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<p class="fontlook"><B>Carrollton Plans its Celebration of Mater<BR>
The Significance of this Feast of Families of the Sacred Heart</B>

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<p class="fontlook">Carrollton will have two celebrations of Mater – one for all Sacred Heart Alumnae on Saturday, October 18th at 10:30 am in Founders Library.  Mass will be offered for the intentions of all alumnae and for the repose of the soul of Sr. Margarita Miranda, a greatly beloved Religious of the Sacred Heart.  The liturgy will be celebrated in French, Spanish and English.  The Honors Choir will provide the music.  A luncheon for the alumnae will follow in the PAC.  The celebration for students will be Monday, October 20th at 1:00 pm at St. Hugh.  Both the High School and the Intermediate School Choirs will sing.

<p class="fontlook">As Carrollton anticipates the upcoming celebration, we join the entire family of the Sacred Heart around the world in honoring the special role Mary plays in our lives. St. Madeleine Sophie Barat requested that every School of the Sacred Heart have a depiction of Mater present for the students and adults to see regularly.  Why this focus on Mary as a young girl, someone facing the unknown? What is it about this image of Mary that captures our hearts?  Why have generations of children and alumnae of the Sacred Heart been comforted by this simple image?  

<p class="fontlook">The answer seems to be connected to Mary’s countenance.  Consider Mater’s expression.  No one can spend any time before the image of Mater without sensing that Mary knew something entirely wonderful, something entirely extraordinary, something that gave her incredible peace. It is almost as if Mary has a precious secret that we might learn simply by contemplating her gaze. Knowing her whole story, who can but be awed at Mary’s simple yes?  

<p class="fontlook">The quality of Mater’s listening to God gave her an intimate knowledge of God. Mary understood well that in each of us dwells the spark of the divine, God’s spirit. With this knowledge came the ability to see herself in God’s image.  This is her secret and is the promise she holds out to us.  In Mary’s life we see one who trusted the Spirit dwelling within.  She developed the habit of looking for God in all things.  This habitual instinct to choose God takes time and energy to develop.  The important insight of this fresco so loved within the Sacred Heart family is the knowledge that a life lived rooted in prayer has both fullness and integrity. 

<p class="fontlook">The feast affords all members of the Family of the Sacred Heart the chance to pray for one another that each may be graced with the wisdom of Mater. 
