As the things we have built crumble about us,
we know too well how small we truly are
on this ever-changing, ever-moving,
fragile planet we call home.
Yet you have promised never to forget us.
Do not forget us now.

Today, so many people are afraid.
They wait in fear of the next tremor.
They hear the cries of the injured amid the rubble.
They roam the streets in shock at what they see.
And they fill the dusty air with wails of grief
and the names of missing dead.

Comfort them, Lord, in this disaster.
Be their rock when the earth refuses to stand still,
and shelter them under your wings when homes no longer exist.

Embrace in your arms those who died so suddenly this day.
Console the hearts of those who mourn,
and ease the pain of bodies on the brink of death.

Pierce, too, our hearts with compassion,
we who watch from afar,
as the poorest on this side of the earth
find only misery upon misery.
Move us to act swiftly this day,
to give generously every day,
to work for justice always,
and to pray unceasingly for those without hope.

And once the shaking has ceased,
the images of destruction have stopped filling the news,
and our thoughts return to life’s daily rumblings,
let us not forget that we are all your children
and they, our brothers and sisters.
We are all the work of your hands.

For though the mountains leave their place
and the hills be tossed to the ground,
your love shall never leave us,
and your promise of peace will never be shaken.

Our help is in the name of the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
Blessed be the name of the Lord,
now and forever. Amen.

Copyright © 2010, Diana Macalintal. Permission is given to reprint for non-commercial use.

Gift Tags for “holiday wishes” for the following children listed will be given out at the Nov. 21/22 and Nov. 28/29 weekend masses. All Gift Tags items are due back to Sacred Heart by Sunday, December 6th. It is a tight window…I know! Call me if you want to be assigned a Gift Tag now, or to make a donation.

All gift cards are requested to be uniform in the amount of $50

Cash/Check donations are welcome in any amount. Please make checks payable to Sacred Heart with the memo field indicating Covenant to Care. Please mark all envelopes attention: Claire Crane

It is helpful if clothes come with a gift receipt for an exchange, if the item does not fit.

Do not wrap anything, as the state must inspect everything. Please put your items in a gift bag. Teenagers that are just asking for the gift card…please feel free to have fun adding in a couple of inexpensive accessories or a CVS/Walgreens card for make-up, etc. Food is not allowed. I am always amazed at everyone’s creativity and generosity. I encourage families to share a gift tag. The goal is to end up with an even distribution between siblings in a family. We all know how brothers and sisters compare!

Please do not assign yourself a gift tag… you must call me or physically pick up a tag on the dates listed above. THANK YOU!

God Bless,
Claire Crane
Click to see the 2009 Advance Christmas List (pdf file)

Members of the Youth Group will be on hand Saturday, March 14th and Sunday, March 15th to collect pledges from parishioners. All proceeds will be given to Catholic Relief Services.