Next Sunday:  Palm Sunday                    Celebrant:  Fr. Tharp   

Easter Vigil

Recall that on Holy Saturday, the liturgical regulations will not permit the Easter Vigil to commence until after it is dark.  Therefore we are not permitted to have the normal anticipatory 4:00 p.m. Mass at Sacred Heart or the 5:15 Mass at St. Ann.  The Archdiocese has recently told us that we may not start the Easter Vigil ceremony until 8:45 p.m.  (They actually prefer 9:00 p.m.)  Also, please remember that I asked some years ago if we could have the first part of Easter vigil (the vigil of light) at St. Ann and move to Sacred Heart for the Liturgy of the Eucharist, thus including both parishes.  The answer from the Archdiocese was “NO!”  

It was therefore decided that we would alternate the Easter Vigil from one church to the other on an annual basis.  Last year we had the Easter Vigil at Sacred Heart.  There was no Easter Vigil at St. Ann.  Therefore, this year, Easter Vigil will be at St. Ann.  There will be no Easter Vigil at Sacred Heart.  Traditionally we do not have large crowds at Easter Vigil as the service usually lasts about three hours.  This year we have more than 20 in the RCIA, so we are expecting it may be even longer.  Please remember that I have no control over this.  The liturgical regulations are non-negotiable.  We are required to do this according to the rules.

Masses on Easter Sunday are the normal Sunday Schedule:  8:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart, 9:30 a.m. at St. Ann, and 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart.  The Catholic Women’s Association of Cameroon is hosting a 1:00 p.m. Easter Mass at Sacred Heart done in the traditional African Catholic Style.

Lenten Devotions

Sometimes people like to “give up” something as a self-imposed penance during Lent. It is also possible to “do something special” as a Lenten practice. I will have Stations of the Cross and Benediction at St. Ann on the Friday evenings of Lent at 7:00 p.m. (Good Friday of Holy Week is different) and Stations of the Cross during Lent on Sunday Afternoons at Sacred Heart at 3:00 p.m. (No stations on Palm Sunday)  Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is every Friday at Sacred Heart from 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m.  Embrace to the degree you can without hurting yourself the dietary restrictions on the Friday’s during Lent.  As we all live the discipline of Lent, we experience being the Body of Christ as the Church suffering.  As we engage the discipline of Lent together, we hope in the promise of Easter.

CMA 

As of last Sunday, Sacred Heart is at 180% of target with 459 families participating.  St. Ann is at 114% of target with 166 families participating.  Remember that when any parish exceeds target, a percentage of the money over target comes back to the parish. 

Thanks to all who have pledged or contributed.  Thank you for prayerfully considering a donation or pledge to this year’s CMA.  I will report each week the results I have in the bulletin.

Beacons of Light Phase Two

 As we move past Easter, St. Ann and Sacred Heart will be conducting meetings and discussion sessions regarding the process for “visioning for the future.”   At present this has been done through Parish Council and some of the various committees.   Soon this will expand to include ideas for worship enhancement, stewardship (Finance Committee), evangelization, and an all-inclusive look at charitable outreach (aka Love in Action). 

We must also recognize that Beacons expects our two parish schools (St. Ann and Sacred Heart) to abandon the stance of “maintaining” what traditionally has been, and embrace a more forward looking (all encompassing) approach.   To use an analogy; we have become accustomed to swimming in our fresh water lake.  Now we must learn to swim in the ocean. 

DO NOT FALL FOR SCAMS!!!!

I keep running this article because there are new scams everyday

Remember I NEVER solicit funds, donations, favors, or any request of any kind over the telephone, text, email, carrier pigeon, drone, etc.   NEVER!  Do not allow yourself to be taken in by scammers.  Even if they have my recorded voice, be assured it is computer generated fake!  It is not me!!!  

Reminder for volunteers who work with or around children

Please be aware that failure to register with and complete the requirements of Safe Parish will result in your inability to continue to work with or around children in any parish and/or school setting.  We have been informed by the Archdiocese that there can be NO EXCEPTIONS.

Live Streaming for Precept Masses

I apologize for recent problems of transmission.  Three weeks ago we had a problem with access codes being arbitrarily changed at both locations.  Two weeks ago, we had a similar problem.  Last week we had a server malfunction.  We have tried to correct all these problems, and hope for “smooth sailing” hereafter.

Please remember to access the Sacred Heart / St. Ann Pastoral Region You Tube site by clicking on the following link:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVLLqbEY5hKWinwz069MVcg

Reflection on Scripture:

Jesus uses the “grain of wheat” analogy to explain his salvific mission.  Just as one grain of wheat cannot provide enough food to sustain anyone; when that one grain is planted in the rich soil (in other words it dies) then it produces a head of wheat containing multiple individual seeds. 

God is the creator of all life; physical and eternal.  Sin kills God’s life (grace) in us.  We are all sinners, and not one of us can pay the debt we owe to God.  Jesus is the Son of God.   Only Jesus can pay the debt we owe to God.  Jesus cancels our debt owed to God by dying on the cross; the ultimate act of love.  One man (Jesus) dies on the cross for all humanity.  His death and resurrection is the “one seed” that produces the bountiful harvest that feeds the whole world.  

Jesus is our only hope!   Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through him.  

NEXT SUNDAY  Palm Sunday

Is 50:4-7

Phil 2:6-11

Mk 14:1 – 15:47

Theme:  The Passion and Death of our Lord Jesus Christ