The chapel at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology was filled on Friday for the Mass for the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart. Fr. Vien Nguyen, SCJ, was the main celebrant and Fr. Stephen Huffstetter, SCJ, was the homilist; Lumen Christi Music Ministry served as music ministers.
During his homily Fr. Steve, the in-coming SHSST president-rector, reflected on the gospel reading of Luke in which Jesus asks “What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it?”
Fr. Steve recalled a moment years ago when he was a young priest in South Dakota, helping one of his parishioners on a cattle ranch. The gospel came to life for Fr. Steve not in sheep but in cows when the rancher realized that one of his herd was missing. How did he know? The rancher had a relationship with each of the cows. He knew them and cared about them just as Jesus knows us and loves us.
“The love of God continues to be poured out into our hearts by the Holy Spirit,” said Fr. Steve. “As we celebrate the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, recall the wonders of that love and ready your hearts to receive the overflowing measure of his grace that comes from the Good Shepherd, the Sacred Heart of Jesus.”
Click here to view a recording of the Mass.
After the Mass, people were invited to join Fr. Vien and Fr. Steve for a blessing of the newly renovated Sacred Heart Shrine.
Click here to view photos from the morning.
