This Saturday, November 2, we celebrate the Solemnity of All the Faithful Departed, more commonly known as All Souls’ Day. This month is often seen as a time to remember all of our loved ones. I’d like to remind you that this year, Remembrance Cards will be available to you, where you can write down the names of your departed loved ones and we will remember each of them at every Ordinary Time Mass throughout November. Many have already filled out the cards, causing us to run out last weekend. You can be sure that we will keep a supply in reserve as the month continues. Cards can be found near our Book of Intentions in the back of the church. Simply place the completed cards in the adjacent basket, and the friars will collect them.
A poem that I often read during near All Souls’ Day is called We Remember Them; a litany by Rabbis Sylvan Kamens and Jack Riemer. This poem reminds us of how the memories of our loved ones who have died, even if significant time has passed since their death, will be seen in smallest or most repetitive aspects of our own lives. The first time I heard this poem was at a remembrance celebration in 1999 at a local Hospice facility in Maryland. In the time since, I have revisited this litanty countless time for All Souls’ celebrations.
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.
Some of you know that I am a bit of a baker. At that that Hospice remembrance service, one of the volunteers made these graham cracker dessert for those in attendance to share. They were absolutely delicious, and stick out in my mind whenever I think to that poem and service. It took me a while but I tracked down the woman who made them and she gave me the recipe, which I will share with you.
Graham Cracker Treats
Ingredients: 1 cup – Butter ½ cup – Sugar 1 cup – Chopped Pecans 12 large Graham Crackers
Directions: • Put graham crackers on a foiled cookie tray and sprinkle with pecans. • In a saucepan, melt sugar and butter over medium heat and let boil for 2 minutes. When finished, pour over crackers and pecans. • Bake in oven at 350*F for 10 minutes.
One of the best ways we remember loved ones is when we share what they had given us in life. Ahead of the holidays, let us share their stories and the gifts they have given us with others. As they have lived in us, may they now also live in others. For example, my great, great aunt Sarah died when I was a toddler. She was about 107. I don’t remember her, but I am connected to her through the warm stories my dad and grandmother would tell about her.
Take the time in November to pray for all those who have gone before us, as we remember them.
Advent and Christmas Season 2023/24 Masses and Programs:
— Nativity Figurine Blessing —
Laetare Sunday (Third Sunday of Advent), December 16-17 | All Masses | In the church Bring a Nativity figurine from your home creche to Mass for a special blessing.
— Christmas Eve —
Sunday, December 24 4 p.m. | Children’s Christmas Program at 3:15 p.m. 6 p.m. | 8 p.m.
Mass During the Night | 11 p.m. | Music at 10:30 p.m.
— Christmas Day —
Monday, December 25 | 7:30 a.m. | 9 a.m. | 10:30 a.m. | Noon
— Historical Society Christmas Period Tour —
Tuesday, December 26 | 3 p.m. | In the church
— Daily Mass & Confessions | December 27-29 —
12:10 p.m. Mass | 11:30 a.m. Confessions No 7 a.m. Mass during this week No Mass or Confessions on 12/26
— The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God —
New Year’s Day | Monday, January 1, 2024 | 7 a.m. Not a Holy Day of Obligation this year.
— The Epiphany of The Lord —
Sunday, January 7, 2023 | 7:30 a.m. | 9 a.m. |10:30 a.m. | Noon | 5:30 pm
Sing Out Epiphany | Special Choral Event | 3 p.m.
*Parishioners and visitors are advised to arrive 30 minutes prior to the start of any event or Mass on Christmas Eve.
Parish Office and Daily Mass Schedule During the Christmas Season
Closures | Please note that our parish office will be closed on Friday, December 22,
– The office will also be closed on Tuesday, December 26. No Masses will be celebrated, and confessions will not be held.
– During the week between Christmas and the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God, December 27-29, Masses will be celebrated at 12:10 p.m. only, with Confessions available at 11:30 a.m. There will be no 7 a.m. Mass during this week.
– The office will be closed Monday, January 1, with the celebration of the 7 a.m. Mass only, and no 12:10 p.m. Mass or confessions on this day.
Christmas Eve and Day Parking Update
Madison Building Garage: Parking in the adjacent Madison Building Garage will be free during all Mass times on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Parishioners and visitors are asked to NOT take a parking ticketwhen entering the garage, contrary to our normal procedures for weekend Masses. We would like to thank our friends at the Madison Building for their gift of convenience and accessibility for our parishioners and visitors this Christmas. *Be advised that attendants will charge any vehicle remaining in the garage after 1:45 p.m. on Christmas Day.
On Street Parking (Christmas Day Only): During Mass times on Sunday, parishioners are invited to park in The City of Tampa’s Church Zone free of charge. The City recently made an adjustment to the hours of operation for on-street parking throughout downtown. Spaces are now enforced from the hours of 8 a.m. to midnight, Monday-Saturday, and Sunday’s from 2 p.m.-midnight. These spaces are enforced on nights, weekends, and holidays.
Whether you are unable to be with us in person, or you don’t want to miss our Christmas pageant and night-time musical offerings, three Masses will be streamed live this Christmas.
Both the 4 p.m. Family – and – 11 p.m. Night Mass will be streamed onChristmas Eve. These broadcasts will begin early to include festive offerings from our children, musicians, and choirs. On Christmas Day, our 10:30 a.m. Mass will be streamed.
If you can’t join at these specific times, the livestream videos will be available to view 15-30 minutes following the conclusion of each Mass.
Christmas Poinsettias | Online Memorial
Remember a loved one during the Christmas season with a poinsettia used to decorate our sanctuary. A long-standing Sacred Heart tradition, each plant that you see has been given in remembrance or honor of loved ones whose names will be memorialized online.
Request forms are available now, both in the back of the church, or by clicking here. All forms, along with the suggested donation of $15 per plant, must be received by Thursday, December 14.
2023 Advent & Christmas Events
A Day of Christmas Shopping | Friday, November 17 | 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Join us for our annual day of Christmas shopping at the Sacred Heart Gift & Book Store on Friday, November 17, from 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
In addition to having deals on amazing gifts for the Christmas season, our team at the gift store will serve spirits and snacks, and give away door prizes throughout the day.
What a great time to get your Christmas shopping done, pick up a little something for yourself, and enjoy Christmas cheer with fellow parishioners and the gift store team.
Blessing of the Crèche | Friday, December 1 | 5:30 p.m.
Join the Friars of Sacred Heart at TheFranciscan Center(3010 N. Perry Ave. Tampa, 33603) on Friday, December 1, from 6-7 p.m.for a very special tradition, the annual Blessing of The Crèche
This blessing is a yearly tradition at the Franciscan Center, and holds deep roots within the Franciscan order. Guests are invited to bring a figurine from their own Nativity scenes to be blessed. Christmas caroling, baked goods, and refreshments will be provided by the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany.
Baby and early childcare donations benefitting Mary’s Shower, who provide baby showers for local families in need, will be collected prior to the blessing. For more information, contact Lily Houghsonvia emailor 813-229-2695.
Cookies with St. Nicholas | Sunday, December 3 | 11 a.m.
Sacred Heart is hosting its annual Cookies with St. Nicholas event on Sunday, December 3, from 11 a.m.–2 p.m. in the North Campus Auditorium.
Children can decorate cookies, play games, make crafts, and take pictures with jolly old St. Nicholas himself. Mark your calendars and make plans to join us!
If you’re interested in volunteering, baking cookies or helping in general, contact us via email.
Historic Christmas Tour of Sacred Heart Church | Tuesday, December 26 | 3 p.m.
Join the Docents of Sacred Heart on Tuesday, December 26 at 3pm for an historic Christmas tour of our Church. Decorated splendidly for the Christmas season, including the historic “creche”, the tour of the church will include multiple stations featuring our docents, in period dress, and special guests explaining extraordinary features of the church including:
— the motivation behind the significant donation of the altar and altar rail
— unique architecture and design elements
— original relics that were obtained for the dedication of the church in 1905
— memorial stained glass windows
— renovations to improve and sustain our church
Learn about these and so many more interesting aspects of this ecclesiastical jewel of downtown Tampa. As always, docent-led lecture and tours are free, and open to the public.
A reception with light refreshments will follow the tour in St. Francis Hall.
Donations are gratefully accepted and used to continue the renovation and restoration of the church.
Sing Out Epiphany | Sunday, January 7 | 3 p.m.
On Sunday, January 7 at 3 p.m., you’re invited to gather in the church for a festival of carols to celebrate the close of the Christmas season.
We all love to sing Christmas carols, but it may be that your particular favorites will not find a place in the liturgies of the Christmas season. Alongside a few of those liturgical standards, we will sing seasonal favorites that may have been missed. Our director of music, Philip Jakob, may also introduce some carols with amusing alternative lyrics! Festive costumes and attire are encouraged, with the most festive ensemble receiving a funny prize! All are welcome!
Gospel Acclamation: Salisbury Alleluia (Walker) Preparation of the Gifts I want to walk as a child of the light G 650 Eucharistic Acclamations: Mass of Creation G 231, 234, 238 Lamb of God: Mass of Creation G 240 Communion Song: Come to me (Joncas) G 789 Dismissal: We will walk with God G807
Links to Resources for Mass:
Readings for the Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, October 23, 2022
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.
To Parishioners who park in the Madison Building garage (416 E Madison St) for Mass and parish events, be advised that the building owners will have the lobby on the main floor locked for maintenance (floor replacement) the weekend of November 13-14, 2021, and parking in the garage may be limited to monthly members only. The elevators will not be available, requiring parishioners to utilize the garage’s stairwells.
Included in this Feast Day’s music document is a prayer for successful outcomes of the 26th annual U.N. Conference of the Parties on climate. For more on this important gathering, and how Pope Francis has been involved, click here.
On October 17, we began singing a new Glory to God at most Masses. To preview the new arrangement, links to the sheet music and a recording have been added below.
Sheet Music for the new Glory to God from the NEW WINE Mass
Sample Recording of the new Glory to God from the NEW WINE Mass, as sung by the Catholic Primary School Choirs of Sheffield, England (Diocese of Hallam, 2010)
Thank you for participating in Sacred Heart’s Online Mass. On this page you can find the readings for the Sunday celebration as well as the music for Mass.
Readings for the Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Music for the Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Thank you for participating in Sacred Heart’s May 30th Online Mass, which we are streaming live during the Covid-19 pandemic. On this page you can find the readings for the Sunday celebration as well as the music for Mass.
Readings for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity
Join us for our annual day of Christmas shopping at the 
On Sunday, January 7 at 3 p.m., you’re invited to gather in the church for a festival of carols to celebrate the close of the Christmas season.
