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Browsing From the desk of Fr. Tharp

Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

St. Ann Fiesta

 

I offer my gratitude to all those who helped with Fiesta at St. Ann this year.  At the time this is being written, the Fiesta dates are still in the future; but by the time it appears in the bulletin, the dates will be in the past.  I am grateful to all who will have helped.

 

Cooperative Mission Appeal

 

 Every year the Archdiocesan Mission Office assigns a missionary to come and speak with each parish about the missionary activity of the Church in general, and share some of their mission experiences.  This year the Archdiocese has designated Father Fortunatus Mugusha as the preacher for the Pastoral Region of St. Ann/Sacred Heart.  Father Fortunatus will preach at all the precept Masses at St. Ann on the weekend of August 5 & 6, and at all the precept Masses at Sacred Heart on the weekend of August 19 & 20.  There will be a second collection at each of the Masses which will be sent to the Mission Office of the Archdiocese and dispersed according to their formula to each of the Missionary Societies participating in the Cooperative Mission Appeal.

 

How to contact Fr. Tharp in an emergency!

 

As most of you know, I carry a pager with me except for the time each day I spend in the shower.  But calling the pager number is NOT THE BEST WAY TO INFORM ME OF AN EMERGENCY ANOINTING!!!  After business hours, it is best to call (513) 858-4210 and choose option #2 (Fr. Tharp for an emergency).  You then leave a voice mail message stating your telephone number where I can call you back immediately.  Once you have left this message, the automated telephone system at Sacred Heart will call my pager within five minutes; usually within one minute.   I will then call you back and you can tell me specifically how to get to the location where I am needed.  This is by far the fastest way.  Calling the pager number directly and leaving a voice mail message on the pager only works in some instances and there is a delay of nearly thirty minutes.  Calling 858-4210 and leaving an emergency message is by far the more certain way to alert me.

 

Reflection on Scripture

 

What is the Kingdom of Heaven like?  In today’s gospel it is compared to the “pearl of great price.”  If we believe in Jesus Christ, then the Kingdom of Heaven must be the ultimate priority; the final destination.  In our society today, and even back 2000 years at the time Jesus was using the metaphor, a direct route to the final destination is not favored.  The route prescribed by so many in our contemporary society involves numerous connecting stops on the journey.  Wealth, prestige, and various other inferior destinations may become our temporary focus.  But a temporary focus becomes a distraction, and deters us from the straight line to the ultimate destination.  While meandering through the attractions of a temporary destination we may lose sight of the final destination; we may even forget about it.  Jesus uses the parable to remind us to “keep our eyes on the prize.”  As regards eternal life, nothing else will do!

 

Readings for the Transfiguration of the Lord

 

Dn 7:9-10, 13-14

2Pt 1:16-19

Mt 17:1-9

 

Theme:   Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s Revelation

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