Bishop Emeritus Edmond Carmody, principle celebrant of the 60th anniversary mass of the establishment of Sacred Heart Parish in Three Rivers accepts a red rose from Araceli Duenes (8 years old) during the presentation of the gifts. Araceli Duenes and her parents are parishioners of Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission in Pawnee. Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission is under the care of Sacred Heart parish in Three Rivers.

On June 11, the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, the congregation of Sacred Heart Church in Three Rivers celebrated its 60th anniversary as a parish by consecrating themselves to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

The small church was full as Bishop Emeritus Edmond Carmody together with Pastor Father Ryszard Zielinski offered Mass in thanksgiving for 60 years of serving the Lord in Three Rivers.

In his homily, Bishop Carmody reminded everyone about the ”great sacrifices made by parents and grandparents to establish this church.”

Bishop Carmody urged the faithful to ”continue to share that great message that no matter what happens in our lives, we will be protected by the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd is the Son of God, and ”who ever accepts my son has everything,” said Bishop Carmody.

Bishop Carmody ended his homily by entreating the congregation to continue to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

”We must make sure that the church will go on. We must ensure that there will always be a place to worship the Lord in Three Rivers.”

Following the closing of the Mass, Bishop Carmody began the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.

As the fourth degree Knights of Columbus stood guard, Bishop Carmody, his fellow priests and the congregation knelt before the Blessed Sacrament.

Everyone prayed the litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Bishop Carmody then began the Act of Consecration of Sacred Heart Parish to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Bishop Carmody prayed for the Lord Jesus to grant them the Spirit of Love, to encourage the congregation in prayer, to guide and protect them.

As the faithful prayed and sang the Benediction, Bishop Carmody repositioned the Blessed Sacrament to the Tabernacle.

Pastor Father Ryszard Zielinski thanked Bishop Carmody for his ”generous spirit in celebrating the parish’s 60th anniversary.”

”We started months ago in preparation for the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus consecration. It is a special gift for us to have you (Bishop Carmody) consecrate our parish to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.”

The anniversary celebration continued with a reception held in the parish hall.

For Annie Gonzalez, the consecration of the parish to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus was a blessed event for her and her family. At age 78, Gonzalez has spent her entire life as a parishioner at Sacred Heart.

”I was raised in this parish. I was married in this parish, and all of my children and grandchildren were baptized in this parish. This is my home.”

Gonzalez, a member and past president of Catholic Daughters and current president of the Altar Society, remembers when church events were held in tents, and the parish was a mission of St. George in George West.

”It was Monsignor Kinlough who built this church. We have had a lot of fundraisers. We have a lot of great accomplishments. We have built a parish hall and rebuilt and remodeled the rectory.”

Compared to Gonzalez, parishioner Joe Malik is a newcomer to Sacred Heart. Malik, a fourth degree knight and president of the parish council, has been a member of Sacred Heart since 1984. ”There is a great unity in this parish. We all work together. We all look out for one another.”

What Gonzalez and Malik love the most about their parish is the friendliness of its congregation. ”It is easy to make friends, and everybody knows your name,” said Malik.

”We like to spread out the volunteer work. We always want and welcome new members to our parish,” concluded Gonzalez.