From The Pastor 6-12-2016

June, in the Catholic Church, is the month dedicated to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. The feast day usually falls sometime in June and thus the whole month is dedicated to it. Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus has a long history. It really begins in the Middle Ages with devotion to the human suffering of Jesus and veneration of the Wounds of Christ suffered in his Passion.

There was a great mystical tradition in the Church at this time and many saints reflected intensely on the great outpouring of love Jesus offered in his suffering and death. Saints such as Francis of Assisi, Bonaventure, Gertrude, Mechtilde, John Eudes and others brought attention to the humility and compassion of Jesus in his suffering. His physical heart became a symbol of that great compassion. Of course, most of us are familiar with devotion to the Sacred Heart through the story of Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque in France during the early 17th century. This young nun had visions of Jesus in which he spoke of his great mercy and love and his promise to be with those who had devotion to his Sacred Heart. This devotion continues today in the lives of many Catholics.

Look at the beautiful statue of the Sacred Heart in our church. Know that there is no sin that is greater than the mercy and love of Jesus!

Father Al