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June 29, 2026Many acronyms seem to be a common part of our language. Within so many churches the acronym “VBS” reflects the summertime gathering of children for a period of days in a Christian atmosphere of Vacation Bible School.
Last week at St. Malachy and Sacred Heart those children shared activities, learning, prayers, creativity and a bounce of faith within the nourishing care of the many volunteers. Sure there are moments of distraction, but only if the Church could ‘bottle’ that energy and free spirit for us adults. Thank you parents for sharing your children for these few days of VBS, acknowledging the significance of our Catholic faith within your family.Last April we received the faith of eight individuals who desired and prepared to be brought into the Sacramental life in our church. Each had a different story of life, each have their own unique journey of faith that led them to the Catholic faith. Graciously, they share in our prayers, the Eucharist, and our community of faith. If you know of someone interested in becoming Catholic, sharing in the Sacraments of our Church, or someone who just has questions about our Catholic faith, please contact the parish office. OCIA—another acronym—is the process of discovering and re-discovering faith, leading to reception in the Catholic Church.Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, is a gathering of individuals interested in receiving and sharing in the Sacraments of our Catholic faith. Our gatherings or classes begin in mid September.
Learning of our Church’s history, traditions, the Sacraments, saints and holy days, rituals and scripture alongside questions asked and prayers shared is all a part of the OCIA experience, fulfilled with the reception into our Catholic faith on the night of the Easter Vigil.May I extend my gratitude for your generosity in support of Together As One—Diocesan Annual Appeal. Last month we were informed that we met our goal of $50,000 as a parish benefitting diocesan programs that support our local church and ministries. Thank you!And thank you for supporting Fr. Peter’s mission in the Diocese of Lexington as he shared with us last weekend. Over $3,000 was donated for the continued outreach within the struggling Catholic Churches in the Appalachians. He was a very gracious guest for his brief stay. He didn’t say if he favored the Cyclones or Hawkeyes, but he is definitely swayed by the Kentucky blue of the Wildcats.Still seeking a part time person to replace Bill Richter who is retiring at the end of this summer after many years helping out at Sacred Heart School. Typically the two hours of work each day, Monday through Friday, is completed in the morning. If you are interested or have questions please contact me at the parish office.“Whoever gives a cup of water to one of these little ones. . .will surely not lose his reward.” ‘Little ones’as referenced in Matthew’s gospel are those believers who are humble and unnoticed, the marginalized, he poor, those who are scorned for their faith, those dependent on the care of othersAs one author describes, we can marginalize individuals who are different by ignoring them, by treating them in a ridiculing fashion, excluding a person from expressing their thoughts, belittling an individual for how they act, embarrassing someone for how they act.As the late Nelson Mandela reminds us: “The world remains beset by so much human suffering, poverty and deprivation. It is in your hands to make our world a better one for all, especially the poor, vulnerable and marginalised.”If your recognition of our country’s 250th Anniversary of democracy and independence involves travel, please do so with patience, respect for others on the road, and gratitude for the freedom to take part in this special Fourth of July celebration.
God Bless, Fr. Tim
FYI: "You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness.You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism.." (Erma Bombeck)