BULLETINS

Open Gym
     After a few weeks off, the gym will again be open on Sunday’s beginning today! 3-6:30pm each Sunday. The cost per person to play is $3.00. Basketball shoes must be worn to play and all players must update and sign a waiver form. Thanks.

choir Rehearsal
     The Gospel Choir will rehearse on this Wed., Jan. 7th at 6:30 pm. Let’s start the New Year off right by committing ourselves once again to this important ministry and work in the church.

Senior needs assessment training
     Want to remind all those who signed up to assist us in doing the interviews with seniors in our area over the next few months that the first training for this will be held on Tues., Jan 6th in the Family Center at 6:30pm. If you have not signed up, but are still interested you are welcome to attend. See Sr. Donna for further details.
      Each interviewer will receive a stipend for each interview completed. Thank you for your assistance with this important project. There will be a second training session on Thurs. Jan 15th at 6:30 pm.

Feast of the epiphany and blessing of homes
     Today we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany—that moment in scripture when we are told that the three wise men knelt before the baby Jesus and presented him gifts. There is a tradition associated with this day, which we have kept here at Sacred Heart for many years, of blessing the doorposts of our homes and asking God to bless all who enter and leave during this coming year.
      We will bless the doorpost of our church at the end of Mass today and then offer to each household a piece of chalk and a prayer that can be used at home with your family. We encourage all families to gather today and bless your home!


Second collection next sunday
     The Parish Council has authorized a second collection next Sunday to benefit the Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity and its missions throughout the world. As you all know the Missionary Servants have staffed and funded Sacred Heart for over 60 years. In these troubled economic times the Missionary Servants are experiencing a dramatic drop in donations and financial resources.
      This has caused them to have to cut budgets at all of their missions, including Sacred Heart, to meet this challenge. Now is the time to assist them and the many people throughout the world who depend on their generosity and to “give back” in a small way in thanksgiving for all that has been done for Sacred Heart over the years.
      Please be as generous as you can—money will be sent directly to the headquarters of the Missionary Servants in Maryland with love from the people of Sacred Heart.

Offering envelopes for 2009
     Offering envelopes for 2009 are now available on the table in the narthex. Each adult member of the parish has a box assigned to them—please pick- up the box with your name on the top. If you do not see a box with your name there are blank boxes that you can pick-up—please give the box number to Paul Conway for the records.
      There are also smaller boxes for children. We encourage parents to help teach their children to begin the discipline of making an offering or tithe to God for the support of the church. REMEMBER: It is the responsibility and the scriptural mandate for all those who are able to pledge a tithe (usually 10%) of their income to God and the support of their church.
      This is a real challenge of faith in these difficult economic times. Please be generous so that Sacred Heart can remain strong and grow. Thank you.

Update on housing repair grant
     Unfortunately, we have received word from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas that we were not awarded the grant this year to do home repair for many of our seniors and disabled. We will resubmit the grant once again and pray that this time we get a positive response.
      If you put your name on the list, we will hold those names for the future and will alert you when we are successful in this endeavor. Please keep this and the other special projects of Sacred Heart in your prayers.

Attention!! Parents,
grandparents & Guardians
COLLEGE NIGHT for 11th & 12th Graders
     A financial consultation workshop to learn about grants, loans, etc.
THURSDAY, JAN 8, 2009 -- 6:30-8:30 P.M. here at Sacred Heart. Bring potential college students with you!


Continued prayers for our president elect
vLet us continue to keep in prayer President Elect Obama, his family and our nation during these months of transition as we approach the Jan. 20th Inauguration Day.
      We ask God to bless our new president with wisdom and right judgment as he and his team makes important decisions and appointments. In honor of the Inauguration, the family center and office will be closed on JAN 20TH.


collection
     Are you tithing? Budget amount of offertory needed each week (on average) is $1,600.00. Collection for Sun., Dec., 28, 2008, $2,516.00. Please remember, even in these difficult financial times, not to cheat God but to continue to offer our tithe, as the Bible commands, to the Lord. Thank you! God Bless…

Women’s group meeting
     The Parish Women’s Group will meet for the New Year this Saturday, Jan. 3rd at 9am in the Family Center. All members are encouraged to attend to make plans for the New Year and get updates on the Adult Christmas Party. See you then!

Sick list
     Please remember the following in your prayers:
-- Maggie Mabry (Nursing Home)
-- Hiram Robinson, Sr. (Home)
-- Ernestine Collins (Nursing Home)
-- Nancy Scott (Home)
-- Maggie Baldwin (Home)
-- Margie Robinson (Home)
-- Margarite Chinn (Nursing Home)
-- George Matlock (Hospital)
-- Betty Harris (Home)
-- Curtis Davis (Home)
-- Linda McMurtry (Home)

Celebrating families 2009
     The Parish Council would like to announce that beginning January 2009, we will celebrate the families of Sacred Heart each 3rd Sunday of the month. Each month throughout 2009, we will invite a few families to invite all of their relatives to join us at Mass and be celebrated. A schedule has been posted detailing which families will be celebrated each month.
      On these days families will be given special seating in the church, will have an opportunity to celebrate their family through song, dance or poetry and will be celebrated in fellowship with a cake honoring them. This program will allow us to have a mini “families and friends” Sunday once a month! Schedule for the year is on the bulletin board. The first day will be Sunday, January 18, 2009 celebrating the Ammons, Joseph, Curry, Dawson and Simpson families!

Opening the doors of the church
     Let us continue to keep in our prayers those brothers and sisters who are part of our RCIA group this year. They were formally welcomed into this faith journey and will continue until we celebrate with them at Easter. There is an RCIA session today: TOPIC: Jesus and the Early Church—leader is Sister Donna.

Renew, Why Catholic? reflection day
     We invite all those who participated in the Renew, Why Catholic? program to join others from across our Diocese in a morning of reflection. This will take place on Saturday, January 10, 2009 in the gym at St. Joseph’s High School in Madison from 9:00 A.M. –Noon.
      If you have an interest in attending, please give your name to Fr. Mike or Edd Hightower. There is no charge for this morning of reflection!

Family center after school 2009
     The Afterschool Program will resume on Monday, January 5, 2009 at regular time. NOTE: You need to re-register for this new semester of afterschool—pick up a registration packet in the Center.

That time of year---taxes
Beginning January 16th through April 14th, Sister Donna will do tax preparation again. Why give some of your hard earned refund to someone you barely know when she is willing to do it free? Sister Donna is certified to do basic tax forms, plus the earned income, child care, dependent care and education credits. She will try to make herself available according to your schedule.
      Call her for an appointment 662-468-2354 or 601-331-3300. Some have asked about a stimulus payment again this year. It seems doubtful there will be a repeat of a stimulus payment to individuals.

Infant baptism last opportunity
     Sunday, January 11, 2009 is the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. We welcome those parents who would like to have their infant child baptized into the Catholic Faith that Sunday. Parents/guardians must be attending members of Sacred Heart.
      A class on an understanding of the Sacrament of Baptism is required for parents and godparents. Please give your name and birth date of the child in writing to Father Mike. Thank you!

Men’s Group Meeting
     The Parish Men’s Group will hold its special Saturday meeting on Saturday, Jan. 10th at 8:30 am in the Family Center. This meeting is one that will plan for the next several months and continue the momentum begun in Atlanta at the Black Catholic Men’s Conference. ALL men of the parish are encouraged to come and become involved. See you on Saturday, Jan, 10th.