The Church first observed Ember Days in its early centuries. Once each season, the Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday of one week were set apart for to pray, fast, and thank God for the blessings of the season (particularly the crops that yielded oil, bread, and wine), and to pray for priests. (At one time, priests were ordained during Ember Days.) Ember Days are no longer times of mandatory fasting and abstinence, so they are not on the Church calendar, but observing the tradition of Ember Days is a helpful reminder to: · Thank God for the gifts He gives through nature. · Thank God for the priesthood and the gift of the sacraments. · Pray and sacrifice for vocations to the priesthood. The next Ember Days, March 12, 14, and 15, occur during the first week in Lent. Perhaps we can include the intention of priestly vocations in our Lenten prayers and sacrifices.

Effective immediately: In recognition of the various needs of those who attend daily Mass, Fr. Schlaline has decided to celebrate all public Masses in the Church proper- including daily Masses. Why? There have been some daily Masses in Our Lady’s Chapel which were standing room only. We want to ensure that there is always ample room for everyone who wants to attend Mass. (Our Lady’s Chapel will still be used for private Masses and other services.)

A new music video released by Nick Higgins. Notice the location!

Do you know someone who seems to be called to consecrated life or priesthood?

From the National Catholic Register: "The movie, which takes its title from the year Margaret Sanger opened the first 'birth-control center' in New York City, aims to expose the truth of Planned Parenthood's devastating impact on our nation. The typical Catholic or Christian in America today is astounded by the dramatic upheaval of traditionally accepted morality and family values, widespread abortion, contraception, divorce, cohabitation, gender confusion and assisted suicide. How did things get so bad? The new documentary, The 1916 Project, goes a long way in answering that question. It explores the chronology of the secular moral revolution and the architects and intentions of our current culture of death." The Holy Name of Jesus Respect Life Ministry will be screening this movie on Sunday, 1/19/25, Sanctity of Human Life Sunday, at 5:30 PM in the St. Bernadine Hall, 6150 Allentown Blvd, Harrisburg. It is PG-13 due to thematic topics. Attendance is free and donations are welcome.

Our 2025 Goal for the Diocesan Annual Campaign is $70,262. Thank you in advance for your support and generosity. The goal has increased from last year, which is actually a healthy sign. The goal increases because of the energy and vitality in the parish. Contribution materials will be coming in February.

Sacred Heart Parish has been named as a Pilgrimage Site for the 2025 Jubilee Year.

Find attached the 2024 Christmas letter from Bishop Timothy Senior, Bishop of Harrisburg.

The feast of the Immaculate Conception is on December 9th this year. The bishop is dispensing us from the obligation to attend Mass this time. But our parish has several opportunities to honor our Immaculate Mother on Monday December 9, 2024: 8:00am—Morning Prayer; 12:15pm— Mass; 5:00pm — Rosary; 5:30pm— Evening Prayer.

Our 2025 Christmas ornament features the image of Jesus and His Disciples from one of the stained glass windows in our historic church. Available for pre-sale at $25.00 each. Orders are due by December 1 and will be distributed after the weekend Masses of December 7 & 8. Please call 717-637-2721 to place your order.

This year for Vocation Awareness Week, we want to highlight a special Dominican Sister who grew up in our parish Sacred Heart Basilica-- Sister Marie Isaac Staub, OP.

Fr. Schlaline was asked to comment about Pope Francis' recent encyclical Dilexit Nos about the Sacred Heart of Jesus. See the article.

Take the DMI survey today. https://portal.catholicleaders.org/dmi/survey/b7b195

The Pennsylvania Catholic Conference Institute for Public Policy brings together experts on Catholic issues to comment, reflect and shed the light of Catholic social teaching into the public debate about current affairs. The Institute’s repository of articles, statements and resources is available on-line. Log on and explore at www.pacatholic.org. The PCC has a voters’ guide for the upcoming election based on Catholic social teaching. Check it out!

The Catholic bishops of the United States are pleased to offer once again to the Catholic faithful Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship (en Español), our teaching document on the political responsibility of Catholics. This statement represents our guidance for Catholics in the exercise of their rights and duties as participants in our democracy. We urge our pastors, lay and religious faithful, and all people of good will to use this statement to help form their consciences; to teach those entrusted to their care; to contribute to civil and respectful public dialogue; and to shape political choices in the coming election in light of Catholic teaching. The statement lifts up our dual heritage as both faithful Catholics and American citizens with rights and duties as participants in the civil order.

Starting September, the regular Daily Mass schedule will change. Public Daily Masses will be offered Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays. Most Tuesdays and Thursdays during the school year, there will not be public daily Mass. As the new chaplain at Delone Catholic High School, Father Schlaline will be celebrating Mass at Delone most Thursdays. Tuesdays are a day off in which he celebrates Mass privately. As always, check the bulletin regularly for special Masses and other changes to the schedule- such as feast days, funerals, etc.

This fall, we will be replacing the purple "We Celebrate" Hymnal with a new, permanent "The Parish Hymnal." If you would like to sponsor a new hymnal with a bookplate “In Honor of” or “In Memory of” your loved ones, the cost of a hymnal is $25. Order forms, as well as a sample of the new Parish Hymnal, are available in the vestibule. You may return your order form in the collection basket or drop it off at the Parish Office. Orders are due no later than October 20, 2024.

Religious Freedom Week to be Observed June 22-29, 2024 It begins with the feast day of Ss. Thomas More and John Fisher, includes the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, and ends with the feast of Ss. Peter and Paul. The theme this year is “Called to the Fullness of Dignity.” The attached document is a letter from Bishop Senior marking this important week.

Saint Michael’s Guard is a diocesean-wide brotherhood of men serving at the altar of the Lord during Mass and other liturgies. We have a local contingent of Saint Michael’s Guard here at Sacred Heart Basilica, assisting with events such as Sunday Masses