Dear parishioners,

This weekend we celebrate the fourth Sunday of Lent, and the theme for our reflection centers upon love and forgiveness, as presented to us in the gospel of Luke.

The parable of the Prodigal Son is a story about God’s unconditional love and forgiveness for all of us. It is a story of mercy, compassion, and unwavering love, despite our faults, failings, and weaknesses.

It is a story of a man who left his home, his father, and his family, taking all his inheritance in search of happiness and fulfillment in life. The only problem was that he thought he could find happiness in what the parable calls a “life of debauchery.” As we learned from this parable, the Prodigal Son tried to find happiness by satisfying his every desire, whether moral or immoral. This eventually led him to living as a farmhand, feeding pigs and being treated poorly by others. Coming to his senses, we are told that he returned home, asking his father for forgiveness, to which his father embraces him and welcomes him back with open arms.

However, we also see the reaction of the older brother, who finding out that his younger brother has returned home asking forgiveness from his father for living an immoral life, is enthusiastically welcomed by his father, who celebrates his return with a banquet.

Being always obedient to his father, the older son becomes angry because he believed he has been treated unfairly. The father reminds his older son that all he has belongs to him, but his brother, who was dead to sin, has now come “back to life.”

You could argue the younger of the two sons mirrors the struggle today within society, and the emphasis we place upon success, money, power, and prestige. We live in a materialistic world, where the belief that money is all we need to be happy and successful in life – much like what the Prodigal Son believed. The reality is that in many ways we are facing a spiritual famine in our country and world at this time. Because of this spiritual famine, in some ways, we have ended up like the younger son, who eventually found himself caring for pigs. We see this in our day-to-day living, witnessing drug and
alcohol abuse, all kinds of fraud, theft, violence, murder, human trafficking, marital infidelity, priestly infidelity, the lust for power and control of others, and wars, like we’re seeing in Ukraine.

This passage from St. Luke’s gospel about the Prodigal Son on this fourth Sunday of Lent gives us all cause to stop and reflect upon the tender love, compassion, and mercy of our Heavenly Father. It also gives us the opportunity to reflect upon our own state in life and offers to us some very poignant questions for our meditation as we approach the midway point during this holy season.

We must ask ourselves: “Am I compassionate towards others?” “Do I allow God and the Holy Spirit to guide my thoughts, words, and actions?” “Do I offer forgiveness to those who intentionally hurt me? “Do I repay evil with evil, or do I offer love in return?” We all live in a very volatile, hostile, and angry world. We live in a world where violence has become commonplace, and all too often at the expense of the innocent and the most vulnerable of society.

I offer this reflection to you as we draw ever closer to the joyous feast of Easter. I invite all of you to join me in prayer, asking our Heavenly Father to bring peace to our troubled world, to help us to offer compassion and charity to those around us, and show all of us how to live in mutual respect and love towards all people.

There is an old saying “the grass always looks greener on the other side.” There  are many temptations in life, and many false voices that tempt us by saying “follow me” or “follow your desires and you will find happiness.” The best offer of happiness comes from God: “all I have is yours.” God, our Heavenly Father, is there waiting for us to come to him, waiting to embrace us and welcome us into His Heavenly banquet. Therefore I invite you for the remainder of Lent to make an effort to answer his invitation, and come home to the Lord. Let us in faith go into God’s house and enjoy His Heavenly banquet, for God is love, and whoever lives in love, lives in God and God in them.

Peace and all good
Fr. Ron

Dear parishioners,

While my brothers use this space as an opportunity to connect with you through the Gospel or liturgical events, I wish to continue with an educational stream of information on who we are as Franciscans, and what makes us tick. As parishioners, you are likely aware of the Franciscan Charism and differences in lifestyle and approach to the religious life when compared with other orders or with diocesan priests. After all, our order has been with you at this parish since 2005, so osmosis may have set in. Taking the time to help define the way in which we are structured, and provide context for how and why we live in the way we do seems important to reestablish periodically, regardless if you are a recent registrant or come from a multi-generational family of parishioners. For instance, were you aware that  there are multiple orders of Franciscans? Do you know the extent of our commitment to the vows we take? I am happy to answer questions like these to make certain our parishioners feel a stronger connection to their friars. Additionally, changes to our structure can occur, and it is imperative for us as a fraternity to inform you.

The Franciscans consist of three orders. The First Order (no, not the bad guys in the recent Star Wars films) comprises priests and lay brothers who have sworn to lead a life of prayer, preaching, and penance. This First Order is divided into three independent branches: the Friars Minor (O.F.M.), the Friars Minor Conventual (O.F.M. Conv.), and the Friars Minor Capuchin (O.F.M. Cap.). The Second Order consists of cloistered nuns who belong to the Order of St. Clare (O.S.C.) and are known as Poor Clare’s (P.C.). The Third Order consists of religious and lay men and women who try to emulate St. Francis’s spirit by performing works of teaching, charity, and social service. Strictly speaking, the latter order consists of the Third Order Secular, whose lay members live in the world without vows; and the Third Order Regular, whose members live in religious communities under vows.

Historically, the friars wandered and preached among the people, helping the poor and the sick. They supported themselves by working and by begging for food, but they were forbidden to accept money either as payment for work or as alms. The Franciscans worked at first in Umbria and then in the rest of Italy and abroad. The impact of these street preachers and especially of their founder was immense, so that within 10 years they numbered 5,000.

During the first years of the Franciscans, the example of Francis provided their real rule of life, but, as the order grew, it became clear that a revised rule was necessary. After preparing a rule in 1221 that was found to be too strict, Francis, with the help of several legal scholars, unwillingly composed the more restrained final rule in 1223. This rule was approved by Pope Honorius III.

Even before the death of Francis in 1226, conflicts developed within the order over the observance of the vow of complete poverty. The rapid expansion of the order’s membership had created a need for settled monastic houses, but it was impossible to justify these if Francis’s rule of complete poverty was followed strictly. Three parties gradually appeared: the Zealots, who insisted on a literal observance of the primitive rule of poverty affecting communal as well as personal poverty; the Laxists, who favored many mitigations; and the Moderates, or the community, who wanted a legal structure that would permit some form of communal possessions.

Here in the United States, there are seven provinces of Franciscan Friars which span from coast to coast. As it was in St. Francis’ time, so it is now that the friars will undergo changes. Six out of the seven provinces could merge and become one province, which could span the majority of the country. Theses changes will cause us as Franciscans to once again “Begin again.” The saying of beginning again was ascribed to Francis, when he said to the brothers, “up until now we have done nothing, let us begin again.” As friars, we are challenged to ongoing conversion, both in our lives and in ministry and community.

The friars first call is to fraternity, which entails his call to prayer and communal life. In this way, the friar is called to brotherhood, living out the gospel message with his brothers daily in both prayer and common meals. We value this time of community with each other as a time to recharge and engage in the life-giving support of our brotherhood as consecrated religious. Just as families enjoy their times of gatherings on certain holidays and special occasions, this part of common life is very important to us as friars, for our health and well being with each other, and to relax outside of ministry. It is from this common life that we as brothers are called to go forth in mission, to our ministries (parishes, schools, hospital, and soup kitchens) and serve the people of God. This is our DNA, simply put. This is what sets Franciscans apart from other religious communities, that need for fraternity.

It is in living out our vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience that we give witness to the kingdom of God. Just as Jesus tells his disciples, “go out two by two and take nothing for the journey,” we friars must give witness to this by the way we live our lives in community and ministry. We friars must be countercultural in the way we live, breath and interact with all creation. As friars, we are to listen and be challenged by those we live (friars) and work with (staff) and those we encounter in our daily lives through ministry or service. Within the Franciscan order, fraternity remains the nucleus in which we live out our Franciscan life and values as friars.

Peace,
Friar Henry

(Editors Note: Embarking on a new tradition in 2022, the friars of Sacred Heart will alternate penning a letter or discussion aimed to help parishioners engage with the readings, the parish, or their outreach initiatives on a weekly basis. This new practice continues with a letter from Fr. Zachary Elliott, where he details the challenges we have to truly listen to God and each other.)

• Readings for The Second Sunday of Lent

Dear Sacred Heart Parishioners,

This Sunday, I would like to focus on a single word from the Gospel, spoken by God to Peter, James, and John. “Then from the cloud came a voice that said: This is my chosen Son; listen to Him.” (Lk 9:35) The word “listen” comes from the Old English term “hlysnan,”
meaning “pay attention to.”

We live lives filled with noise and sound, so much so that the simple act of listening becomes more difficult. We hear well enough, sure, and there is plenty out there to hear these days. Listening to each other is not easy to start with, but it has become more difficult in this age. Conversations trend toward becoming monologues, where someone waits patiently until the other person has finished, all the while formulating a response in their own mind.

We may find our discussions becoming debates, where someone listens only in order to disagree or find fault in another. To listen is to give of yourself, to put yourself into the other person’s mind and heart. It is not just hearing the words spoken and being able to recite what was heard. It is the understanding and acknowledgement without any of the noise or your self interests distorting the premise.

To listen is to risk. To listen may mean getting more involved. To risk your time, often when you can least afford it, or to remove yourself from the equation in order to serve another in that moment. Listening can also leave us exposed, because when we listen, we are agreeing to set ourselves aside, which may make some of us feel vulnerable. While we describe the sacrifice associated with the action, we can also find positive affirmations in listening. Listening can be an act of love, to be where another can reach out to you, and you share not words, but yourselves. What a wonderfully human attribute!

During Lent, we make time to listen to Christ. This is the command of the Father from the cloud. Listen to Him. This is what Peter, James, and John were ordered to do. Why? Because here is at once God’s Son and God’s revelation. In various ways, God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets, but in these last days, He has spoken to us by his Son.

Jesus is God’s revelation to us. He is the point of personal contact between God and us. How does Jesus speak to us? Vatican II rings loud and clear. Christ is present in His word, since it is He Himself who speaks when the holy scriptures are read in the church. Listening to Jesus is not the same as listening to others. The same intensity, yes, the same openness, but a greater risk, because we are challenged to follow as well. When God told Peter, James, and John to listen to Jesus, He was saying “obey Him and do what He tells you; follow Him.” If we really listen to Jesus in the proclaimed word, then we can hear Him in our everyday lives.

Let’s take God’s command seriously and listen this Lent. God speaks to us in our loneliness, our pain, our suffering when nothing is going right. Only by listening in desperation do we hear God speak. Not explaining, not defending, not to justify, but only saying “trust in Me.” There is the sound of silence (thank you, Simon & Garfunkel), when we listen quietly, allowing God’s voice to whisper to us. Listen to one another. Listen to Christ in the proclaimed word. Listen to the word of God in the world around us. Allow God to come to  you through your senses.

Peace,
Fr. Zack

(Editors Note: Embarking on a new tradition in 2022, the friars of Sacred Heart will alternate penning a letter or discussion aimed to help parishioners engage with the readings, the parish, or their outreach initiatives on a weekly basis. This new practice continues with a letter from our pastor, Fr. Mike Jones, providing insight on how to follow Jesus’ call to prayer, fasting, and almsgiving during our Lenten journey)

• Readings for Ash Wednesday
• Readings for The First Sunday of Lent

Dear Sacred Heart Parishioners,

In the Gospel on Ash Wednesday, we heard from Jesus the needs for prayer, fasting and almsgiving. This passage from Matthew’s Gospel featuring some of Jesus’ core teachings to his disciples is a wonderful reminder to us that during Lent these three themes are connected. Why do we fast or have a simple meal? It is so we can share those resources with the poor, for instance. I have gone into more detail about these three pillars of Lent and have given some suggestions on how we might practice each one during Lent.

The first pillar of Lent is prayer. Lent is a time of spiritual renewal, and during Lent we put special time aside to be prayerful and reflective. Good communication is a sign of good friendship. Lent calls us to renew our relationship with God, by communicating with God each and every day. Some people like to pray with the scriptures during Lent. Others like to pray the rosary, or some other devotional prayer. Others still may find a time to sit quietly each day in God’s presence. There are as many different ways to pray, or communicate with God, as there are prayers, but we encourage you to find a way of connecting with God that feels right for you.

Here are some ideas to reconnect through prayer:

• Experiment with a new form or way of praying. (walking a labyrinth, Lectio Divina,  meditation)
• For one week, set your alarm 10 minutes early and spend that time in prayer before starting your day
• For one week, do an examination of conscience before you go to bed, reviewing your day
• Set up/decorate an intentional space for prayer (a quiet corner, a comfortable chair, a place in nature)
• Participate in the Stations of the Cross, or pray the rosary each week (or pray one decade per day)
• Celebrate the sacrament of Reconciliation/Penance this Lent

The second Lenten pillar is fasting and abstinence. Fasting is the practice of limiting the food that we eat on certain days. On Ash Wednesday and Good Friday we fast, meaning that we only have two small meals. Abstinence is the practice of not eating certain types of food. On Ash Wednesday and the Fridays in Lent, we abstain from eating meat. Fasting and abstinence reminds us of our total dependence on God. These practices help us to remember that ultimately it is only through the love of God that we are fed, nourished and sustained. The practices also help us remember to abstain from those things that pull us away from being the people God wants us to be.

Ideas for fasting and abstinence:

• Fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, and abstain from meat every Friday in Lent
• Give up eating out for one week or more, and donate the money saved to a food bank
• Choose one unhealthy habit (junk food, smoking, gossip) to abstain from for at least one week at a time
• Abstain from buying any new clothing this month and purge your closet for donations
• Abstain from social media for one week, and spend the time saved reading scripture or in spiritual reflection
• Abstain from complaining for one week, and instead, journal five things each day for which you are grateful

The third pillar of Lent is almsgiving, or acts of mercy and love. Almsgiving and acts of mercy are ways in which we tell God that we will not be possessed by our possessions, but are ready and willing to share our possessions or valuable time in the service of others. During Lent, we make a special effort to do acts of charitable service or take up collections of food or clothing for those in need.

How almsgiving can help guide your Lenten journey:

• Throughout Lent, save up your loose change in a jar and donate to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul
• Volunteer once a week to help others; serve at a soup kitchen, mow a neighbor’s yard, rake leaves for your parents
• Stop by a nearby nursing home, and spend an hour visiting with the residents
• Make cards for those who are sick, shut-in, or incarcerated; let them know someone cares
• Perform one act of random kindness every day for a week
• Donate food to a local food pantry each week

Peace,
Fr. Mike