Next Sunday: The Ascension of the Lord Celebrant: Fr. Tharp
Feast of the Ascension
The Feast of the Ascension was formerly known as Ascension Thursday. It was 40 days after Easter. This year it would fall on May 9. In most dioceses in the US, the celebration of the Ascension of the Lord is moved to the Seventh Sunday of Easter. Therefore, there is no obligation to attend Mass on May 9, but rather the Feast will be celebrated on Sunday, May 12, which is also Mother’s Day in the United States.
CMA
As of 4/29/24, Sacred Heart is at 209% of target with 416 families participating. St. Ann is at 124% of target with 152 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 through the Easter season toward Pentecost, St. Ann and Sacred Heart are conducting meetings and discussion sessions regarding the process for “visioning for the future.” During this phase, we seek out problems and envision practical solutions.
We will inevitably move to a time when both parishes will become one canonical parish under Catholic Law. We will become the Immaculate Heart of Mary parish at St. Ann campus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary parish at Sacred Heart campus. Nothing will close! We cannot service our congregations without both church buildings and both school buildings operating as independent schools operating under the authority of one canonical parish, at two locations, namely Immaculate Heart of Mary. So that loyalty to separate buildings and structures may be specified for restricted donations, I have proposed that internally in our one parish operation we will have four cost centers. One budgetary cost center will be Sacred Heart Church building, another will be St. Ann Church building, yet another will be St. Ann School operation, and a fourth will be Sacred Heart School operation. Those who wish to restrict their donation to one or another of the cost centers will be able to so specify their temporarily restricted donation to the specific budget for each, with the understanding that functional operation of the whole is contingent to adequate funding for each. We of course do not want a situation that is like unto a lifeboat! We cannot say I will only help fund the bow of the lifeboat, while another says I only want to fund the stern. If the bow of the lifeboat sinks, the whole of the survivors sink with it. If the stern of the boat floats, all the survivors are saved regardless of their seating position. Either the whole boat floats, or the whole boat sinks. Nevertheless, we can donate favoring our part of the lifeboat, recognizing that we are all in this together.
This is only one of the many possible solutions for funding, sacraments, worship, outreach, and charity. The only thing we cannot do is go backwards. If we move forward as one parish in two locations there is every reason to believe Immaculate Heart of Mary can flourish. The only obstacle to success is rowing backward. We either win together or lose everything. If we work together, I am certain the Holy Spirit will make winners of us all.
Razing of the old convent building at St. Ann
The old convent building at St. Ann is essentially a single purpose building. At present it is used only for storage. There is no future possibility of acquiring a religious order who would use it as a faculty residence (original purpose). The “circulating hot water” heating system is not functional, and cost to repair to functionality would likely exceed $750,000. Other necessary repairs would cause the restoration numbers to exceed 1.5 million for a building whose primary use does not fit our needs. The Archdiocese has asked us (for long term insurance purposes) to raze the building. The Archdiocese will pay for this improvement. Therefore Immaculate Heart of Mary Family “Combined Parish Council” has recommended we accept the Archdiocese offer and lower our operating costs at St. Ann by razing the building and making space for more effective storage facilities. It is likely this will all take place before the end of calendar year 2024. I will keep you informed as we progress.
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:
“You are not a slave! You are a partner and friend.” This is essentially what Jesus is saying to the disciples about their employment in the Church. He says they are not slaves or even favored servants. (The Greek word used means favored and trustworthy servant.) Although I do not like the word “comrade” because of its communist connotation, it may better explain the use of the word “friend” in this context. It means you are not just a hired hand. You have “skin in the game.”
By our baptism, Jesus adopts us into his family. We are heirs to the family inheritance; namely Heaven. As members of the mystical Body of Christ through our reception of the Most Holy Eucharist, we are one body and one blood family in the Lord.
No one is sure of the anonymous author of the phrase, “You are born with your relatives, but you can choose your friends.” Although physically accurate, this statement loses its validity in spiritual matters. When we accept our baptism at Confirmation, we are choosing the spiritual bloodline of Jesus Christ. Every time we receive Holy Communion we are reaffirming our bloodline family. You made a decision to choose your spiritual family when you were baptized and confirmed in Jesus Christ.
NEXT SUNDAY The Ascension of the Lord
Acts 1:1-11
Eph 1:17-23
Mk 16:15-20
Theme: Don’t worry! I am not abandoning you.