A Note from Father Tom

Apr 02 2020

Announcements

April 1, 2020

Dear Sacred Heart Family,

I have been WAITING these last several weeks for surgery, and I have had much time for prayer and reflection. As we approach Palm Sunday this coming weekend, I am reminded of the crowds of people who had been WAITING so long for the Messiah. Upon Jesus’ arrival how they welcomed Him with such jubilation and shouts of hope. Perhaps He would be the one that would free them from the bonds of oppression and the difficult times they were living in. Yet only a short time later, these same crowds would be shouting, “Crucify Him, Crucify Him!” We to are WAITING, with hope and anticipation, that we will be free from this present pandemic and try to return to the life we were living before this difficult time befell us.

I await my surgery so I can get back into the swing of things and move on. Yet in this waiting I began to wonder if I do want to get back to where I was and to where we all were. Were we really taking Lent seriously? Were we living with gratitude for all the gifts in our lives? Were we truly grateful for each other? Was God the center in our lives or continually taking a back seat to sports, technology, entertainment, comforts, all the distractions the world offers!? Can we say, when this pass, and it will pass, that as we are rebuilding are wounded economy, our country, our individual lives, that we are different than before? Are we better? Have we prayed as a family in this time and even just had quality sharing and presence with each other?

I think of the many who attend Weekend Masses but never volunteer or involve themselves in the activities, ministries and events the parish offers. Yet, this is a parish made up of so many people who care so deeply. What wonderful things we could accomplish by just getting more involved in the life of our Church community. How we could set the world on fire!! I think we can, and more, I believe we will!!

An invisible force might have brought us to a halt, but a visible force has Risen from the dead! Jesus Christ is real! He is with us! He is the same yesterday, today and always. Through Him we will rise from this brighter, kinder, more selfless, merciful and loving. As we wait know He is awaiting with open arms to lift us to those higher places, if we let Him.

PRAY, HOPE AND TRUST FOR WE ARE AN EASTER PEOPLE AND HALLELUJAH IS OUR NAME!!!!

Thank you all for your support and prayers for me. I am so blessed and so grateful. Know I continue to pray for each of you!!!!

Fr. Tom

Prayers for Father Tom

Apr 01 2020

Announcements
Prayers for Father Tom
Fr. Tom’s heart surgery is this coming Monday, April 6th. Please keep him in your prayers for a successful surgery and a speedy recovery!  Please pray also for the surgeon and his team throughout the surgery. May God guide them and be with them. Let us also pray for the hospital staff caring for Fr. Tom and other patients. Keep them all safe from the Coronavirus!!

Palm Sunday

Apr 01 2020

Events
This Weekend it will be Palm Sunday
Sacred Heart will Distribute Blessed Palm Branches

On Palm Sunday this weekend Sacred Heart will distribute blessed Palm branches in as safe a manner as we can.

Parishioners can get your palms by driving in your cars through the alley starting at Sunset Cliffs, going North. Roll down your passenger side window/s and tell June or Gregg Sprosty the number of palms requested (one per family member.) They will pass the required number of palm branches through the passenger side window and put them on the car seat so they can maintain a safe distance. Then drive through the alley to Ebers Street and depart. There will be NO parking problems and people can be safe. If you are walking, June or Gregg will have branches available to pick up in a safe manner. Palms will be available in the alley from 9 am till 12 noon, Sunday morning. Have a safe Holy week.
You can download the calendar here.

Confession

Mar 29 2020

Announcements
Information from Father Tom about Confession
Powerful information… this does not excuse Confession but if anything happens to you during this time you are completely forgiven.

Summit Youth Group Activities

Mar 28 2020

Announcements, Events
Summit Youth Group Activities
Resume Online Tomorrow
Summit is Coming to You Through Zoom! Beginning Tomorrow, Sunday March 29!
Who says that social distancing means we can’t still have Summit Youth Group?! Tune in for Summit Youth Group every Sunday from now on until we get back from quarantine right from your couch! We’ll begin at 6:00 PM tomorrow and do the normal Summit night, but from home! Games, a talk, small group discussion, and prayer! Come be a part of this awesome opportunity to stay connected in your faith and with your Summit family!

Click here at 6:00 PM on Sunday to be a part of the night: https://zoom.us/j/460745204

See you on Sunday!!

Awesome Free Small Group Discipleship on Sunday Readings for Teens, Families, or Adults in Parish!
Life Teen has a devotional called “Summit” (which also happens to be the name of our youth group here at Sacred Heart!) which is based on the Sunday readings. It’s free and super easy to subscribe. You can run a small group discipleship with questions and a video that’s tailored to a certain group (teens, families, or parish-wide) or just use the resources they send for your own spiritual nourishment! Teens, join us Sunday on Zoom for our Social Distancing Summit Night to hear more about us having a Summit Summit group while we are social distancing in addition to our Zoom Summit Nights! Everyone else, click this link to subscribe and go to town with it!

God Bless,

Pat Gunning
Youth Minister
Sacred Heart Church of Ocean Beach
4776 Saratoga Ave
San Diego, CA 92107
http://sacredheartob.org/youth-ministry/

“The Glory of God is man fully alive.”–St. Irenaeus

AMDG

Fifth Sunday of Lent

Mar 27 2020

Announcements
Fifth Sunday of Lent

Dear Parishioners of Sacred Heart,

Once again Mass celebrated at Sacred Heart Church will be online this weekend for the Fifth Sunday of Lent.

There are two ways to view the video. The first way to view the video is through our parish YouTube account tomorrow (Sunday) morning. This is an update from our previous email. You can find the link here

Fr. Emmanuel will also make available the link to the video and text of this Sunday’s homily along with previous and future ones on his blog. You can find the link to his blog here http://frochigbo.blogspot.com/

You can also find the Mass that the Diocese of San Diego has on its website https://www.sdcatholic.org/find-a-parish/on-line-sunday-mass/.

Thank you to Gregg Sprosty for his hard work and sharing his talents to make this incredible outreach possible.

May God be with you in these trying times!

A Letter from Fr. Tom

Mar 26 2020

Announcements
A Letter from Fr. Tom
Dear Sacred Heart Family –

I pray you are all remaining safe and healthy during this difficult time. Please know that none of us need to be alone at this time. As the slogan I keep seeing says, together alone! If anyone needs anything do not hesitate to reach out to us at the parish. We are here to help. The Church may appear dead on the inside, but we are very much alive on the outside! I know it is a difficult time financially for many and I am very grateful for those who have been continuing, so generously to support Sacred Heart Parish. Nonetheless our collections are significantly below what we need to maintain the various components of the parish – bills, salaries, etc.

Our staff is trying to keep the life of the parish going, as well as varying ministries, from their homes and occasional from the parish itself. It is very important that we stay connected and make every effort to keep the life of our ministries active. I am asking everyone who can to please contribute what you can thru mailings, drop off and on-line giving. Those who do not know how to set up for on-line giving, we would be happy to assist you in getting set up.

Of course, most importantly pray!! Pray as a family, as a parish family and with Pope Francis and the world. I am continually thinking and praying for all of you and so humbly grateful and blessed with all your prayers for me as I prepare for heart surgery April 6th.

God Bless,
Fr. Tom

The whole world should be praying this.
Let’s bow our heads and pray:

Eternal Father, You made the whole world stop spinning for a while.
You silenced the noise that we all have created.
You made us bend our knees again and ask for a miracle.
You closed Your churches so we will realize how dark our world is without You in it.
You humble the proud and powerful.
The economy is crashing, businesses are closing.
We were very proud, we thought that everything
we have, everything we possess was the result of our hard work.
We have forgotten that it was always Your grace and mercy that made us who we are.
We’re like running in circles looking for some cure to this disease but in fact it takes
humility to ask for Your wisdom.
We’ve been living our lives like we will be here on earth forever, like there’s no heaven.
Maybe these trials will awaken in us the need for Your mercy.
Maybe this virus will, in a way, help purifying us,
cleansing our soul,
bringing us back to YOU.

You have been patient Dear Father.
.. We’ve forgotten that You are GOD. You only need to say the words and our souls shall be healed.
Amen

Giving During this Time

Mar 22 2020

Announcements
Giving During this Time and Online Giving
Dear Parishioners,

Considering all that has been occurring, your parish community continues to pray for your health and well being.

Sacred Heart needs help financially to maintain operation. Without a Sunday collection we will see a significant drop in funds. Please consider giving to the church.

Ways to Give

You can mail checks to our parish office at:
4776 Saratoga Ave
San Diego, CA 92107

Or drop your check in the mail slot of the parish office or go through your bank and set up a bill pay.

Another way to give is by going to our website and click on the online giving button, which is found on our home page. Go to www.sacredheartob.org. Once you are on the home page, look for the red box ‘Contribute to Sacred Heart,’ which can be found at the top center of the page.

God bless and stay healthy.

The Parish Support Team

Mass Available Online

Mar 21 2020

Announcements
Mass Available Online Today
Dear Parishioners of Sacred Heart,

We understand that this weekend will be hard to not go to Sunday Mass.

As part of our pastoral response, Fr. Tom has approved for Fr. Emmanuel to record saying Mass in our Parish.

There will be two ways to view the video, which will be available by 5:00 PM today, Saturday. The first way to view the video is through our parish YouTube account. You can find the link here
Fr. Emmanuel will also make available the link to the video and text of this Sunday’s homily along with previous and future ones on his blog. You can find the link to his blog here http://frochigbo.blogspot.com/

You can also find the Mass that the Diocese of San Diego has on its website https://www.sdcatholic.org/find-a-parish/on-line-sunday-mass/.
May God be with you in these trying times!