By Dan McCarty • Posted October 30, 2026

Next year will mark the 100th anniversary of the founding of Sacred Heart Parish in Havertown. Among various functions for the parish’s yearlong celebration was its annual Forty Hours devotion held Oct. 19-20. Auxiliary Bishop Keith Chylinski presided at a prayer service and eucharistic procession that ended the devotion Oct. 20.

“It is a great joy to be with you on this beautiful evening,” said Bishop Chylinski. “God, creator of the universe, promised the night before He died to be with us until the end of time.”

Sacred Heart was founded on May 15, 1927, led by Father John Hickey, the pastor, with the people who became its first members. Its parish school opened in 1928, staffed then and now by the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

While some things have changed, a similarity that remains is that two of the current Sunday Masses, 7:30 and 9:30 a.m., were held when the parish opened up. Before a church was built, Masses were celebrated at Koehler’s Real Estate Office in Havertown.

Forty Hours has been a longtime tradition at Sacred Heart, and it always has been held in October or November. This year was no exception.

The closing liturgy was not the only opportunity parishioners and friends had to observe this year’s Forty Hours devotion at Sacred Heart. Following daily Mass on Monday and Tuesday, the Blessed Sacrament was exposed on the altar until services on both evenings. Signup forms with half-hour time slots were available so that at least one person could pray before the Blessed Sacrament the entire time.

“Coming together for devotions is a blessing,” said Father John Flanagan, pastor of Sacred Heart.

Among the dozens of people attending the close of Forty Hours were Frances Peterson, the school’s principal, along with her husband Evan and 6-month-old daughter, Siena. At the other end of the age spectrum was Pat Glass, 87, who has been a Sacred Heart parishioner for 84 years.

He attended the parish school that prepared him for the sacraments of reconciliation, holy Communion and confirmation. He married his wife, Susan, in the church in 1995 and together they have remained parishioners and served as ushers.

“The parish has made a lot of changes,” said Glass. “I honestly feel the parish has made some good things,” said Glass. “Father Flanagan has made amazing changes for the better.”

Other clergy joining Bishop Chylinski at the closing liturgy were Father Flanagan; Father Kevin Murray, who resides at the parish; Augustinian Father Frank Horn; Father Joseph Gleason, pastor of St. Matthias Parish in Bala Cynwyd; and Deacon Bill Williams of Sacred Heart.

“It really is a blessing to be together with Bishop Chylinski, all of you and the Lord,” said Father Flanagan.

The parish choir provided music, and among the musical selections were “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” and “Canticle of Mary.”

During his homily, Bishop Chylinski talked about the love of Jesus Christ.

“The Lord’s love calls us to Himself,” said the bishop. “We can only love if God loved us first. He loves us tonight at the altar with His own heart.”

Bishop Chylinski also referenced the Sacred Heart of Jesus as the parish turns 100. He mentioned how the devotion has remained popular through many generations of families, students and priests, but that the most important devotion happens at the altar.

“Jesus’ Sacred Heart is given to us at the altar,” said Bishop Chylinski. “He is alive. This is not a symbol. It is through His heart that we are born from out of love. The wound in His heart keeps it open for us.”

After the Lord’s Prayer, the hymn “Humbly We Adore Thee” was sung as Bishop Chylinski led the eucharistic procession around the church. The members of this year’s First Holy Communion class, who will receive Jesus in the sacrament for the first time this spring, took part in the procession.

Others participating in the service were the young people preparing to receive the sacrament of confirmation and Sacred Heart School’s eighth grade class of 2027.

“We strongly encourage our sacramental students to participate in this special opportunity to spend time in front of the Blessed Sacrament,” said Kristen Osborne, director of religious education for the parish.

The service concluded with benediction and the hymn “Tantum Ergo” followed by “Holy God We Praise Thy Name.”

“We encouraged everyone to come to this for their sacramental years and the eighth grade class since it’s their last year,” said Peterson.

Sacred Heart Parish will continue its centennial celebration with more activities in the coming year. The Mass for All Saints Day on Sunday, Nov. 1 at 11:30 a.m. will remember all of the deceased parishioners, especially those that died since last November.