The 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

October 18, 2026

GOSPEL MEDITATION

Occasionally, I’ll slip into a parish I’ve never visited before, pick up the bulletin, and find one of my Gospel reflections. My heart usually swells with a bit of affection for my creation. I imprint a bit of myself into my little “literary labors of love.” Anyone who has created something — a piece of writing, a garden, a meal, a child — knows that feeling. We love the things into which we put ourselves. We are happy when they return to us.

With this in mind, listen to Jesus’ classic line in this Sunday’s Gospel: “Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God” (Matthew 22:21). He presents this little riddle to deepen the theme from taxes to human beings. A Roman coin bears Caesar’s image, so it belongs to Caesar. Therefore, he has a legitimate claim to it. Fair enough. But what belongs to God? What bears His image? Every human being. God has imprinted Himself on every person. Which means everyone — including Caesar — belongs entirely to Him. Jesus, who is God’s perfect image, has come to draw everyone back to God.

We can be tempted to imagine that our lives are made up of “things for God” and “things not for God.” The good news is that no such division is possible because everything in life is a gift from God to us. Therefore, all is meant to be placed at the service of God’s kingdom. He loves everything He has created. We have the privilege of giving it all back to Him.
- Father John Muir

PRO-LIFE CORNER

“Bishops are called to be shepherds who defend the sanctity of life, ensuring no one—neither the unborn nor the aging—is left without the Church’s love and protection.”

EXPOSITION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

Will be held today, Sunday, October 18th at 1:00 p.m. The Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, either in a ciborium or monstrance, draws the faithful to an awareness of the presence of Christ and invites them in to inner communion with him. Therefore, it is a strong encouragement towards the worship owed to Christ in spirit and in truth.

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

Today’s readings encourage us Christian stewards to always be mindful of who we are and Whose we are in every aspect of our lives.

Our First Reading, from Isaiah, takes us back to the very foundation of our faith. The prophet, serving as the “voice” of God, proclaims, “I am the Lord and there is no other, there is no God besides me.” This is a powerful reminder of a fundamental truth. But it is easy to lose sight of this truth in our fast-paced, stressed-out, digital world. As disciples of Christ, we must make intentional choices each day as to how we spend our Time, Talents and Treasure so that each of these aspects of our lives proclaim that we indeed serve God and God alone.

Let us joyfully give thanks to this wonderful God by the way we live our daily lives. We belong to Him and there is no other.

So let us embrace the stewardship way of life today! Let us put God first with our Time, our Talents and our Treasure, knowing that we can do all of this through Christ Who gives us strength. God is calling to us today to live with eternity in mind. If we do this, we will be feasting now and forever.

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