They say, “April showers bring May flowers” and that is the case at Sacred Heart in the month of May as we focus on new growth and the nourishment of life in all its forms. Traditionally celebrated in the three days prior to the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord (this year May 9), the Rogation Days were a set of minor celebrations with the focus on God’s blessing for farmers, seeds for planting and the tools used in agricultural work. The series of prayers will be published in our parish bulletin and on our web site, www.sacredheartct.com, as we pray for all who work in farming and for their success with this year’s crops.
Some major landscape projects are underway on our Mountain Road campus as well as at St. Joseph Cemetery on Hill Street. A project begun last fall to renew the landscaping around the church is taking shape as new plantings continue to beautify our properties. This is one of several projects our parishioners are involved in that will not only spruce up our property but the neighborhood as well.
The first weekend of May will see members of our Knights of Columbus Council involved in Home Front Day, helping to repair and restore homes in the area where the owners are not able, for a variety of reasons, to keep up with necessary repairs and yard work. The projects are some of the outward signs of renewal and growth.
Spiritually, we are looking forward to our young people receiving their First Holy Communion! Holy Communion, or the Eucharist, is the source and summit of who we are as Catholic Christians, and receiving our young people at the altar is a special moment not just for them and their families, but for our parish family and greater Church family. This is always a highlight of the parish calendar year. May the seeds of faith continue to grow and flourish in the lives of these young people!
Speaking of seeds, our tradition of Mother’s Day seed packets for the all-important and ever loved moms of our parish family continues this year with seeds to be brought home, planted and shared with the pollinators for the benefit of us all. I was moved last year by a new mom who thought the seeds were such a great idea, as not only were she and her husband celebrating the joy of new life in their young family, but also having just moved into a new home, she could plant the seeds in her new garden and enjoy them as they and her child grew.
At the parish and across the Archdiocese of Hartford we have been planting the seeds of vocation awareness. Extra prayers and prayer services have been added to our monthly calendar to pause and reflect on the calling each of us receives from the Lord whether it be ordained or professed ministries, marriage or single life. Our newly formed Vocation Ministry Team is developing plans throughout the month and year ahead to encourage and support everyone in following the call they receive from God to lead them to a fuller, happier life. As we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost this year on May 18 and 19, we are happy to have Rev. Anthony Federico, Director of Vocations for the Archdiocese of Hartford join us for all our weekend Masses to share his story and encourage others to be aware of their calling.
We will wrap up the month honoring all who gave their lives in service to our nation in the armed forces as we celebrate our Memorial Day Mass at 8:00 a.m. in St. Joseph Cemetery. In the event of rain, the Mass will be held in the church. All are invited to attend and are encouraged to bring a lawn chair for this Mass and then continue to honor our heroes by attending the Suffield Parade immediately after.
May will quickly pass into June which will begin with our Summer Mass Schedule beginning on June 1 and running through September 1. The Saturday schedule of Confessions from 2:30-3:30 and the Vigil Mass at 4:00 p.m. will remain the same but the Sunday morning schedule has been modified to 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Our weekday schedule will also remain the same, 8:00 a.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Have a blessed May!