“Taking up Pope Francis’ desire “that all Christians come to appreciate the close connection between Christ’s love and his summons to care for the poor”, Pope Leo XIV issued his first Apostolic Exhortation, Dilexi Te, as a call to Christ’s disciples “to recognize him in the poor and the suffering,” wrote Salvatore Cernuzio of Vatican News earlier this month.
Signed on October 4, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, and released on October 9, the pontiff provides us this teaching document, begun by Pope Francis prior to his death but largely of Leo’s own creation, that asks Catholics to continue to look to the Gospel and Catholic Social Teaching for how we should respond to those on the peripheries, especially the poor or powerless.
“…in continuity with the Encyclical Dilexit Nos (He Loved Us), Pope Francis was preparing in the last months of his life an Apostolic Exhortation on the Church’s care for the poor, to which he gave the title Dilexi Te, as if Christ speaks those words to each of them, saying: “You have but little power,” yet “I have loved you.” (Dilexi Te, Paragraph 3.) Dilexit Nos was the last of Pope Francis’ four encyclicals, published just over one year ago, where he focuses on the human and divine love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and its relevance for a modern world facing various challenges.
Apostolic Exhortations are magisterial documents written by a pope. While not legislative like an Apostolic Constitution, or doctrinal like an encyclical, Apostolic Exhortations are documents or reflections that encourage and inspire the Church to act on a particular virtue or theme.
“The document is a beautiful reflection that outlines the Church’s history of caring for the poor throughout history,” says Fr. Steve Kluge, OFM. “Social Justice is not a “woke” construct, but rather the beating heart of Christianity. The document states its thesis in Paragraph 3, “that all Christians come to appreciate the close connection between Christ’s love and his summons to care for the poor.”
Parishioners who review the exhortation will surely see that many of the assertions or calls to action made are present within our parish community. For those who are not yet participating in ministry, reading this document may inspire you to get involved, whether it’s here at Sacred Heart or with another outreach that assists the marginalized. When asked what he sees in our parish that already answers the call in Dilexi Te, Fr. Steve stated “Here at Sacred Heart, we live Christ’s summons to care for the poor and marginalized through Hands of Hope, our Giving from the Heart drives, Bikes from the Heart, our connection with the St. Vincent de Paul Society, initiatives like our “Socktober” sock drive, and the efforts of our social ministries like the Knights of Columbus Council or Open Doors and more.”
Bikes from the Heart is just one of the several outreach ministries of our parish working to assist the poor.
It is no secret that Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost chose the name Leo to connect his papacy to the Leo XIII, whose encyclical Rerum Novarum is largely considered to be the origin of Catholic Social Teaching. St. Pope John Paul II wrote on the 100th Anniversary of Rerum Novarum, ““In the face of a conflict which set man against man” Leo (XIII), for the first time, both established and firmly defended the Church’s moral authority to promote justice in public life and, by so doing, “created a lasting paradigm for the Church”. Dilexi Te takes the baton from aspects of Leo XIII’s encyclical while also reminding us of Pope Francis’ consistent calls to go out to the margins.
There are takeaways in Dilexi Te that call us not only to engage with the poor personally, but inspire us build structures addressing poverty’s root causes. You can read Leo XIV’s exhortation by clicking here.
Commissioned by Bishop Emeritus Robert Lynch in 1999, the St. Jude the Apostle Medal is given each year by the Diocese of St. Petersburg as a way to recognize parishioners who show outstanding service to their respective parishes. At a 3 p.m. ceremony on Sunday, October 26, held at the Cathedral of St. Jude in St. Petersburg, long-time parishioner and Historical Society docent Pat Alchediak will receive this year’s distinction from Bishop Gregory Parkes, alongside pastor Fr. Mike Jones, OFM.
For more than 60 years, Pat Alchediak has had a strong connection to our parish, and has served in liturgical and social ministries for nearly 40 years. “It was Fr. (Michael) Kennelly who approached me in the eighties asking me to become a Eucharistic Minister, and that’s where I started to get more involved,” said Alchediak, who expressed surprise about receiving the letter from the bishop about the award. “I’ve been a docent with the church since 1995, so it would be hard to guess just how many tours I’ve assisted or led since then.” The Historical Society averages 10 to 12 public tours each year, but with this Jubilee Year of Hope, and the designation of Sacred Heart as a pilgrimage site for the Diocese of St. Petersburg, groups from neighboring churches and dioceses have requested private tours regularly, which has increased our docent’s workload, including Pat’s. “I love being able to share with our parishioners and visitors the history and context to why we are the way we are here at Sacred Heart.”
A docent for the parish since 1995, Alchediak is seen here during our annual Christmas tour, when each docent dons period clothing indicative of the turn-of-the-century era when the church was built (1898-1905).
Pat grew up as both a parishioner and a student at Sacred Heart Academy, graduating from the all-girls high school as a member of the class of 1959. An alumnus of the University of Tampa, Alchediak taught history for several years before life took her away from the Tampa area for the better part of a decade. She returned to Tampa in 1975, and found her way back to Sacred Heart. “When I came back, I regularly attended Mass at Sacred Heart again, along with my parents.”
Over the last several years, Pat has also assisted the parish through the Historical Society as an archivist, working with her fellow docents and even external partners, like the University of South Florida, on collating and digitizing all sorts of historical records, photos, newspaper articles, and memorabilia from the last 120 years since the church opened and beyond. “I get really excited by this stuff, finding out new details, and being able to share them with others,” Alchediak stated. She says if anyone else may be interested helping preserve and share the history of the parish, help is always welcome.
In today’s first reading from the Book of Exodus (17: 8-13), Moses is praying for the defeat of the Amalek who was waging war against Israel. As long as Moses was able to keep his hands raised, the Israelites would be winning the battle. When Moses, growing tired would lower his hands, Amalek would win. So, Aaron and Hur supported Moses’ hands “one on one side and one on the other, so that his hands remained steady until sunset.” I don’t imagine that will holding up the hands of Moses, Aaron and Hur were silent. I imagine them praying and singing to God and offering Moses words of encouragement and hope. With that, Joshua won the battle for the Israelites. This strange yet beautiful story reveals the need all of us have for some kind of community of faith.
In today’s Gospel according to Luke (18: 1-8) we have the parable of the widow and the reluctant judge. Widows, indeed, all women at that time were seen as property, having no legal rights. Yet because of her persistence, the judge eventually yielded to her demand for justice. This woman had no community to support her, no one to help her hold up her hands as she battled an unjust society.
I think both readings highlight a common need for prayer and action as we live in an often-unjust society. I think both readings highlight the very human (and religious) need for community.
In the homily at his inaugural mass back in May, Pope Leo XIV said, “I would like our first great desire to be for a united Church, a sign of unity and communion, which becomes the leaven for a reconciled world. In this our time, we still see too much discord, too many wounds cause by hatred, violence, prejudice, the fear of difference, and an economic paradigm that exploits the Earth’s resources and marginalizes the poorest…Welcome his word that enlightens and consoles.”
You may say, “But Fr. Steve, we sang in the responsorial psalm ‘Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.’” Of course, but most often that help flows through the actions of God’s people; men, women, and children of Good Will. As Pope Leo continued, he said, “We are called to offer God’s love to everyone, in order to achieve that unity that does not cancel out differences but values the personal history of each person and the social and religious culture of every people.”
Saints of God, let us each in our own way continue to support each other. Let us continue to be people of justice, and compassion to those who are marginalized. Let us continue to offer God’s love to everyone!
This weekend we are celebrating the Solemnity of St Francis of Assisi. It is a solemnity for the Franciscans because St. Francis was the founder of the Franciscan Order.
One on the many stories of St. Francis that I always enjoy reflecting on is about how he would often fast many times throughout the year. Many of the other friars would try and follow his example and too often fast. One time, there was a young friar who was trying to follow Francis and his fasting. He had the best of intentions and would be fasting and praying, but at some point, he became ill because his body wasn’t use to the severe fasting that Francis himself would do. During the night, Francis saw how this was affecting the young friar and how he was getting sick. Francis then woke up all the friars and told them to gather all the food they had and to prepare a meal for everyone. Even Francis ate that night. He did this because he didn’t want to embarrass the young friar.
For me this shows how Francis cared for other people. He would put their needs ahead of his own. The person was more important than the ritual act of fasting. He showed this not just with his own brothers but with everyone he met, whether they were lepers, homeless, widowed, or even a robber. Francis truly embraced the great commandment to love our neighbors as our self. Francis didn’t put himself first, rather he thought out ways that he could serve his brothers and sisters.
This notion of Francis is very counter cultural, not just to our country, but for the world. There are many who always put themselves first and are only concerned about what benefits them. Some are entitled and feel they deserve more than everyone else. To embrace the Franciscan Charism is to embrace the Gospel message. The message is constantly repeated that we are called to love one another, we are called not to be served but to serve, and we have Jesus’s example of how he cared for all people.
I think the best way to truly celebrate St. Francis is by imitating his example of taking care of the poor. For the month of October (Socktober) we will be collection new socks that will be given to the homeless. There will be a box in the church to drop them off as well as a box in the Gift Store. We will also host our next Giving from the Heart donation drive on Saturday, October 11, from 9 to 11 a.m. at the North Campus. The St. Vincent de Paul Society will also be collecting at the Masses on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month. These funds help them to support people who are in need in our community. Also, every Saturday, our Hands of Hope ministry gather to feed the homeless at the North Campus. They are the beneficiary of this month’s Giving from the Heart drive. Our Bikes from the Heart ministry continues to help the poor with transportation. These are just some examples of how parishioners are responding to the needs of others.
November, with the feast of All Souls Day, is a time we remember all of our loved ones. This year for All Souls Day, Sunday, November 2, we will remember our loved ones in the following ways:
Request a Memorial for All Souls Day
All names will be remembered at each weekend Mass
$10 Donation
Visit shfla.org/intentions to arrange your memorial
This is available beginning in October
Parishioners may go online (shfla.org/prayerwall) to the Prayer Wall and list the deceased under the “All Souls Day Remembrance.”
This is available now.
Parishioners and visitors may write the name of the deceased in our Book of Intentions in the back of the church.
This is available now.
We Remember Them:
At the rising of the sun and at its going down, We remember them. At the blowing of the wind and in the chill of Winter, We remember them.
At the opening of buds and in the rebirth of Spring, We remember them. At the blueness of the skies and in the warmth of Summer, We remember them.
At the rustling of leaves and the beauty of Autumn, We remember them. At the beginning of the year and when it ends, We remember them.
As long as we live, they too will live; for they are now a part of us, as we remember them. When we are weary and in need of strength, We remember them.
When we are lost and sick at heart, We remember them. When we have joys we yearn to share, We remember them.
When we have decisions that are difficult to make, We remember them. When we have achievements that are based on theirs, We remember them.
From the Gates of Repentance:New Union Prayer Book for the Days of Awe (Author Unknown)
Parish-wide efforts to meet the needs of the Tampa/Hillsborough County community continue on Saturday, October 11, at the North Campus with our next Giving from the Heart drive-through donation event. Volunteers from our Open Doors ministry will be gathered from 9 to 11 a.m. to receive items assisting Hands of Hope, our parish’s homeless outreach.
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!
The emphasis our October drive is to restock the stores for Hands of Hope, which operates each and every Saturday to provide more than 100 unhoused clients on average with a hot meal and supplies, such as toiletries or clothing.
Hands of Hope is an outreach ministry of Sacred Heart that has been serving the poor and homeless of our community for more than a decade. Each weekend, a meal is prepared and then served to our neighbors in need at the North Campus. Throughout the day, volunteers share fellowship and resources of hope and healing for the physical, mental, and personal needs of their guests. Their mission in this meal service is to provide hope, resources, and fellowship along the way.
Items of greatest need include: Bath Soap | Toothbrushes | Toothpaste | Floss | Travel Size Hand Sanitizer | Deodorant (Men’s and Women’s) | Travel Size Shampoo | Boost Nutritional Drinks | Bug Spray or Mosquito Repellent Bracelets | Granola / Snack Bars | Bottled Water | Snack Sizes of Chips/Crackers/Cookies | Paper Products (towels, plates, bowls) | Canned Fruit | Compostable Food Containers | Reusable or plastic grocery bags | Ziploc Bags | Gatorade or Similar Rehydrating Drinks | Grocery Gift Cards to Purchase Weekly Perishable Items | Disposable Cutlery
Additionally, Hands of Hope is seeking assistance in procuring items for the North Campus of funding that would allow their ministry to continue to operate and grow. These items include:
One (1) Used, Operational Refrigerator
Two of the four refrigerators located in the North Campus Kitchen no longer work.
A used refrigerator would be seen as a bridge until the kitchen renovations are completed.
Three (3) portable picnic tables
Three (3) canopy tents for shade
Monthly financial commitment for the rental of a portable restroom
We wish to ensure that Hands of Hope has the supplies they need to continue their ongoing outreach to our local homeless. As always, your generosity is greatly appreciated.
