Our efforts to meet the needs of the Tampa/Hillsborough County community continue on Saturday, February 14 at the North Campus with our next Giving from the Heart drive-through donation event. Volunteers from the Knights of Columbus and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul will be gathered from 9 to 11 a.m. to receive items assisting SVdP and the Tampa Hope homeless shelter.
Can’t make it to the North Campus on the day of the drive?
Click the image to access our Amazon Wishlist, and have your donation shipped directly to the parish office!
With our next drive, the emphasis is on stocking the shelves for a pair of partnered frontline ministries addressing the needs of the financially unstable, hungry, and unhoused of our community ahead during what has been an unseasonably cold winter.
Catholic Charities and the City of Tampa opened Tampa Hope in December of 2021 along E. 3rd Avenue. in east Ybor. Today, the homeless shelter has a capacity of 235 beds: 125 tents and 99 cottages. In partnership with Catholic Charities, Tampa Hope is now nationally recognized. The site not only offers a place to live, but also Case Management, Financial Literacy Classes, AA Meetings, Bible Study, a USF Mobile Bus and Catholic Charities Mental Health Counseling.
Click to View the Tampa Hope Needs List:
Men’s and women’s underwear
Blankets, sheets and towels
Shower shoes/flip flops
Men’s and women’s shoes
Laundry detergent
Four-person tents
Non-perishable snacks and foods
Toilet paper
Deodorant
Bars of soap
Brooms/dust pans
Women’s hair products
Reusable water bottles
Cooling towels
Rechargeable or solar fans
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry provides emergency groceries to those in need from nine locations across Hillsborough County, as well as two thrift stores, which provide low cost clothing and supplies.
Click to View the Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s Needs List
Peanut butter
Crackers, cookies
Cereal or Oatmeal (individual or boxed)
Dried pasta, or boxed pasta dinners
Pasta sauce
Rice or boxed rice dinners
Dried or canned beans
Tuna, or other canned proteins
Canned soups, stews, pastas, or other canned meals
Non-perishable, single-serving snack or food items of any kind
Juice boxes, shelf-stable milk boxes
Additional information and needs list updates will be available on this page as they are received. As always, the church appreciates your attentiveness and generosity for these drives.
…for they will take your old bike, and make it new again, both in function and in purpose!
As Bikes from the Heart approaches its third anniversary as a ministry of our parish in 2026, you can no longer consider this outreach as fledgling. They are flying. Gone are the days at the North Campus Convent when founders Tim Eves and Tom Henry would toil away on just a bike or two at a time. Support from parishioners and an active volunteer network of more than 25 quickly amassed, so it’s honestly hard to say there ever were times when it was only just a bike or two. To date, the ministry states they have refurbished over 2,500 bikes, including more than 1.100 in 2025 alone.
For those who may not know, BFTH collects used bikes, refurbishes them to working order, and distributes them to the transportation disadvantaged across our area, which can be anyone from the unhoused and homeless, to those who cannot drive and need a connection to work or local services, and even students who need a reliable way to get to school. The ministry retrofitted the first floor of the convent on the property formerly known as Sacred Heart Academy into a full scale bike shop, with storage for donated bikes, multiple repair stations, and rooms for parts and completed rebuilds.
“Community makes everything possible,” said Eves, when thinking back to what the ministry was able to achieve over the last year. That statement is indicative of both the collaborative nature of their ministry,which relies on volunteers, as well as partnerships with public agencies for disused and forgotten bikes, and and local businesses for necessary parts, and also the way in which it was conceived. Both Eves and Henry collaborated to create the ministry through the knowledge they gained from volunteering with other outreach ministries. For Tim, an avid cyclist, he cites his time volunteering with the bike ministry at nearby Hyde Park United Methodist as part of the inspiration. For Tom, he has worked with several ministries catering to those in need, especially Tampa Hope. Pair those two experiences, and…BOOM…you’ve got Bikes from the Heart!
“When Tom and I had the idea to start Bikes from the Heart, we were both freshly retired and looking for something to do,” Tim stated. “We started this thinking we were just going to repair a few bikes a month and give them away. But our ministry has grown way beyond our expectations – we are blessed with active volunteers. I have come to realize that we are not just fixing bikes – but that every aspect of what we do is a ministry.” Both Eves and Henry often refer to the bike ministry as “one knot in a very large net,” referring to their mission as being a small aspect of the larger network of ministries, both internal and external to our parish, that help address the potential gaps in the lives of the poor or homeless. The ministry, though, has taken on life of its own, opening pathways for donors, volunteers, beneficiaries, and recipients alike.
Volunteers regularly welcome in those who have recently received a bike from the ministry to come and volunteer in the shop, if nothing more than to learn how to properly maintain their new ride. More often than not, the recipients wish to pay forward the kindness afforded to them by helping with builds for future giveaways. In 2025, BFTH developed a program to welcome local businesses as volunteers at the shop, with several notable organizations, from the parish’s next door neighbors at Le Méridien, to members of the Tampa Bay Rays front office and facilities staffs, for team-building events or to fulfill employee volunteering requirements. To keep things simple, they have those groups work on stripping bikes not suitable for repair for their functioning parts.
That is not to say you are limited to that experience as a volunteer. Volunteers are always happy to teach anyone who wishes to get their hands greasy every aspect of maintenance and repair, and no prior experience is necessary to participate. The ministry is currently developing a program alongside several local bike shops to instruct volunteer technicians enough that they might be able to seek employment at one of the partnering shops once fully trained.
Volunteers don’t limit their work to the convent-turned-bike shop, either. Each Sunday, a crew gathers at the Portico to distribute bikes to those who have applied in recent weeks, and to assist with repairs for anyone who needs some help. During Advent and Christmas, the ministry supported On-Bikes’ annual Santa’s Workshop event, sending 19 volunteers to help build bikes given away as presents to children. They even were able to deliver some of their own stock, 51 in total, to three different charity initiatives in both Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties providing children gifts for the holidays.
BFTH 2025 Year in Photos
View an assortment of photos from our Bikes from the Heart ministry activities from 2025!
At each Mass this weekend (3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, January 25, 2026), you will hear from Tim and Tom directly about the impact this ministry has had as a “knot in the net, and how important support from parishioners and visitors alike has been to their success. Below is a summary of their 2025 successes:
Annual Christmas Sale resulted in 30 bikes sold, raising funds for future builds
Gave away 51 children’s bikes at Christmas to the following:
Hillsborough County Commissioner Myers’ Annual Event – 24 bikes
Movement of God Church – Pinellas Park – 12 bikes
It’s Better to Give than Receive charity – 15 bikes
More than 500 bikes donated through partnership with The Portico on Sunday mornings during available repair hours
Purchased new signage for the Bikes from the Heart trailer
To learn how you can support Bikes from the Heart, please visit shfla.org/bikes. If you wish to make a financial contribution to the ministry, you can place a check in the weekly offertory made out to “Sacred Heart Catholic Church” with “Bikes from the Heart” on the memo line, or drop it off in person at the bike shop, and maybe stick around for a tour!
If you are clearing bikes from your garage, consider donating them to BFTH. They can be dropped off at the shop during their operational hours of Tuesday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.Bikes from the Heart obviously appreciates the power of prayer, and are always seeking additional prayers for their ministry and volunteers, and asks you to keep them in your prayers throughout the coming year.
Today begins the week of prayer for Christian Unity. In the opening prayer for today’s Mass we prayed, “…hear the pleading of your people and bestow peace in our times.” Given the division going on is our world, our country, and our church, I can’t think of any more urgent prayer: “Peace in our times.” But what would this peace look like.
First, peace is NOT defined as the absence of war or conflict. Peace (in the Biblical sense) is that we live in RIGHT RELATIONSHIP with God, one another, creation, and ourselves. It seems to me that this notion of right relationship is the reason why the Church has selected the Gospel according to John’s account of the Baptism of Jesus only one week after we celebrated the Solemnity of the Baptism of the Lord.
Baptism is a defining event in most, if not all Christian denominations. If a person seeks full communion with the Catholic Church, we more often than not do not rebaptize as long as the baptism was done with water and the words “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and the Holy Spirit” were said. But what exactly does Baptism do, and why did Jesus need to be baptized if He was/is sinless?
I like to say that Jesus entered the waters of the Jordan river clean and symbolically took upon Himself the sins of humanity. His was not a baptism of repentance (since He had no sin to repent of) but rather was a Baptism of solidarity with sinners which all of us are. We are baptized into Christ’s baptism of solidarity, and at the same time cleansed of original sin. As we say in the Creed, “…one baptism for the forgiveness of SINS.” Sin divides us; the grace of Christ heals and unites us.
All of us need the healing, forgiving grace of Christ. And with that healing and forgiving comes the mandate to live as a healed forgiven person in the world. Our primary identity is Christ…not following any particular political leader or party; not defining ourselves through the lens of gender or sexual identity. As St. Augustine wrote, “Rejoice O Christian, for by your baptism YOU are more than a Christian, YOU are CHRIST Himself.”
This week let’s look on all the people we encounter as other Christ’s. If we begin to look at one another differently then maybe we will begin to treat each other differently. This week, when we plead for the unity of all who call themselves Christian, let’s ACT like Christ Himself.
Today we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord, and it’s worth starting with the obvious question people have been asking for centuries: Why does Jesus get baptized at all?
John’s baptism was about repentance. It was for people who needed to turn their lives around. So why does the sinless Son of God step into that same muddy Jordan River? And the answer is simple—but not shallow. Jesus doesn’t enter the water because He needs to be cleansed. He enters the water because we do. This moment is not about Jesus changing. It’s about the water changing.
By stepping into the Jordan, Christ sanctifies the waters of the world. From that point on, water is no longer just water. It becomes a place of encounter—where heaven touches earth, where God chooses to act.
And notice what happens. The heavens open. The Spirit descends. The Father speaks.
This is one of the clearest moments in the Gospels where the Trinity reveals itself—not in theory, not in a creed, but in an event. God shows us who He is by what He does. And what does the Father say? “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Not after Jesus has performed a miracle. Not after He’s preached a sermon. Not after the Cross. Before all of it.
Which tells us something important: Jesus is loved not forwhat He does, but for who He is.
And here’s where this feast turns toward us. Because in our baptism, something very similar happens—whether we remember it or not. The heavens are opened. The Spirit is given. And the Father claims us. You may not have heard a voice from the clouds. Most of us were infants, after all. But the Church dares to say that the same truth spoken over Jesus is spoken over you: You are my beloved child. I delight in you. Not because you’ve earned it. Not because you’ve gotten everything right. But because you belong to Christ.
The Baptism of the Lord marks the end of Christmas, but it also marks the beginning of mission. Jesus comes up out of the water and immediately moves toward the desert, toward ministry, toward the world as it actually is.
Which reminds us: baptism is not a private comfort—it’s a public calling. We are baptized not just from something—sin, death—but for something: to live as sons and daughters who know they are loved and therefore are free to love in return.
So today, as Christmas fades and ordinary time begins, the Church quietly asks us one question: Do you remember who you are? Not your job. Not your failures. Not your worries. But this: You are baptized. You are claimed. You are beloved. And that is where the Christian life always begins.
I would like to share with you a reflection someone has sent me on the World Day of Peace.
Established by Pope Paul VI in 1967, the World Day of Peace is celebrated annually on January 1st, coinciding with the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. It was inspired by the encyclicals Pacem in Terris (John XXIII) and Populorum Progressio (Paul VI), the first observance was held on January 1, 1968.
Each year, the Pope publishes a formal message addressed not just to Catholics, but to “all men of good will” and heads of state. This message serves as a magisterial declaration on social doctrine, covering issues like human rights, economic justice, and international diplomacy.
The theme for the 59th World Day of Peace (January 1, 2026) is “Peace Be With You All: Towards an ‘Unarmed and Disarming’ Peace.” It emphasizes that peace should not be rooted in fear or weapons (“unarmed”) and must have the power to open hearts and resolve conflict (“disarming”).
The “Spirit of Assisi” is a landmark concept in Catholic interreligious dialogue, born from the World Day of Prayer for Peace held on October 27, 1986. Initiated by Pope John Paul II, it brought together 160 religious leaders—including Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, Jews, and traditional African religions—to the birthplace of St. Francis to pray for peace during the Cold War.
The original 1986 gathering was a bold response to the Cold War’s height. For the first time in history, the Catholic Church did not invite other faiths to convert or debate, but to stand side-by-side.
John Paul II was careful with his language to avoid the charge of “syncretism”—the blurring of distinct religious identities into a vague, single faith. He famously stated that they had not come to “pray together,” but to “be together to pray.” Each tradition was given its own space to offer prayers according to its own rites, after which they walked in silence together toward the Basilica of St. Francis.
While the event was hosted by the Vatican, its success depended on how non-Christian traditions viewed the invitation. For many, it was a move from being “objects of mission” to “partners in peace.”
For the Muslim delegations, the Spirit of Assisi resonated with the Quranic injunction that God created different nations and tribes “that you may know one another” (49:13). Many Muslim leaders viewed the event through the historical lens of St. Francis’s 1219
meeting with Sultan al-Malik al-Kamil during the Crusades—a rare moment of medieval respect. Islamic representatives saw the gathering as a platform to declare that “genuine religious belief is a source of harmony” and that the use of religion for violence is a “terrible abuse.”
The Spirit of Assisi is built on several core convictions articulated by successive Popes:
Universal Brotherhood: The belief that all humans share a common origin and destiny, making peace a universal duty.
The Power of Prayer: A conviction that peace is not merely the result of political negotiations but a gift from God that must be sought through humble prayer.
The Rejection of Violence: A solemn declaration that “whoever uses religion to foment violence contradicts religion’s deepest and truest inspiration.”
Identity and Alterity: Encouraging believers to be “pilgrims” who are firm in their own faith while remaining open to the “other” as a brother or sister.
Assisi is often called a “Prophecy of Peace.” In an era where religion is frequently weaponized to fuel conflict, the Spirit of Assisi offers an alternative narrative. It posits that the more deeply one enters into their own faith, the more they find a common human longing for the Transcendent and for the peace that “surpasses all understanding.”
Today, the “Spirit of Assisi” has evolved from a single historical event into a practical framework for addressing modern global crises. In our current context of deep political polarization and digital echo chambers, it offers several vital lessons for the 21st century:
A Counter-Narrative to the “Clash of Civilizations”: In a world where religion is often blamed for conflict, the Spirit of Assisi provides a “prophecy of peace.” It demonstrates that religious identity can be a bridge rather than a barrier, offering a direct rebuttal to the idea that different cultures are destined for inevitable conflict.
The “Theology of the Neighbor”: It shifts the focus from abstract theological debate (which often divides) to shared ethical action (which unites). Today, this means interfaith cooperation on global issues like climate change, migration, and poverty. It suggests that “saving our common home” is a spiritual duty shared by all traditions.
Human Fraternity over Uniformity: It teaches us how to coexist without erasing our differences. By emphasizing the “gift of peace,” it encourages a “culture of encounter” where we don’t just tolerate the “other” but recognize their inherent dignity. This is particularly relevant in multicultural societies struggling with social cohesion.
The Role of Silence and Prayer in Diplomacy: In an era of “loud” social media and aggressive rhetoric, Assisi’s emphasis on silence, pilgrimage, and prayer reminds us that peace requires internal work. It suggests that political solutions are more sustainable when backed by a shared moral and spiritual commitment.
In short, for us today, the Spirit of Assisi means active, collaborative hope. It is the belief that when people of faith (and no faith) stand together, they become a more powerful force for good than any political or military power.
The Spirit of Assisi remains a “prophetic gesture.” It suggests that in a fragmented world, the path to peace requires not just treaties, but a spiritual “workshop” where leaders of different faiths can offer a counter-narrative to violence through silence, pilgrimage, and mutual respect.
A little over a week after the date of this publication, our journey through the Jubilee Year of Hope will come to an end. On December 24, 2024, we were invited to become “Pilgrims of Hope,” sharing the message of hope in Christ within our families and our communities, and growing in that hope in our own lives.
The practice of a jubilee year has ancient roots. In 1300, Pope Boniface VIII instituted the first Christian Jubilee, a year set aside to encourage the faithful to embark on pilgrimages, to repent of their sins and forgive the sins of others, and to renew a focus on the spiritual life. Since then, the Church has designated each new Jubilee as a special year of grace and forgiveness, offering the faithful an opportunity to obtain a plenary indulgence. Originally occurring every 50 years, this practice is now observed every 25 years, and serves as a reminder of God’s love, mercy, and continual call to conversion.
Pilgrimages are a powerful way to inspire faith whether by walking in the footsteps of Jesus in the Holy Land, visiting sites significant in the lives of saints, or by visiting historic churches. For many, travel to the Vatican might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and maybe that opportunity wasn’t economically or logistically feasible this year. A trip to the Holy Land similarly may have been difficult, but for reasons that are disheartening, as conflict has embroiled the region. At a Mass that kicked off our local celebration of the Jubilee, Bishop Gregory Parkes mapped out our personal pilgrimage through this Year of Hope, regardless of any opportunities to travel abroad: “As pilgrims of hope, we are called to live out the call to seek Christ, the source of our hope and the source of the meaning for which we long, in all that we do and in every moment of our lives.”
Bishop Parkes called on Sacred Heart to serve as one of six official Places of Pilgrimage within the Diocese of St. Petersburg throughout the Jubilee Year. The full list included the Cathedral of St. Jude, as well as one church from each the five counties in the diocese. Our parish saw an uptick in visitors through this designation. Docents from the Historical Society have provided dozens of additional tours this year, to visiting groups from across the state and southeast and pilgrims from as far off as Sweden or South America. Pilgrimage passports were handed out to those making the trek across the diocese, with prayers and instructions for the plenary indulgence afforded to those making the local journey. The diocese also promoted a way for children to get involved, creating a cartoon image of Bishop Parkes for families to take photos with while visiting the local sites.
If this Jubilee itself hasn’t been enough of a historical moment, many that had the chance to travel to the Vatican were greeted by another. With the election of Robert Francis Cardinal Prevost to the papacy, becoming Pope Leo XIV in early May, their time in Rome coincided with an early chance to hear from the first American pope in person during the Angelus or General Audiences.
“It is hard to describe the feeling that you have when you are there,” said Fran Provenzano, a long-time parishioner who is currently chair of Sacred Heart’s Outreach Committee. She and her husband Jerry were able to visit the Vatican for the Jubilee as part of a larger trip across Italy. “It was pouring with rain the day that we were there, and yet you felt a togetherness, and a humbleness, that made it feel as if it were a perfect day.
“People were sharing umbrellas and taking care of each other, and Pope Leo exuded this aura of humility and openness during his address. It was truly something special.”
“As I walked through the Holy Doors, I distinctly remember praying to God for peace in our world,” said Tony Miranda, Sacred Heart’s business operations manager. Miranda was able to visit the Vatican over the summer before beginning his new role on the parish staff. Holy Doors are special entrances in major Catholic basilicas, only opened during Holy Years (Jubilees) by the Pope, symbolizing a passage from sin to grace and a deeper connection with Christ, allowing pilgrims to receive indulgences.
Originally, there was only one door, at the Basilica of St. John Lateran, which is the cathedral of the Bishop of Rome. Later, to allow as many pilgrims as possible to take part in the Jubilee experience, the other Roman Basilicas also opened their own Holy Doors, including St. Peter’s, St. Mary Major, and St. Paul Outside the Walls. Pope Francis opened a new door for Jubilee 2025, in Rebibbia Prison, Rome, signifying hope and mercy for all, including prisoners. On Gaudete Sunday, Pope Leo XIV presided over the final major celebration of the Holy Year, calling for renewed commitment to justice, rehabilitation, and hope during a Mass dedicated to prisoners in St. Peter’s Basilica, attended by around 6,000 pilgrims from some 90 countries. An estimated 32-35 million Catholics will have made the trip to Rome by the Jubilee’s end on January 6, 2026, when the Holy Doors will shut, and end what has certainly been a year filled with hope.
Throughout our liturgical cycles, we don’t seem to hear much from The Epistle of James and for me, on this Third Week of Advent, I find his message to us quite poignant, even uplifting on this Gaudete “Rejoice” Sunday. Advent has a funny way of holding two opposite feelings at the same time: quiet expectation and frantic busyness. We’re lighting candles and singing about waiting for Jesus, but we’re also rushing, putting up trees, decorating, shopping, visiting and stressing, and wondering how to get it all done so that we may be able to relax a bit.
And into that mix, James drops a surprisingly grounded message: be patient. He doesn’t mean “sit around and do nothing.” He uses the image of a farmer waiting for the precious harvest. Farmers don’t just stare out the window hoping something grows, they prepare the soil, plant, water, watch the weather, and trust a process they don’t fully control. That can be a way for us to look at Advent. It’s not passive waiting; it’s hopeful tending. It’s showing up in small, steady ways even when you can’t see any immediate results.
“Strengthen your hearts.” says James. It’s such a gentle instruction. Again, not telling us to pull ourselves together or pretend everything’s fine. He’s inviting us to make room for hope, to shore up the inner places where we’re tired, discouraged, or stretched thin. If we allow it to, Advent can give us little practices that help with that: a candle lit in the dark, a moment of quiet after a long day, a simple prayer whispered on the go. These tiny acts strengthen us more than we realize. And then comes the line that hits a little too close to home: “Do not grumble against one another.” It’s almost as if James knew what the holidays can do to people, how stress can make us short with each other, how waiting can make us edgy, how closeness with others can reveal our impatience. But James’ point isn’t to shame us; it’s to remind us that waiting is something we do together. The season of Advent is meant to be communal, in support of each other in the tension between the already and the not-yet. other in the tension between the already and the not-yet. Finally, James points us back to the prophets, the people who waited, hoped, struggled, trusted, and kept going. Their lives remind us that God works slowly sometimes, but never absentmindedly. Even when it feels like nothing is moving, God is not idle. The struggle is real!
The invitation of James during Advent is simple: Be patient, because God is close. Tend to your heart, because hope grows slowly. Be gentle with each other, because we’re all waiting for something, and remember that God is preparing something worth the wait. So Rejoice and be hopeful this Gaudete Sunday!
As we approach the Christmas season, many of us have already started singing and listening to Christmas music and going to Christmas parties. When doing these things, do we truly take the time and reflect on what our faith and Christmas is all about?
In the song The Twelve Days of Christmas, there are hidden symbols of faith, with each gift representing key elements of Catholic doctrine and the celebration of Jesus Christ’s birth. The 12 Days traditionally begin on December 25 (Christmas Day), and end on January 5 (Twelfth Night) with the celebration of the Epiphany on January 6. For Catholics, the Christmas season then ends with the Baptism of the Lord on the following week.
Symbolism of Each Gift:
A Partridge in a Pear Tree: Represents Jesus Christ, who sacrificed Himself for humanity. The partridge is known for its protective nature, symbolizing Christ’s sacrificial love.
Two Turtle Doves: Symbolize the Old and New Testaments, representing the complete story of the Christian faith and God’s plan for salvation.
Three French Hens: These stand for the theological virtues of faith, hope, and charity (love), as described in 1 Corinthians 13:13. They also represent the Holy Trinity: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Four Calling Birds: Represent the four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. These Gospels convey the good news of Jesus Christ and guide believers in understanding His teachings.
Five Gold Rings: Symbolize the first five books of the Old Testament (the Torah), which outline the creation of the world and God’s covenant with humanity.
Six Geese a-Laying: Represent the six days of creation, reflecting God’s work in forming the world.
Seven Swans a-Swimming: Symbolize the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, which include wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord.
Eight Maids a-Milking: Represent the eight Beatitudes, which are teachings of Jesus that outline the attitudes and behaviors that lead to true happiness.
Nine Ladies Dancing: Symbolize the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit, which include love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Ten Lords a-Leaping: Represent the ten commandments, which are fundamental laws given to guide moral behavior.
Eleven Pipers Piping: Symbolize the eleven faithful apostles, who spread the teachings of Jesus after His resurrection.
Twelve Drummers Drumming: Represent the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles’ Creed, summarizing the core beliefs of the Christian faith.
One trivia question that we often hear during this time is“How many gifts are in the Twelve Days of Christmas?” My mother would always answer “364, one for every day of the year with Jesus being born on Christmas as the first gift.” This song reminds us that it is not just about doing good for one day of the year but it should be for the 365 days of the year.
In 2025, we celebrated a year of Mercy and Bishop Parkes asked all of us to do Corporal Works of Mercy as part of a diocesan-wide campaign. Perhaps we should each adapt this song to doing acts of Mercy. “On the first day my act of mercy was to ….”
Be creative in writing your own song of mercy based upon your acts that you have done this past year of what you plan to do next year.
Happy Advent! (Christmas, you have to wait a few more weeks)
What would inspire you to prepare for an event at 7:30 a.m. on a Friday morning?
A golf outing with good friends
Preparation to attend the “Super Bowl”
Early to the airport for an international trip
Preparing mind and soul to live the life of faith God calls us to perform
I’ve gotten up for all of these reasons and more —- and, for the last ten years, on every Friday morning at 7:30, I have met with men of Sacred Heart for coffee and breakfast snacks, for the warmth of deepening friendships, and, most importantly, to discuss subjects —- personal, social, worldly, issues of morality and faith, opportunities for service to parish and community —- our emphasis always on developing understanding, humility, gratitude and joy.
The Men’s Prayer Group (which in earnest is more of a “Discussion Group”) meets every other Friday at the North Campus for an hour. We have a theme for each meeting —- usually a perspective on a moral issue; a Catholic view on happenings in the world; the pressing needs of the poor; our longing for community and belonging; what God is calling us to do with our lives; to reflect on our own pathway to holiness; and to offer thanksgiving for the overwhelming blessings we have received. Most of our hour together is spent at tables of 5-6 men sharing our thoughts on the subject in small groups. We wrap up with each table sharing their learnings with the entire group.
Frequently, our discussions lead to a “call to action” and most of our men find their way to a Parish ministry where they can engage in community service. Our men have also begun new ministries to serve our neighbors in need — such as, Bikes from the Heart, Love INC, Portico Housing, and Dorothy Day Tampa.
If you want to meet other Sacred Heart men of all ages who are serious about friendship, energized by discussion of Christian values, learning to more fully practice our faith in a culture of chaos, understanding what God is asking of us, and accepting the unconditional love and empowering grace the Holy Spirit showers on us —- please sacrifice that extra hour of sleep and join us next Friday, December 5 (7:30 a.m.) at the North Campus.
We will also hold an Open House in the Alumni Hall at the North Campus, Saturday, December 6, from 9 to 10 a.m. Please plan on attending to meet some of our members and to learn more about who we are and what we do. We will also discuss the possibility of beginning an evening meeting time for those men who simply can’t balance sleep, work schedules and a 7:30 a.m. meeting time. Learn more about our group at shfla.org/mpg.
A long-standing Sacred Heart tradition, parishioners and visitors alike donate the poinsettias that you see adorning our altar in honor of loved ones they wish to remember during the Christmas season.
2025 Digital Memorial Book
We would like to thank all who donated in memory of their loved ones, as those donations help create the beautiful atmosphere within our church during the 2025 Christmas season.
Remember a loved one during the Christmas season with a poinsettia used to decorate our sanctuary. A long-standing Sacred Heart tradition, each plant that you see has been given in remembrance or honor of loved ones whose names will be memorialized online.
*NEW* Poinsettias can now be ordered online through our parish Mass intention and Memorials request page. Simply click on “Request Memorial” on the top, right corner of the page, and select any available day in December.
Request forms can be found on the table near the church entrance, or at the link below. All forms, along with the suggested donation of $20 per plant, must be received by Thursday, December 18.
Can’t make it to the North Campus on the day of the drive?
