Fourth Sunday of Lent

From the desk of Father Al

Dear friends in the Lord,

As I write this at the mid-point of Lent, a lot of people around the world are fasting, weeping and mourning. But not by choice. Four weeks after Ash Wednesday, many are still covered with ashes—from missile blasts and “precision” drone strikes. The signs of this penitential season are, indeed, mixed messages.

Or maybe not. Maybe there is a deep connection between the fasting, weeping, suffering and dangers of the times and this Lenten season. Maybe we can embrace these ambiguous signs in ways that help us better appreciate and connect to the many layers and realities of life. Maybe this Lent calls us as a community of believers to stand in solidarity with the suffering world that Jesus embraced in his own living and dying.

Lent is often approached as a private endeavor. Jesus’ urging in Matthew’s gospel to practice prayer, fasting and almsgiving in secret gives credence to personal, private acts of penitence. Public display is not what genuine penitence is about.

On the other hand, on Ash Wednesday the prophet Joel proclaimed a call to communal penance. The whole assembly, regardless of age or life circumstance, was summoned to enter into fasting and to return to God’s steadfast love.

This Lent, each of us will respond to God’s grace in a unique way as we find ways to pray “in secret;” but we will also have countless opportunities—daily mass, Friday stations of the cross, our Lenten penance evening—to respond to Joel’s invitation to come together.

This Lent, fasting and almsgiving will find thousands of different expressions as we each embrace these disciplines “in secret;” but our communal acts of almsgiving—the 40 Cans collection at the church doors, our support of our parish St. Vincent de Paul Society and our neighbors at Midtown Assistance Center—remind us that there is much grace at work when we come together as a people.

If there was ever a more acceptable time for collective repentance, for acting together as ambassadors for Christ to the broken world, it’s hard to imagine when that might be.

Your brother in Christ’s word and work,

Lent at the Basilica

Stations of the Cross

Fridays during Lent

6:00 PM

Friday Fish Fries

One more! Friday - March 20

in O'Hagan Parish Hall following Stations of the Cross

(sponsored by the Knights of Columbus)

Cash: $15 per plate, max $45 for families; CC: $18 per plate, max $54 for families

Lenten Retreat

The Daughters of Isabella are sponsoring a Lenten Retreat Day on Saturday, March 21, featuring author and GA Bulletin contributor Lauretta Hannon, with words on how to live a more joyful, peaceful, and authentic life. $20 includes registration for you and a friend. Brunch is included.

Saturday, March 21

9:00 am-12:30 PM

Learn more and register here!

Downtown Parishes Lent Penance Evening

A Taizé Service of Song, Silence, and Reconciliation

Thursday, March 19

Soup & Community - 7:00 PM

Prayer Service - 7:30 PM

The Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

Parish Hall (Downstairs)

Validated parking at 75 MLK parking garage across the street.

Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord

& Blessing of the Marist Chapel of St. Peter Chanel

Wednesday, March 25 7:00 PM

40 Cans for Lent - Food Drive for MAC

Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus and benefitting the Midtown Assistance Center, the food drive will continue through Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord, March 29. The goal is to donate 40 non-perishable food items throughout Lent, such as canned and boxed items. Place your items in the barrel in the vestibule.

Lenten Rosary & Prayerful Witness

Atlanta ICE Field Office

Fridays during Lent, 7:30 AM

Join a peaceful gathering of Atlanta Lay Catholics outside the Atlanta ICE Field Office (180 Ted Turner Drive) to pray the Rosary. Our collective prayer will ask for God's mercy and compassion, and we will offer a public witness for peace and solidarity with immigrants. More information can be found here.

The following church regulations are observed

throughout the season of Lent:

Abstinence from meat is observed on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all the Fridays during Lent by Catholics 14 years of age and older.

All Catholics who are at least 18 years of age but not yet 59 years of age observe fasting on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Those bound by this rule may eat only one full meal.

Two smaller meals (that all together are not equal to a full meal) are permitted as necessary to maintain strength according to personal needs, but eating solid foods between meals is not permitted.

Those who are sick, pregnant, nursing, or with a compromised health that would be adversely affected by fasting or abstinence should not consider themselves bound by these norms.

During the season of Lent, we are all called to embrace penance and perform works of charity and mercy that reflect our desire for a true conversion of heart. May this holy season of Lent 2026 lead all of us to a deeper union with Christ and with one another.

The Basilica's Habitat for Humanity build dates are scheduled for March 21 and March 28. The format for church participation has been changed from past years. Now every church has been assigned two distinct days.

Below is the link to our volunteer registration page. Parishioners can click on the link below, create an account, sign in and complete the registration and pick a date. If further information is needed, you can contact K of C Basilica Council Grand Knight Russ Ford from the volunteer registration page.

Atlanta Habitat for Humanity

Knights of Columbus

Inspired to get involved with the Knights of Columbus? We are recruiting men to join us in the many good works we perform for the parish and the community at large. Our Council allows like-minded Catholic men to live out their faith through fellowship and action. We should point out that the Knights of Columbus focus on the family. In many instances, wives, children, and other family members are welcome to participate in our events and activities. Children can benefit from working with their parents on charitable projects and can fulfill community service requirements at their schools. For more information, contact Russ Ford at rlfordga@gmail.com or 706-819-8391.

To join as an online member, click on the link below:

Join Us | Knights of Columbus (kofc.org) When completing the online application form, enter the promo code BLESSEDMCGIVNEY to join for free, enter Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus as your parish, Council 15848, as the council connected with the church.

2026 FIFA World Cup Planning Meeting

All are invited to attend the Zoom 2026 FIFA World Cup Planning meeting on Wednesday, March 18th, at 7:00 PM EST.

This meeting will be an opportunity for our parish to come together and share activities throughout the event.

Please come prepared to share your awesome ideas.

The 2026 FIFA Cup will be from June 11th to July 19th.

Zoom details:

Topic: Basilica of the Sacred Heart World Cup Planning

Time: Mar 18, 2026 07:00 PM Eastern Time

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3505667117?pwd=NHoweEw1dFJ1VlJkYTRHVmpSSHJVUT09&omn=83347019477

Meeting ID: 350 566 7117

Passcode: 3296

Serving Our Neighbors with Love and Respect: Can you Help?

The St. Vincent de Paul Society at Sacred Heart Needs Volunteers

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul exists to provide an environment for the personal spiritual growth and development of its volunteers through helping neighbors on the edge of poverty or financial ruin maintain self-sufficiency and find stability. Last year, through your generosity, the Basilica’s Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul assisted approximately 200 families in our community.

Our Conference is in desperate need of more volunteers. There are no special qualifications other than the desire to help those in need. If you have an interest in finding out more about the work of this ministry, or if you are seeking a way to grow closer to God through meaningful assistance to your neighbors, please call (404.952.3120) or email (reatx@yahoo.com) to reach our President, Ruth Gates, who will contact you to discuss your interest. You may find the work of this parish ministry to be a way you and your family can truly help to ensure that these “very least of His Brethren” are cared for with dignity and love in their time of need.

Journey with Hallow's special edition of The Brothers Karamazov

by Fyodor Dostoevsky, in Lent Pray40: THE RETURN,

and reflect on mercy, repentance, and the love that calls us home.

We will have weekly faith-sharing meetings

the remaining Sundays of Lent (March 15, 22, & 29)

from 11:15-12:15 p.m in the double classroom

to discuss Pray40 and The Brothers Karamazov

in a small group setting.

Visit our website to learn more: sacredheartatlanta.org/hallow/

Sunday Readings

Let us pray...

For our faithful departed. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.

For the sick of our parish, especially: Bernice Caruso, Henry Erbeck, Father T.J. Meehan, Bobbie Overton, Ivan Pavlovich, Fred Pond, Beverly Shlapak, Hillary Singleton, Phil Taylor, Mike Wazlavek, and Gift of Grace House residents.

For our men and women in uniform, especially: Christofer Arguedas, Madison Bips, Paul Brieske, Rafael Duralde, Grier Jobson, and Devin Thomas.

Pope Leo XIV’s Prayer Intention for March: Let us pray that nations move toward effective disarmament, particularly nuclear disarmament, and that world leaders choose the path of dialogue and diplomacy instead of violence.

To add or remove names from our prayer lists, please contact Kelly Schreckenberger: kschreckenberger@sacredheartatlanta.org.

Mass Intentions

Visit: sacredheartatlanta.org/mass-intentions/.to view current and available intentions.

A mass intention is a specific request for a Mass to be celebrated for a particular person or purpose.

Common reasons for a mass intention include:

For the deceased: To pray for the repose of the soul of a loved one who has died, believing that these prayers can help them on their journey to heaven

For the living: To pray for the healing of a sick person, to offer thanks, or for other personal needs and concerns.

For special occasions: To commemorate an event like a wedding anniversary, birthday, or other significant life moment.

Visit: sacredheartatlanta.org/mass-intentions/ to reserve your mass intention(s) today.

If you would like to schedule a Mass Intention, click on Request Mass Intention to view available dates and schedule your Mass Intention online.

Altar Flowers

Flowers may be ordered in memory or in honor of a loved one. The arrangement will be displayed at the altar from the Saturday Vigil Mass through the 5:00 pm Mass on Sunday. If no other events require special flower arrangements, the flowers will remain during the week. The intention for the flowers will be listed in the bulletin. Two arrangements are available each week at the cost of $100.00 each. (You may purchase one or both arrangements). Names will be listed in the bulletin.

To view available dates for Mass Intentions, Altar Flowers, and Candle Intentions, visit: https://sacredheartatlanta.org/mass-intentions/.

Exposition of the Eucharist

Weekly Exposition of the Eucharist is offered on Tuesdays following the 12:10 p.m. Mass from 12:45- 3:00 p.m. in the Marist Chapel.