From the desk of Father Al | | |
Dear friends in the Lord,
I confess to you that I’ve struggled with a lifelong love affair. With books! Although I was fortunate to move only 3 times in 42 years of priesthood, the loading, unloading and unpacking of 40 heavy book boxes only slightly weakened my inordinate attachment to the things. When I retired, I resolved to keep only the books I really needed. That was an excruciating exercise!
I still find a good book to be the perfect way to unwind at the end of a long and hectic day; and the list of new books I want to read and classics I want to re-read seems endless. I blame the obsession on my mother, who read to me every night when I was a toddler. (Parents, beware: you might be creating a monster!)
Goëthe once wrote that one “should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture every day, in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul.” My first spiritual director’s advice wasn’t very different: always to be reading one good book on scripture or theology or spirituality, and at the same time—and sometimes even more important, he said—a novel, to make sure that the religious imagination remains connected to the real stuff of ordinary life. That counsel has served me well over the years.
Friends and parishioners often ask me to recommend a book, so let me tell you what’s laying at my bedside right now: I’ve never been a big fan of science fiction, but several good friends were loud in the praise of The Sparrow and its sequel The Children of God by Mary Doria Russell, and I found them really quite moving. Imagine tough issues like God’s existence, our vocation, what it means to be human, the meaning of suffering—all in a story about a Jesuit mission to a newly discovered solar system. History lovers would enjoy The Pilgrimage of Grace: The Rebellion that Shook Henry VIII’s Throne by Geoffrey Moorhouse, about the army of 40,000 that briefly took control of the North of England protesting the king’s betrayal of the Catholic religion during the English Reformation.
Priests in religious orders, who take the vow of poverty, used to write in their books “Ad usum,” meaning that they did not “own” the book, but it was for their “use.” I like that idea—and it helps assuage the guilt of “using” so very many books! But it also means that I’m happy to share. In my remaining months with you, if I write or preach about a book that piques your interest, just let me know, and I’ll pass it along.
Your brother in Christ’s word and work,
| | |
SOLEMNITY OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS
Mark your calendars! The Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is Friday, June 12. Masses will be at 12:10 pm and 7:00 pm. Archbishop Hartmayer will preside at the evening Mass, during which he will lead the Archdiocese in the Consecration of the United States to the Sacred Heart for the nation’s 250th anniversary. A reception will follow. Come celebrate our parish feast day!
We will observe a novena leading up to the feastday. Every parish Mass between June 3 and June 11 will include a recitation of the Litany of the Sacred Heart.
| | A new documentary film on the devotion to the Sacred Heart will have a limited screening in Atlanta in the days surrounding the feast. Sacred Heart: His Reign Has No End will be shown at the AMC Phipps Plaza 14 on Tuesday, June 9 at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, June 14 at 4:00 p.m. For more information, visit sacredheartfilm.us. | | |
Weston Wolf Memorial Award
for Outstanding Service at the Altar
| | |
Congratulations and thank you to Lurick Gouyomgbia, Ava Kesler, and Alex Taylor, graduating high school seniors who have faithfully served as altar servers for many years. We thank you all for your outstanding service to your parish!
An altar server at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus can be any Catholic person (youth or adult) who has received the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist. Contact Lee Golusinski at lgolusin@aol.com to begin serving in this ministry!
| | Become a Docent for the Basilica | | |
Are you interested in the history and significance of Sacred Heart? Do you like to learn more and educate others? We are seeking volunteers to help lead tours of our historical basilica during the FIFA World Cup, from June 15–July 15. Tours will be offered on both weekdays and weekends.
Training will be conducted in English, and we especially welcome volunteers who speak additional languages.
For more information or to sign up, please contact:
Fran Carroll at altcarroll@aol.com
Peggy Ballou at pballou@sacredheartatlanta.org
| | New artwork and the story behind it | | |
Local artist and parishioner Cathy Ehrler has created a new piece of art for the Basilica. On display in the Spalding Conference room, the picture depicts St. Matthew, patron saint of money counters. Through a discussion about financial stewardship, Cathy was inspired to incorporate used collection bags into her artwork (note: St. Matthew's beard).
Cathy's art in her own words: "My work responds to the overwhelming presence of waste in our environment. I create mosaics and assemblages from post-consumer materials—broken CDs, foam core, plastic cartons, aluminum cans, and countless other discarded objects. What many see as trash, I see as potential.
This practice began during plein air painting sessions, when I noticed the jarring contrast between natural landscapes and human litter. That experience inspired Environmental Reverberations, a series of watercolor paintings reflecting on the tension between nature and consumption. Since then, my work has evolved to embody this environmental conflict by using trash itself as the medium.
Through my art, I aim to foster deeper awareness of our environmental footprint and inspire viewers to reimagine what we discard."
There are many ways to give of your time and talents to your parish. If you have ever thought about becoming a part of our money counting team, please reach out to Michelle Rivers, at mrivers@sacredheartatlanta.org.
Saint Matthew, pray for us!
| | The Basilica Council of the Knights of Columbus will offer for sale ten-pound bags of the famous Vidalia onions after all Masses May 16-17 and May 23-24. Checks and cash will be accepted. Even easier, order here and pick up after Mass: sacredheartatlanta.org/vidalia-onion-presale/. | |
Pray the Rosary
Join the Knights of Columbus and St. Mary Margaret Council of Catholic Women this Sunday and all the Sundays of May to pray the rosary. Please gather in front of the Marian statue following the 10:00 a.m. Mass.
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 note that the Knights of Columbus focuses 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.
| |
Quo Vadis Retreat
Where are you going?
| |
Quo Vadis is a discernment retreat for high school men sponsored by the Office of Vocations and put on by our seminarians. In Latin, “QUO VADIS” means “WHERE ARE YOU GOING”. This is a key question for any young man as he looks toward his future. The annual QUO VADIS Retreat helps high School men encounter Christ. Deepen their faith and learn principles of discernment for future life decisions.
This camp is for rising high School sophomores through graduating seniors. It will take place from 6 p.m. on Sunday, July 19, through 12 p.m. on Wednesday, July 22, at Camp Gideon in Acworth. The retreat is open to rising 10th graders through recently graduated seniors. Learn more and register here: archatl.com/event/quo-vadis-retreat/.
| | Series on the Restoration of the Basilica | | |
Parishioners Don Thurman and Ralph Bailey are featured on "The Morning Quest," on AM 1160 The Quest-Atlanta Catholic Radio, presenting a series about the renovation of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Tune in the next two Tuesdays, May 19 and 26, during the 8 AM hour to hear them talk about the magnificent transformation of our church.
There are 3 easy ways to listen to AM 1160 The Quest:
1. On the radio in the Atlanta area: Tune in to AM 1160.
2. On the Quest website: Visit https://www.theQuestAtlanta.com
3. On the Quest app: https://thequestatlanta.com/download-our-app/The APP is user-friendly and packed with many great features!
| | In the Archdiocese of Atlanta, as in most dioceses in the United States, the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord is observed in place of the Seventh Sunday of Easter, rather than on Thursday itself. The Ascension of the Lord will be celebrated at our Masses this weekend. | | |
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, Merline Davis, Mark Long, Jayna Lyer, Bobbie Overton, Ivan Pavlovich, Seth Phillips, Fred Pond, Kieara Reid, Kimara Reid, Anthony and Kimberly Vanhervin, Beverly Shlapak, Milt Shlapak, Mike Wazlavek, and Gift of Grace House residents.
For our men and women in uniform, especially: Christofer Arguedas, Madison Bips, Paul Brieske, Brock Campbell, Rafael Duralde, Grier Jobson, and Devin Thomas.
Pope Leo XIV’s Prayer Intention for May: That everyone might have food.
Let us pray that everyone, from large producers to small consumers, be committed to avoid wasting food, and to ensure that everyone has access to quality food.
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.
| | |
Our Stewardship of Treasure
Offertory - FY25-26
July 1, 2025-April 30, 2026
Offertory (In-Pew): $380,963.59
Offertory (Electronic): $502,390.16
Total Offertory: $883,353.75
Offertory Budget: $890,000.00
Difference: ($6,646.25)
Offertory July 1, 2024-April 30, 2025: $843,506.62
Difference FY2025 to FY2026: $39,847.13
Archbishop's Annual Appeal
Parish Goal: $93, 630.50
Total Received: $67,639.63
Under goal: $25,990.87
Percent received: 72.24%
| | |
We look forward to seeing you!
Saturday Vigil: 4pm
Sunday: 8am, 10am, 12:30pm (Spanish), 5:00pm
M-T-W-F: 12:10pm Daily Mass
TH: 12:10pm Communion Service
Confessions: Friday 11:00 am and Saturday 3:00 pm.
Exposition of the Eucharist: Tuesday 12:45 p.m.-3:00 p.m. (To access, please ring the office doorbell)
Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 10am-4pm
| | | | |
