The 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time

October 25, 2026

GOSPEL MEDITATION

When I was in seventh grade, like most boys of that age, I was constantly hungry. I could eat at any hour of the day. Then I fell head over heels for a classmate named Kristin. One evening, while lying on my bed and pondering her perfections, my mom called me to dinner. For the first time in my adolescent life, I remember thinking: “I’m not hungry.” My heart longed for Kristin more than my stomach for food. Now, I wouldn’t confuse adolescent infatuation with mature love. But it was an experience of how love can reorder everything in our lives.

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus says, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart” (Matthew 22:37). He is not issuing a burden or a moral goal for high achievers. He is naming the deepest orientation of the human heart. We were made for love so great that it gathers every other love into itself. Jesus does not ask us to love less the persons or things that attract us. Rather, he wants our love for God to be so total and intense that we love everything and everyone else because we love him so much.

Do we believe that such a love is possible for us? Because of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, it is! It is readily available to us. Let’s repent of our half-hearted love for God and ask Him to fill our hearts to the brim with divine love.
- Father John Muir

PRO-LIFE CORNER

“Reproductive rights’ has long been a euphemism for destroying human life in the womb… A phrase that sounds like empowerment is a really only code for the subjugation of preborn children,”
- Lila Rose, founder and president of the pro-life group Live Action

SACRED HEART HARVEST FEST

Join us for the annual Sacred Heart Harvest Fest. Saturday, October 24, 2026 at 6:30 p.m., in the Sacred Heart Faith Formation Center. There will be a festive meal provided with all the trimmings. An invitation is extended to all Sacred Heart parishioners. You will find a sign-up sheet at the main entrance to the church for anyone who would like to bring an appetizer or a dessert. Come and enjoy the fellowship. Hope to see you there!

NONPERISHABLE FOOD COLLECTION

Nonperishable food items to benefit the Sacred Heart Food Pantry will be accepted from October 24, 2026, through November 22, 2026. All items may be placed in the boxes provided at the church’s main entrance. Nonperishable food items and monetary donations will also be accepted during the offertory procession at the Thanksgiving Day Mass at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 26, 2026. If you choose to give a monetary donation, please place it in an envelope marked “Food Pantry” and drop it in the collection basket. Suggested items: Boxed Stuffing, Boxed Potatoes, Boxed Cereal, Canned soup, Pasta, Canned Meats, Jell-o, Boxed Crackers, Flour, Cranberry Sauce, Peanut Butter, Jelly/Jam, Mac & Cheese, Canned Fruit, Rice, Applesauce, Cake Mixes/Icing, Bottled/Boxed Juice, Canned Sweet Potatoes, Canned Vegetables, Spaghetti Sauce, Canned Tuna, Sugar, Oatmeal, Canned Beans, Sloppy Joe Sauce. Thank you for your support and generosity!

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Have you ever considered exploring the Vocation/Ministry of serving in your parish as a Catechist? It is a unique opportunity to grow in faith and in your relationship with the Lord. Sacred Heart is currently looking for people with strength of character, generosity of spirit and a healthy faith which they are willing to share with others. This is a volunteer position working with youth of the parish, and persons would be required to participate in Virtus/Protecting God's Children Training. For more information, please contact Judy Wahl, DRE at 814-215-5113 or 814-944-3922 or email jwahl@dioceseaj.org Thank You.

EVERYDAY STEWARDSHIP

I read an interesting article about how tolerance has become a substitute for love. As Christians we often talk about tolerance toward others when truly the call of Jesus Christ is to love others, not simply tolerate them. The truth is tolerance is a lot easier than love.

In tolerance, we are asked to give nothing away. It costs us nothing to simply allow people to be who they are, where they are, and stay in the state in which they find themselves. Love requires us to step outside of our comfort zone and to offer a part of ourselves to others. This makes us vulnerable and open to possible pain and discomfort. Those whom we seek to love could take advantage of us. It is easy to see why tolerance seems a bit more popular these days.

Jesus could have tolerated the religious hypocrites of his day. He could have tolerated the Romans who oppressed the Jews. He could have simply tolerated the tax collectors, prostitutes, and outcasts of his day. Instead, he loved them. He made himself vulnerable and open to pain. When we look at the cross, we see what can be the true price for love. It is easy to see why a policy of tolerance looks more desirable to many.

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.

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