From the Desk of Father Tharp

Catholic Ministries Appeal   CMA

If you have not done so already, please consider a gift or a pledge to the CMA.  If every parish does its part, the Archdiocese can fund the programs that serve the Archdiocese as a whole.  Our individual participation allows our parish to make target and Archdiocese to keep these vital programs funded.  Thanks for your prayerful consideration of this worthy cause.

Rosary Society

The Saint Ann Rosary and Altar Society is for adult women who are members of St. Ann and who would like to pray together, support each other, and generally offer their loving care for the liturgical needs of St. Ann Parish.  Like all groups, we need the influx of younger members to help those who have carried the burden.  A Rosary Altar Society envelope is in your Sunday offering envelopes.  Please prayerfully consider becoming part of this important team.

Ash Wednesday is February 14

Just a reminder, Ash Wednesday is February 14.  This is the beginning of the forty days of Lent.  You count the forty days by taking the four days (Ash Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday) and adding them to the six weeks of six day (36 days) weeks.  Sundays are not counted in the forty days of Lent.  I will give the full listing of days of fast and abstinence in next week’s bulletin.

St. Ann Future Committee

Parish Council has been discussing a “Phased Project” which would include new electrical and HVAC in the School, the razing of the old rectory, and site restoration, the retooling of the church boiler, and then the construction of a gymnasium without other amenities other than restrooms.  We are receiving numbers from HVAC installers of Mitsubishi type units for school as well as electrical upgrading for the parish facility. 

We will soon be at a stage in the Archdiocesan One Faith One Hope One Love fundraising effort when we are permitted to request the conducting of a financial feasibility study.  Before we pay for this study, we have to refine and determine exactly the individual stages of the envisioned project before we ask the parish to vote on expending the money for the feasibility study.  I am therefore asking for a volunteer general contractor, trade contractor, finance person, etc. to serve on a Futures Committee that will help me move the project to the point of a parish vote on paying for a feasibility study.  In other words, I am looking for volunteers who will have the free time to help me get all the ducks in a row.

If interested, please email me at frtharp@sacredheart-fairfield.org.  I would like to have a committee of about ten people, representative of the various trades and financial issues.

Reflection on Scripture

In today’s gospel reading, Peter’s Mother in Law is stricken with a fever.  Jesus takes her bay the hand and helps he up.  The fever is gone, so she gets back to the work of hospitality.  Did Jesus heal her just so he could get dinner?  No, Jesus healed her so she could do her part. 

Jesus died on the cross to take away our sins, but our response must not be lethargy.  Jesus wants us to know we are forgiven so we can get back to the work of his kingdom.  In the first reading, Job is buried in despair.  He sees no way out!  In the second reading, St. Paul tells us he has the antidote to despair; work for the Kingdom of God.  We are free from sin so as to be enabled in our work for God’s Kingdom. 

The message in today’s scripture is simple.  We have been healed by the mercy of God in Jesus Christ.  Jesus says, “Now that you are healed, get busy in spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  If you are healed, take up your cross and follow.

Readings for the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Lv 13:1-2, 44-46

1Cor 10:31-11:1

Mk 1:40-45

Theme:  Jesus does not seek notoriety