Sacred Heart of Jesus Roman Catholic Church

Dear parishioners and friends of Sacred Heart,

According to some observers, 2011 has been the most eventful year yet. While it may be hard to prove one year had more ‘events’ than another, I can vouch for the fact that this Diamond Jubilee year has been a busy and momentous one for us at Sacred Heart.

As the financial woes of the world and country inevitably came to affect us here, we were designated a “Phase II” parish in Bishop DiMarzio’s pastoral and financial reconfiguration for the diocese named Christ Jesus, Our Hope. In effect, it is a plan to help meet our goals as a diocese towards the New Evangelization. Like many things of this nature, it is simple but not easy. To move forward, each parish has to be able to be self-sustaining. Along side this process, there is also Preserving the Vision, which is a diocesan mission to preserve Catholic education which involves converting all existing diocesan Catholic schools, including our own, into academies. As we move in the direction of being able to hold our own financially, the parish and the school has been involved in seemingly innumerable meetings and consultations. It has been strenuous but has fostered much good fruit.

I was happy that Bishop DiMarzio celebrated the Feast of the Sacred Heart with us in July and inaugurated our 75th Anniversary as a parish. In November we enjoyed a wonderful Dinner Dance which boasts the largest turn out to date and then an incredible International Night where one of our staff members was temporarily ordained or momentarily reincarnated (you choose) as the first pastor, Fr. George A Dawson.

Many parishioners braved the cold and wind to decorate the parish property and the Christmas tree donated by Mr. and Mrs. Czaikowski. Our Lessons and Carols and Tree Lighting ceremony was our second and by all accounts our best. Even as much as we enjoyed the incredible faith and praise in our songs and the inspiring rendition of biblical scenes leading up to Christ’s birth by members of our choirs and others, there was a tinge of sadness in my heart. Shortly afterwards, Fr Donelson Thevenin, only with us a short time and the impetus behind many good things here including the Summer Picnic, was called back by the Naval Reserve to resume his duties. We thank God, Bishop DiMarzio and, of course, Fr. Donelson for his being with us. We’ll miss him but we’ll try to keep up the things he brought us.

Our Jubilee celebrations continue until June 2012. I pray that the Lord Jesus imbue all our lives with His special light and love that ours hearts may glow with the same divine love that He came to bring us. May God enliven your lives and those of your family and friends with positive, good thoughts that bear fruit in joy and good health in this life and everlasting salvation in the life to come.

A very Merry Christmas to you, Jwaye Nwel, Joyeux Noel, Feliz Navidad, Buon Natale, Maligayang Pasko

Fr Bryan Patterson