Devotion to the Sacred Heart

There are 15 churches in Colorado named for the Sacred Heart of Jesus, reflecting a devotion that is centuries old. General prayers to the Sacred Heart were popular in Benedictine and Cistercian monasteries, but specific devotions became even more popular when St. Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690), a Visitation nun, had a personal revelation involving a series of visions of Christ as she prayed before the Blessed Sacrament. She wrote, "He disclosed to me the marvels of his Love and the inexplicable secrets of his Sacred Heart." Promises were made to those who would consecrate themselves to His Sacred Heart, chiefly, "to all those who receive Holy Communion on the First Fridays in nine consecutive months, the grace of final perseverance; they shall not die in His disgrace, not without receiving their sacraments."

The devotions attached to these promises include:

• Receiving Communion frequently
• First Fridays: going to Confession and receiving the Eucharist on the first Friday of each month for nine consecutive months. Many parishes offer public First Friday devotions
• Holy Hour: Eucharistic Adoration for one hour on Thursdays ("Could you not watch one hour with me?"). Holy Hour can be made alone or as part of a group with formal prayers.

Save the Date

Downtown Denver bustles with life: advertising agencies, small businesses, urban dwellers and night life. For weeks, a different kind of excitement has been building at 28th and Larimer as parents have been bringing their children to Sacred Heart to register them for the religious education program for 2010-2011. The number of children has classrooms filled to capacity, and has the parish is asking parents to volunteer one Saturday to help. Those still wanting to enroll their children should bring an original copy of the Baptismal Certificate. Fees for parishioners are $35 for First Communion and $45 for Confirmation. Persons outside the parish pay $50 and $60, respectively, for First Communion and Confirmation.

The year will begin with Mass and a meeting with all parents and students at 9:30 am, Saturday, September 11th.

Call 303-294-9830 for more information.

Start Here

Many of us begin the day by reviewing our lists of things to do - projects at work, errands, chores and plans for the days ahead, with each task arranged in order of importance and convenience. We devote a lot of mental energy to organizing our time. If all goes well, we may reward ourselves with a moment of quiet at the end of the day. What if we reverse the order of events and start the day with quiet and contemplation?

The chapel on the ground floor at Sacred Heart Church is a good place to start with Mass at 8 am each weekday, as well as Saturday. The small congregation and intimate space increase the sense of fellowship, and Father Gene Emrisek's short homily gives focus to the busyness of the day.

Treat yourself to daily Mass.

Sacred Heart Parish Picnic

Any successful family picnic would include great food, entertainment, something for the kids and time for the grown-ups to relax and visit. When the family is the congregation of Sacred Heart Church in Denver, the gathering begins with the celebration of Mass by Father Gene Emrisek. Afterward, the tables and grills were set up and the food miraculously appeared. The dancers entertained while the grill masters labored over hamburgers and hot dogs; folks had an opportunity to catch up while the children let off steam. The weeks of hard work and preparation made for a memorable parish event.

Top photo, Matachines (Nuestra Senora de Guadaleupe)

Third photo, grill master Jerry Sena endures the heat to cook

Fourth photo, Father Gene Emrisek, Brother Augustine Rhode and Russ Markowski

Sacred Heart Parish Picnic

The lot behind Sacred Heart Church on Lawrence Street will be the site of the parish picnic on Sunday, June 27, from 11 am to 5 pm. The celebration will begin with a bilingual Mass at 12 pm and will be followed with food, fellowship, entertainment and games for the children.

Come worship and socialize with your fellow parishioners this Sunday. Bring a plate to share, such as a salad, beans, pasta or fruit.

Contact the parish at 303-294-9830 for directions or more information.

Celebration of Corpus Christi

The afternoon of June 6 saw a dedicated group of parishioners gather to celebrate the feast of Corpus Christi, commemorating the institution of the Holy Eucharist, the Body of Christ, made present in the Mass. The celebration began with a procession led by Father Gene Emrisek who carried the Holy Eucharist in a Monstrance. The group walked while reciting the Rosary in both English and Spanish, pausing at each of four altars to pray and sing in adoration of the Holy Eucharist. The procession returned to the church, concluding the celebration with Benediction and the singing of hymns. It is hoped that this beautiful ceremony will become an annual event.

Milestones at Sacred Heart

On a sunny morning in September, some 200 children, parents and teachers gathered at Sacred Heart Church in Denver to register for religious education classes. Throughout the year, students and teachers have met to learn about and to grow in their faith, their love of God and relationship with each other. The result of all this work is evident as 83 children received their First Communion on Sunday, May 16th, and another 59 will receive the Sacrament on Sunday, May 23rd.

79 people will be confirmed on Saturday, May 22nd at 5 pm. Imagine the difference in the lives of 221 Catholics who spent time and effort to grow in their faith.