In-Spires

From the desk of Father Al

Dear friends in the Risen Lord,

I write this to you from my annual retreat at the Jesuit Eastern Point retreat house in Massachusetts. I know that it can seem like an uncommon luxury for a parish priest to take six days off from work for nothing but prayer. I see the look of disappointment on the faces of those who stop me after Mass hoping to have a moment of my time, only to learn that my next unscheduled hour is two weeks out! Yet, in the wisdom of the Church, we priests are obliged by law to make a retreat each year—not despite our busyness, but precisely because of it.

A recent study by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate concluded that parish priests in the U.S. typically put in a 60-hour workweek—about double the hours reported in a 1958 study. And yet most priests I know go to bed each night aware that there still were expectations they could not meet that day, calls and emails they couldn’t return, meetings and visits they had to postpone.

If that is true of celibate priests, how much more conflicted are the lives of those with families! Chauffeuring children or grandchildren to endless activities, caring for ill loved ones, juggling (sometimes multiple) jobs and community commitments (including church!) with the needs of family, could lead anyone to the brink of exhaustion.

I’m reminded of the words of Thomas Merton, the great 20^th-century Trappist monk and spiritual writer: “There is a pervasive form of contemporary violence to which we easily succumb: activism and overwork. The rush and pressure of modern life are a form, perhaps the most common form, of its innate violence. To allow oneself to be carried away by a multitude of concerns, to surrender to too many demands, to commit oneself to too many projects, to want to help everyone in everything, is to succumb to violence.”

You were all very much in my prayers during my retreat. Please continue to pray for me.

Your brother in Christ’s word and work,

Series on the Restoration of the Basilica

Parishioners Don Thurman and Ralph Bailey will be on "The Morning Quest," on AM 1160 The Quest-Atlanta Catholic Radio, to present a series about the renovation of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Tune in every Wednesday, starting May 6, 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!

Mother's Day Novena

It is our custom to celebrate a Novena (nine days) of Masses on behalf of our Mothers, Grandmothers, and those who have been a mother to us. It is proper to remember those who have died and to honor our mothers and grandmothers who are still living. The Novena will begin on Mother’s Day and continue through the week. Please visit our parish website through the link below to include names in the novena

Add name(s) to Novena

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

Knights of Columbus

Parishioner Patrick Waldron Honored by the Knights of Columbus

At a recent Statewide meeting, our own Patrick Waldron was designated "Georgia Knight of the Year" by the Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree. Waldron was recognized for outstanding service, loyalty and devotion to the Fourth Degree.

40 Cans of Lent Food Drive a Great Success

Many thanks for the generosity of our dedicated parishioners for the success of our 40 can for Lent food drive for the Midtown Assistance Center (MAC). MAC reported that 2,421 pounds of food were donated, one of the best collections in recent memory! What a great response to the growing need driven by general inflation and rising food costs! MAC is greatly appreciative of the support. Basilica parishioners continue to be generous to MAC through the second collection, coat and food drives!

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.

Seeking Baby Boutique Volunteers

Pregnancy Aid Clinic is seeking volunteers to assist in our Baby Boutique at our Atlanta and Forest Park locations. Volunteers are needed just twice a month to help sort and hang clothing, as well as keep the boutique organized. Your time and dedication can make a meaningful difference for families in need. If you are interested in serving, please contact Chris Barry at cbarry@pregnancyaidclinic.org for more information.

Midtown Race for MAC

Midtown Assistance Center is gearing up for their 12th Annual Race Midtown Race for MAC 5K taking place on May 9th, 2026 in Piedmont Park at 8:30am! This year, MAC is hosting a Congregational Cup Challenge for congregations that have consistently uplifted MAC over the years through their support. The congregation with the most registrations wins 1st Place! Gather up your teams and register for MAC's 5K today! For questions about sponsorship or registrations, please reach out to mac@midtownassistancecenter.org.

event2/midtown-race-for-mac/

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, Lynn Vaughn Vann, 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.