Living Hope Newsletter – Summer 2024
Resilience and Renewal at Sacred Heart Parish in Missouri
Since 1981, the Claretian Missionaries have been integral stewards of Sacred Heart Parish in Springfield, Missouri, providing steadfast support to its members and actively spreading the message of evangelism throughout the community.
The parish, established in 1882, initially bore the name St. Marie. However, a tornado ravaged the church just a year later. Undeterred, parishioners rallied together to rebuild it, christening it Sacred Heart in the process.
Today, Fr. Ray Smith, cmf, who continues to guide the faithful with dedication and compassion, leads the parish. “I have served as pastor of Sacred Heart Church for three years,” explained Fr. Smith, “where we have rejuvenated our parish community.” That community is what keeps the 142-year-old church thriving.
From Modesty to Mission
Although Sacred Heart Church is modest in size, the parish shines as a vibrant hub in Springfield. Upon Fr. Smith’s arrival, the Pastoral Council took on a new way of operating. Instead of following a model of maintaining the way the parish was, they transitioned toward becoming an outreach-focused congregation.
Gradually, evangelization began to permeate every aspect of church life. It started with new initiatives such as printing Christmas and New Year’s mass times on cookie boxes distributed during the winter festival. Then, on Ash Wednesday, Fr. Smith and Br. Manolo Benavides, cmf, visited every Mexican restaurant in the parish vicinity, offering ashes to those who could not attend church but wished to partake in the tradition. “Engaging with the community has bolstered my confidence in extending our outreach beyond the confines of our church walls,” remarked Fr. Smith.
One of Sacred Heart’s cornerstone ministries is the Claret Shelter, a men’s cold weather refuge operating in the parish hall several days a week from November through March. Dedicated parishioners from the wider community volunteer to sustain and manage the shelter.
Fr. Smith recounted a poignant conversation from 2023 when a visitor to the shelter sought ashes the day after Ash Wednesday. “I refrain from imposing our faith on our unsheltered guests, as happens in other places,” noted Fr. Smith. “However, I learned that he had ties to our parish, and when he tragically passed away less than a week later, I was able to locate his family and ensure he received a Catholic funeral.”
Building Unity and Sustaining Heritage
Despite many outreach endeavors, Sacred Heart still faces challenges in fostering unity between its English and Spanish-speaking parishioners. Some have left due to programs tailored for Latinos or undocumented immigrants. However, Fr. Smith remains undeterred. “My faith dictates that if someone is baptized Catholic, they are first and foremost our brothers and sisters,” he asserted. “And Scripture unequivocally emphasizes the duty to care for the widow, orphan, and immigrant.”
For Fr. Smith, the success of a church event hinges on achieving balanced participation from both the English and Spanish-speaking communities, symbolizing a harmonious unity within Sacred Heart. Maintaining the 140-year-old building also poses a significant challenge for Sacred Heart. Despite recent upgrades like a new sound system, roof, and facilities for the homeless, there is still much to be done. Future projects include repainting the church’s interior and exterior, as well as repairing the stained glass windows. “I remind our members that although we inherit a church already built, we share an equal responsibility in its upkeep, with the same dedication as those who erected it,” Fr. Smith emphasized.
With Challenge Comes Opportunity
When MassTransit, a Catholic YouTube channel, approached Fr. Smith in 2023 about featuring Sacred Heart and its thriving congregation in a video, he was initially surprised by the unexpected request. However, he realized he could not let the opportunity pass. “As a Missionary Son of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my response, much like Mary’s, could only be ‘yes,’” he reflected, embracing the chance to share the inspiring story of Sacred Heart with a wider audience.
The 20-minute video offers a window into life at Sacred Heart, highlighting interviews not only with the clergy but also with dedicated parishioners who invest significant time and energy into the church’s mission. Fr. Smith characterizes Sacred Heart as “a model for where our American churches need to go.” This statement encapsulates the church’s innovative approach, vibrant community engagement, and steadfast commitment to serving others, setting an example for the broader landscape of American churches.
After dedicating 42 years to the parish, the Claretians prepare to depart Sacred Heart later this summer, feeling a mix of emotions. “As you get ready to leave a faith community, you get to see what makes it special, and Sacred Heart is special,” explained Fr. Smith. “It’s special because so many of our activities are equally involved with English and Spanish-speaking parishioners; it’s special because we are a beacon to care for the poor; and it’s special because there is a staff that will do anything for God and each other.”
While saddened to be leaving, the Claretians recognize the need for their ministries in other communities across the United States and Canada. As they bid farewell to Sacred Heart after four decades of stewardship, they have hope for the future of the parish. “My hope is that 142 years of faith that has been nurtured here will continue to nurture a new generation,” exclaimed Fr. Smith. “My hope is that the next administration will be gentle with a parish that serves so many on the peripheries.”