Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri, in collaboration with Sacred Heart, will be holding a Shoebox Drive to gather much needed personal items for female community members. It’s easy! Fill a shoebox with the items most needed and listed below. Boxes will be collected through the month of April and can be dropped off at Sacred Heart Church. Catholic Charities Mobile Resource Bus will be at Sacred Heart on April 28th to collect the donations. Catholic Charities will hand out the boxes to women in need. Items requested include: feminine products, women’s razors, hair brushes, deodorant, toothbrush/toothpaste, chapstick and sunscreen. If you have questions please contact John Doyle at 573-635-7719 or jdoyle@cccnmo.org
Thank you in advance for your generous donations!

Sacred Heart has made some changes recently to be more environmentally friendly. We are all responsible to do our part to protect and care for the gifts God has given us such as this wonderful place to live, Earth.

One of the steps we have taken is to no longer buy any Styrofoam items such as cups, bowls or plates. Although someone keeps donating Styrofoam cups, we have completely gone to paper products.  When we can find them we have gone to products that are easily recycled.

The other major step we have done is making sure there are recycle containers in both the Activity Building and the Education Building. There are three containers in the AB: one is for plastic and glass.  The plastic that can be recycled in Columbia are any with the # 1-7, NO Styrofoam. And any glass items such as wine bottles.  The second container is for Aluminum cans such as soda and food cans.  The third container is for Fiber such as cardboard, paper plates and paper cups.

We need your help, instead of throwing items in the trash can please use the recycle containers we have provided. Every little thing we can do can make the future better and protect our environment for generations to come.  If you would like to get information about setting up recycling in your own home check out the city of Columbia’s website at www.como.gov

Bishop McKnight’s message Change in age of Confirmation

On Feb. 15, the Presbyteral Council formally proposed to me a plan of transition in which the sacrament of confirmation would eventually be celebrated in seventh grade.  I have accepted their recommendation.

Over a period of three years, we will transition to the new age for confirmation in the following way:

The current 2019/2020 confirmation cycle will NOT have any changes.  The preparation and celebration of confirmation will continue to take place as already planned in accordance with current practice (16 or 17 years of age).

For the 2020/2021 confirmation cycle, all high school students not already confirmed will be prepared and confirmed.

For the 2021/2022 confirmation cycle, all seventh, eighth and ninth grade students will be prepared and confirmed.

For the 2022/2023 Confirmation cycle and following, the age of confirmation will be seventh grade.

I believe this new policy and program will provide our young people with the assistance of sacramental graces at a more appropriate time in their life,  and it will assist families and parishes with greater supports needed to imbue our children with a vibrant, deep faith in Jesus and a deeper commitment to the Church. Please join me in your prayers and in support for this endeavor.

2019 Area Lenten Penance Services

Monday, March 21, 7 p.m.
St. Pius X, Moberly
Tuesday, March 26, 7 p.m.
St. Joseph, Fayette
Thursday, March 28, 7 p.m.
Sts. Peter and Paul, Boonville
Monday, April 2, 7 p.m.
St. Thomas More Newman Center/Sacred Heart
Thursday, April 4
St. Peter, Marshall
Monday, April 8
Our Lady of Lourdes, Columbia
Wednesday, April 10
St. Boniface, Brunswick

Online options for personal prayer during Lent

Praying Lent, a daily prayer/meditation site from Creighton University
http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html

Daily scripture and reflection in keeping with Prayer with Ignatius
jesuitprayer.org

Taste and See — Experiencing God with Our Senses ’ an online retreat for Lent
www.ignatianspirituality.com/ignatian-prayer/prayer-online

Lenten Regulations & Admonitions

In order to foster a greater spirit of penance, of reparation for sin, to encourage self-denial, and so guide us more closely in the footsteps of Christ, Holy Mother Church reminds us of the following obligations of fast and abstinence during Lent and also admonishes us all to deeper prayer and worship.

Abstinence: all who have celebrated their 14th birthday are bound to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday, all Fridays of Lent and Good Friday.

Fasting: everyone, from the celebration of their 18th birthday to their 59th birthday, is bound to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Fasting is generally understood to mean eating only one full meal each day. Two other partial meals, sufficient to maintain strength, may be taken; but together they should not equal another full meal. Eating between meals is not permitted, but liquids are allowed.

Almsgiving: The act of giving to the poor is an expression of penance, a witness of fraternal charity, and an expression of Lenten conversion. All Catholics are encouraged to support generously the charitable works of the whole Church.

Prayer: Catholics are urged to participate in the Sacramental life of the Church during Lent by attending daily Mass and frequenting the Sacrament of Reconciliation into the Holy Eucharist are bound to receive Holy Communion worthily at least once during the Easter Season.