The 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

August 16, 2026

GOSPEL MEDITATION

Does God ignore or act a bit rough with you? Jesus crosses the border into the pagan region of Tyre and Sidon, the territory long outside the covenant. There, a Canaanite woman calls out, “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David.” At first, he is silent. Then he rebuffs her. “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” But the Church Fathers saw this not as an insult but as an initiation. Christ draws out of her heart a deeper faith.

She presses on. “Please, Lord, even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.” Jesus’ silence and response solidify her humility and trust. She thus becomes a model for prayer for centuries of Christians. St. Augustine said she shows how sinners come to grace by moving from silence to humility to perseverance.

This woman is the Church. She is you and me. She is every soul who dares to cry out from the margins, who endures divine silence until it turns to compassion. When Jesus says, “O woman, great is your faith,” it is the joyful cry of God discovering faith where the world least expects it. Even the smallest crumb of Your mercy, Lord, is enough to heal the soul. Do we have the courage to show faith like that?
- Father John Muir

PRO-LIFE CORNER

“The right to life does not depend, and must not be declared to be contingent, on the pleasure of anyone else, not even a parent or sovereign.”
- St. Teresa of Calcutta

END OF SUMMER SOCIAL

All Sacred Heart Parishioners are invited to join in fellowship at our annual end of summer social! Donuts and coffee will be served by the parish Social Committee at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, August 30,2026 in the courtyard.

CEREAL DONATIONS

Sacred Heart Parish will be collecting breakfast cereal August 9, 2026, through September 6, 2026. This cereal collection directly benefits the Sacred Heart Food Pantry in their effort to help fellow parishioners and families in our surrounding area. Parishioners are invited to place the cereal in bins at the main entrance of the Church.

EVERYDAY STEWARDSHIP

Our readings today remind us that God is ever-faithful, even when we are not. They challenge us as Christian stewards to show our love for this faithful God through actions, and to lean in to our trust in Him even when it seems He is not answering our prayers.

Jesus certainly challenged the Canaanite woman in today’s Gospel passage from Matthew. She called out to Him on behalf of her daughter, who was being tormented by a demon. What did Jesus do in reply to this mother’s desperate plea? Nothing. He “did not say a word in answer to her.” But she was undeterred and continued to call out to Him. Jesus did not give her what she asked for right away. Instead, He continued to challenge the woman’s faith. And she rises to the challenge to such an impressive degree that Jesus exclaims, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.”

Imagine hearing those words proclaimed over us by God. Truly, there could be no higher honor than hearing our Lord say that to us. So, we must accept the difficulties that come with the stewardship way of life. Some days will be a true challenge, but those are the days when God is making saints of us. Let’s embrace the hard days. The deep joy that eventually comes will be so worth it.

A FAMILY PERSPECTIVE

Jesus tells us in the gospel: “I am in the Father and the Father is in me!” The point is: God is in each one of us, in our relationships and in our homes. The vocation of the Christian family is to live the divine gift which is already in and around us.
- Bud Ozar

2026/2027 ANGEL FUND GRANT

Applications are now available at the main entrance of the church. Grants are based on need, and on participation with in the Sacred Heart Community, volunteering your time, talent and treasure. Applications must be returned to the church office no later than August 15, 2026

PROCLAIM! NIGHT WITH THE ALTOONA CURVE

In celebration of the 125th anniversary of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, Proclaim! is sponsoring a night with the Altoona Curve on August 14 at PNG Field in Altoona. The game starts at 6:00 p.m., but before the game, Proclaim! is hosting a picnic supper at 5:00 p.m. Game tickets are $9 for adults; $7 dollars for children ages 3-12. The picnic supper is free with the purchase of a game ticket. To purchase tickets, contact Cory Homan at the Altoona Curve at 814-28 3-3128 or choman@altoonacurve.com. As part of the celebration, the Very Rev. Frank Sconaienchi, TOR, the Very Reverend Matthew Baum, and Father Michael Pleva will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

TO SCHEDULE A MASS INTENTION

Please contact the parish office. The suggested donation for a Mass intention is $10. We will Schedule on or as close as possible to the date(s) you request.

MASS INTENTIONS

If we are unable to offer a Mass Intention on a date you are hoping for, Father Bonaventure is available to celebrate Mass at the abbey in Latrobe. He would welcome any Mass intentions you would like to send him. At: Fr. Bonaventure OSB, St. Vincent Archabbey 300 Fraser Purchase Road Latrobe, PA 15650

Prayer Requests

Kathy Ansman, Mark Blackie, Rod Baronner, Dan Bauer, Dave Bauer, Jack Chilcote, Harry Chirdon, Karen Claar, Brandon Conaway, Shirley Conlon, Denise Conrad, James Conrad, Kathy Corl, William Costlow, Joe DeGennaro Jr., Colette DiMemmo, Tim Dodson, Joan Donnelly, Matthew Dorman, Nate Dorman, Amelia Doughurty, Lois Duncan, Thomas Duncan, Ashley Eagen, Corinda Ermin, Roberta Farabaugh, Herman Frederick, Pat Harpster, Leighton Hess, Lucy Horton, Raymond Kargo, Russell Keith, John Kleine, Ruth Lamca, Cyndi Lansberry, Mary Ann Larson, Donna Laughlin, Beth Lloyd, Joel McElhinney, Charles McGrain, Shirley McIntyre, Mason Wayne McManus, Paul Angelo Morelli, Bev Mueller, Bonnie Neal, Jessica Neff, Lee Neff, Sarah Rihnovich, Nancy Servello, Elizabeth Siglow, Laura Snyder, Alex Walter, Margo Wascherl, Scotty Wavrek, Joan Weston, Renee Williams, Pat Zeak.

If you would like to add a sick or hospitalized person to our prayer list or readd a person, please call the rectory office, at 943-8553. Parishioners of Saint Mary are encouraged and welcome to participate. Remember, you must have the permission of the ill person/family to publish their name.

Sacred Heart Church