Dearest Parishioners of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish…

Greetings from Fr. Fullum, Deacon Peter, the Sisters of the Convent and myself! Hoping you and your families are safe, healthy, and serene during this incredible and anxious time in our lives. May I extend on behalf of us all our sincerest sympathy, prayers, and support now and always if you have lost a family member, friend, neighbor, or co-worker to the Corona Virus. Eternal rest grant onto them O Lord… Also, our thoughts and prayers for strength and peace to all who are suffering in so many ways because of it as well.

Soon after the Bishop appointed me as pastor of Sacred Heart in November 2016, but before I moved into the rectory in January 2017, I came to visit Sacred Heart for an hour. During that visit, I met the rectory staff (first Fr. Fullum!), Deacon Peter, the Academy Staff, the maintenance staff, the Sisters in the Convent, and Nancy Baer in the Parish Ministry Office. Finally, I made a prayerful visit to the Church. It was a memorable experience, meeting everyone and spending that time in the place I would soon call “home.” Everyone was so supportive and encouraging! But, of all the memories I have of that wonderful day, the memory that made the most profound impact upon me was reading the inscription carved into the stone column that supports the Blessed Mother statue on the rectory lawn. It reads, “Comforter of the Afflicted, Pray for Us.” I knew that particular title of Mary was found in her ancient and beautiful “Litany of Loreto,” in Latin, “Consolatrix Afflictorum, Ora pro nobis.” I did not know (and still don’t) why that title of Mary was chosen for our Parish all those year’s ago. I wondered why Monsignor Sherman, as the founding Pastor, asked for that title to be placed under that statue? Maybe he and the founding parishioners in 1929 were experiencing the overwhelming economic hardships of the Great Depression, not unlike the present catastrophic effects of the Corona Virus on our own economy and lives. So… for over 90 years that inscription has lovingly proclaimed for all who pass the rectory, that in every age WE are the “afflicted,” and that our Blessed Mother’s comforting embrace will bring us to Jesus who says, “Come to me all who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest,” which is the inscription carved under the Sacred Heart statue in the Prayer Garden.

This week we have seen moving and creative ways of expressing our deepest gratitude to all those in our world at this time who are in fact comforting the afflicted… The heroic nurses, emergency medical and health care workers, doctors, and research lab technicians who are literally sacrificing their lives for others. From members of families giving their own family member, who is a nurse or doctor, a “standing ovation” when they come home from work, or erecting eight-foot-tall letters in front of hospitals spelling out “THANK YOU!” or, tenants opening the windows of their apartment buildings applauding hospital staff as they walk by at the end of their shifts… Know that you are very much appreciated and loved. On behalf of our parish, may I express our deepest gratitude to you all who are medical and health care professionals and all those who are caring for the sick. Know of our prayers and support for each one of you!

I would also like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Deacon Peter (who has shared each Friday his reflections on the Gospel of the day with the students of the Academy in their on-line learning), to Tom Stalzer and John Hickey, Jr. for their unseen dedication and faithfulness in posting Parish announcements, events, updates, and my letter to you each week on Flock notes, the parish Facebook page and the parish website. I would also like to thank, Sal Laurenzano and Chris Russo, co-chairs of the Home Academy Association. Through The Tablet newspaper subscription initiative, their encouragement and efforts with the parents of the students, helped secure a tablet device for all Sacred Heart Academy students which is now bearing great fruit and success with their on-line learning.

During this very strange and mysterious Holy Week this year, as we enter into the Suffering, Death, and Resurrection of the Lord Jesus, in this unique way, we will once again witness through the Gospel stories, the Blessed Mother standing at the foot of the Cross under her dying Son, offering Him comfort by her silent, loving presence. Through her intercession, may you experience in your own suffering, our Lord’s healing and mercy this Holy Week and always. May we ALL be “comforters of the afflicted” and of one another in our own way.

With love and blessings, and deepest gratitude for your continued generosity and support of Sacred Heart Parish.

Fr. Fred