All posts by Rob Boelke

The Ordinary, Done with Love & Faith | From the Desk of the Pastor | August 2024

Dear Parishioners,

Pope Francis said “Holiness doesn’t mean doing extraordinary things, but doing ordinary things with love and faith.” This sentiment certainly guides our parish and its ministries. This summer, our Knights of Columbus (Council #12110), Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, and Parish Outreach Committee have all seen transitions in leadership that ensure their continued embodiment of that attitude toward ministry and service within our community. Larry Bevis, formerly the chair of the Outreach Committee, has transferred his title to become Grand Knight of our K.O.C. council. Fran Provenzano, a leading organizer of our Giving from the Heart drives, will now act as chair of the Outreach Committee. SVdP recently held elections for its leadership positions, with longtime parishioner and Vincentian Ralph Stoddard set to become president of our conference. Former SH staff member Angela Erb will serve as vice-president, and Suzanne Collins as secretary and treasurer. Again, it is wonderful to see new people stepping up to help lead our parish in living out the Gospel.

We have also been very fortunate to welcome three new part-time members to our parish staff. Longtime parishioner Judy Staley joined this spring to assist with bookkeeping, an invaluable help to our business manager Larry Cabrera, who has been busy overseeing the building restorations both on the church and at the North Campus. A pair of regular volunteers from the Gift & Book Store, Aprile Black and Esther Holder, have made their way from the store to the the parish office, and will share responsibility over reception and sacramental record keeping. If you need a Mass card they will be there to help you!


This past Friday, August 2, we celebrated an important Franciscan Feast, Our Lady of the Angels of the Portiuncula. The word “Portiuncula” simple refers to a small piece of land that the church was built on. This was the third church in which St. Francis of Assisi rebuilt. It was here that St. Francis said that God sent forth him brothers, and therefore became the birthplace of the Franciscan Order. This is also the place where St. Francis died. He instructed his brothers to bring him here so that he may welcome sister death.

In The Life of St. Francis of Assisi, St. Bonaventure writes:

“The Portiuncula was an old church dedicated to the Virgin Mother of God which was abandoned. Francis had great devotion to the Queen of the world and when he saw that the church was deserted, he began to live there constantly in order to repair it. He heard that the angels often visited it, so that it used to be called St. Mary of the Angels, and he decided to stay there permanently out of reverence for the angels and love for the Mother of Christ. He loved this spot more than any other in the world. It was here that he began his religious life in a very small way; it was here that he came to a happy end. When he was dying, he commended this spot above all others to the friars, because it was most dear to the Blessed Virgin.

This was the place where St Francis founded the Order of Friars Minor by divine inspiration and it was divine providence which led him to repair three churches before he founded the Order and began to preach the Gospel. This meant that he progressed from material things to more spiritual achievements, from lesser to greater, in due order, and it gave a prophetic indication of what he would accomplish later.

As he was living there by the church of our Lady, Francis prayed to her who had conceived the Word, full of grace and truth, begging her insistently and with tears to become his advocate. Then he was granted the true spirit of the Gospel by the intercession of the Mother of Mercy and he brought it to fruition.

He embraced the Mother of our Lord Jesus with indescribable love because, as he said, it was she who made the Lord of majesty our brother, and through her we found mercy. After Christ, he put all his trust in her and took her as his patroness for himself and his friars.”

Peace and All Good,

– Fr. Mike

Online Mass | 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time (2024)

Music and Readings for the Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, August 4, 2024

Opening Song: Sing a New Church G-818

Glory to God: Mass of New Wine (Jakob)

Psalm 78: The LORD gave them bread, the LORD gave them bread, The LORD gave them bread from heaven.

(Text: Abbey Psalms & Canticles © 2010, 2018 USCCB; Music: © 2024, Philip Jakob)

Gospel Acclamation: Salisbury Alleluia

Preparation of the Gifts: Gift of Finest Wheat G-1032

Eucharistic Acclamations: Mass of Creation (Holy – We Proclaim – Amen)

Lamb of God: Mass of Creation

Communion Song: Taste and See G-1006

Dismissal: We Will Walk With God G-807

Small Offerings, Big Results | Deacon Reflections | 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear Friends,

The story of the fish and loaves is well known, and one that is found in all four Gospels. Jesus is shown feeding a multitude of people with relatively little. The sixth chapter of John’s Gospel features a few recurring themes that all play out in our reading this weekend. Those themes being faith, providing for others, and divine intervention. This miracle underscores Jesus’ identity as the Son of God who provides abundantly for those who have faith in Him, and foreshadows the nourishment offered through Christ Himself.

The passage begins with Jesus crossing the Sea of Galilee and being followed by a large crowd, drawn by his teachings and the signs he performed. This event takes place shortly after Jesus healed a man at the Pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem, further solidifying his reputation as a healer and teacher of great authority. As Jesus and the disciples see the crowds, He turns to Philip with a question that serves both to test his faith and to set the table for the miracle about to occur: “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?”

Philip responds estimating the huge cost required to even provide a small amount of food for the many in the crowd. How would we have responded after being asked this same question? We probably would have looked around to see who He was speaking too. Not the apostles., though. Andrew steps forward and offers a different point of view. While knowing the scale of the task at hand, Andrew alerts to Jesus’ attention a young boy who has just five barley loaves and two fish. Philip’s initial doubt highlights our tendency to focus on practical limitations, while Andrew’s willingness to bring what little he could find to Jesus shows his faith. In the presence of Jesus, even the smallest offering can be used for something extraordinary.

Jesus honored this small offering and used it to perform the miracle. When I read this, it reminds me of a few of our parish outreach ministries, especially Bikes from the Heart. Something as small as a bike can be life-changing for someone and give them the freedom and independence to move around. It can assist them in getting back on their feet.

Throughout the Gospel of John, Jesus’ miracles are referred to as “signs” that point to His purpose and ministry. The feeding of the five thousand satisfied the actual hunger of the crowd, yes, but it led the way to Jesus’ divinity being revealed, so that He could feed them spiritually as well.

John 6:1-15 reminds us that even in our moments of doubt or scarcity, Jesus is able to work miracles that exceed our expectations. As you reflect on this passage this week, may you find renewed faith in The One who not only satisfies our physical needs but also offers eternal life through belief in Him.

– Deacon Ray

Online Mass | 17th Sunday In Ordinary Time (2024)

Music and Readings for the Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, July 28, 2024

Opening Song: Alleluia Sing to Jesus G-1018

Glory to God: Mass of New Wine (Jakob)

Psalm 145: You open your hand, O LORD, and fulfil all our needs.

(Text: Abbey Psalms & Canticles © 2010, 2018 USCCB; Music: © 2024, Philip Jakob)

Gospel Acclamation: Salisbury Alleluia

Preparation of the Gifts: Come, You Thankful People, Come G-689

Eucharistic Acclamations: Mass of Creation (Holy – We Proclaim – Amen)

Lamb of God: Mass of Creation

Communion Song: Come to Me G-789

Dismissal: We Will Walk With God G-807

Following the Leader | Friar Reflections | 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Saints of God, the Lord be with you!

Most of you know how I feel about the image of shepherd (it doesn’t speak to me) that is found in today’s first reading from the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah (23:1-6), the Responsorial Psalm (23), and today’s Gospel according to Mark (6:30-34). As I’ve been reflecting on these readings, I’ve used the word “leader” instead of “shepherd.” If you think about it, whether we are parents or grandparents, big sisters or brothers, teachers or mentors, or even friars, we are all leaders in someway to someone. The questions that these readings invite us to consider are who are our leaders, and what makes a good leader?

As shown above we are all leaders. Recent scholarship has shown that we all learn by following the example of others (mimetic theory). We first learn from our parents and siblings in our family of origin; then teachers and classmates, then friends and those close to us. In today’s world we must also say we learn from “influencers” on social media, from politicians, religious leaders, bosses … you get the picture. As a professor of mine once said, “everything speaks to us” to which I might add, “everyone has some kind of influence on us (or not).” So, the first question you might consider this week is “who at this present time are you MOST led by?” And, to go a step further, “Whom do you lead, and how and to what?”

As to what makes a good leader, I think as Catholic Christians we are called to look to Christ. When I consider Christ, I see that He showed kindness not vengeance, compassion not indifference, mercy not cruelty, and generosity not selfishness, love not animosity. Jesus never tried to force anyone to do anything, rather He subtly called them to remember that they were made in the image and likeness of God and should live as such. He tried to unite and invite others into what He called the Reign of God, or the Kingdom of Heaven. What Jesus began, we who are the church are called to live out for ourselves and continue. May the Lord give us all energy and courage to follow in His footprints.

– Fr. Steve

Online Mass | 16th Sunday In Ordinary Time (2024)

Music and Readings for the Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, July 21, 2024

Opening Song: All Who Hunger Gather Gladly G-920

Glory to God: Mass of New Wine (Jakob)

Psalm 23: The LORD is my shepherd; There is nothing I shall want, There is nothing I shall want.

(Text: Abbey Psalms & Canticles © 2010, 2018 USCCB; Music: © 2024, Philip Jakob)

Gospel Acclamation: Salisbury Alleluia

Preparation of the Gifts: The King of Love My Shepherd Is G-786

Eucharistic Acclamations: Mass of Creation (Holy – We Proclaim – Amen)

Lamb of God: Mass of Creation

Communion Song: We Walk By Faith G-740

Dismissal: We Will Walk With God G-807

Our Drive to Address the School Supply Needs of a Neighboring Parish

Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me.
Then the God of peace will be with you.” | Philippians 4:9

The average cost of school supplies per student in 2023 totaled $591. The National Education Association estimates that teachers spend between $500 and $750 of their own money annually to stock their classroom with necessities often needed by students, and that number is in addition to the allotments they are provided by their school. Sacred Heart is holding its latest Giving from the Heart drive-through donation event on Saturday, August 10, at the North Campus, from 9 to 11 a.m. to help alleviate some of these burdens for the families, students, and teachers of nearby St. Peter Claver Catholic School.


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!


Volunteers from our Loving Hearts ministry, which regularly collaborates with schools like St. Peter Claver through their “Adopt-a-school” program, will be gathered to receive school supplies ahead of the 2024-25 school year. Members from our Bikes from the Heart ministry will also be on hand with bikes available for purchase that will be donated directly to the school.

Many of you will know that St. Peter Claver School was founded as a mission of the Jesuit Fathers of Sacred Heart in 1893, and is the oldest continuously operating historically black grade school in Florida. The school remains committed to providing a quality education in a safe and nurturing environment, instructing preschoolers through eighth grade.

Items of greatest need include: Zip-Lock bags (all sizes) | Plastic folders w/pockets | #2 pencils (10ct.) | Crayons (24ct.) | Ballpoint pens (blue & black) | Paint brushes (various sizes) | Binder clips (various sizes) | Post-it notes (various sizes) | Assorted construction paper | Copier paper (white) | Crayola markers (8 or 10ct.) | Elmer’s liquid glue (8oz.) Elmer’s glue sticks | 3”x5” index cards | Colored pencils | Notebook paper (either rule) | Sanitizing wipes & spray | Scotch tape (3 pack) | Facial tissues | Paper towels | Dry-erase markers & erasers | Legal Pads

We want to supply the teachers and students of St. Peter Claver with the materials they need to be successful from day one of this coming school year. As always, your generosity is greatly appreciated.

Blessings from the Journey | Friar Reflections | 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

My Good Friends,

I’ve always heard it said from those who have participated in any Camino journey that the experience will change you. Despite being home for more than two weeks now, and while I do believe there has been a shift of some sort, it’s hard to recognize a real change within. Here’s to hoping the change will reveal itself gradually.

The following is a heavily condensed version of the reflection I already shared with my fellow pilgrims at Mass in the Cave of St. Ignatius in Manresa. I shared that for me, during our Camino, I was blessed to be amongst some very holy men. The entire Camino was a mirror of God’s grace where we did not hesitate to open up our lives to each other, both the joys and the heartaches. It was one of tightest bonds among friends I’ve ever experienced. I believe that in our hearts we were all in the presence of something extraordinary. One parishioner on our journey often said that each and every one of us were meant to be there. I am forever grateful having been in this company as we followed the footsteps of St. Ignatius of Loyola.

One of our fellow pilgrims on this Camino journey, John Tempone, has since gone home to God. I’d always recognized John’s holiness. He loved his family. He loved his country. He loved his faith and his church. I felt he loved all of us. Each and every time he received the Eucharist, he would respond with the words of St Thomas, “My Lord and My God.” He took nothing for granted and was in awe of the entire universe around him. It certainly was a blessing for us all to have him amongst us. His enthusiasm and almost childlike love of life, in spite of some terrifying experiences during his career as a highly decorated Marine to which he was exposed, he was, and continues to be, an inspiration for us all.

Members of Sacred Heart Parish alongside Fr. Zack (center left)on the Camino of St. Ignatius

His joyfulness was contagious. John’s presence made this world a better place for all whom have had the privilege of knowing him. He courageously took on life allowing desolation and consolation to be his guide, allowing him always to go forward and never in despair. This was indeed my experience of John Tempone, one that will stay with me always, a truly holy man, a devoted husband, an inspiring and wise father, and loving grandfather. A humble mentor to all with a deep sincerity within.

Our Ignatian Camino retreat was meant to be an opportunity for the discovery of the presence of God in our lives. I for one was blessed to not only be walking with men like John, but with all of you. John helped us all to discover that change happens by acknowledgment, participation, and by allowing Him who loves us, to provide us with love and grace as we strive courageously in loving ourselves and each other. Godspeed my friend!

My heartfelt appreciation to you all, especially to those who helped create and organize this experience for us, for it is indeed the journey and not the destination!

-Fr. Zack

Online Mass | 15th Sunday In Ordinary Time (2024)

Music and Readings for the Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, July 14, 2024

Opening Song: All who hunger gather gladly G-920

Glory to God: Mass of New Wine (Jakob)

Psalm 85: Show us, O LORD, your mercy, and grant us your salvation.

(Text: Abbey Psalms & Canticles © 2010, 2018 USCCB; Music: © 2024, Philip Jakob)

Gospel Acclamation: Salisbury Alleluia

Preparation of the Gifts: Here I Am, Lord G-844

Eucharistic Acclamations: Mass of Creation (Holy – We Proclaim – Amen)

Lamb of God: Mass of Creation

Communion Song: Blessed and Beloved (Bienaventurados) G-811

Dismissal: We are marching in the light of God G-865

Registration for Faith Formation Now Open (2024-25)

Family Faith Formation: Sacred Heart offers a non-traditional approach to assist parents in forming the faith of their children. Family Faith Formation is exactly what it says – families sharing and growing in faith. Registration for Family Faith Formation is now available. Registration is open to all families who have children ages four (4) through high school.  Sessions are held twice monthly, September through May, on Wednesday evenings or Sunday mornings, at the North Campus. Registration forms and additional information are available here. For additional information including key dates and the family handbook, click here. Update (9/10/24) | Spaces remain for Wednesday sessions for the 2024/25 Catechetical Year. Sunday sessions are fully registered and unavailable.

Sacrament RegistrationIf your child will be preparing to receive Reconciliation, Eucharist, or Confirmation this coming year and you were enrolled in Family Faith Formation this past year, families should expect to receive a mailing with registration forms and schedules in the coming days.

If you are new to the parish and have not attended Family Faith Formation at Sacred Heart -OR- your child attends a Catholic School, please contact Maria Giral at 813-229-1595 ext. 214 or Barbara Ferreris 813-229-1595 ext. 204 for registration information and materials. Sacramental preparation takes place in the parish, and is not handled through the Catholic school your child may attend. For more information, click here.

CLOW: Children’s Liturgy of the Word will resume on Sunday, September 8, at the 9 a.m. Mass. Immediately prior to the Liturgy of the Word, children and catechists are dismissed from the church to the St. Clare Room to celebrate a Liturgy of the Word geared towards children. They then rejoin the Mass and their families during the Preparation of the Gifts for the remainder of the liturgy. Registration forms and additional information are available here.

RCIA: The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the process by which adults from other faith traditions are received into full communion with the Catholic Church. RCIA is a journey of faith that not-yet baptized adults, as well as baptized adults, complete with the help of a sponsor, the catechists, the discernment team, and above all, on the strength of their own conviction and desire to grow in their faith.

Are you or someone you know interested in the Catholic faith? RCIA sessions will resume in September. Please visit the “Adult Faith Formation” page or call Barbara Ferreris in the parish office at 813-229-1595 ext. 204 for more.

Volunteer In Faith Formation: Our parishioners have faithfully answered their Baptismal call and have responded to our needs for volunteers in our faith formation programs. But, there is still room for a few more! If you are prayerfully considering sharing your time and talent in this ministry, we have many ways you can help.

  • Sunday morning Family Faith facilitators
  • Children’s Liturgy of the Word (Sunday 9 a.m. Mass)
  • Wednesday evening Family Faith facilitators
  • Sacrament Preparation Catechists

We invite you to become a part of our amazing team — serving God and our Sacred Heart community! To learn how you can help, please contact our Faith Formation department via email or at 813-229-1595, Ext. 204 or 214.