Sr. Josephine arrived safely back in Houston after sharing the mission and ministry of The Sisters of St. Michael the Archangel and receiving our rural hospitality. We received this letter from Sr. Balogun, their Mission Coordinator. On behalf of the Superior General and the Sisters of St. Michael the Archangel, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the parishioners for your love and kindness towards Sr. Josephine during her visit to Sacred Heart and St. Malachy, for mission appeal. I appreciate the warm reception given to her. I also want to extend my gratitude to the good people of God for your financial and prayerful support. I pray that god may bless you the entire faithful of your parishes, and the Diocese as you support the missionary work of the Sisters of St. Michael the Archangel. I request that you keep our congregation in your prayers especially at this challenging and difficult time in our country, Nigeria, with great persecution of Christian’s especially missionaries. We also assure you of our prayers as well. Once again, thank you for your generosity. Yours sincerely, Sr. Balogun, Mission Coordinator (Though Sr. Josephine is presently living in Houston at the convent I hope none of you are Astro fans, politely speaking of course.) As you may have read in the Lumen diocesan newspaper Bishop Nickless decreed a Year of Vocations beginning September 16th. To facilitate the ongoing participation of Catholics within our diocese, we are encouraged to participate in four days of prayer and fasting in the tradition of Ember Days. Ember Days have been a traditional part of our Catholic faith, though often forgotten in recent years, giving the faithful four specific times to pause in prayer and fasting associated with the four seasons. Ember comes from the Latin phrase phrasie se Quatuor Tempora literally meaning "four times," since the Ember Days are celebrated four times per year. Ember Days originated from the early Roman practice of agriculture and the seasons of Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter tied to the land. As the Church incorporated Ember Days they were specifically tied to the liturgical cycle: Spring Ember Days were the Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday after the First Sunday of Lent; Summer Ember Days were the Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday after Pentecost; Fall Ember Days were the Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday after the third Sunday in September; Winter Ember Days were the Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday after the Feast of Saint Lucy (December 13). For the purpose of this Year of Vocations the first Ember Day (this Friday, September 16th) we are asked to pray a Rosary for the faithfulness of the deacons, priests, and bishops; and for an increase in vocations of those called to ordained ministry. Fast by wasting only one main meal and two smaller meals, or fast from social media. May our prayers and fasting that day also include the safety of our farmers as the harvest begins and the well-being of their families. December 16th, March 24th, and June 16th are the other three Ember Days with explanation of each forthcoming as each approaches. Henri Nouwen—the late priest, author, writer, retreat master—provides food for thought concerning our reading this Sunday on the prodigal son.= “Will we understand the father’s joy? Will we let the Father embrace us? This is our resistance to living a joyful life. God rejoices. Not because the problems of the world have been solved, not because all human pain and suffering have come to an end, nor because thousands of people have been converted and are now praising him for his goodness. No, God rejoices because one of his children who was lost has been found. It is God’s joy, not the joy that the world offers. It is the joy that comes from seeing a child walk home amid all the destruction, devastation, and anguish of the world. It is a hidden joy. . . .The question is not ‘How am I to find God?’ but ‘How am I to let myself be found by him?’ . . .When I look through God’s eyes at my lost self and discover God’s joy at my coming home, then my life may become less anguished and more trusting.” The Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming Stretching the intentional message of our gospel passage this Sunday, there are two songs that reflect a ‘father-son’ relationship; specifically the steps of hurt and forgiveness, misunderstanding and acceptance: Randall Knife by the late Guy Clark, and Father & Son by Cat Stevens. Thank you for those who have participated in the pictures for our upcoming Parish Directory. Hopefully with the remaining dates offered most parishioners—individuals, couples, and families—will have had an opportunity to have their picture taken. Please check our parish website for further information and dates if you have any questions. God Bless, Fr. Tim FYI. “There are no bad pictures; that's just how your face looks sometimes.” (Abraham Lincoln)