This Upcoming Christmas

Posted by Jonathan Mengoni on 12/20/20

Dear parishioners and friends,   it is difficult for me to believe that I am celebrating my fourth Christmas with you this year. This Christmas however, is like no other that I, and I venture to say you, have ever experienced. Throughout 2020 we have been asked to make ... Read More »

Worshiping In a Covid-19 Church: Third of a Three-Part Series

Posted by Jonathan Mengoni on 9/20/20

WORSHIPPING IN A COVID-19 CHURCHThird of a three part series by fellow parishioners

To My Family and Friends of Sacred Heart of Jesus,

Before I begin my reflection on our lives and the Coronavirus, Iwould like to thank Father Andy and Gayle Castellani for thehonor of allowing me to ... Read More »

Worshiping in a Covid-19 Church: Second of a Three Part Series

Posted by Jonathan Mengoni on 9/09/20

WORSHIPPING IN A COVID-19 CHURCHSecond of a three part series by fellow parishioners

Dear parishioners and friends,

My fiancée Collin and I are really excited for the opportunity towrite this letter on the experience of worshipping in a COVIDchurch.

Before the COVID church, I looked forward to Sundays by ... Read More »

Worshiping in a Covid-19 Church: First of a three part series

Posted by Jonathan Mengoni on 8/30/20

WORSHIPING IN A COVID-19 CHURCHFirst of a three part series by fellow parishioners

Dear parishioners and friends,

It is with much joy that I share with you our family’s gratitude inreturning to Holy Mass at our beloved Sacred Heart of JesusChurch. So much has changed in our lives since ... Read More »

Ministering In A Covid-19 Church: Part 2

Posted by Jonathan Mengoni on 8/18/20

MINISTERING IN A COVID-19 CHURCHSecond of a three part series

Dear parishioners and friends,

When I joined the Sacred Heart staff full-time last September asDirector of Worship, one of the first things Father Andy told mewas that my job would “evolve,” and be “ever-changing”- littledid any of us know ... Read More »

Ministering In A Covid-19 Church: Part 1

Posted by Jonathan Mengoni on 8/12/20

MINISTERING IN A COVID-19 CHURCHFirst of a three part series

Dear parishioners and friends,

Ministering during a pandemic is much like rafting down theDelaware River. How you ask? Let me share my recent adventurewith you. I was taken far, far out of my comfort zone when myfamily suggested a ... Read More »

God Is the Simplest of All

Posted by Jonathan Mengoni on 7/27/20

Dear parishioners and friends,

SO SIMPLE

In the early 1970s, Leonard Bernstein composed a dramaticoratorio, MASS, for the inauguration of the Kennedy Center forthe Performing Arts in Washington DC. The work begins withthe main figure, the Celebrant, preparing for the liturgy with aprayer that cries out for something unexpected: ... Read More »

Live Out the Serenity Prayer

Posted by Jonathan Mengoni on 7/19/20

Dear parishioners and friends,

As I've shared with you in the past, we continue this time ofpandemic which changes our lives on a daily basis, and we striveall the more to live out the first few words of the “SerenityPrayer”.

God grant me the serenityto accept the things I ... Read More »

Church During Covid-19

Posted by Jonathan Mengoni on 7/15/20

Dear parishioners and friends,

One day last week in my daily reflection, I began to wonderwhat I would say if asked years from now, “what was it liketo minister in a COVID-19 church?”

As of right now I do not think I would paint as bleak a pictureas many ... Read More »

Happy Birthday America

Posted by Jonathan Mengoni on 7/05/20

Dear parishioners and friends,

Happy Birthday America!

This weekend we celebrate our country’s 244th birthday. ThisAmerican experience and experiment are still in its infancystages compared with the history and existence of civilizationsthroughout the world, which date back much further than ours.This includes those living in historical biblical times. While ... Read More »