Category Archives: Parish News

In the Works | From the Desk of the Pastor | November 2025

Friar Reflections, From the Desk of the Pastor, Parish News

Dear Parishioners,

I would first like to congratulate our Outreach and Event Manager Vicky McCarthy and her Gala Committee of volunteers for the wonderful job they did with this year’s Gala that was at the end of September. We raised nearly $93,000, which will go to repairs and preservation of the church dome. It is through the support of our volunteers and parishioners that we were able to have such a successful Gala. I thank all of you!

Vicky has also been busy organizing this year’s Fall Festival which will take place next Sunday afternoon at the North Campus. It promises to be a very fun day for everyone. There will be many activities for both the children and adults. Please come an joins us next Sunday.

Besides the upcoming work on the dome, we have several other projects we are working on around the parish. They are as follows:

  • Friary living room ceiling – Over the summer with the heavy rains we’ve encountered a major leak in the friary. The leaks have been addressed and contractors are currently fixing part of the living room ceiling in the friary. Parts of it had to be removed and replace due to mold.
  • Tile restoration in the church – Work continues in the church to restore and grout some floor tile that has been damaged. Due to the age of the tile, it is coming loose and falling out. We are to the point that we are unable to reuse the old tile, due to damage. Also, the tile is not made anymore, so the solution has been to replace the tile with a small round tile.
  • North Campus kitchen renovation – We interviewed four construction managers (CM’s) at the end of October. Once we settle on a CM, we will then be able to put the project out to bid. Once we have bid then we will go back to the Diocese and get permission to go forward. During this process we have determined that we will need to put a new roof on the kitchen and auditorium as well as installing a sprinkler system. Included in the project is also redoing the restrooms off the auditorium. All new plumbing will have to be installed in the kitchen and the restrooms. The building was built in the late 1950’s and there has not been much done to it since.
  • Church Exterior work – We are working to finalize proposals and paperwork to submit to the diocese for the sealing the south-side of our church. Expected time-frame is two months of work. The date to begin is TBD. This will be the outside wall between the church and friary so the scaffolding should not be visible to the public. This area is needed due to the amount of leaks we have had on that side of the church.

As we come to the end of the calendar year, please consider and additional gift that could help fund these various projects. In the last few years, we have put quite a bit of money into the church and we were able to do so through the generosity of our parishioners. Thank you to all of you for your continued support of Sacred Heart Parish.

Peace and All Good,
Fr. Mike

Dilexi Te | An Invitation to Be a Church for the Poor

Friar Reflections, Parish News
“I have loved you.” Rev 3:9

“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.

Longtime Parishioner, Docent to Receive 2025 DOSP St. Jude Medal

Parish News

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.

The parish would like to thank Pat for her continued efforts, and congratulate her on receiving this year’s award. Click here to see the list of each recipient from across the diocese.

Want to know more about our Historical Society? Click here.

Prayer and Community | Friar Reflections | 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Friar Reflections, Parish News

Saints of God…

…the Lord be with you!

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!

– Fr. Steve

Francis’ Depth of Care | From the Desk of the Pastor | October 2025

Friar Reflections, From the Desk of the Pastor, Parish News

Dear Parishioners,

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)

Peace and All Good,
Fr. Mike

Aiding Our Local Homeless w/ Next Parish-wide Drive

Parish News

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

If you are interested in assisting the parish and ministry with any of these specific items, please click here to contact business operations manager Tony Miranda via email.

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.

How Do We Think About Greatness? | Friar Reflections | Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Friar Reflections, Parish News

Saints of God…

…the Lord be with you!

How do we think about greatness? Is it the size of our bank accounts or our homes? Is it how fit we are or how well we are dressed? Or how much weight we can press during a gym workout? (Every time I go to the gym (yes, I do work out only to look like this) I’m tempted to increase the weight on the machine after I’m done using it. But I don’t since I know that I won’t be fooling anyone.) But as Christians, we need to ask ourselves how does Christ view greatness? An answer to that question is how we show our love for God by caring for our neighbor, particularly those who are poor and in need.

In today’s first reading from the Prophet Amos (8:4-7) echoes themes from all the prophets who preceded him, and all those who will follow him: God will remember how we as individuals and as a nation treat the poor! The Responsorial Psalm (113) reminds us that “The Lord lifts up the poor” but through us and our charity. As saint Theresa of Avila puts it “Christ has no body on earth but (ours), No hands, no feet on earth but (ours)…(Ours) are the hands with which He blesses all the world.”

The Gospel today (Luke 16: 1-13) is the parable of the dishonest steward. His employer fires him for cheating, and he in return acts prudently by reducing his commission hoping that this will redound to him later since he is “not strong enough to dig and ashamed to beg.” In the end, Jesus warns his followers to be just as prudent and creative in doing good since we will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. No law should limit us in the good we must do, and all generosity will never get anyone in trouble. But I am preaching to the choir Saints of God in Sacred Heart Parish. Let us continue to do the good! As someone once said, “Let us teach people to fish!” To which I add, “And let us feed them while they are being taught.”

– Fr. Steve

Socktober Returns to Sacred Heart

Parish News

On the heels of a successful 2024 campaign, Sacred Heart, alongside the Knights of Columbus Council #12110, is excited to announce the return of the popular “Socktober” sock drive, benefitting the many of the homeless initiatives with which our parish is associated.

Each night in Hillsborough County, a now estimated 1,796 homeless, with more than 1000 unsheltered who are forced to live on the streets. Many unsheltered people rarely take their shoes off. They walk often and don’t always have laundry facilities at close reach. Clean socks are a reliably top-requested item at homeless shelters.

Located in both the Sacred Heart Gift Store as well as the church, will be a pair of donation bins to address this critical need. Socktober donations may be made at all weekend Masses, or at the Gift and Book Store during weekday store hours throughout the month of October. Packages of new socks in adult sizes will be accepted. Our goal is to reach 2000 pairs, with the socks being distributed to the Tampa Hope homeless shelter, our Hands of Hope ministry, and Catholic Charities, among others.

Event this small act of love, donating a pair of socks, can make a big difference in the lives of our homeless neighbors. The Knights and friars thank you for your participation!

*This page will be updated with status updates from our drive as the month progresses. Thank you for your generosity in donating, and Happy Socktober!

Socktober is an international campaign that was started in 2011 when creator Brad Montague realized there was a large homeless population in his hometown, and he wanted to do something about it. While researching the needs of the homeless community, he learned that socks are the items least donated to homeless shelters. Since then, Socktober has exploded! Kids and adults around the world have started their own sock drives to benefit their local homeless shelters.

Franciscan Celebrations 2025

Parish News

Each year on the evening of October 3, the Franciscan family throughout the world pauses to celebrate the solemnity of our Holy Father Francis’ Transitus, his passing over from this life to the next. St. Francis was not afraid of what would come at the end of his earthly life, choosing instead to recognize in that experience, not an end, but a transition from one way of living to another was to come.

The Friars of Sacred Heart invite you to join them for a series of Franciscan celebrations, reflecting on that devotion and understanding of creation, as we observe the Transitus and The Feast of St. Francis.

In a spirit of praise and thanksgiving, the Franciscan Order also celebrates the 800th anniversary of the composition of the Canticle of the Creatures by St. Francis of Assisi in 2025. The Canticle of the Creatures, also known as the Canticle of Brother Sun, is a poem written by St. Francis of Assisi shortly before his death.

Want to Learn More About the Transitus? Click Here
Tales of Wonder | Wednesday, October 1 | 7 p.m. | Church

In Marty Haugen’s musical Tales of Wonder, a Hawaiian village gathers around two story-tellers who relate some of the familiar and central stories of their faith – Creation, Job, Jesus, and the coming of the Spirit – primarily to the children, but also to the adults. Members of our parish choir, and children from the parish will participate in this uplifting performance which features musical renditions of salvation stories. The event is free to the public.

Blessing of the Animals | Thursday, October 2 | 5:30 to 7 p.m. | The Franciscan Center

The Franciscan Center (3010 N. Perry Ave.) once again plays host to our Friars blessing the animals of our local community as part of their annual “St. Francis Day.” Pets of all kinds and their owners will be blessed by the friars. This annual “Blessing of the Animals” for all furry, finned, and feathered friends is a Franciscan Tradition in celebration of St. Francis of Assisi, Patron Saint of animals and the environment. The event is free to the public.

Transitus of St. Francis | Friday, October 3 | 6:30 p.m. | Church

Every year, on the third evening of October, Franciscans ritually remember the passing of Francis of Assisi from this life during this liturgy, as a reminder to renew our own commitment to follow Christ in the way of the poor man of Assisi. Join the friars as they continue this tradition, and later for a reception with light refreshments in St. Francis Hall following the liturgy.

The Feast of St. Francis | Saturday, October 4 | Church

The Feast of the Father of our Order, St. Francis, will be celebrated at our scheduled vigil Mass, at 5:30 p.m. | Each of the Masses for the weekend will feature readings for the Feast.

More information on Tales of Wonder from Director of Music, Phil Jakob

Building on the success of our recent “Aloha Summer Social,” we hope to return to Hawaii with a parish performance of Tales of Wonder, a musical conceived by Marty Haugen while visiting a parish in Hawaii. That parish was largely made up of native Hawaiians who had preserved story-telling as one aspect of their culture. To an extent, we do the same every Sunday as we gather to listen to the Word of God. In Tales of Wonder a village gathers around two story-tellers who relate some of the familiar and central stories of their faith – Creation, Job, Jesus, and the coming of the Spirit – primarily to the children, but also to the adults.

I was first introduced to Tales of Wonder by Marty Haugen himself when he visited London for anniversary celebrations of the St Thomas More Centre. Since then. I have directed performances at St Ignatius College, Enfield (1991), Parrs Wood High School (1995) at which the Headteacher remarked that we had delivered the entire religious education program in one night! When I became Director of Music for the Cathedral and Diocese of Hallam, performances followed at churches throughout the Diocese. Most memorable was a performance in Iona Abbey (1998) at which both Marty Haugen and I had been invited as guest musicians for the annual Music & Worship Week of the Wild Goose Resource Group. I directed, with Marty at the piano. The choir was made up of the 120 people signed up for the week and the children all came from Iona’s tiny primary school.

Can we rise to the challenge of performing it here at Sacred Heart? The proposed performance date is Wednesday, October 1 (updated from previous bulletin and email listings showing October 2), in the church. Our choir has already expressed its interest. Parents of children aged 8 and up, might your children be interested in being part of a children’s singing group? We would need to rehearse, of course, but please let me know if your children are interested by writing to me at pjakob@sacredheartfla.org

– Philip Jakob | Director of Music

This page will be updated with additional details for this year’s series of Franciscan Celebrations as they are announced.

Receiving Your Prayers & Intentions | From the Desk of the Pastor | September, 2025

Friar Reflections, From the Desk of the Pastor, Parish News

Dear Parishioners,

It has been two months since the parish started using Mass Intentions Online. It has been going extremely well and we have received many comments on the change. Parishioners have said they like it for several reasons. First, they can go online and look at available dates through 2027 for themselves and choose one that best fits their needs. Secondly, we’ve heard that many appreciate the convenience of it. The vast majority of requests are now coming online. Of course, you can still come into the parish office, and our receptionist can assist you with reserving a Mass intention.

With the implementation of the new program, several things have changed that you may want to know. The suggested donation is now $10 for a weekday Mass, and $15 for weekend Masses or major solemnities like Christmas. Another change is that now, on weekends, there can be up to two intentions for each Mass. You might notice that on some weekend Masses, the program only allows for one intention. These intentions were made before the new policy went into effect. When you are choosing a date, you will see that the next available date will be about two weeks in advance. The reason for this is so that we can get all of the intentions listed in the bulletin. If you see a date that you want before that two weeks and it is available you can call the parish office and they can assist you.

In addition, the new program allows us to also to accommodate memorials. When on to the website, click on “Request Memorial” on the top right side of the page:

• Sacristy Candle | Sits near the Tabernacle | Sun. to Sat. | Suggested donation: $25 | This candle will be lit all week in memory or in honor of someone. The names will be listed in the bulletin every week. You will find this memorial on Sundays every week of the year.

• All Souls Day | Suggested donation of $10 for each name | The list of the names will be remembered at all of the Masses on the first weekend of November. You will find this memorial under the Sacristy Candle on Sundays during the month of October.

• Christmas Flowers | Suggested donation of $20 per plant | Each poinsettia that you see has been given in remembrance or honor of loved ones whose names will be memorialized online. You will find this memorial on Saturdays during the season of Advent.

• Easter Flowers | Suggested donation $20 per plant | Each flower that you see has been given in remembrance or honor of loved ones whose names will be memorialized online. You will find this memorial on Saturdays during the season of Lent.

• Mother’s Day | Suggested donation $10 for each name | The list of the names will be remembered at all of the Masses on Mother’s Day. You will find this memorial under the Sacristy Candle on Sundays starting five weeks before Mother’s Day.

• Father’s Day | Suggested donation of $10 for each name | The list of the names will be remembered at all of the Masses on Father’s Day. You will find this memorial under the Sacristy Candle on Sundays starting five weeks before Father’s Day.

You can access and request Mass intentions and memorials online at shfla.org/intentions.

Over the past few months, many people have also used our new, online Prayer Wall. Here you are able to submit prayer requests for the sick, for the deceased, for those in the military, or for a special occasion. At times, we have been unable to approve certain requests because they didn’t meet the spirit of our Prayer Wall. We will not include any political rhetoric. Each prayer request remains up for one month. The requestor may than add it again.

You can submit your prayer requests on our website at shfla.org/prayerwall.

Peace and All Good,
Fr. Mike