From the Desk of Father Tharp

Cooperative Mission Appeal

Next weekend, September 15 & 16 the homilies at St. Ann and Sacred Heart will be preached by missionaries as part of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati Annual Cooperative Mission Appeal to parishes.  The missionary priest will preach the homily at each precept Mass and the Cooperative Mission Collection will take place after communion.  The funds collected are sent to the Archdiocesan Mission Office for distribution to the various approved missionary orders or groups.

Archdiocesan Lector Workshop

The Office of Divine Worship and Sacraments of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati will hold a regional Lector’s Workshop at Sacred Heart on September 19, 2018 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the church.  This is intended for lectors in Catholic parishes in the Butler County (or beyond) region.  See the advertisement for this in this bulletin.

The Office of Divine Worship and Sacraments of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati will hold a regional Eucharistic Minister’s Workshop at Sacred Heart on October 10, 2018 from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.  More information to follow.

NATIONAL NOVENA FOR THE LEGAL PROTECTION OF HUMAN LIFE  The U.S. bishops urge our participation each Friday in a nationwide Novena for the Legal Protection of Human Life taking place August 3 through September 28.  Participants will receive weekly email or text reminders to pray and fast, along with little-known facts about Roe v. Wade to share with others. Sign up at www.usccb.org/pray.

RCIA / RCIC for 2018/2019

RCIA for 2018/19 begins on Wednesday, September 19.  Schedules for RCIA are available at the doors of church or on line.  RCIA is an acronym for Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults and RCIC is the acronym for Rite of Christian Initiation for Children.  In the past, these were called “Convert Classes.”   Individuals interested in becoming Catholic should interview on the telephone or in person with Fr. Tharp so as to identify any canonical issues which may need to be addressed before officially joining the process.  My direct line number to my desk is (513) 858-4260 or email me at frtharp@sacredheart-fairfield.org. 

Reflection on Scripture

Isaiah tells us today that God will come and make everything right.  James says, “Make no distinctions among yourselves.”  In the gospel, Jesus heals the deaf man who has a speech impediment.  In all three readings, the implication is clear that we are all sinners and are helpless without the grace of God.  Only God’s grace gives us life and feeds us to mature spiritual health.

When we are baptized we are freed from Original Sin and begin to be fed on the kerygma, like a baby is nursed through his or her first months.  When the child grows, he older, he or she begins to eat food.  At First Communion and thereafter, we are fed by the Body and Blood of Christ.  In confirmation, we are commissioned by the Holy Spirit to be an effective evangelist for Christ.

We are all “saved sinners” who owe our reformation and our identity to the grace of God and salvation in Jesus Christ.  There can be no distinction because we are all totally reliant upon the grace of God.

Next Weekend: Twenty Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Is 50:5-9a

Jas 2:14-18

Mk 8:27-35

Theme:   “Get behind me Satan!”