27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear Parishioners,

    As I write this, we have been restoring our stained-glass windows for over a year.  Hopefully, this massive project is near its completion.  On October 10 and 11 we will give thanks to God for the end of this repair.  We will bless these windows.

    A blessing is a ritual which prepares an object or objects for sacred use.  Our worship space is a holy space that is used for sacramental celebrations. Stained glass windows, like all religious art, are used to enhance our prayer experience.  We say that such art helps raise our minds and hearts to God. 

I would encourage everyone to join parishioners in the blessing of our windows.  You are welcome to come, but it is understandable that there may be some reluctance to gather in church.  We plan on livestreaming each Mass so you can watch at home.

     The restoration of the windows represents the end of our Tier I projects of our Today Tomorrow Together Capital Campaign at Sacred Heart.  I thank all those who donated and made this work possible.

    May our Lady and all the Angels and Saints watch over you today.

    Fr. Mark

P.S. I would like to thank Terry Braaten for leading our writing ministry for many years.  This has been a part of our pastoral care program.  Terry is stepping back for leading this ministry.  Participants in this ministry write to people who are homebound or are in nursing homes.  Thank you, Terry, for your faithfulness.

P.P.S. We learned of Archbishop John Myers death this past week.  Archbishop Myers was bishop of Peoria in the 1990’s.  His funeral was in Peoria and he will be buried there.  Please remember Archbishop Myers in your prayers.