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Browsing From the desk of Fr. Tharp

April 30, 2023 - Fourth Sunday of Easter

Next Sunday:  Fifth Sunday of Easter               Celebrant :  Fr. Tharp

 

Keep in Touch with Sacred Heart/St. Ann via email or text

 

Our Director of Evangelization (Jose Martinez) has invited us to participate in a parish communication tool provided by “flocknote.com.”  To join you can scan the QR Code or text SHSA to 84576.  You can leave the program at any time by texting STOP to 84576.  I think this will prove to be a great way for the parishioners of the St. Ann/Sacred Heart Family to stay in the “know!”

 

Catholic Conference of Ohio

 

In a letter dated February 28, 2023, all the Catholic Bishops from the State of Ohio have asked faithful Catholics throughout Ohio to oppose the proposed ballot initiative for the November ballots enshrining and expanding abortion in the State of Ohio.  We have numerous copies of the letter at the doors of Church.  Please take a copy and read about this troubling ballot proposal aimed at the Catholic Church and pro-life efforts throughout the state.  You have seen similar initiatives reported in other states.  Catholics of good conscience are encouraged to read the letter, speak out, and stay informed.

 

Ask any Question!

 

Mr. Jose Martinez is the new Director of Evangelization for the Parish Family of St. Ann and Sacred Heart.  I am the old pastor of St. Ann and Sacred Heart.  Two times this summer, Mr. Martinez and I will attempt to answer  “any question” you may have related to our new parish family, theology, church administration, or any aspect of life in general.  The meetings will be on June 5 and June 26 at 7:00 p.m.  More information to come.

 

Beacons of Light Organizational Structure

 

The recommended Beacons of Light organizational structure requires a Family of Parishes to have a Director of Evangelization, a Director of Worship, and a Director of Administration.  The structure I envision will also include a Director of Real Estate and Physical Assets. (This is due to the reality that our Family needs both churches to accommodate our Sunday attendance, and both schools to accommodate our existing and anticipated students.)    Together with the two principals, all four directors will serve as an extension of the pastor in their specific areas of expertise.  “Beacons” foresees an environment not simply focused on maintaining what is, but directed to outreach, evangelization, and growth. 

 

The symmetry of all this organizational structure is not based on the clerical model I, and most priests of my age, have grown up with!  Rather it operates on a model of assumed delegation, so that the younger priest who replaces me when I retire will feel comfortable assuming the role of pastor in an organizational model normative throughout the Archdiocese.  In other words, my oversight in this process is to establish a manner of operation designed not for me personally, but for my successors about three years from now.  The reality is that priests my age (70 plus) have functional and canonical “expiration dates.”  The reality of the “post COVID” church is that fewer people are coming to Sunday Mass.  “Beacons” is a creative structuring for where we are going; not for where we have been.   

 

Review of Mass Schedules

 

There are “five Phases” of the implementation of Beacons of Light.  Family C-4 (comprised of Sacred Heart and St. Ann) has been designated a “one priest/pastor region.”  It is almost certain that this will become the reality by July 1, 2023.   This means that there is no assisting priest envisioned.  In the Archdiocese of Cincinnati no one priest is canonically permitted to celebrate more than three Masses on any one day.   At present we have two Sunday morning precept Masses at St. Ann and three Sunday morning precept Masses at Sacred Heart.  Five Masses may not be celebrated by any one priest.  Also every precept Mass at any parish must adhere to “space utilization requirements.”  We have a declining Sunday attendance based on St. Ann and Sacred Heart’s October Count numbers.  At least three of the five existing Sunday Masses are not well enough attended to meet these utilization requirements. 

Very soon now both parishes in the family will be asked to participate in a survey showing Mass time perferences.  After we have the data, we will empanel an ad hoc utilization committee representing St. Ann and Sacred Heart in order to study, discuss, and reconcile our Sunday numbers with Archdiocesan utilization requirements.   In the meantime, please remind parishioners that their presence each week at either St. Ann or Sacred Heart will result in a tremendous impact on the recommendations that the ad hoc committee will be required to bring to the Archdiocese.    

Re-introduction of Precious Blood at Communion

 

We have distributors lined up for two cups at “all three Sunday morning Masses at Sacred Heart.” 

 

For the time being we only have distributors for the cup at 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 at the various precept Masses. 

 

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:

 

When Jesus describes himself as the “Good Shepherd,” he is not relegating all of humanity as mere “herd animals.”  He is describing his love for us.  Jesus stands in contrast to the corrupt leadership all too common in Judah at the time.  A corrupt leader simply wants to sheer the sheep for profit.  A Good Shepherd on the other hand is motivated by love and wants what is best for his flock. 

 

Jesus gives us the blueprint of how to lead people; not just manage outcomes.  A herd responds to danger and fear.  A flock responds to love.  

 

“Madison Avenue” tends to treat us like a herd.  But our love for Jesus is both personal and corporate.  Jesus invites us to Holy Communion as individuals.  We become corporately “one mystical body of Christ” but each of us maintains his or her individuality.  St. Paul reminds us frequently not to become arrogant in ourselves, but to boast in what the power of the Holy Spirit allows us to be.  Live the Sacraments; not in the fads.

 

 

NEXT WEEK   Fifth Sunday of Easter

 

Acts 6:1-7

1 Pt 2:4-9

Jn 14:1-12

 

Theme:   “In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places.”

 

 

 

 

 

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