Dearest Parishioners of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish,

Greetings from Father Fullum, Deacon Peter, the Sisters of the Convent, and myself! A Blessed and Happy Mothers’ Day to all biological mothers, adoptive mothers, Godmothers, and all women who nourish and care for us as well! A heartfelt word of gratitude and blessing to you all!

As we begin the beautiful month of May, we are reminded as Catholics of our devotion to Our Blessed Mother Mary. Devotions to her began during this time over the centuries because it is the season of blooming flowers which we offer as symbolic gifts of our love and childlike affection for her. From a secular point of view, it is also why Mothers’ Day was chosen on the second Sunday of May each year. The month of May honors our spiritual Mother, AND those women God gives to us who love us like a mother. This week, our parish lost two women…Irene Salayka and Barbara Donnelly. We pray, through Mother Mary’s intercession, that they will experience eternal peace, and their families feel the hope of the Resurrection.

In the summer of 1971 (when I was seven years old), I became very sick with spinal meningitis, (an infection in the fluid of the spinal cord). I was placed in Long Island Jewish Hospital near my home in Floral Park. I have few memories of my experience there except for: a high fever and nausea, a team of doctors and nurses holding me down while awake and lying on my stomach while they extracted the infected fluid from my lower back (so I wouldn’t make any sudden movements and risk paralysis), and making a mosaic tile trivet for my mother when I recovered. The most vivid and profound memory, however, was seeing my mother come into my room the night before my procedure wearing a (now VERY common image) protective mask. Only later would I discover that the doctors and nurses were not sure if I would last that night, and she and my father actually came to say goodbye to me. However, I remember feeling protected and loved. Even though she had to leave (for fear of infection), I did not feel lonely or afraid. I knew I was going to be well again…simply by her presence.

Forty-six years later in June 2017, soon after I underwent another medical procedure (this time a seven-hour lower back operation), I was invited to a special Mass at Holy Name of Mary Parish in Valley Stream, N.Y. In attendance was Ivan Dragicevic. Ivan is one of the six visionaries of the apparitions of our Blessed Mother with the title Our Lady of Medjugorie in Croatia which began in 1981 and continued for many years later. The site of the apparitions (the parish Church of Saint James and the surrounding region) has become one of the most popular destinations for Catholic pilgrimages in the world and a center of conversion and prayer, especially for young people. After Mass, Ivan began to lead the Rosary kneeling in front of a beautiful statue of Mary, with all present (about 500 people). After the Sign of the Cross, he stopped praying verbally, and we all sat in silence for many minutes. Ivan then stood up and announced, through an interpreter, that the Blessed Mother was present in the Church! She had been speaking with him…HERE…in Valley Stream…in front of us all! He said, “She blesses all here present, with a motherly love, especially the priests.” Since there were only four priests, I felt overwhelmed with joy and gratitude for that unique recognition by Our Lady present in that Church where
Heaven touched earth for those few minutes. At that moment, the image of my mother wearing a face mask, all those years ago in my hospital room flashed through my mind…I felt protected and loved once again by Our Blessed Mother’s presence, as I did by my mother’s. Love…the greatest gift of Mary to us, because Jesus is Love, and she gives us Jesus. It is the greatest gift we can give to one another.

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

Father Fred +

P.S. A prayerful reminder that on Sunday, May 10th at 1:00 p.m., Deacon Peter and I will “live stream” on the Sacred Heart Facebook Page, from inside the Church, a May crowning of the Blessed Mother, and a Mothers’ Day blessing for all biological and adoptive mothers and godmothers, and all women who lovingly nourish the physical, emotional and spiritual life of us all. Please join us ONLINE for this special event!

Dearest Parishioners of Sacred Heart Church,

I am happy to announce that next Sunday, May 10th at 1:00p.m., Deacon Peter and I will “live stream” on the Sacred Heart Facebook Page, from inside the Church, a May crowning of the Blessed Mother, and a Mothers’ Day blessing for all women of our Parish. We will bless all biological and adoptive Mothers and all women who lovingly nourish the physical, emotional and spiritual life of us all. Please join us ONLINE for this special event!

Sincerely in Christ,
Father Fred +

P.S. Please remember to return your Mother’s Day envelopes/intentions before this Sunday, May 10th, Mother’s Day.

Dearest Parishioners of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish,

Greetings from Fr. Fullum, Deacon Peter, the Sisters of the Convent and myself! Hope You and your Families are well. Please be assured of our thoughts and prayers for each one of you every day. A Blessed and Happy Good Shepherd Sunday! (The Forth Sunday of Easter) The Good Shepherd is one of the most ancient, and beloved images of Jesus for the early Church, especially during the persecutions of the Second and Third Centuries A.D. It was painted on the walls of the first catacombs in Rome and it brought a great sense of security and protection to the first Christians, our ancestors. Even though many of them knew and embraced their fate, they lived in fear, but still trusted in the Eternal Pastures the Lord Jesus would lead them to after they left the pastures of this world. With this awareness, our sincerest and heartfelt sympathy to all families who have lost a loved one this week or recently. We remember especially Clorinda Mecca, Daniel Linfante (whose two children are enrolled in our Faith Formation/CCD program), Rosetta Taravella, and Mary Agnes O’Brien. May Jesus, the Good Shepherd, lead them to eternal peace and the joy of Heaven.

Fr. Fullum continues to slowly improve! He has opened up and sifted through his ENORMOUS mountain of mail and even has been able to take brief walks each day. I am also feeling well and try to do a little shopping for him and me once a week. I am so grateful to Our Lord for His many gifts to us… most especially for all of You!

Knowing that many of us live with greater or lesser degrees of fear, I would like to share with you how I “deal” with anxiety and fear. One of the best tools I have used in my own life is “present moment awareness.” I pray for this gift after I receive Holy Communion at every Mass when I return to the presider’s chair for a few precious moments of silence before the final prayer.

Present moment awareness is to make yourself aware of what day, time and situation you are in at any given moment, especially when you’re feeling anxious or fearful. Since anxiety and worry usually stem from the imaginary images in your head about the FUTURE, then to replace those images as soon as possible with the REALITY of one’s surroundings of the PRESENT will banish those future oriented pictures…which usually paint an untruthful and worse case scenario. The reason the images are untruthful is because, from a spiritual point of view, they come from the evil one, who Jesus calls, “the father of lies” to destroy our peace and faith in God. When we begin to live in our heads, we miss the real beauty (and real pain) of what is true. Our “gut” and “heart” react to real or imaginary dangers or fears with worry. Sometimes we call it “butterflies.” They can’t distinguish the two. WE have to train them! So, to bring yourself into the present moment, then imagining Jesus with you in that moment, can bring peace and relief from fear and anxiety. We can feel a lifting of those destructive emotions. I don’t practice this successfully all the time, but it is a wonderful habit that has helped me through my life since college. I pass it on, and hope it will help you too. I plan for the future, but I try not to let a distorted image of the future from the evil one control me. Here is my favorite prayer next to the Our Father and Hail Mary. It is the Serenity Prayer by Reinhold Niebuhr. You may know the first few lines, but here it is in its entirety…

May the Good Shepherd protect you from anxiety and fear so you may experience His presence now and each moment we are given to love and serve Him and one another.

With love, blessings and gratitude for your continued generosity,
Father Fred+

Dearest Parishioners of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish,

Greetings from Father Fullum, Deacon Peter, the Sisters of the convent and myself! A Blessed Third Sunday of Easter to you all! The Easter Season lasts for 50 days until Pentecost Sunday (This year it’s May 31st), so the Church throughout the world is still in the beginning stage of Her celebration of the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus. However, it is also during this time of light and new life that I would like to remember each week our loved ones who have passed into Eternal Life (either from the coronavirus or from another illness), and remember their families, as we all live in the hope that they are experiencing the JOY of Heaven: Henry Viola, Lucia Bracci, Eleanor Madison and John (Jack) Hanle. Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord…

The Church is offering a final blessing for those who have died, on the day of their burial, on the way to the cemetery in front of the Church. The funeral director and family of the deceased may make arrangements with Father Fullum, Deacon Peter or myself by calling the rectory to inform us of the burial date. Unfortunately, the Church reopening, the Holy Mass, and the Sacraments of Baptism and Holy Matrimony continue to be suspended until the Bishop gives permission. We so look forward to the day (soon!) when we can all be together again as a faith community celebrating the life-giving Sacraments of Christ.

I especially want to express now a deep and heartfelt word of gratitude to all of you for your continued financial generosity and support during this time. The parishioners of Sacred Heart Parish are ALWAYS generous and supportive, but that you continue to think of Sacred Heart the way that you have since March 15th is TRULY inspiring and moving. Beginning each Friday (or before), the donation envelopes start pouring into the front door mailbox of the rectory for that weekend, or onto the online GiveCentral program established by the Parish. Thank you for making the effort to bring your donation to the rectory or for going on-line! Whether the offerings are cash or check, or online giving, whether they are sent in each week or in bundles of a few weeks, they are picked up, counted, recorded and deposited into the bank by Liliana Gomez, our financial secretary. I am so grateful to her for her dedication and concern for our parish and Academy! In addition to your prayers and phone calls, your donations are truly a gift from your heart to our parish, and to Almighty God. Thank you! I would also like to acknowledge and thank Susanne Wolfe, one of our parish secretaries, who continues to put together and organize the bulletin each week from home and also types my weekly letter to you, Nancy Baer, who continues in so many ways to help those in need from our Parish Ministries Office, and Laura Ciraolo, who is in daily and weekly contact with the catechists and parents of the children of our Faith Formation Program. God bless you all and thank you too!

In this Sunday’s Gospel according to St. Luke, the disciples on the road to Emmaus recognized Jesus “…in the breaking of the Bread.” May we also come to know Him more fully and intimately not only in the Holy Eucharist, but in the generosity and support we offer to one another.

With blessings and love,
Father Fred

Dear Parishioners of Sacred Heart Parish,

Greetings from Father Fullum, Deacon Peter and the Sisters of the convent! I would like to happily report that Father Fullum and I have both tested NEGATIVE and have been cleared of the coronavirus. He was retested last Tuesday and I was tested for the first time. I am so relieved and grateful! Although I never knew if I had it, I still experienced some anxiety living in the rectory with Father Fullum these past thirty days, and I know he was also worried not only for his own health, but for mine as well. We will continue to follow the guidelines until everyone is healthy again!

Unfortunately, I must also report on some sad news…Sacred Heart Parish has lost several cherished parishioners during this time of isolation, who I would like to acknowledge: Erwin Petschauer, Robert Borger, Gary Jaegar, Janet Delfino, Frank Yonke, Juana Caso, and Cathy O’Sullivan. Cathy was a devoted and inspiring catechist and Girl Scout leader of Sacred Heart Parish. For over 30 years she patiently and cheerfully taught children the Catholic Faith, particularly those with special needs. Even as she endured many physical sufferings over the years, Cathy’s ever-present smile and good nature always shone forth as she made her way in her wheelchair at home, in Church, and wherever she went. May she and all our loved ones who have died hear Our Lord Jesus lovingly say to them, as He did in the parable, “Well done good and faithful servant…Come and share your Master’s joy!”

This Sunday, April 19th, is the 20th Anniversary of the canonization of Saint Maria Faustina (the visionary of Jesus the Divine Mercy), and the establishment of the Second Sunday of Easter as Divine Mercy Sunday by Saint John Paul II. What a blessing this “new” devotion and feast day have been for the life of the Church throughout the world and in our own individual lives. The simple, yet central, profound message and command of the Lord Jesus to us of the Divine Mercy devotion, “Jesus, I trust in You,” brings us comfort and increases our faith in Him when we truly embrace it and internalize it into our lives. Trust is “the firm belief in the reliability and strength of another.” However, when that Other is the Lord Jesus, then we have no reason to fear anyone or anything at any time. We have faith in His steadfast reliability. We can confidently cry out with Saint Thomas the Apostle in Sunday’s Gospel, “My Lord and my God!”

Mercy is “compassion shown to one who offends another.” It is always a struggle to be faced with that challenge in our personal lives. Sometimes we may hold onto an offense by another throughout our whole lives, and can’t imagine showing that person compassion. But then imagine that our dear Lord is faced with that challenge at every moment extending His Divine Mercy to each of US who offend Him by our lack of love for one another, by surrendering to our doubts, and by our sins. Jesus truly is faithful to US! May we accept Our Risen Savior’s intimate invitation in the Gospel to touch him and, “…do not be unbelieving, but BELIEVE!” How truly blessed are we who have not seen, but have believed.

With love and blessings.

Fr. Fred

P.S. A prayerful reminder that you are all invited to join Deacon Peter and me for Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, the solemn chanting of the Divine Mercy chaplet, and Benediction at 3:00 p.m. (The hour of Divine Mercy) online at the Sacred Heart Church Glendale Facebook Page this Sunday, April 19th.
The following is a link to The Divine Mercy Chaplet solemnly chanted at the Shrine of the Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, Massachusetts.

Dearest Parishioners of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish,

Along with Father Fullum, Deacon Peter, and the Sisters of the Convent, may I extend to each one of you a Happy, Joyful, and Blessed Easter!… May you be blessed with the ever-greater awareness of the Presence and Power of the Risen Jesus in our lives and in our world!

Beginning today, and for the next few weeks, we will again hear at Mass, the beautiful Resurrection accounts that the Apostles and first disciples witnessed. In the Gospel according to St. Luke, we are told, “…He stood in their midst and said to them, ‘Peace be with you’…” The first gift of the Risen Jesus is PEACE! Not just the absence of turmoil or conflict…but rather, the tranquility and serenity of mind, heart and spirit that comes with faith and trust in Him when there is turmoil or conflict…not APART from it. The Risen Jesus stands “in the midst” of suffering and death like He stood “in the midst” of the Apostles, who were so full of fear and discouragement after His crucifixion, before He proved He was alive! He stands “in the midst” of our own individual and communal suffering which has caused so much unimaginable sorrow, confusion and disruption to our lives in so many ways. However, we do not let it overwhelm us, because our faith, no matter how weak or insincere or inadequate we may feel it is, is rooted in the Risen Lord! It may be as “small as mustard seed,” but it can blossom into the “largest of bushes” when we turn to Him with loving confidence. It is always so challenging to wonder why our Lord does not remove the causes of suffering in our lives and in the lives of those we love. He only asks us to be His Presence to one another “in the midst” of it. That is how the Risen Jesus rises again in us and how His risen presence is felt by others, when we love one another as He loves us. Saint Teresa of Avila wrote this prayer in the 16th century, “(The Risen) Christ has no body now but YOURS. No hands, no feet on earth but YOURS…YOURS are the eyes through which He looks with compassion. YOURS are the hands through which He blesses all the world…YOURS are the feet with which HE is to go about doing good. Amen.”

Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, may we rejoice with her at the sight of her Risen Son and be grateful for the gift of His presence in us reaching out to our brothers and sisters! Regina Caeli, Laetare! ALLELUIA! Queen of Heaven, rejoice! ALLELUIA!

With love and blessings,

Father Fred

P.S. Next Sunday is the Feast of the Divine Mercy. Usually, Sacred Heart Parish would sponsor a Holy Hour at 3:00 p.m. (The Hour of Divine Mercy) in the Church, with solemn chanting of the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament with Benediction. I am happy to announce that the Holy Hour and chanting of the Chaplet will still take place online from our Church at 3:00 p.m. on next Sunday, April 19th. If you are able, please join Deacon Peter and myself, as we pray on behalf of the parish to humbly ask for God’s Mercy upon us and the whole world. The Church will NOT be opened, but you can participate online by viewing it on the Sacred Heart Glendale Facebook Page.