November 23 ,
2008
We think about all that God has given to us especially
at this time of the year. As we near Thanksgiving we count our blessings.
One very important gift that God has given to us is our family. We come
together as a family to share a very special meal on this day and spend time
together. Jesus invites all of us each Sunday for banquet which he has truly
blessed. During this time of the year share the blessings that God has given
to us with others around you.
November 16 ,
2008
This Friday, 40 of our wonderful young people, plus 15
older folk, make a weekend visit to Yosemite National Park. This has become
a cherished yearly parish tradition, thanks to the free lodging offered by
hotelier Jerry Fisher (a friend of mine from St. Patrick’s in Watsonville
who operates a series of resorts in and around El Portal). The kids work to
meet the other expenses, mostly transportation and food.
November 9 ,
2008
I thought by now I’d be over in the Holy Land with a
group of pilgrims. But only 12 or 13 signed up for the Israel trip, so it
had to be cancelled. These things happen for a reason. God had other plans.
November 2 ,
2008
November 2 is a very special day for Catholics --- the
Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (“All Souls Day”). Since the
feast falls on Sunday, more Catholics than usual will be showing up for the
Church celebration … and may have questions.
October 26 ,
2008
This week we begin our new bulletin format. The
bulletin will be a little larger, and have the capacity for calendars,
charts, photography and occasional splashes of color. It will be our
parish’s primary communication, and take the place of at least some of the
scads of individual mailings that go out from the office to religious ed.
kids, catechists, liturgical ministers, etc.
October 19 ,
2008
The US bishops remind us, especially at election time,
that Catholics are to be involved in public life, promote our values in the
public forum, and work with others for the common good. We are to be leaven
and light for our earthly city.
October 12 ,
2008
Bulletin enclosures today are courtesy of our diocese,
the diocesan Respect for Life office, the California Catholic Conference and
our teaching Catholic Church. They express our Catholic tradition on a
touchy, painful and heavily politicized topic --- gay unions and the legal
definition of marriage.
October 5 ,
2008
Every time the first full week of October comes, you
see a smile on my face. It’s time for the annual priests retreat! Fifty or
so of us gather at San Juan Bautista (St. Francis Retreat Center) for four
days of Mass, talks, fellowship, and peace and quiet. A sign of the “graying
of the clergy” is that we now include a communal anointing of the sick as
well.
September 28 ,
2008
The weather was perfect. So were the music, games,
food, prizes, the whole atmosphere. Best of all were the smiles,
friendships, jokes and conversations shared by parishioners of Sacred Heart
and their friends at last Sunday’s parish and parish school festival.
September 21 ,
2008
In response to
many
requests … and to ensure priest coverage at parish
worship events … Sacred Heart will be making the following schedule changes,
beginning next month.
September 14 ,
2008
Next Sunday Sacred Heart parish and school have our
annual festival --- always a wonderful time to come together in the fresh
air, hear good music, eat good food and enjoy each other.
September 7 ,
2008
Last Saturday over 80 Sacred Heart catechists gathered
for adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, ice-breakers (thank-you, Fr. Luis),
a dance proclamation of Mark’s “Sower and the Seed” Gospel by Leticia
Flores-McPherson and helpers (fabulous!), presentations by the priests, and
lunch. It was one of the best parish gatherings ever!
August 31 ,
2008
Summer and holiday visitors to Salinas often remark on
the vitality they feel at Sacred Heart.
They’re right. There is something special about this parish.
August 24 ,
2008
Catechists in our parish have something very special
to look forward to next Saturday. On August 30, Mary Scattini and her
English-speaking catechists, and José Luis Medina and his Spanish-speaking
catechists, will join Fr. Luis and myself for a special time of retreat and
formation.
August 17 ,
2008
A few weeks ago came a serious set-back for me.
After months of counting on the assistance of a Parish Administrator to
remove some of my non-priestly duties so I can concentrate on being a priest
and implementing our parish Mission Statement … the Finance Committee
concluded we just can’t afford it now. Reluctantly, I admitted they were
right.
August 10 ,
2008
This Friday is a holy day for us Catholics --- the
feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.
Current Canon Law lists 10 holy days of obligation: Christmas, Epiphany, the
Ascension, Corpus Christi, Mary Mother of God and her Immaculate Conception
and her Assumption, St. Joseph, the Apostles Peter and Paul, and finally,
All Saints. (Canon 1246).
August 3 ,
2008
At the finance committee last week, someone asked me
if I wanted to continue the fish dinners we and Madonna del Sasso put on
every Lent over in their hall.
july 27 , 2008
A son of this parish is returning to celebrate his
Mass of Thanksgiving for 25 years of priesthood. Fr. Richard Bullene, son of
Dick and Lillian Bullene (may they rest in peace), will preside at 9 AM Mass
next Sunday, with a reception in the hall to follow.
july 20 , 2008
It was back in l983 that I went on my first pilgrimage
to the Holy Land. Fr. Jim Nisbet (St. Joseph’s, Spreckels) was the one who
got me started --- something I’ll always thank him for!
july 13 , 2008
Last week I told you a little about our Tahoe staff
gathering, and what progress we saw in the parish over the last year.
Now I’ll give you a list of the staff’s hopes and dreams for the twelve
months ahead...
july 6 , 2008
Our administrative retreat at Lake Tahoe was just
great (again).
Among other things we prayed, reviewed and revised job descriptions, and had
private conversations with each other staff person and listened to “how we
were to work with.” We also listed ways our parish has grown over the last
year, as well as ways we need to grow.
june 29 , 2008
Next week, I’ll give you a full report of our Tahoe
retreat. For right now, here are two bits of news I hope give you joy.
june 22 , 2008
This week the parish staff is off for our yearly
retreat. We use these days away from the pressure of daily operations to
evaluate ourselves in the light of our job descriptions, review the past
year and set new goals. We have individual conversations to hear how easy …
or hard … it is for each of us to work with. (Last year I had to listen to
some tough things!)
june 15 , 2008
Happy Fathers Day to all the fathers in the parish …
and to God, the Father of all!
So many children are not well-fathered today --- because dad is non-existent
or he’s around but emotionally unavailable. Women are usually prepared for
motherly bonding by all those months of pregnancy and early feeding. For
men, fatherly bonding must often be a conscious committed choice.
june 8 , 2008
This weekend, we’ll have the pleasure of meeting our
new priest, Fr. Luis Fernando O. Flores. I know you will open your hearts to
him, the way you’ve opened your hearts to all us other priests!
june 1 , 2008
Dear Fr. Lucas,
This is your last weekend at Sacred Heart.
We have been so blessed to have you! Your artistic talent, creative approach
to liturgy, willingness to collaborate, enthusiastic participation in so
many parish gatherings and meetings, friendly affectionate nature, and
obvious zeal for Jesus and the Church are obvious and deeply appreciated.
may 25 , 2008
Next Friday is the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
With a patron like that, we all have a lot to be grateful for … and a lot to
live up to.
We’ll have a special multi-cultural Mass in Church at 6 PM, followed by a
wonderful free dinner in the hall for all parish ministers. It will be the
parish’s opportunity to show appreciation for the hundreds and hundreds of
you who teach catechism, visit the sick, go to the jails, evangelize,
promote small communities, promote parish development, help prepare and
celebrate liturgies, care for our facilities, oversee finances, promote
social justice through COPA … or any of the other dozens of things that make
Sacred Heart so alive and special.
may 18 , 2008
It’s almost here --- our annual Parish Mission!
Deacon William Brennan from Stockton will preach at all English Masses this
weekend, to get us ready for “Fanning the Vision Into Flame.” This renewal
experience is based on scripture, the teaching of the church and the
spiritual tradition of Catholicism. The focuses will be: What is God Up To?
Conversion. The Vision Alive. Fellowshipping with Jesus.
may 11 , 2008
On this great feast of Pentecost, happy birthday to
us, the Church of Jesus Christ!
The press has pointedly --- and accurately --- pointed out our sins and
failings. What it often misses is the astonishing fact that … in spite of
gross administration, spiritual vices and poor decisions of every kind …
this strange sinful communion that St. Paul calls the Body of Christ
continues to grow, thrive and shine with spiritual gifts. This mystical body
of Christ is the mother of saints from the first Roman martyrs to Mother
Teresa and, I hope, you and me.
may 4 , 2008
Something wonderful happened for our parish Saturday.
At noon our bishop and a large group of parishioners gathered in Cislini
Youth Center to pray that the Holy Spirit would come upon 64 young people
through the Sacrament of Confirmation. This is a prayer God always answers!
april 20 , 2008
Have you noticed how Sacred Heart’s collections have
risen since our last stewardship appeal? Week to week, we’re actually
operating in the black again (after three years of red!), thanks to
automated giving and your increased support. God bless you!
april 13 , 2008
At all weekend Masses, the parishes of our diocese are
praying for priestly and religious vocations.
april 6 , 2008
One of the most important things a parish does is
communicate.
When communication is simple, honest, kind and interesting … people feel
engaged, respected, invited. When communication is sloppy, garbled,
unimaginative or non-existent … people feel untended and unattracted.
march 30 , 2008
All through the recent Holy Week, we at Sacred Heart
and our visitors got to feast on God’s Divine Mercy, given in Jesus.
march 23 , 2008
We’re delighted you joined us for worship and
thanksgiving.
If you are a non-Catholic on a search, or a non-practicing Catholic
returning here at another’s invitation (or insistence), you are especially
welcome. For us Christians, this is the Day of Days.
march 16 , 2008
The best way to complete a Lent well observed --- or
rescue a Lent poorly kept --- is to participate in the ceremonies of Holy
Week. They are the most beautiful and important gatherings of our Church.
Many people are working to make these ceremonies worshipful.
march 9 , 2008
It’s
time to report the progress we’ve made as Sacred Heart parish and school
work to ensure the safety of our children in school as well as Jesus’ love
and respect for our homeless and transient parishioners and visitors.
march 2 , 2008
It’s hard for me to believe that March 9-15 is the
last week before HOLY WEEK!
February 24 ,
2008
A week ago Wednesday 65 parishioners (including 2
homeless) and SH School parents came to our soup/prayer/discernment
gathering about increasing the homeless and parish/school security.
February 17 ,
2008
One of my Lenten rituals, for the last 33 years, is to
go off alone to the desert to camp, read, walk and pray. I go mostly to the
same places … Redrock Canyon, Panamint Valley, Tecopa … yet somehow it’s
different each time --- hot, cold, windy, still, consoling, unsettling,
peaceful, scary. We’ll see what God has in mind for this time.
February 10 ,
2008
I hope you’re settling into your special Lenten
routine. This season of conversion is a great gift from our Church. If you
haven’t begun Lent yet, it’s certainly not too late!
February 3 ,
2008
For many decades Sacred Heart has been the parish of
choice for the homeless. It’s our location, the open doors of the church
building, and a certain tradition of hospitality and acceptance that’s built
up over the years. Some of the homeless are active parishioners, who put
money in the collection and help with ministries!
January 27 ,
2008
When I get to heaven I’m going to thank Sacred Heart
pastor Fr. Edward Griffith and the Sisters of Notre Dame for starting our
school here 101 years ago. 143 showed up that first year, beginning one of
the most illustrious histories in the diocese.
January 20 ,
2008
This Saturday quite a few Sacred Heart parishioners
participated in the annual Walk for Life in San Francisco.
Good for you!.
January 13 ,
2008
The Christmas decorations are put away (Saturday was
the official last day of the Catholic observance), and this weekend we see
Jesus all grown up and making a vocation decision.
January 6 ,
2008
Hundreds of you stretched out your hearts and resources to help our
parish have a joyful celebration of the Incarnation.
December 16 ,
2007
A wonderful sign of encouragement for me personally has been the
increasing spirit of cooperation among the four Catholic parishes of
Salinas. Cristo Rey, Madonna del Sasso, St. Mary’s and Sacred Heart have
collaborated together on rosary marches, ministry formation (Spanish), youth
events, Lent schedules, a town-wide anointing of the sick, and now --- this
Advent --- a week of reconciliation in preparation for Christmas.
December 9 , 2007
Two very special things are happening at Sacred Heart during this
second week of Advent.
December 2 , 2007
So many of you have made a special effort to welcome me back from the
Holy Land, and I appreciate it. The trip was simply unforgettable … and I’m
already thinking of leading another pilgrimage next year or the year after.
November 25 , 2007
I hope all of you are enjoying a festive Thanksgiving weekend, full
of gratitude!
It will take a while for me to get over jet lag … but I want to share two
important things. First, if your schedule allows, by all means come join us
for Antidote, the special evangelization event our parish is offering on
December 1 (Saturday) at 7 PM in Cislini Hall. There will be food, great
music … and living statues of the Annunciation, the Visitation, and the
World: as it is … and as God wants it. It will be spiritual, moving,
powerful and fun.
November 18 , 2007
On Saturday our group of pilgrims prays at Bethany (where Mary and
Martha had their little row, Jesus’ feet were anointed, and Lazarus was
raised), and visits the Dead Sea and Qumran (site of the Dead Sea scrolls).
Sunday we’ll have Mass at the Holy Sepulcher and enjoy rest in the holy
city. God-willing, we return home Tuesday night … in plenty of time to join
the parish for 9 AM Thanksgiving Mass. Hope to see you there!
November 11 , 2007
This is our first weekend away on pilgrimage. Our first Holy Land
Mass (at the traditional site of the Annunciation, in Nazareth) will be
offered for Sacred Heart parish and Sacred Heart parishioners, that we
welcome God’s word into our lives with the same joyful obedience as Mary. On
Sunday we pray at Capernaum, Tabgha (multiplication of loaves and fishes)
and the Mount of Beatitudes.
November 4 , 2007
This Wednesday night a fortunate group of people leave San Jose
airport to begin our pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
We’ll share morning Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York; then push
forward for five days of prayer in Galilee (Nazareth, Cana, Capernaum, Mt.
Tabor, Caesarea-Philippi, Sea of Galilee, etc) and five days in the
Jerusalem area (Bethlehem, Bethany, Garden of Gethsemane, Way of the Cross,
Holy Sepulchre, etc.).
October 28 , 2007
The stewardship season at Sacred Heart has concluded, and it was a
SUCCESS! We all heard at the Masses how becoming a minister or volunteer and
sharing our time, talent and treasure can help to keep Sacred Heart Parish
the wonderful place that it is. You heard from fellow parishioners about how
they have given back to the Lord part of what He has given them. And you
responded. Altogether, 228 people made commitments to help with church
activities from Altar Society to Youth Ministry. Many signed up for more
than one ministry. Those who signed up will be contacted by the various
ministries. If you do not receive a call, please contact the church office.
October 21 , 2007
In our effort to work together, parishioners and priests of the four parishes in Salinas are organizing what we call a “Rosary Crusade.”
As we know, the Rosary is one of those universal devotions that can be used as the perfect excuse to come together, pray and process. It is a prayer for peace, for non-violence and for justice.
October 14 , 2007
Do you like hearing the consecration bells at Mass?
Some don't. They view bells as a return to pre-Vatican II days, and an unwelcome highlighting of the Consecration as the “magic moment” of Mass … when the whole Mass is supposed to be a perfect prayer of praise. For them, bells focus too much on the action of the priest … when Mass is the prayer of the whole people. They also see no practical need for bells: perhaps they were needed when Mass was in Latin and offered with the priest's back turned, but now it's easy to know what's going on and we don't need reminders.
October 7 ,
2007
We can all be
grateful for the splendid Parish Family Festival we enjoyed last Sunday!
Mike Hackett, Sam Camcam and an army of generous volunteers created a
remarkable coming together of the body of Christ here at Sacred Heart … and
many many visitors and friends as well.
September 30 , 2007
I hope you'll
able to join us this Sunday for the annual Parish Festival . The food, music
and (of course) the company will be spectacular.
September 23 , 2007
Among many honored groups that form Sacred Heart parish are … the homeless. Without doubt they are one of the main reasons God has been so good to us. Didn't Jesus Himself instruct us two weeks ago to make sure we invite to our banquets people who have no way to repay us … because God Himself will see we're rewarded!
September 16 , 2007
It's time for our next Parish Mission Statement gathering ( 7 PM Monday)!
We've been going through the different phrases of our Mission Statement (displayed in the back of Church and on the cover of the bulletin) to see what areas we're doing well in, and what areas could use some improvement.
September 9 , 2007
Today we begin our annual stewardship season.
I'm always so grateful during these weeks as I hear the witness talks and watch more and more people become active members of our parish. The conscious dedication of time, talent and treasure to the work of the Church is a tried and true path of religious conversion, and it's sure made all the difference in the world at Sacred Heart.
September 2 , 2007
If you've ever been out of work, you know how true are these words from the Catechism of the Catholic Church: Unemployment almost always wounds its victim's dignity and threatens the equilibrium of his life. Besides the harm done to him personally, it entails many risks for his family.
August 26 , 2007
Our P astoral C ouncil is looking for new members who sense a call to serve Sacred Heart in a visionary leadership role for a term of three years. We are holding an information and discernment meeting at the Parish Center , 22 Stone Street , on August 29 at 7 PM
August 19 , 2007
A very bright part of my 35 years as a priest has been the Pastoral Council at Sacred Heart. (Members past and present: Connie Cerda, Bonnie Hernandez, Julia Orozco, Adrian Rodriguez, Maxine Rodriguez, Silvia Rodriguez, Esperanza Torres, Barbara Winston, Doug Winston, Carolyn Zabala, Fr. Antonio, Fr. Pedro, Fr. Lucas and I.).
August 12 , 2007
Something largely absent from Catholic life in the US … is respect for holy days of obligation.
August 5, 2007
As summer draws to an end many people are talking about priest changes. You know that both priests from Madonna del Sasso are moving on, as well as both from St. Mary's. (I'm pretty sure Fr. Jim is staying on at Spreckels; the same with Fr. Jose Chavez at Cristo Rey.)
July 29, 2007
For the last several weeks the rectory has been bursting with visitors. Fr. Will Vit (studying Spanish at the Monterey Language Institute), Fr. Ron Wiecek (here for his successful cataract surgery), Ricardo Mendoza (helping out in our parish office while Silvia is away), and Jose Cruz (our seminarian from Hollister). Now … one by one … they're saying goodbye to Sacred Heart to move forward to the next chapter of their lives.
July 22, 2007
Summer is a traditional time for rest and vacation … and I hope all of you get some. Our religion teaches that occasional rest and leisure are basic human rights.
July 15, 2007
Our recent staff retreat gave us a chance to list how our parish has moved forward over the past year.
July 8, 2007
Just as June was dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, July is traditionally dedicated to the Precious Blood of Jesus. It gives us an opportunity to thank God for the gift of salvation that we have received through Jesus' passion, death, and resurrection. As a disciple we are asked to enter more deeply into a personal relationship with the Lord and to enter more fully and completely into the Paschal Mystery in our own lives.
July 1 , 2007
This coming week is a great time to thank God for the freedoms we enjoy. Our various American freedoms … of speech, of assembly, of due process, of personal rights … have helped create a culture of enormous initiative, creativity, power and wealth.
June 24 , 2007
During the first part of the coming week, most parish staff will be away on the yearly ritual we all love --- the staff retreat.
June 17 , 2007
I have to say it. The recent parish mission was the absolute finest experience of parish-based evangelization (sharing the person and message of Christ) I’ve experienced in my life.
June 10 , 2007
For 18 years Mark Kite has been involved in the English RCIA process at Sacred Heart. In his first year, 1989, he was a sponsor and team member; then he took over as the coordinator in 1995. (The R ite of C hristian I nitiation for A dults is the formation process that prepares adults for baptism / confirmation / first Holy Communion.) Mark's longevity … in one of the most demanding ministries in the parish … is nothing short of amazing .
June 3 , 2007
Please join me in welcoming two new faces to Sacred Heart.
Seminarian Jose Cruz will be with us for June and July, while he studies English at Hartnell College . (Our own Fr. Lucas did this very same thing several years ago, on his way to priesthood.) We are very happy to have Jose with us.
Also, Ricardo Mendoza will be with us the next several months, helping out as office receptionist while Silvia Isassy (our present lovely young helper) is down in San Bernardino with family. Ricardo just graduated from Ohio State University and has plans to be a Spanish teacher.
Both young men will be staying in the rectory. We're very grateful to have them with us, continuing Sacred Heart's long tradition of hospitality.
May 27 , 2007
Today is our great birthday!
If the Church were a collection of people and nothing more , we would have perished centuries ago from our corruption, mismanagement and sin. (We've had these three things in spades!)
May 20 , 2007
Something wonderful is happening this Saturday at 10:30 AM over at Madonna del Sasso --- our first diocesan deacons will be ordained.
May 13 , 2007
Early next month Sacred Heart parish will experience something unprecedented --- a parish-based, parish-oriented, three day Mission ! Our goal: to make our parish more holy by connecting parishioners with each other and offering an experience of the Holy Spirit.
May 6 , 2007
Our recent Mission Statement gathering surfaced very important concerns. Some highlights:
- Many wonderful things are going on at Sacred Heart, but we don't do a good job at communicating them and coordinating them. We need a list of parish ministries and contact persons that is updated and easily available.
- The same people are being called on to help out in more and more ministries. We need to expand our group of ministers so no one is spread too thin … or we need to streamline, combine or eliminate ministries if we don't have enough money and people to do everything. We need to focus on important things and do them well.
- Is there reason to segregate into English/Spanish language groups when the different ministries (like lectors and eucharistic ministers) gather? There is a value in everyone getting together.
- Let's figure a way to keep people's attention (and attendance) after their children receive first communion.
We will be giving the above careful attention!
April 29, 2007
Join us for hospitality after our Sunday morning Masses during the Easter season. This is another way of “living” out part of our Mission Statement … “we gather to pray and form a local body for Christ…. all in a joyful Christ-like Spirit.”
April 22, 2007
Last month we on the liturgy committee made a difficult decision --- to dedicate the entire week preceding Holy Week to calling our parish to the sacrament of Reconciliation . We curtailed many of our normal weekly activities (including non-essential appointments and even some daily Masses) so we could maximize the opportunity of parishioners to go to confession.
April 15, 2007
I had the best Holy Week and Easter in years --- it was like swimming in grace!
Was it that I took Lent a little more seriously than usual? Or the hundreds of extra confessions during that special parish week of reconciliation we had in late March? Sincere thanks to all the people who helped make Sacred Heart's liturgies prayerful and life-giving --- musicians, lectors, servers, sacristans, ushers, environment decorators, participants in the passion plays, dancers, bell-ringers … and of course you , the active worshipping assembly.
April 1, 2007
Welcome to Holy Week! As we enter the ceremonies and tell the story of the humiliation and glorification of Jesus, the HOLY SPIRIT is released in the community . and we rise with our Savior. There is very rich fare in our Catholic church, so . Come and Eat !
March 25, 2007
Only seven days remain before . HOLY WEEK!
Holy Week is what Lent is all about. To observe it well is important. As the Lenten Preface says: "A s we recall the great events that gave us new life in Christ, you (God) bring the image of your Son to perfection with us."
March 18, 2007
In our effort to minister to all, I met with a group of fine volunteers to prepare what we are calling "Clinic for health, a service for the community." This event takes place this Saturday, March 17 from 5 to 7 p.m. and it will be in Spanish.
March 11, 2007
Third Sunday of Lent
March 4, 2007
Being a priest has to be one of the best occupations in the world. How many people find a job where they get to do what they most want . and get paid for it!
February 4, 2007
Have you noticed our collections lately --- they have moved decidedly higher! Was it because our finance report showed red ink last year? Or the Christmas letter with the unwelcome news about the church roof-paint-steps-doors overhauls (cost: $160,000 plus!!!)…
January 28, 2007
This Tuesday at 2 PM our new bishop, Richard Garcia, will be officially installed…
January 21, 2007
Last week I promised to report some of the ideas that emerged at our wonderful January 8 meeting to implement the parish Mission. Here is a sampling…
January 14, 2007
Last Monday over 80 parishioners came together to move our Parish Mission a few steps forward. It was a fine meeting, with good energy and ideas. You’ll be getting a fuller picture in future bulletins and our parish newsletter…
January 7, 2007
Thank you for your Christmas contributions – and for those who were out-of-town, you still have one more week to make your year end tax deductible $100 contribution to Sacred Heart – God bless…
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