Next Sunday: Feast of the Ascension Celebrant : Fr. Williams
Remember, Ascension Thursday is now celebrated on Sunday
When I was growing up, the feast of the Ascension was always forty days after Easter making it (by simple math) always on a Thursday. In recent years in the United States the Feast of the Ascension is now celebrated on the Seventh Sunday of Easter, namely the Sunday before Pentecost. Therefore, the Feast of the Ascension is not May 26th this year. It is May 29th or forty three days after Easter.
Closing Mass for Religious Education (CCD)
The closing Mass for the St. Ann / Sacred Heart Combined Religious Program for elementary school student parishioners not attending a Catholic school is May 23 at 7:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart. My special thanks to the volunteer Catechists / Teachers who make this program possible. I am very grateful to all of you.
Re-introduction of Precious Blood at Communion
We have been informed by the Archdiocese that we may (at the pastor’s discretion) re-introduce communion under both species at all Masses However, for the time being, we have only enough distributors for two cups at the 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon Masses at Sacred Heart, and for the time being the 11:00 a.m. Mass at St. Ann. Again, we can only do this to the degree we have enough Eucharistic ministers willing to do cups.
Beacons of Light
As we move through the Easter Season and draw closer to the official July 1, 2022 beginning of “Phase One” of the Beacons of Light program, we will offer some listening sessions, so we can hear from everyone even before we officially start Phase One.
The listening sessions will be run by our Pastoral Council representative for the Hamilton Deanery, Mr. Mike Wolf. The listening session for Sacred Heart will take place in Fellowship Hall on June 8th at 7:00 p.m. The listening session for St. Ann will take place in the cafeteria on June 23 at 7:00 p.m. After consultation with the experts in this process, I have decided that it would be better for me not to attend these listening sessions, as the presence of the pastor can make some parishioners less comfortable or restricted in offering their opinions. Therefore, my being absent from these meetings in no way diminishes my support for the listening process. Rather, my absence is intended to avoid any obstacle that might be an impediment to openness and candor.
Remember that the Beacons process is unflinchingly committed to the “principle of subsidiarity.” The only “top down” decision that has been made by the Archbishop is that, since St. Ann and Sacred Heart have worked well together as a “Pastoral Region” for the past ten years; from now on the parishes will begin the process of determining how (for the long term future) one priest will be able to serve the needs of both worshipping communities as “one family.” THESE DECISIONS WILL NOT BE MADE BY THE ARCHBISHOP OR BY ME! The decisions will be made by the parishioners who make up the FAMILY.
The principal of subsidiarity requires that every parishioner voice be heard. Parishioner concerns are legitimized by the very fact that you have a vested interest as a “parishioner.” Everyone in a “Family” has to have a voice.
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
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:
“Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” These words from today’s gospel remind us of who Jesus is! Fear erupts in our hearts from the uncertainty of what might happen to us. We fear that someone may murder us or steal from us. Circumstances might cause us to be embarrassed or lose face. A loved one may die of a tragic accident or disease. We grow up in turmoil fearing these turns of fate or possibly something much worse.
Jesus offers peace that the world cannot give. Proximate fears and an overpowering pessimism melt away in light of the promise of eternal life. Jesus does not offer a panacea for all temporal calamities. Quite the contrary, he points out their inevitability by his dying on the cross. Jesus makes us look at temporal misfortune for what it is; temporary! It is only when we see calamities as temporary distractions that we can joyfully anticipate the wonders of eternity.
I knew a religious order missionary priest who, while in his fifties, was diagnosed with a type of cancer that is rapidly spreading and incurable. His brother asked him how he was dealing with all the anxiety. He responded, “I am really excited. I have been all over the world, but I have never been to Heaven! I am just patiently waiting for the journey to begin.” The only way to peace is Jesus Christ.
Hope in Jesus is not “pie in the sky.” It is not “the opiate of the masses” as Marx referred to it. It is not our imagination’s “happy place” as it is referenced by some in modern psychology. If you have witnessed the love of God in Jesus Christ; then hope in eternity is the only rational solution to the equation. Absent Jesus, there is no equation because there can be no rationality.
NEXT WEEK (The Ascension of the Lord)
Acts 1:1-11
Eph 1:17-23
Lk 24:46-53
Theme: I will send the Holy Spirit!