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Browsing From the desk of Fr. Tharp

February 9, 2020 - Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

From the Desk of Father Tharp

Next Week Sunday Morning Masses     February 16, 2020      Celebrant:   Fr. Tharp

 

  

 

Infant Pre-Baptism Class

I have the Pre-Baptism instruction for new (first time) parents at Sacred Heart and St. Ann on the second Monday of each month at 8:00 p.m. in the basement of Sacred Heart Church.  The class is less than forty five minutes.  This is a combined instruction for baptisms to take place at St. Ann or Sacred Heart, since I am pastor of both. 

 

Saint Vincent De Paul

A few years ago, Sacred Heart and St. Ann joined forces to fund and provide volunteers for our pastoral region’s St. Vincent De Paul outreach.  In 2018, the combined donations from both parishes allowed our SVDP to distribute over forty five thousand dollars in the St. Ann and Sacred Heart territories, and slightly into the St. Joe’s territory, serving the needs of more than 850 people/families.  In 2019 the number has increased to over fifty thousand dollars, serving nearly 2000 people/families.  Your generosity on our fifth Sunday of the month collections has allowed this to happen. 

Unfortunately although both parishes have been financially generous, we have only had one volunteer from St. Ann, and recently he had to temporarily curtail his participation.  We need couples and/or individuals from St. Ann to begin to do our fair share of the work of appropriate and just distributions.  It is not hard work.  A couple or individual can participate to the degree they are capable. 

I am specifically asking St. Ann parishioners (couples and individuals) to prayerfully consider volunteering to the degree you are able to fill out the ranks of our combined St. Vincent De Paul.  If you are even minimally interested in this rewarding work, please send me an email at frtharp@sacredheart-fairfield.org and give me your name, address, and telephone number.  I will provide your information to our St. Vincent De Paul Society, and I will be personally grateful for your willingness to serve the less fortunate.  Remember these paraphrased words: “Whatsoever you do for the least fortunate, you do unto me (Christ).” 

 

Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA)

 

At the time this is written, St. Ann has 6 families who have donated or made a pledge.  It is still early, but please remember that the Archdiocese relies on each parish to do its “fair share” so we can fund facilities like the Mt. St. Mary Seminary, Catholic Social Services and Catholic Charities, St. Rita School for the Deaf, Campus Ministries at Public Universities, Catholic Chaplains at public (non-Catholic) hospitals, Prison Ministries, New Evangelization, and retirement for Archdiocesan priests; purposes we could never achieve as individual parishes, but only when we work together as an Archdiocese. 

Please prayerfully consider your donation.

 

Youth Ministry

The next Youth Group corporate Communion is February 16 at the 11:00 a.m. Mass at St. Ann.  Thanks to all who are helping with our youth ministry. 

 

Information for Federal Income Tax

The “statement of donations for 2019” should have arrived in the mail.  If you are in need of a statement, please contact your parish office.

 

Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday is 17 days away!  (February 26)   Watch the bulletin for forthcoming explanations of Lent and its penitential practices.

 

Reflection on Scripture  

 

Jesus tells us, “Your light must shine before others.”   Don’t conceal your faith.  It is not wrong to be proud of your loyalty to Jesus.  For most of our lives we have been told to avoid saying anything anyone could construe as being controversial.  The problem is that even a simple statement like, “Have a nice day!” can become controversial in today’s world.  This does not mean we have license to deliberately offend others.  You can be positive and congenial without being complicit in another’s sin.  The light of Christ they see in you may be just what is needed to spur on conversion. 

If you are baptized, then being true to Jesus is being true to yourself.  You don’t have to force yourself on anyone, just to share who you are.  Be a good example!  Live in charity and you are already doing evangelization.  Live in hope and you are automatically allowing others to look to Christ as the answer to every question.  Be who your baptism calls you to be, and you will have the confidence and self-assuredness that comes from grace.  Once you experience living with Christ, everything else will seem mundane; because it is.

Next WeekThe Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

 

Sir 15:15-20

1 Cor 2:6-10

Mt. 5:17-37

 

Theme:  Don’t toy with evil.

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