All posts by Rob Boelke

The Narrow Door | Friar Reflections | The Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear Parishioners,

Saints of God, the Lord be with you!

What caught my attention in today’s Gospel according to Luke (13:2230) are the lines Jesus says, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough.”

Years ago, as I was walking across the parking lot of St. Francis Church on Long Beach Island, NJ, for daily mass, I suddenly stopped and said to myself, “O my God, I believe it all!” I realized that while I didn’t understand it all, I believed everything in the Creed and the Gospel portraits of Jesus. You might find this a bit shocking that a priest would come to this realization, but I see it as a moment of clarity that had been growing into a conscious affirmation. Yet this is not the end of my story, since belief in Christ is the starting point from which trust in Christ must grow. My ability to trust in God is growing day by day, and when I find myself fearful, I say to myself, “God is trustworthy, all circumstances are temporary.”

St. Augustine by Philippe de Champaigne | 1650

However, even trusting in God is not the end of my faith journey. What I still struggle with is turning my trust into works of charity and kindness, particularly to those people who are not my “cup of tea.” It’s at this point that I must make the choice to be loving, especially when I don’t feel loving. Choosing to act kindly toward others is, I think, part of the easy yoke and light burden that Jesus speaks about in Matthew 11:30. It’s easy because we are all made in the image and likeness of God who through the indwelling Holy Spirit given to us in the sacraments, shares our burdens, and calls us into community to help each other.

The sacraments, especially the Eucharist, nourish our identity as the Body of Christ in the world, and enable us to choose to live out our identity as the Body of Christ. In the words of St. Augustine when looking at the Eucharistic Bread and Wine, “See Who you are! Become Who you receive!” and I add, “Live Who you become!”

One of the small acts of kindness I love here at Sacred Heart is the opportunity to hold open the door to the Church as the People of God gather for Mass on Sunday. I love saying, “Good morning, good people” or “Good morning, holy family” for that is who you are. If each of us held the door open for one another in the world, I believe that in time the world would be a better place. And an open door is a beautiful image of the person of Jesus Christ.

Peace and all good,
Fr. Steve

Online Mass – The Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time

Hymns for the Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time:

Opening Song: The Kingdom of God (Taize) G 810
Penitential Act: Glory to God: Mass of Joy & Peace (Alonso) G 250
CLOW Dismissal (9 a.m.): Seek Ye First G 715

Responsorial Psalm 117:
Go Out to the Whole World, Proclaim the Good News
(Music © 1997, Philip Jakob, OCP)

Gospel Acclamation: Salisbury Alleluia (Walker)
Preparation of the Gifts: To You Who Bow G 625
Eucharistic Acclamations: Mass of Creation G 231, 234, 238
Lamb of God: Mass of Creation G 240
Communion Song: Taste and See G 1006
Dismissal: Go Make of All Disciples (v. 1 & 4) G 843

Links to Resources for Mass: 

  • Readings for the Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday, August 21, 2022
  • Lyrics and Mass Order for the Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday, August 21, 2022
  • Contemporary Music for the Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday, August 21, 2022

Online Mass – The Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Thank you for participating in Sacred Heart’s Mass, whether in person or online.

On this page you can find the readings for the Sunday celebration as well as the music for Mass.

Hymns for the Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time:

Opening Song: The Kingdom of God (Taize) G 810
Penitential Act: Glory to God: Mass of Joy & Peace (Alonso) G 250

Responsorial Psalm 40:
Lord, Lord, Make Haste to Help Me (x2)
(
Text: Abbey Psalms & Canticles © 2010, 2018, USCCB; Music © 1996, 2022 Philip Jakob)

Gospel Acclamation: Salisbury Alleluia (Walker)
Preparation of the Gifts: Send Down the Fire of Your Justice G 593
Eucharistic Acclamations: Mass of Creation G 231, 234, 238
Lamb of God: Mass of Creation G 240
Communion Song: Lord, I Need You G 1063
Dismissal: Celtic Alleluia (Sending Forth)

Links to Resources for Mass: 

  • Readings for the Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday, August 14, 2022
  • Lyrics and Mass Order for the Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday, August 14, 2022
  • Contemporary Music for the Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday, August 14, 2022

Divisions | Friar Reflections | The Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear Parishioners,

In chapter nine, verse five of the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, the prophet refers to the coming of Jesus as the Prince of Peace. Initially, we may see the coming of our Savior as the one who would bring peace and order to a broken humanity. In this weekend’s Gospel, we hear a different side of Jesus, a side we are not expecting or may not be comfortable with. We hear Jesus asking his disciples in Luke 12:51, “Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.”

Simeon’s prophecy to Mary and Joseph in the passage from Luke 2:34 complements the point Jesus is making in this weekend’s Gospel. “Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His Mother: “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted.” We can see that unbridled devotion to Jesus certainly does come at a cost, as shown to us in the early life of St. Francis of Assisi. As biographers of St. Francis of Assisi tell us, St. Francis’ father, Pietro Bernardone, was outraged over his son’s behavior in showing his particular brand of that devotion. This outrage led to a public confrontation. Before the bishop of Assisi and onlookers, Bernardone disinherited and disowned his son, Francesco.

St. Francis Renounces all Worldly Goods | Fresco by Giotto | 1299

His son, in turn, renounced his father and his patrimony, saying “Listen everyone and understand it well: until now I have called Pietro Bernardone my father; but now that I intend to serve the Lord, I am returning to this man all the money which has caused him such a bother and all the clothes that were his property; and from now on I shall say Our Father which art in Heaven, instead of my father, Pietro Bernardone.” This story illustrates the truth of Jesus’ saying: “Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.” The division between Bernadone and St. Francis reveals that the peace proclaimed by the angels at the birth of the prince of peace—the peace that Jesus himself is—comes hand in hand with uncompromising fidelity to God’s word. St. Francis from that point on did his best to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. We all know very well that to follow Jesus unreservedly, the action is regularly met with opposition, causing tension within our most loving relationships, and I believe therein lies another challenge facing us.

Every Monday morning, we friars reflect upon the upcoming Sunday readings. As we were sharing our thoughts last week, Fr. Steve raised a quote attributed to the television personality Dr. Phil McGraw. Paraphrasing Dr. Phil, Fr. Steve mentioned the former clinical psychologist’s ideas on choice, saying when we’re faced with the choice of doing the right thing, or the loving thing, in most cases, the loving choice is the correct one to take. We, as Franciscans, choose mostly to preach on God’s abundant grace, love, and forgiveness towards us all and to follow the way of St. Francis in imitating Christ to the best of our individual abilities. And sometimes doing the right thing is doing the loving thing. We are all called to be faithful without counting the cost, even if the cost is separation from loved ones.

One of St. Francis’ regrets divulged when he was nearing death was that he never reconciled with his father. Let our prayer be that regardless of the source of the divisions in our lives, that they be always met with loving concern for the other in the peace granted us freely from Christ.

Peace and all good,
Fr. Zack

Bringing Them All Together – Friar Reflections – The Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear Parishioners,

You’ve likely heard the friars speak recently about upcoming changes to the structure of the order across the U.S. After being asked by several parishioners, I thought I would give everyone an update of what is happening. A campaign regarding revitalization and restructuring is ongoing, with Franciscans from all six American provinces discussing ways to create new energy within Franciscan life in the U.S., as well as modifications to the governing structures for the Order of Friars Minor here.

While the number of religious is growing in Asia and Africa, it is dropping in Europe and in the U.S. Provinces that once were comprised of more than a thousand are now down to only a few hundred. Restructuring may allow more of the money generously donated to the Franciscans by the people of God to be dedicated to our works. For instance, there are savings which can be gained by combining vocation offices, accounting offices, communication offices, etc.

Last week, Henry, Zack and myself attended a gathering in Kansas City, MO for the Franciscan friars throughout the United States aged 65 and younger. Holy Name Province, which covers the majority of the east coast, including our parish, was one of the six provinces present at the meetings. The gathering was a blessing, and served as a chance for us to reconnect with or meet new friars from other provinces.

The Franciscan Friars of Holy Name Province at a chapter gathering in 2018.

This process actually began in 2018, when the provinces of St. Barbara, Holy Name, Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. John the Baptist, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and Sacred Heart gathered in their respective extraordinary chapters and voted on whether or not to petition the Minister General and the General Definitory to allow these six provinces to form a new, singular province. All six provinces voted yes. Since then, each of the provinces have worked towards this revitalization and restructuring goal. Franciscan vocation and formation teams have been working interprovincially for years, standing as a model of how the different provinces can work together.

Last week’s gathering and meetings allows us to shape what we hope the new province will look like. The friars today are much more diverse in race, culture, language, and in many other ways. We need a province that will reflect that diversity. A prevailing result of the meetings over the last four years has been the friars excitement about this new opportunity to come together as one. It is an opportunity to renew and revitalize our Franciscan charism and our fraternal life together.

From most people’s perspective on the outside, not much will change. Many of the same parishes will be staffed by many of the same friars. For us friars, there will be a much richer variety of possible ministry opportunities available. A young man may want to serve in a California mission, or with migrants on the southern border, or in one of our colleges and universities, or in different parish settings, or with different language groups, or in direct service to the poor, or some mixture of these ministries during his life. No longer will he be restricted to those ministries available only in the area of the country served by his current province.

In May, the name for this new U.S. OFM province was announced as Our Lady of Guadalupe Province. The name reflects St. Francis of Assisi’s devotion to the blessed mother and represents the patron saints of the Americas. Many of our ministries here at Sacred Heart already celebrate this important feast day. Our liturgy committee decided even before the naming of the new province that the parish would celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe this December. In the past we have had special celebrations of this feast day, but they were one of many aspects of our parish life that was paused during the pandemic. I hope everyone will come join us in December as we reintegrate this parish tradition with new meaning and significance to our order.

Also recently announced was the location for the new provincialate (headquarters). Atlanta, GA was chosen for ease of access and weather. The new provincial office will also look to expand its ministry in the Atlanta metro area where much of the administration will soon be located.

The Chapter of Unity, the gathering where the six provinces will become one, will be held in Kansas City in October 2023.

Peace and all good,
Fr. Mike

Online Mass – The Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Thank you for participating in Sacred Heart’s Mass, whether in person or online. On this page you can find the readings for the Sunday celebration as well as the music for Mass.

Hymns for the Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time:

Opening Song: God, Whose Purpose is to Kindle G 885
Penitential Act: Glory to God: Mass of Joy & Peace (Alonso) G 250

Responsorial Psalm 33:
Blessed, blessed the people the Lord has chosen as his heritage.

Gospel Acclamation: Salisbury Alleluia (Walker)
Preparation of the Gifts: In God’s Time G 946
Eucharistic Acclamations: Mass of Creation G 231, 234, 238
Lamb of God: Mass of Creation G 240
Communion Song: Where Your Treasure Is G 829
Dismissal: Soon and Very Soon G 941

Links to Resources for Mass: 

  • Readings for the Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday, August 7, 2022
  • Lyrics and Mass Order for the Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday, August 7, 2022
  • Contemporary Music for the Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday, August 7, 2022

Online Mass – The Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Thank you for participating in Sacred Heart’s Mass, whether in person or online. On this page you can find the readings for the Sunday celebration as well as the music for Mass.

Hymns for the Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time:

Opening Song: Abundant Life G 635
Penitential Act: Glory to God: Mass of Joy & Peace (Alonso) G 249

Responsorial Psalm 90

Gospel Acclamation: Salisbury Alleluia (Walker)
Preparation of the Gifts: Where Your Treasure Is G 829
Eucharistic Acclamations: Mass of Creation G 231, 234, 238
Lamb of God: Mass of Creation G 240
Communion Song: Pues Si Vivimos (If We Are Living) G 825
Dismissal: For the Healing of Nations G 884

Links to Resources for Mass: 

  • Readings for the Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday, July 31, 2022
  • Lyrics and Mass Order for the Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday, July 31, 2022
  • Contemporary Music for the Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday, July 31, 2022

Online Mass – The Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Thank you for participating in Sacred Heart’s Mass, whether in person or online. On this page you can find the readings for the Sunday celebration as well as the music for Mass.

Hymns for the Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time:

Opening Song: As We Gather at Your Table G 922
Penitential Act: Glory to God: Mass of Joy & Peace (Alonso) G 249

Responsorial Psalm 138:
In the Presence of the Angels

Gospel Acclamation: Salisbury Alleluia (Walker)
Preparation of the Gifts: We Cannot Measure How You Heal G 713
Eucharistic Acclamations: Mass of Creation G 231, 234, 238
Lamb of God: Mass of Creation G 240
Communion Song: There is a Longing G 720
Dismissal: Mayenziwe G 745

Links to Resources for Mass: 

  • Readings for the Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday, July 24, 2022
  • Lyrics and Mass Order for the Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday, July 24, 2022
  • Contemporary Music for the Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday, July 24, 2022

Are Saints Superheroes? | Friar Reflections | The Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear parishioners,

Who or what are saints? Many of you will have a relatively strong idea of how to answer that question but might be surprised by the flexibility of the word within our Church. The term simply refers to those who tried to live a holy life. Saints were normal people, just like us. They exhibited traits I would hope most of us try to exhibit; being kind, gentle, merciful, an active listener, joyful, peaceful, faithful, or hardworking towards the needs of others. Saints work to love in specific or broad capacity. All those who are in heaven are called saints. You’ll hear Fr. Steve refer to our congregation as saints. He’ll greet you at the beginning of Mass or even this column when he pens it saying, “the saints of God, the Lord be with you!”

The less ambiguous version of the title will likely have been your answer to this question. Saints are officially recognized, after their death, by the Church for what God has done in the life of that person when they were alive. Through a lengthy process involving an in-depth investigation of the person’s life and verifying at least two miracles through that person’s intercession, the Church will move toward beatification, and later, canonization.

We often associate saints with martyrdom, famous deeds, or courageous acts, but there are so many that would not fit that mold. Saints don’t have to be from a religious order, either. There isn’t a need to be priest, nun, brother, etc. There are lay people of all sorts who lived a saintly life, including many who may have experienced difficulty within their lives. There are saints who were disliked or shunned in their time. There are saints who had an unfaithful spouse or were orphaned. There are saints who left the Faith and later returned. There are saints who were homeless, illiterate, neglected, or poor. You get the picture. Very often it is a holiness found just as easily within our next-door neighbors as with those more famous figures. You might call them “the middle class of holiness.”

Saints are not superhuman, nor were they born perfect. They are like each of us. They are people who, before reaching the glory of heaven, lived normal lives with joys, sorrows, struggles, and hopes. What changed their lives? It was the experience of God’s love. They spent their lives giving to others, they endured suffering and adversity without hatred and responded to evil with good, spreading joy and peace.

Even the most famous of saints did not lead lives that were distant or unreachable. On the contrary, they are people who lived with their feet on the ground. They experienced the daily toil of existence with its successes and failures, finding in the Lord the strength to rise again and again to continue their journey. A true saint finds God in the present; the here and now. We memorialize saints not to forget the realities of the earth, but to use their example and face what is in front of us with greater courage and hope.

Peace and all good,
Friar Henry

The following are a selection of modern saints recognized by the Church for the lives they lived:

St. Katharine Drexel is the patron of racial justice and philanthropy.

St. Katharine Drexel is the second American-born saint to be canonized by the Catholic Church. Born in 1858 as an heiress to a large bequest, Drexel became a religious sister and a brilliant educator. Following the passing of her stepmother, and later, her father, Drexel involved herself in aiding Native and African Americans both financially and spiritually, going so far as to consult with Pope Leo XIII, who suggested she become a missionary. In 1891, Drexel established the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, whose members would work for the betterment of Native and African Americans. Using her inheritance, Drexel opened dozens of missions and schools, including a mission for the Navajo tribes of Arizona and New Mexico that was aided by the friars of the St. John the Baptist Province. St. Katharine Drexel was beatified in 1988 and canonized in 2000.

Saints Louis Martin and Zélie Guérin are the parents of St. Thérèse of Lisieux.

Saints Louis Martin and Zélie Guérin, a pair of French saints, are the first couple to be canonized into sainthood (2015). Louis, trained as a watchmaker, desired entry into the religious life, but his inability to speak Latin saw that desire unfulfilled. After moving from Bordeaux to Normandy, Louis met his match. Zélie, a skilled lace maker, also found disappointment attempting to enter the religious life. The two married and raised five girls. Following Zélie’s death in 1877, Louis moved his family to Lisieux, where his youngest daughter entered a monastery at just 15, later becoming St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus.

August’s Giving from the Heart to Support SVdP, Dignity for Haiti

Sacred Heart is holding its latest Giving from the Heart drive-through donation event on Saturday, August 13 at the North Campus main lot from 10 a.m. to noon. The August event is an effort of both Open Doors and the Young Professionals, benefitting Dignity for Haiti and the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul.

Started in 2020, Dignity for Haiti is a non-profit dedicated to providing food, education, and shelter to people in Haiti, as well as funding and means needed to promote self- sustainability. The group focuses its mission through the parish of Notre Dame du Perpétuel Secours on the island of La Gonâve, which is comprised of three chapels and nearly 400 parishioners.

Founded in 1833, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is a worldwide organization of lay Catholics, following Christ’s call to serve the poor, the suffering, and the deprived. Operating in Hillsborough County since 1932, SVdP works to ease an individual or family’s initial emergency, then shepherd them into programs that can bring lasting change. Donations made locally are used and distributed throughout Hillsborough County neighborhoods. Many will know Sacred Heart’s group of SVdP volunteers as one of the 13 conferences for the non-profit within Hillsborough County.

If you are interested in volunteering for our next Giving from the Heart donation drive, contact Open Doors or the Young Professionals via email.

Below are lists from each organization highlighting the most needed items hoping to be collected during the drive.

Saint Vincent de Paul Needs:

  • Clothing (new or gently used), such as men’s jeans and shorts, tee shirts,
  • Tennis shoes, slides, sandals (new or gently used; men’s and women’s)
  • Socks and Undergarments (new; men’s and women’s)
  • Nail care items, such as clippers and files
  • Can openers

Dignity for Haiti Needs:

  • Home Healthcare Items, such as antibiotic ointment, adult and children pain relievers, antiseptic solutions, cotton balls, swabs, and gauze, antacids, cold remedies, bandages and band aids, waterproof tape, anti-diarrheal tablets, burn gel, eye drops
  • Toiletries and cleaning supplies, such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, laundry detergent (Fels-Naptha), hand sanitizer, dish soap
  • Household necessities, such as batteries (9V and AA), lightbulbs (60W)

We thank you in advance for your generosity and continued support!