What is the significance of the Sacred Heart? "Jesus has loved us all with a human heart. For this reason, the Sacred Heart of Jesus, pierced by our sins and for our salvation, 'is quite rightly considered the chief sign and symbol of that... love with which the divine Redeemer continually loves the eternal Father and all human beings' without exception” – C.C.C. #478 The Sacred Heart was a sign of the love of Jesus for us. In 1899, Pope Leo XIII consecrated the world to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Since then, his successors have
Weather permitting, Mass is celebrated at 2 P.M. on the first Sunday of the month at Sacred Heart Catholic Mission ∙ P.O. Box 357 ∙ La Sal, UT 84530 ∙ Phone: (435) 259-5211 ∙ Website: http://www.stpiusxmoab.org/ (Directions: La Sal is about 35 miles southeast of Moab. From Highway 191 South, turn left at the La Sal junction and proceed for 9 miles. The Mission chapel is located on the main highway through town on the right, about 1/2 mile past the Post Office.) Just last year the mission received a facelift courtesy of some wonderful volunteers from California, http://www.icatholic.org/article/sacred-heart-mission-renovated-by-students-from-california-9767722.
I found the area to be quiet, serene and with plenty of parking. One of the parishioners, Victor Lovato, arrived early to unlock the doors and ready the mission for mass. He was very hospitable and instantly turned on the heat, because it was snowing early that morning. Victor was kind enough to give me some history of this mission. He said that the community built the mission with their own resources. Victor went on to say that they are closed usually November through April because the snow builds up on the road. Besides the local parishioners, they often get people from nearby Colorado and the Moab area. I can easily understand why, because this mission is so intimate and friendly.
Plenty of light enters through the side windows that are on the right side of the building. The light bounces off the white pews and walls. A blue praying angel Holy Water font is to the right of the door. There is an antique pump organ just to the left of the door with a lovely statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on top. A clear glass panel is right of the organ and the wonderful working heater is centered on the back wall and next to the sacristy. Stations of the Cross are evenly divided on the side walls, above the windows and near the cathedral ceiling. A bright red carpeting that leads from the back of the mission to the altar and covers the altar area as well. The offertory table, credence table and altar railing have tree limb posts. This type of creativity brings the outside into the worship space. The altar table is adorned in white linen with two small candles, one at each end. The podium is to the left and the chair for the celebrant is below the blessed crucifix. Sacred statues of Mary and Joseph are at the corners of the altar area.
Although the mass schedule is limited, it does not detour the parishioners from their loyalty and faith of the Celebration of the Eucharist. May God bless this mission and i pray that He richly bless your wonderful efforts on His behalf. Amen.