Happier than a ClamJesus gave us many pearls of wisdom. Through His words and

example, He taught us to have values that we can carry with us now and forever with Him in the Kingdom of heaven.

Using a down-to-earth example, our Lord compared the Kingdom of heaven to a merchant who sells all that he has and buys one very valuable pearl. Spiritually speaking, we understand that eternal life makes everything we sacrifice for heavenly values well worthwhile.

Unlike any other precious jewel, pearls come from a living creature. Although an oyster dies from the taking of a pearl from within its shell, the sacrifice yields something rare, beautiful, and valuable. The Lord’s example of the priceless pearl says something about Him. Jesus sacrificed His life, paying the price for our sins. He won salvation—the priceless pearl of heaven—for us.

Our own sacrifices can never compare to the Crucifixion because we lack the complete innocence of Jesus. At the Eucharistic banquet of every Mass, we pray that the Lord will accept the sacrifices that we bring to the altar anyway. Blessedly, the Lord receives prayers and gifts that we offer. He wants us with Him eternally in heaven, despite our unworthiness.

Many seashells have beauty in color and form, looking like an angel’s wing or a heavenward spiral for instance. Oysters have absolutely no bragging rights to outer beauty. They look brownish, ridged, and bumpy. Inside, however, oyster shells shimmer with iridescent mother-of-pearl. Jesus knows us inside and out.

A pearl only forms when a bit of coral, a grain of sand, or some other irritating speck gets past the oyster’s gills. Layers of extra mother-of-pearl gradually coat the speck, smoothing the roughness, and a pearl results. Sometimes, temptation gets into us. Layer after layer, time and again, Jesus forgives our sins. The experience of His love becomes a precious part of us.

Pearls come in different sizes, as do gifts to Heart of the Nation. Like a lustrous pearl in the light, your gift of any size will shine with the Light of the Lord.

Faith As Close As Your TV

Monthly Bulletin July 2020

Fr. Mark PayneChaplain

Temporary New TV Mass SiteSacred Heart Croatian Parish

has generously opened its church doors for a small but faith-filled group from Heart of the Nation to safely tape TV Masses airing this summer.

People call Milwaukee the “City of Steeples” because of its many parishes established to serve settlers from different homelands. Catholics from Croatia, located across the Adriatic Sea from Italy, established Sacred Heart in 1917.

Your July gift to Heart of the Nation will bring brighter days through prayer and worship in the Catholic faith. Please donate any amount that you can during the Brighter Days Fund Drive.

At Sunday Mass the weekend after July 4, St. Paul’s letter to the Romans weighs suffering against the hope of sharing “in the glorious freedom of the children of God.” In Colonial America, however, Catholics struggled as a persecuted minority.

Non-Catholics rankled at the Pope’s authority. Priests could be executed for living in Massachusetts or New York. Other laws prohibited Catholics from voting, holding public office, or teaching their faith.

Pennsylvania stood apart. In 1701, its Charter of Privileges provided religious freedom for anyone acknowledging “One almighty God, the Creator.”

After a bell forged in

honor of the Charter’s 50th anniversary cracked on the first ringing, it got hastily melted down and recast. The new one sounded awful. A second recast famously became

the Liberty Bell. With its huge, iconic crack, the Liberty Bell also rings no more, but its Old Testament inscription continues to “Proclaim liberty throughout all the land.”

A completely new bell, duplicating the original, became known

as the “Sister Bell.” When the bell tower of Independence Hall needed repair in the 1800’s, the Sister Bell went to nearby St. Augustine’s Church. It called people to Holy Mass in celebration of our Lord, who came to create something new.

In the early Church, hostility existed between the “Chosen People” and Gentiles coming into the faith. Similarly, Americans with Colonial ancestors clashed with newer immigrants (especially Catholics). St. Augustine’s burned down in an 1844 riot. The Sister Bell was demolished.

Gathered fragments of the Sister Bell enabled forging of a humble little one. With faith, God’s love for the least ones still rings true.

Fr. Tony ScannellChaplain

“We are afflicted in every way,” Saint Paul told the faithful in Corinth. Then and now, his words offer reassurance that God does not abandon the afflicted, even when they feel perplexed or downtrodden.

Many have turned to Heart of the Nation for hope during struggles wrought by sickness, loneliness, and fear. “Never before have gifts to Heart of the Nation meant so much,” said Fr. Mark Payne, chaplain. “Your generosity will brighten days highlighted by Holy Mass or hope-filled publications arriving in the mail.”

The Little Sister BellChurch Bells peal, inviting the faithful to prayer, celebration,

and remembrance. St. Augustine’s Catholic Church in Philadelphia received a bell that rang on the hour from the tower of Independence Hall, where delegates signed the Declaration of Independence. The story of that “Sister Bell” offers a lesson in perseverance, humility, and faith.

“Thank you, Jesus, for always being here for me.”

~Audrey

“You have provided us Sunday morning Mass during the pandemic and we are grateful.”

~Alfred

“I’m so lost at times. I pray and cry at the same time.”

~Eleanor

“Thank you to all involved in recording these Masses. Much appreciated every week and even more so these days.”

~Helen

Apostles Called by Nickname Nicknames differentiate family members or friends having the same first

name. A personality trait can also spark a nickname. Scripture tells us that people called Saint Thomas “Didymus,” which means “twin.” Jesus dubbed the brothers James and John “Boanerges,” meaning “sons of thunder.”

July 3: Feast of Saint Thomas, “the Twin”Jesus got word that His friend Lazarus had become gravely ill. Going

to Lazarus meant returning to Judea, where the Lord had narrowly escaped stoning for declaring Himself the Son of God. Thomas said that the Disciples might as well accompany Jesus and die with Him. They all survived, but raising Lazarus raised the level of plotting against Jesus.

When the other Disciples told Thomas about the Risen Lord’s appearance in a locked room, Thomas refused to believe. He became the original “doubting Thomas.” A week later, the Lord invited Thomas to touch the wounds of Crucifixion and the piercing of His side, from which lifeblood had flowed and left no doubt of His bodily death. Thomas exclaimed, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus called people blessed when the twin elements of faith—believing without seeing—come together.

July 25: Feast of Saint James, “Son of Thunder”Having chosen James and his brother John as Apostles, the Lord called

them “sons of thunder.” They lived up to the insightful nickname. As Jesus made His final journey to Jerusalem, with planned stops along the way, a Samaritan village refused to welcome Him. In thunderous anger, James and John asked the Lord if they should “call down fire from heaven.” Jesus put a stern end to the idea of carnage, while knowing that He would soon be put to death.

Fervor has its upside, though, and Jesus rewarded it. Bringing the daughter of a synagogue official back to life, the Lord allowed Peter, James, and John to witness the miracle. All three Apostles also saw the Transfiguration, when they glimpsed Jesus in heavenly glory. On the other hand, the trio fell asleep during the Lord’s agonized prayer in the garden of Gethsemane before the Crucifixion. Among the Twelve Apostles, James became the first martyr.

Summer PrayerLoving Lord,

In these days of summer That offer again the chance, May I look with new perception To see Your love’s abundance.

While the days of summer Bring longing to be carefree, Please watch over us as children, Safely in Your company.

In the gift of summer, Bright sign of Your willingness, Please help all who are suffering Find enduring holiness. Amen.

July 4th PrayerAmong the treasured blessingsYou have given to humankind,Thank You for the gift of freedomTo seek You with heart, soul, and mind.

May I use liberty to doWhat is pleasing in Your sight,And know the peace of heart that comesWith hope surpassing any plight.

May my pursuit of happinessGo hand in hand with beingSteadfastly faithful to Your WordThat gives life eternal meaning. Amen.

A Parade Spoke VolumesChrist King Chapel, home of Heart of the Nation’s Sunday

Mass, nestles at the heart of Saint Francis de Sales Seminary. One of the seminary’s “founding Fathers” traveled in search of funds and theological books back in the 1800’s. On one return trip, a trunk filled with books broke under the weight. From the train depot, Fr. Joseph Salzmann led students single file in a parade as they carried the heavy tomes.

On the first Sunday of July, Scripture recalls Jesus inviting anyone feeling burdened to come to Him. Our Lord wants to give rest to the weary. Humble of heart, Jesus chose Twelve to join in His ministry and demonstrated that asking for help with humility lightens the load.

With gratitude, Heart of the Nation welcomes new members to the Circle of the Heart monthly giving club. As a member, you will be included in prayers placed before the altar for every Sunday TV Mass. To join, please mark the box on your donation reply card, and indicate the amount of your pledge. (If you need to change or cancel your pledge, just contact Heart of the Nation.) Thank you!

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