Form of Spiritual Communion, by St. Alphonsus Liguori
My JESUS, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things and I desire to receive You in my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.
The Southwest is known for our warm welcomes and heartfelt hospitality! Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish has been extending this same warm welcome for over 140 year, since pioneer missionary, Fr. Antonio Jouvenceau, came to Tombstone, to minister to the need of those flocking into the area following the discovery of rich silver deposits!
Although the popular concept of Tombstone, largely shaped by Hollywood, portrays our community as centered in the bars and gambling dens of Allen Street and shadowed by violence, there is another and much more enduring story, of pioneer men, women and families, who sought to build a lasting community, founded on the values of the Gospel!
That is our story, and it is a story which continues to be written, not in historic re-enactments, but in the hearts and lives of people who call Tombstone home.
Our Parish is the “Mother Church” of Cochise County and has been instrumental in planting new parishes in the surrounding area. We continue to be part of the global Mission of the Church, and have entered our third century filled with the joy and the hope of those who are experiencing new life in Christ!
We would cordially invite you to experience that new life with us, and to know that the One who extends the invitation, “My house is your house!” is, in fact, the Lord!
Looking forward to welcoming you!
FR. GREG ADOLF and FR. ROBERT NESKE
and
all of the People of God at Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish!
DID YOU KNOW...
...that on 16 September the Church marks the commemoration of the 3rd century martyrs, Pope Cornelius and Bishop Cyprian of Carthage?
Pope Cornelius, while shepherding the Church through a period of extreme persecution, had to deal with an “anti-pope” – a priest who had set himself up in opposition to Pope Cornelius and his policies. Bishop Cyprian, the holy bishop of Carthage in North Africa, wrote in support of Pope Cornelius, urging the Faithful to obedience to the successor of Peter. St. Cyprian wrote: “The person who does not have the Church as his mother, cannot have God as his Father.” Very strong words to counter a very real threat to the Church’s unity.
It has been noted that more Christians have died for the Faith in past 150 years than in the preceding 20 centuries – this is truly the “Age of the Martyrs”, and the Church is facing open and covert persecution throughout the world, including the secularist “First World”- our society.
St. Cyprian counseled the Christians during that particular period of persecution not to ‘divide the Church’ in the face of such opposition. The unity of the Church is one the four ‘marks’ of the true (authentic) Church: “One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic,” as we profess in the Creed. Today, too many are allowing the internet – podcasts, chat rooms, etc. – to draw them into divisive and fear-filled approaches to their spiritual life and relationship to the Church. Websites and other social media outlets, openly hostile to the Pope and to Bishops, are given an attention and a trust which they do not deserve.
The not-so-hidden agenda is to convince the listener that the Church’s authority is ‘suspect’ (untrustworthy) and that the individual can pass judgment on the Church, the Church which Christ established as His Body on earth.
This is a new twist on the Protestant position, that every believer can be his or her own ‘pope’ based on their own (or their group’s) interpretation of the Scripture. Now Catholics are being told they can be their own supreme authority in spiritual matters, based on the information they have received via the internet!
One should, as St. Cyprian and many other Fathers of the Church suggested, ask this question: “Who would benefit from such fragmenting of the unity of the Church?” The answer is pretty obvious, the Enemy, whom the Greek New Testament identifies as ‘diabolos’ – the one who ‘divides or casts apart’. “The house divided cannot stand,” is a truth demonstrated again and again in history.
The Church is not just any ‘house’, but the ‘household of God’ and has the promise of the Lord that the “gates of hell will not prevail against the Church.” And so, every believer needs to be very aware whether her or his words and actions are: building up or tearing down, feeding fear or feeding faith, bearing witness or contradicting the revealed truth!
There is an important reminder from the Tradition of the Church, that every believer should exercise careful (prayerful) “custody of the eyes and ears” – that is, to be aware and responsible in what we watch and what we listen to, and ultimately, what we allow to shape our beliefs, our trust, and our actions.
Marriage Anniversary Mass Celebration
I am pleased to announce the return of our Marriage Anniversary Mass Celebration.
On Sunday, October 10th, we will celebrate the anniversaries as listed in the registration form for the 2020 and 2021 years. However, in the future we will celebrate this annual Marriage Anniversary Mass in the winter. Looking ahead, we have reserved Sunday, February 12, 2022, for the Anniversaries being celebrated in 2022. You will receive a registrationform form for that event closer to the date. As in pevious years, I will be availabel before the Mass to have a picture with each couple who would like one. Those who register will get specific information on this from Ofelia James and Sr. Losi Paha in the Pastoral Services Department.
Registration forms can be obtained in the Parish Office
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