Next Sunday: The Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Celebrant: Fr. Tharp
Catholic School’s Week
Next Sunday, January 28 begins National Catholic Schools Week. Both St. Ann School and Sacred Heart School will make the week with special presentations and prayers. Let us celebrate the wealth and tradition that we have in the Family of the Immaculate Heart of Mary with our two parish schools.
CMA Commitment Weekend is February 3 & 4
The Liturgical Season of Lent begins Ash Wednesday (February 14). Lent is traditionally a time for almsgiving. Here in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati we begin the annual Catholic Ministries Appeal with a message from the Archbishop. This message will be played in every Archdiocesan parish at the weekend precept Masses on January 20 & 21. The Archbishop will remind us of the need to focus on Archdiocesan programs that no parish could ever provide individually. These ministries include our Archdiocesan Seminary (Mt. St. Mary Seminary), St. Rita School for the Deaf, Catholic Charities and Social Services, retirement fund for Archdiocesan priests, chaplains for Campus, Hospital, and Prison ministries, and the revitalization program known as New Evangelization. Remember that the Catechism of the Catholic Church (Paragraph #2447) defines our duty to participate in corporal works of mercy. Sometimes the scale of the task is beyond that which any one parish or Catholic parishioner could do. Participation in the CMA allows every Catholic in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati by his or her donation to the CMA to fulfill their obligation to participate in these vital ministries; ministries that are clearly beyond the scope of any singular parish.
Beacons of Light Phase Two
As we move into January, St. Ann and Sacred Heart will be conducting meetings and discussion sessions regarding the process for “visioning for the future.” The more people who contribute to the collective brainstorming the better! Check the bulletin for opportunities as they are announced.
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
Barring the unforeseen, Saturday evening Mass at Sacred Heart and Sunday morning at St. Ann will be live streamed each week.
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:
Conversion cannot be tentative. If conversion to Gods way is real, it must be absolute. In today’s scriptures, when Jonah warned the people of Nineveh to “Repent or else!” the people of Nineveh put on sackcloth and ashes. The directive from God was apodictic. The response of Nineveh was absolute and unconditional.
In today’s gospel Jesus calls his apostles. They immediately abandon their jobs and livelihood and follow him. Their acceptance of the call was absolute and irreversible.
Acceptance of Jesus Christ requires absolute commitment and unwavering resolve. When you bet your life on Jesus, you cannot hedge your bets. With Jesus, you are either all in, or out the door.
NEXT SUNDAY The Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dt 18:15-20
1 Cor 7:32-35
Mk 1:21-28
Theme: Evangelize, but do it the Lord’s way!