This past Sunday the Knights of Columbus sponsored a very successful Pancake breakfast. With the help of many other parishioners and the gracious donation of supplies, our pancake breakfast raised $1,176.00. Many, many thanks to all who attended, and especially all who served at the breakfast. It would not have been as successful without all of you.

This month weather permitting, we should start work on the new fence along the 41st street side of our property. When the work actually begins, we might have to use the entrance on the 40th street side, especially for weekday Masses. This fence should greatly enhance our property. I want to thank Dr. Hollis Pierce-Jenkins, the president of St. Martin de Porres school, for working for the establishment of this fence. It is a $43,000.00 project. Again, many thanks to Dr. Hollis.

Soon in the front section of the church, we will be hanging some pictures to enhance the environment of our church. We also plan to mount some pictures of the history of our parish over the table where we have our coffee and donuts on the weekend. This is one way we will be celebrating the 140th anniversary of our parish during the year 2016.

The parish council is working on updating the parish mission statement. We would like to include the parishioners in the creating of this updated version. On the weekend of Jan 30-31, we will consult the members at the Masses about the following two questions: WHY DO YOU COME TO SACRED HEART? WHAT IS GOD CALLING SACRED HEART TO DO? If you can not be here on that weekend, there will be a box and papers in the back of church so that you can give your responses to these questions in advance. Next week we will print the current mission statement in the bulletin for your prayerful reflection. It is also posted in the vestibule of the church for your reading also. Please pray for the gift of discernment for all of us in this process.

This past week the Finance Council finished the budget for 2016 which has to be submitted to the diocese by the end of January. One of the line items for income is the rental of the hall and the cafeteria. We are looking for a volunteer with interest and talents to market these two facilities. If the Holy Spirit is calling you to respond to this request, please call the rectory. Fr. Bill will respond to your initiative.

The Epiphany is the feast commemorating the visit of the Magi or Three Kings to the baby Jesus. Whereas the visit of the Shepherds on Christmas day represents the Jewish people, the visit of the Magi represents the Gentiles, the rest of us. This feast challenges us to be truly catholic, namely, inclusive of all cultures.