Dearest Parishioners,

Friday, June 19th is the Solemnity of The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, our parish Feast day. It is a joyful celebration affirming our belief in the unconditional LOVE that our dear Lord offers to each one of us….We are so blessed to belong to a
parish under this title, which constantly reminds us to be grateful for this gift and extend it to our sisters and brothers, those that we love and love us, AND pray for those who we do NOT love, nor love us. This is the primary characteristic of a
Christian, “See how they (Christians) love one another!” we hear in the First Letter of Saint Peter in the New Testament.

As we prayed together the Holy Spirit Novena to prepare for Pentecost, so beginning tomorrow (Wednesday, June 10), we will pray a Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Please say the following prayer for the next nine days as we remember one another and all our special intentions. Following the prayer is a beautiful meditation hymn to the Sacred Heart.

With love and blessings,

Father Fred+

NOVENA PRAYER TO THE MOST SACRED HEART OF JESUS
Lord Jesus Christ, You have called us to share in Your saving mission. Sinners though we are, we accept this invitation, and we renew today our baptismal commitment to You, our devotion to Your Sacred Heart, and our union with Your Eucharistic Sacrifice. That we may serve You more faithfully, we ask You, dear Jesus, to obtain for us the favors we seek during this Novena, only if they are in accord with Your Most Holy Will… (Pause and offer your intentions). Deepen our faith, and touch fire to our hearts, that we may respond with that same love that fills Your Sacred Heart. Amen.

Dearest Parishioners of Sacred Heart Church,

Greetings from Father Fullum, Deacon Peter, the Sisters of our Convent, the Parish Pastoral Council and myself!

A Blessed Feast Day of the Most Holy Trinity to you all! In the beautiful and comforting Funeral Liturgy of the Church, one of the official petitions of the Mass states, “Many people die by violence, war, and famine each day. Show your mercy to those who suffer so unjustly these sins against your love and gather them to the eternal Kingdom of Peace. Let us pray to the Lord…” In a special way then, we remember and pray for Mr. George Floyd, Retired Police Captain David Dorn, and the many others who have died during these days of unrest in our country and we pray for their families. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let Perpetual Light shine upon them…

After the celebration of Pentecost, the Church, when putting together the liturgical calendar, established the feast of the Most Holy Trinity on the following Sunday. This was to call to mind that, as a community and as individuals, we had all been on the journey of Faith together through all of Lent, the Sacred Triduum, Easter and Pentecost. Now, the FULL revelation of the Triune God has been revealed to the world and we, as Catholic Christians can now celebrate the reality of God, Who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Another contemporary way to express the Trinity is God the Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifier, expressing It’s historical and theological functions in the History of Salvation.

A primary attribute of God is MYSTERY. We do not have the right to know about the inner life of the Trinity…that is a GIFT revealed to us out of love and humility by God. Each epoch of human history is graced with the revelation of one of the Persons of the Trinity…Creation by the Father, Salvation by the Son, and Sanctification by the Holy Spirit from the Day of Pentecost until today. As the Church, we are living in the era of the Spirit, reminding us that we are surrounded by Creation and the life-giving Sacraments…the gifts of the Father and the Son to humankind.

The Trinity also, by Its revelation to us, reminds us that we are created in God’s image as the Book of Genesis reveals, “In God’s image they were created, male and female they were created.” What a fundamental and life changing reality to embrace and reflect on throughout our whole lives, especially now in our troubled world! YOU AND I WERE CREATED IN GOD’S IMAGE! This astounding belief challenges each of us to accept, pray for and treat all people with love, respect, and dignity, even those who may not offer those to us. This is what we have been taught since we were children. We are made in God’s image, so just as the Trinity loves and respects us, so must we do and be for others.

As Christians, from the earliest history of the Church, we have identified ourselves very publicly with the Trinity. Every time we bless ourselves with “The Sign of the Cross,” we are pledging to be that human, visible instrument of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit to one another extending the love, respect and honor that Jesus offered and continues to offer to everyone. This is particularly relevant today as we openly and honestly address any racism and prejudice in our society and possibly even within ourselves, which cloud, and distort that beautiful image of God in others.

We do this out of love for our sisters and brothers, all created in God’s image. God’s very nature is a “community!” Years ago, I remember hearing in class at the Seminary, “God loves a community, because God is one!” May our community of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish and Glendale continue to be a welcoming place for all people where the Presence of the Most Holy Trinity be our example and inspiration as instruments of Its peace.

With love, blessings and gratitude for your continued generosity,

Father Fred +

P.s. May this hymn of the Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi bring you the Lord’s peace to share with others.

Dearest Parishioners of Sacred Heart Church,

Greetings from Father Fullum, Deacon Peter, the Sisters of the Convent, the Parish Pastoral Council and myself!

A most Blessed and Happy Feast day of Pentecost to you all! In fact, a Happy Birthday to the Church throughout the world today! Even though we celebrate with joy this reality, we also are aware today of the sorrow and loss of loved ones this past week. In a special way we remember Leonard Lazenby (Rosemary Lazenby’s brother who endured a prolonged and difficult illness), Father John (Jack) Daly Walsh, Maryknoll Missionary who faithfully ministered in the Philippines, and was known by many in the Parish, and Robert Dohnert. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let Perpetual Light shine upon them…

We conclude, as a community and individually, the great season of Easter today and, we are reminded of and celebrate the intimate and (sometimes forgotten) Presence of the Third Person of the Most Blessed Trinity….the Holy Spirit. What a powerful “Advocate” the Spirit is for us! At Baptism, the Spirit blesses the water and holy oils(Catechumen and Chrism) used to consecrate us to the Trinity and gives us new life as Christians freed from the corruption of the original sin. Later, the Spirit “completes the good work begun in us” at Confirmation by infusing within us the promised gifts of Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, and Holiness (Fear or Awe of the Lord). These “tools” are life-long aids for our daily living. However, they may simply remain a seed and dormant within our inner most selves unless we use them, nourish them (through prayer) and apply them in active, loving service.

In today’s beautiful Gospel from Saint John, we hear, “On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear…” Jesus came and “breathed” on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit…” and their fear was removed. Soon after, the Day of Pentecost would dawn, and the Apostles, disciples and the world would never be the same.

My sisters and brothers, just as the Holy Spirit given by Jesus to the Apostles on that Easter evening could NOT be contained in that locked room, and would soon burst out on Pentecost Day, so on THIS Pentecost Day, the Holy Spirit is given to us in our locked rooms and homes!… As they went out to proclaim the Person and message of Jesus, and the Church was formed, so will we go out as the Church today (even if it is with masks on!)

Please take a few minutes to listen to a beautiful song to the Holy Spirit to celebrate this special day. It’s called “Send us your Spirit O Lord.” As you listen and read the words in prayer, open your hands, lifting them upward to receive and renew the Holy Spirit’s gifts for you now…

With love, blessings and gratitude for your continued support and generosity,

Father Fred+

Dearest Parishioners of Sacred Heart Church,

Greetings from Father Fullum, Deacon Peter, the Sisters of the Convent, the Parish Pastoral Council and myself!

On this coming Monday, May 25th we will celebrate, with heartfelt and reverent gratitude, Memorial Day, and all the beloved, deceased members of the United States Armed Forces throughout the ages, who sacrificed their lives to protect and defend our Country. In addition, as Father Zannon reminded us each year on Memorial Day, we also remember the mothers, sisters, wives and girlfriends of the men who lost their lives. In so many ways, these women lost a part of their life too. Eternal Rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let Perpetual Light shine upon them, may they rest in Peace….

A very wonderful, and unexpected announcement was made on this past Thursday that the churches for the Diocese of Brooklyn and Queens would REOPEN beginning next Tuesday (May 26th), the day after Memorial Day! This is truly a gift to each one of us, who have longed for simply going into our Churches to pray, and spend time with Our Lord, the Blessed Mother and all the Saints! I would like to make known to you the regulations from Bishop DiMarzio, so that as a parish community, we may participate in the life of the Church at this time, even in these limited ways. Some of these directives may sound very frustrating and unreasonable, but they are TEMPORARY and necessary as we continue to move forward in a safe and realistic way. God bless you all for your continued support and cooperation (and patience!).

WELCOME HOME!

With love, blessings, and gratitude,

Father Fred +

MAY 21, 2020

PLAN FOR THE REOPENING OF OUR CHURCHES

Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio is please to announce the Diocese of Brooklyn will slowly work towards going back to normal by opening the doors of the churches on May 26, 2020 for private prayer and devotion as well as for funerals and limited celebrations of baptisms and weddings. The following directives will apply in general and individual churches should prepare further directions which the faithful must adhere to when visiting a church.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE CHURCHES MAY OPEN THEIR DOORS ON TUESDAY, MAY 26TH AND SHOULD REMAIN OPEN FOR NO MORE THAN 4 HOURS EACH DAY.

1. As of Tuesday, May 26th, Sacred Heart Church will be OPEN Monday to Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and on Sundays from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.
2. Only TEN people are allowed in the Church at one time. We ask that you limit your prayer time in church to ½ hour or less out of respect for others waiting outside. Ushers will be present to assure that social distancing rules are observed and to ensure that there are no more than 10 people in the Church.
3. The left handicapped ramp door entrance of the church, will be the only entrance available each day. Please exit through the right handicapped ramp door.
4. The Church has been completely and professionally sanitized and disinfected including sacristies, the main body of the church and pews, choir loft, vestibule, bathrooms and church basement. The Church will be cleaned every morning.
5. Anyone who feels sick in anyway must stay home. Parishioners should take their temperature before leaving their home to ensure it is not 100 degrees or higher.
6. The Sacred Heart Garden will be OPEN at the same time the Church is open, however, no more than six people are allowed (one at each concrete bench and one standing on the brick Pathway to Prayer). NO ONE IS ALLOWED ON THE GRASS.

• You may NOT enter the Church without a mask. Please bring one from home.
• Hand sanitizer stands are available as you enter the Church. But you are encouraged to bring sanitizer from home.
• Only ONE restroom will be available.
• The Church will be marked off with painters’ tape to mark the ten spots where one may sit or kneel to pray.
• Lighting Candles will be allowed but NO touching of the statues.
• There will be NO Holy Water in the fonts.
• Song Books will be removed from the pews and stored away.
• Bulletins will NOT be distributed. They will continue to be uploaded to the parish website (www.sacredheartrccglendale.org).
• DO NOT leave any holy cards or literature in the vestibule of the Church.
• Brick Order Forms, 50/50 Envelopes or The Tablet will NOT be available.
• There are to be NO communal devotions in the Church (Rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet and Stations of the Cross). Only private recitation is allowed.

LITURGIAL CELEBRATIONS/SACRAMENTS
Funeral services (not Mass) will be permitted, but are strictly limited to 10 people.
Holy Communion WILL NOT be distributed at these services. Masks must be worn during a funeral service by all in attendance.
Baptisms and Weddings may be celebrated with 10 or fewer participants wearing masks and the Pastor must receive approval by the Office of the Chancellor.
Anointing of the Sick may be celebrated with usual safety measures in place.
Confessions may take place by appointment only. Please call the Rectory to arrange a time with a priest. Both priest and penitent must wear masks.

Dear Parishioners,

After Jesus ascended to heaven, His apostles, together with Mary His mother, and other members of the original Christian Church continued to pray together until the great feast of Pentecost when, in accordance with Jesus’ promise, “they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.” These nine days of prayer reported in the Acts of the Apostles were the first novena on which all later novenas have been based.

As the Sacred Heart Parish community, I would like to invite you to pray this Novena to the Holy Spirit beginning tomorrow Friday (May 22nd) and ending Saturday (May 30th). Please offer the following prayer once each day to renew the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit in your soul.

PRAYER FOR THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Oh, Spirit of WISDOM, preside over all my thoughts, words and actions in my life.

Spirit of UNDERSTANDING, enlighten and teach me.

Spirit of COUNSEL, direct my inexperience.

Spirit of FORTITUDE, strengthen my weakness.

Spirit of KNOWLEDGE, instruct my ignorance.

Spirit of PIETY, make me fervent in prayer and good works.

Heavenly Spirit, make me persevere, in the service of God, and enable me to act on all occasions with goodness and kindness, charity and joy, with long-suffering, mildness and fidelity.

Let the heavenly virtues of modesty, humility and chastity, adorn the temple you have chosen for your abode.

Spirit of HOLINESS (Fear of the Lord), by your all-powerful grace, preserve me from the misfortune of sin. Amen.

May the Holy Spirit renew your hearts and minds.

Fr. Fred+

Dearest Parishioners of Sacred Heart Church,

Greetings from Father Fullum, Deacon Peter, the Sisters of our Convent and myself!

A prayerful reminder that as we approach the end of the Easter Season, this Thursday is Ascension Thursday. Soon it will be Pentecost! The Ascension is the glorious, triumphant entry of Our Lord into His Heavenly Kingdom, and return to the Eternal Father. He will no longer be visible with the physical eyes of His Apostles and disciples. Now, they (and we) will “see” Him with the eyes of Faith, especially in the Holy Eucharist.

Please offer up in your prayers this week those who have died…We remember Salvatore Lombardo, and especially our own Sister Margaret Raibaldi, CSJ, who served Sacred Heart Parish so faithfully and with such zeal and love. Sister Margaret retired the year before I arrived, so I never worked with her, but I did experience her legacy and presence in the many wonderful projects and traditions she established for our parish. I am so grateful for the few times I met her these past three years I have been here as Pastor. Instead of a letter from me this week, I have asked Father Fullum to write a reflection about Sister Margaret. On behalf of Sacred Heart Parish, I would like to offer our heartfelt gratitude to her and our prayers for her eternal peace and joy with the Lord Jesus for whom she served so well.

With love and blessings,

Father Fred+

By now, most of you know of the passing of Sr. Margaret to her eternal rest. She arrived in Sacred Heart Parish about 35 years ago and at that time was given the job description of “bringing Christ’s love and compassion to all the members of Sacred Heart.” Over the years she has fulfilled that challenge with dedication and love. She immediately set up the Food Pantry which was very small at that time, and as you know has now grown to feeding over 150 families and unfortunately that number still increases.

Sister then turned her attention to the homebound. She set up a St. Vincent de Paul Society where all the members had to be Eucharistic Ministers. Her idea was to take care of both the spiritual and physical needs of the homebound; and she met once every month to see how both these needs were being fulfilled. For those who have lost a loved one she would send a sympathy card for one year, every three months, to remind the families that they were being prayed for and she especially prepared and invited them to share in our special All Souls Mass. Along with this, she set up the Bereavement Ministry to help people through their difficult times. She conducted mid-life seminars, trained lay couples to give Baptismal instructions, conducted in-home Pre-Cana sessions, set up and taught the RCIA program and set up special classes for adults needing the Sacrament of Confirmation.

As part of the Liturgy Committee she instituted the idea of the Christmas Giving Tree, the Blessing of Expecting Parents, the special Thanksgiving Celebrations, the Crowning of Mary, and the Blessing of Animals. The day after 9/11 she organized a truck and went down to Ground Zero with food to feed the first responders.

She was my right-hand helper. Anytime there was a need for a new program or a new committee, Sr. Margaret would organize it. These are just a few of her accomplishments in those 35 years. Her last basic project was the creating of a committee to make prayer shawls for the sick and homebound.

Sr. Margaret was a dear personal friend; I called her every night since she retired and she was always interested in the events taking place here at Sacred Heart and in the people and their problems. I will truly miss her but we must not be sad, because I am sure that when she presented her job description to Jesus our Lord, He said to her, “Well done good and faithful servant, enter now into your Father’s kingdom.”

Fr. Fullum

Dearest Parishioners of Sacred Heart Church, May this beautiful Ascension hymn bring you closer to the mystery of the Hidden and Glorious Jesus and fill your spirit with peace.