From the Pastor’s desk— June 16, 2024

A healthy step intimes of transition is taking a moment to lookback in gratitude, and although I cannot capture all the ways the Claretian Missionaries have added to the life of Sacred Heart, perhaps a recap of some of the highlights would be such a step. Please forgive me if I leave some things out, as our archives are not as complete as they could be. 

Soon after our arrival, Sacred Heart became the official “Welcoming parish” of Springfield.              

We added a full-time secretary

The altar was moved to the center of the church. 

The rectory was removed to make room for the addition of the gathering space/ new entrance.

The Michael McGivney parish Hall and current kitchen were added.  In this last addition, the old parish hall was turned into our current offices.

A library was added.

Spanish Masses were added to Sacred Heart.

Mass for the Feast of our Lady of Guadalupe was added.

Outdoor shrines to Our Lady of Wisdom and Our Lady of Guadalupe were added. 

The living Via Crucis on Good Friday was added.

Festival of Nations becomes our parish festival.

An outdoor shrine to the Sacred Heart was added.

A bilingual secretary was added to the staff.

The altar was moved to the front of the church with a built-up altar and niches for St Joseph and Mary.                         

The old altar rail is incorporated into the new altar, ambo, presider’s chair, and foyer table.

The offices were computerized.

The parish bell was wired to ring electronically.

Air conditioning is added to our worship space (and replaced after a theft)

The Hope House was removed. 

Innumerous repairs on roofs.

In the last 3 years,

We replaced/upgraded the sound system in the church.

With the adding of ministry to the homeless, we added a shower and washer/dryer in our parish hall.

We purchased new air conditioning and heating units for the parish hall.

We offered midnight masses for Christmas and New Year’s eves.

Lighting throughout the PSR classrooms has been upgraded. 

The parish Bell, after years of not working, was restored to ring at noon (for the hour of the angelus) and 5 minutes before masses.

We acquired new computers.

We reroofed the Church and the rectory. 

We added a livestreamed mass (Saturday 4pm) and a screen in the gathering space for overflowing masses.

And finally, the outdoor shrine to the Sacred Heart of Jesus was replaced. 

More than these are the addition of the living stones with 920 baptisms, 787 1^st Communions, 259 Confirmations, and 170 marriages or weddings. 

We pray this Claretian legacy will be a blessing for generations to come.

  

.

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

                     

 

With a heart for Mission,
Fr. Ray