Dearest Parishioners,

Along with Fr. Fullum and Deacon Peter, I send out heartfelt greetings to you all from Sacred Heart Rectory (or should I call it Sacred Heart Bunker)! Fr. Fullum is slowly and steadily improving… He told me today his cough is better, and his fever is lower (98/99). I am feeling well, except for some congestion due to allergies. I have been asymptomatic so far, as today is our 9th day of quarantine out of 14! Greetings as well to all parishioners from the Sisters of our Convent!

It is now Friday, March 27th and I just finished watching the Holy Father’s “Moment of Prayer and Urbi et Orbi (To the City and To the World) Blessing.”

As I write to you, I am overcome with emotion and gratitude to the Lord Jesus for the gift of the Catholic Church and the presence of His Vicar (Representative) on earth, Pope Francis, and for you all, who are Sacred Heart Parish. What a BEAUTIFUL experience of prayer, healing, and hope it was. I will never forget the image on T.V. of watching him speak this afternoon to an EMPTY, dark, rainy, torch lit Saint Peter’s Square in the Vatican, which usually holds thousands of people on a daily basis. I can still hear the ancient Latin chant for Lent, that was sung after his address, “Parce Domine, parce populo tuo…” (Spare O Lord, spare your people…) begging our Lord for mercy and protection upon us all. I am still reflecting on the Pope’s inspiring, encouraging, and challenging words to “allow the Lord Jesus into our boat during this storm” that is raging in our lives and world, and to hear the Lord’s words of comfort and power, “Do not be afraid!” I can still feel the blessing the Pope gave with the Holy Eucharist in the Monstrance, reminding us that Jesus said, “I am with you always!”

When Pope Francis was finished, I looked out my window, which overlooks the front of our beautiful little Church. I was reminded that the sidewalk and street were also EMPTY. I was picturing all of you gathered after each Mass on Sundays in front of the Church greeting each other, catching up, and preparing to go home filled with the joy of being, “Sent forth!” with God’s Word and Presence. At that point, the Church bells began to ring at 3:00 p.m. How comforting and assuring it was to hear them ring, proclaiming to all Glendale that Jesus is still here and so are YOU!

I have been informed by Ms. Gangi, the Principal and Mr. Fred Haller, Chairman of the Board of Directors, that Sacred Heart Academy is very active online, and the teachers and students are engaged daily on virtual classrooms! I would like to take this opportunity to thank Ms. Gangi and the wonderful teachers of Sacred Heart Academy for their continued dedication to our students as they teach from home. In addition, I would like to acknowledge and thank Mr. Chuck Suffel and Mr. Peter Stamm, Jr. (our 8th grade teacher) for all the work they did implementing the technology, coaching, and preparing needed for the teachers to do their work teaching our students online. A word of gratitude to the parents of our Academy students, who support our school and make sure their child is continuing to learn from home!

May God continue to Bless and protect you all! So looking forward to seeing you again, and thank you for your continued support and generosity!

Love and Blessings,
Fr. Fred

P.S. Please find a link to a beautiful religious song called “Beyond the Days”. It has brought me great comfort and I hope that it will do the same for you.