises to go and gather his sheep and bring them back to good pasture. This is the time we pray for all our shepherds in the church and society who are given the responsibility of caring for others. Here we have Jesus as our model and who offered to sacrifice his life for his chosen ones. Jesus the Good Shepherd is the Way, the Truth and the Life. He is the one who goes after the lost sheep leaving the ninety-nine to bring it back to the fold. This Sunday, also the Vocation Sunday we are asked to pray for many and good vocations to continue the work of the Shepherd. The church insists that vocations are a responsibility of the Christian family. To foster vocations, the family must foster the Christian life. The family must live its faith in Christ on a daily basis in unity and prayer. The Church of Jesus fosters a living faith in our community, leading us to the Father through Jesus. Here the grace of God is manifested which will help vocations to flourish to ensure that the needs of the Church are all met. Today let us pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life, that many will be inspired to show true love, to the point of sacrificing many other attractive options to become priests of Jesus, to follow him in religious life.

 

First Communion & Confirmation

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FIRST HOLY COMMUNION
Congratulations to the following children who received their First Communion last weekend.

Elizabeth Beggs, Elizabeth Falater, Elisabeth Hartin, Alyssa Hines, Ryden Luma, Abigail Meyers, Jesse Monahan, Mason Monahan, Tobias Mueller, Zophia Shepherd, Jase Sword

 

 

 

CONFIRMATION
Congratulations to the following young adults who received Confirmation this past week.

Alecia Carr, Rebecca Cuthbertson, Emily Czeiszperger, Olivia Darnell, Zachary Houser, Elaina Kuenzer, Jackson Miller, Samantha Nichols, Nathan Perryman, Payton Rogers, Bailey Surque, Robert Taylor

Our Mother’s Day Intentions

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Loving God, as a mother gives life and nourishment to her children, so you watch over your Church. Bless these women, that they may be strengthened as Christian mothers. Let the example of their faith and love shine forth. Grant that we, their sons and daughters, may honor them always with a spirit of profound respect.

Grant this through Christ our Lord.  Amen!