Sacred Heart Catholic Church

Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, has announced and declared a “Year of St. Joseph,” which began December 8, 2020, on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This is in honor of the 150th Anniversary of Pope Pius IX’s decree, Quemadmodum Deus, naming Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary and foster-father of Jesus, as the Patron of the Universal Church. We unite with our Holy Father, Pope Francis, in observing this year in the Diocese of Corpus Christi from December 8, 2020, to December 8, 2021. 

As St. Joseph was entrusted with the care and protection of Jesus and Mary, in this Year of St. Joseph, we seek his intercession for the protection and care of all our families and the Church. In this vital time where the world faces so much upheaval and pain, and particularly as it confronts the uncertainty and pain of the Covid-19 virus epidemic, I invite you and all the faithful of our diocese to renew our devotion to Saint Joseph during this commemorative year and to seek his fatherly intercession to protect the Church from all evils, just as he protected the Holy Family from harm. 

May St. Joseph, guardian of the Word Incarnate, be our guardian and intercessor. May we feel filled with confidence that his prayers on our behalf will be graciously heard before the throne of God.

Bishop Mulvey has given the OK to increase attendance to 75%..

We strongly encourage wearing masks, especially if you are visiting from cities highly affected by the Corona Virus. Please be considerate of our Congregation and stay home if you are sick or have symptoms of illness and especially if you have even a slight fever. 

• There will only be one Entrance used through the Narthex.
• You are strongly encouraged to bring a mask and hand sanitizer.
• If you are 65 years or older with a health risk please, stay home.
• If you are sick or have any symptoms of any illness, stay home
• You are asked to follow safe distancing practices while in the church, entering and exiting.
• Every other pew will be used.
• Communion will be given in the hand only. There will be no distribution of the Precious Blood.
• No holding of hands during the Our Father. The Sign of Peace to each other will also be suspended.

                                                   

O Mary, you always brighten our path as a sign of salvation and of hope. We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick, who, at the Cross, took part in Jesus’ pain while remaining steadfast in faith. O loving Mother, you know what we need, and we are confident you will provide for us as at Cana in Galilee. Intercede for us with your Son Jesus, the Divine Physician, for those who have fallen ill, for those who are vulnerable, and for those who have died. Intercede also for those charged with protecting the health and safety of others and for those who are tending to the sick and seeking a cure. Help us, O Mother of Divine Love, to conform to the will of the Father and to do as we are told by Jesus, who took upon himself our sufferings and carried our sorrows, so as to lead us, through the Cross, to the glory of the Resurrection. Amen.

Under thy protection we seek refuge, O Holy Mother of God. In our needs, despise not our petitions, but deliver us always from all dangers, O glorious and blessed Virgin. Amen.
                                                                                                                    Adapted from the prayer of Pope Francis   

Let us continue to pray for all families around the world.


                                   A Prayer for the World Meeting of Families

Philadelphia 2015

God and Father of us all, in Jesus, your Son and our Savior,
you have made us your sons and daughters in the family of the Church.

May your grace and love help our families in every part of the world
be united to one another in fidelity to the Gospel.

May the example of the Holy Family, with the aid of your Holy Spirit
guide all families, especially those most troubled,
to be homes of communion and prayer
and to always seek your truth and live in your love.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph, 
Pray for us!