Commitment of Fidelity 2022

Dear Friend in Christ,

“God is never outdone in generosity,” my mother would often say. She came to this country with $10 inher pocket from Communist Poland to make a new life for herself. Though she literally had nothing, shenever failed to be generous to her neighbor and, by extension, to God.

Our family gave financially: to the parish, to the missions, to Mother Angelica, to the Pope, to priestlyformation, to the care of older priests, and to the poor. However, perhaps more valuable than money, theygave their time. With us children in tow, they brought food and gifts to the poor during Thanksgiving,Christmas, and Easter, volunteered at my Catholic School, foster-parented, and ran the parish food pantryfor many years. They also gave spiritually: praying with us, bringing us to Mass on Sundays andSolemnities, teaching us our Catechism, starting meals with grace and visiting our Lord in Adoration.Although Mom always said so, I finally began to realize that no matter how much they gave, they receivedfar more from God as a return on their investment.

Two years ago, Father Sirico invited you, the families of Sacred Heart, to make a prayerful discernment ofyour commitment to this unique parish and to consider not just what you gave financially but also in termsof service and prayer. Months later, as the pandemic lockdowns and restrictions began, our plans wereinterrupted. However, your commitments to the parish kept this place spiritually alive, with the lights onand the doors open even through the darkest days.

I arrived here in Grand Rapids around this time and was struck by how blessed we were, even during thoseweeks and months when we weren't able to say Mass publicly. I witnessed your commitment to the Faith inlong lines for confessions, in "naughty" parishioners praying the rosary and singing hymns together duringthe lockdown, in parishioners coming to Church on Sundays even though they were unable to participatein the Sacrifice at the Altar. I loved learning about your vibrant efforts to live the Faith in your domesticChurches. We came through the lockdown stronger than when we went into it. I see the hand of Godrewarding the commitments that our families made.

Now is the time to build on those dividends. To help us do that, I invite you to spend some time in prayerindividually, with your spouse, and as a family to consider how you are being called to lay down your lifefor the Lord this year. As we begin the new liturgical year, perhaps you are able to give gifts of gold,frankincense and myrrh to the newborn King, or perhaps the simple song of the drummer boy, or even the

widow’s mite (cf. MK 12:41-44). It doesn’t matter. The Lord desires you to respond to His gifts, pledge toserve Him through the parish’s apostolates and ministries, and to pray more individually and in groups.

"Our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against ... the spirits of wickedness in the high places.”(Ep 6:12) Commit yourself to the material support of the mission of the Church carried out each day atSacred Heart of Jesus Parish. As our Lord said to St. Peter, "No man who has [offered anything] for mysake and for the gospel shall not receive a hundred times as much, now in this time... and in the world tocome life everlasting." (Mk 10:29-30)

Yours in Christ,

Rev. Fr. Ronnie Paul Floyd, STLParish Priest

Spiritual Inventory - 2022“Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any

common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,then make my joy complete by being like-minded,having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.”- Phil. 2:1-2

Opening prayer:After making the Sign of the Cross, take a few moments to enter into silence, then read the verseabove. Spend a few minutes in silence, brushing away preoccupations and anxieties as they arise.Pray together the Our Father three times, pausing after each for a few moments before praying:“Jesus meek and humble of heart, make our hearts like unto thine.”

Questions for prayer and discussion:How does our home, our domestic Church, embrace a family culture that helps us to live out ourfaith? ✠ How do we live out joyfully of Christ’s abundant life?✠ How does my household observethe Lord’s Day? ✠ Are we faithful in attending Mass?✠ How do we mark Sundays as set apart forprayer and rest? ✠ Are we careful to prepare for the liturgy by prayer and observation of theEucharistic fast? ✠ Are we consistently well-disposed to receive the Eucharist? ✠ How has ourhunger for the Eucharist increased in the past year? ✠ Do we pray for the needs of our parish,diocese, bishop, and nation? ✠ Are our words and actions reverent? ✠ How do we ensure that weare devoting time daily to personal prayer? ✠ Do we regularly spend time reading scripture?✠ Arethere ways in which we can more actively engage in the liturgical life of the parish?✠ How does myfamily pray with the Church outside of Mass?✠ Do we celebrate solemnities and the patronal feastsof our family members?✠ How can we make loving sacrifices or offer up our personal sufferings ina more intentional way?✠ Do we frequently access the grace of the sacrament of Reconciliation?✠How are we challenging ourselves to grow in faith?✠ Is there a particular habit of virtue or sacrificethat would challenge us to more fully rely on Christ’s grace and provision?

Personal Notes: What steps will we take to conform our hearts more fully toChrist’s Sacred Heart?____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Appraisal of Gifts - 2022“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and

humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” - Matt 11:29

Opening prayer:After making the Sign of the Cross, take a few moments to enter into silence, then read the verseabove. Then spend a few minutes praying exclusively in gratitude for God’s providential love andcare for you. When you begin to pause and search for what to add to the list, wait in silence for theSpirit to bring you the greater depth of insight that flows from earnest gratitude. End your time inprayer with a family litany to your personal patrons and namesakes.

Questions for prayer and discussion:How has God blessed our family? ✠ What makes each of us unique in our personality, gifts, andperspective? ✠ How have we built on these natural gifts by good stewardship and growth in virtue?✠ What activities excite us and bring us energy?✠What activities tend to drain and discourage us?✠ Are we most joyful when working with people, ideas, or physical things?✠ How have we beenuniquely situated to love specific people? ✠ How have we been prepared by God’s providence toserve Him and the Church? ✠ In what ways do our gifts and contributions complement those ofour neighbors? ✠ What are each of our roles in the body of Christ? ✠ When have we witnessedour gifts coming together in a way that they are greater than the sum of their parts?✠ How can wecontinue to grow in knowledge of ourselves and God’s will for us?✠What is one concrete way wecan use our gifts to more fully serve our God and neighbor?

What gifts have we been given that we feel God calling us to return to Him?____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Examination of Fidelity - 2022“Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for

a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart…”- 1 Peter 1:22

Opening prayer:After prayerfully contemplating the verse above, bring to mind God’s love and providential care foryou. Take some time to listen to the Spirit as He guides your mind and heart.

Questions for prayer and discussion:Is my faith animated by acts of love for our neighbors?✠ Do I advance the mission of the parish tobring Christ and His Mercy to others?✠ Do I feel equipped to do so?✠ Does our family serve theBody of Christ through the seven corporal works of mercy (feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty,clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, visit the sick, visit the imprisoned/ransom the captive, andbury the dead)?✠ How do I currently serve in our parish?✠ Do I take advantage of opportunitiesto grow in and share our faith beyond satisfying the precepts of the Church? ✠ Does our familyserve the Body of Christ through the seven spiritual works of mercy (instruct the ignorant, counselthe doubtful, admonish the sinner, bear wrongs patiently, forgive offenses willingly, comfort theafflicted, and pray for the living and the dead)?✠ Does our family provide financial support for thematerial needs of the Church? ✠ Does the support for the parish we provide come from ourfirstfruits? Is it dependable in frequency and amount? ✠ Do I give of my time and resources in away that is generous, sacrificial, and proportionate?✠ Do I intentionally pray for our bishop, pastor,and the work of our parish apostolates?

How can we sustain or deepen our practice of the Works of Mercy in ourparish?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Sacred Heart Apostolate ListApostolate Point of Contact Phone or Email

St. Vincent Neighborhood Mission Katie Ugolini 616-236-3154

Knights of Columbus Jason Bargenquast gk13641@mikofc.org

St. Ignatius Prayer Group Annie Connette 616-970-5802

Authenticum Mike Tober dre@shgr.org

Cajetani Patrick Dunphy patrick.dunphyii@gmail.com

Parish Hospitality Amber Hiske ahiske@shgr.org

Advent by Candlelight Marijo Forrester mforrester@shgr.org

Christmas Market Amber Hiske ahiske@shgr.org

Wild Game Dinner Mike Tober dre@shgr.org

Family First Saturday Greg Guest gregoryjguest@gmail.com

Faith Formation Mike Tober dre@shgr.org

Youth Ministry Mareesa Nosalik mnosalik@shgr.org

Parish Mission Trip Mike Tober dre@shgr.org

PILLAR Men’s Group Laurent Morrin laurent.morin2@gmail.com

Women’s Prayer Group Mary Tober marymiryung@gmail.com

Meals for Moms Lisa Guest emguest87@gmail.com

Sacristans Mary Lippet gibbons.maryk@gmail.com

Sacred Space/Decor Shannon Leidel shannonleidel@gmail.com

Music Jonathan Bading musicdirector@shgr.org

Ushers Stanley Sedore stanley.sedore@aya.yale.edu

Apostles of Mercy Jim Dirkes jvdirkes2@protonmail.com

Security Team Jim Dirkes jvdirkes2@protonmail.com

Altar Boys Joe Scoville jgscoville@comcast.net

Church Cleaning/Grounds Larry Forrester lforrester@shgr.org

Lectors Noelle Divozzo ndivozzo@shgr.org

More Ways to Support our Community

This foundation is a Type II supporting organization and its ownregistered 501(c)3 non-profit. Its sole purpose is to grow gifts givento the academy and support general operations, teacher salaries, andstudent scholarships – our greatest ongoing areas of need. Ways tocontribute:

● Write a check to the foundation● Give the gift of appreciated stock (more info on final page)● Give a qualified charitable donation directly from your IRA. (more info on final page)● Set up a Donor-Advised Fund (more info on final page)

Patreon is a website that employs the age-old patronage model tohelp organizations like Sacred Heart Academy realize their mission.

For years, hard working middle class man has built cathedrals, hospitals and universities bycontributing small monthly gifts which add up significantly over time.

Your decision to become a patron of Sacred Heart Academy greatly blesses our wholecommunity. Patrons give $5 or more per month and in return receive access to exclusivecontent: Faculty written blog posts, faculty-read audio books, suggested reading lists for allages, access to an exclusive Patreon book club, the opportunity to influence future content, agrab bag of Sacred Heart Academy gear, and more. Learn more at patreon.com/shgr

Sacred Heart earns $1,000 by collecting $150,000 in eligible receipts fromparticipating SpartanNash-owned retail stores and fuel centers in eightstates (Family Fare, D&W Fresh Market, Forest Hills Foods.) Please saveyour receipts and turn them into the parish or academy office.

To use AmazonSmile, simply go to smile.amazon.com on your webbrowser or activate AmazonSmile in the Amazon Shopping app onyour iOS or Android phone within the Settings or Programs &Features menu. On your web browser, you can add a bookmark to

smile.amazon.com to make it even easier to return and start your shopping with AmazonSmile.

Give More, Save More - Ways to give more money to Sacred Heart and save on taxes.

Method What Is It? What Is the Advantage? What Are the Limitations?

Appreciated StockDonation

Donation of stock tocharity that has increasedin value significantly

The full value of the stock istax-deductible at the time of donation,and no capital gains income isrecognized, either by the taxpayer orthe charity. Other assets can bedonated as well, such as mutual funds,ETFs, real estate, or cryptocurrency.

The stock must be held for at least oneyear before it is donated, and it can’t beinside a retirement account. Theamount you can deduct on your taxes islimited to 30% of your AGI during thetax year, but unused deductions can becarried forward for up to five years.

Qualified CharitableDonation

Donation directly froman IRA to a charity

The donation counts towards therequired minimum distribution but isexcluded from total income during thetax year. These donations also helpreduce the income tests for MedicarePart B surcharges.

The donor must be at least 70 ½ yearsold by the end of the tax year the gift ismade. There is an annual limit of$100,000 per person per year for thesetypes of donations. Gifts in excess ofthe required minimum distributionscan’t be carried forward.

Donor-AdvisedFund

A special giving accountset up with a sponsoringorganization that letstaxpayers make largeone-time gifts that can bespread out over time

Gifts to donor-advised funds aredeductible in the year they are made,subject to the same rules as appreciatedstock donations. Gifts may be directedby the donor to other charities overtime, and un-gifted balances may beinvested to increase the amountavailable for future giving.

Limitations on gifts to funds are thesame as limitations on appreciatedstock donations. Some sponsoringorganizations restrict the donor’s abilityto donate to certain charities. There areongoing maintenance costs for unuseddonor-advised fund balances.

Thank you to NPF Investment Advisors for providing this information.