Last Friday, I had the special opportunity to celebrate the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus with the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Cicero, Indiana. The celebration began with Mass, where the whole church came together like one big family. The church was filled with warmth, and you could feel the love and peace in the air. It was a day to remember the deep love Jesus has for each of us, shown through His Sacred Heart.
During the homily, Father Sean invited all the children to come up and sit near the altar. Then, sitting on the steps himself, he began to speak to them in a gentle and loving way. He explained that the Sacred Heart of Jesus is like a big, glowing heart full of love that never runs out. In essence, Father Sean said it’s a heart that listens when we are sad, celebrates when we’re happy, and forgives us when we make mistakes. He also pointed out that in pictures of the Sacred Heart, we often see a crown of thorns wrapped around it. Those thorns remind us of the pain Jesus felt when people hurt Him or turned away from His love, but even then, His heart kept loving. And around the heart, there’s often a bright light or glow. Father Sean told the children that this light shines on everyone, no matter who they are or where they are, and it never goes out.
Another touching moment during the Mass was when a mother and her young daughter brought up the offertory gifts. The little girl was beaming from ear to ear, her joy lighting up the aisle as she carried the offering with great care. The girl walked slowly, with careful intent. It was a simple act, but it spoke volumes about the love and faith being nurtured in this parish. Watching them walk together was a beautiful reminder of how faith is passed on heart to heart, generation to generation.
After Mass, I had the pleasure of attending the parish dinner, where I had the chance to talk with many of the parishioners. The sense of community was just as strong around the dinner tables as it was in the pews. One woman approached me and shared something that truly touched my heart. She said she had been speaking with some new parishioners who recently joined the parish. They told her they chose Sacred Heart of Jesus because of the beautiful work being done through the Children’s Revival ministry. She said, “The staff and Father are doing great things with the grant, and families want to be a part of this wonderful movement. They are making a difference.” That simple statement captured the spirit of the entire evening; a parish alive with faith, love, and a deep commitment to raising the next generation in the light of Christ’s Sacred Heart.
If you are ever in the Cicero, Indiana area, I encourage you to stop in for Mass at Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish. They are one of the most welcoming communities, and their love for Christ and for one another shines brightly in everything they do.