13th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear Parishioners,
On Friday June 24th we celebrated the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This is our parish feast. It strikes me that we have three parishes in our area that are named Sacred Heart. Sometimes it can be a bit confusing. The image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus has been very consoling to people in the Quad Cities.
The devotion to the Sacred Heart has been a point of reflection throughout church history, but its popularity has ebbed and flowed. Usually, it is more popular when the institutional church has been more rigorous. When the leadership of the church has been harsh and judgmental the image of the Sacred Heart has been a reassuring image for the faithful.
Why is that? It is because the devotion to the Sacred Heart is all about reflecting on God’s mercy. When someone is charitable, we usually say they have a big heart. We are more drawn to people who let their heart lead them rather than their head.
When our parish was founded, Fr. Culemans obviously wanted our parish to have a big heart. Hopefully, we can reflect the mercy that our parish name represents.
May Our Lady of Peace pray for us.
Fr. Mark
P.S. Thanks to our building and grounds committee. They spent a recent Saturday trimming bushes around our property. They did a great job. Also, the Sacred Heart statue and the statue of the Blessed Virgin have been repainted and restored. Thanks to all involved.