Sunday Mass available on Website

At the time this is being written my IT person is assuring me that we WILL have this Sunday Mass which I will celebrate available on at least the Sacred Heart website but hopefully both the St. Ann and Sacred Heart Websites in time for this Sunday.  This Sunday I will tape the Mass at Sacred Heart. Next Sunday I will tape it at St. Ann.

Confessions

For the time being, we will have individual confessions at the published times.  All confessions will be behind the screen.

Healthy Practices regarding the Coronavirus  

The following is an excerpt from the decree: After serious consideration of the grave health risk involved in public gatherings and in order to curb the spread of the Coronavirus, the bishops of Ohio have decided, effective immediately, to suspend temporarily all publicly celebrated Masses/liturgies, at least through the celebrations of Holy Week and Easter. The bishops of Ohio dispense the Catholic faithful who reside in their respective dioceses and all other Catholics currently in Ohio from the obligation of attending Sunday Mass through Easter Sunday. 

Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA)

With the elimination of Masses, we will curtail news on our participation in the CMA until we are operational again.  Please pray for a quick resolution of this quarantine situation.

Lenten Stations of the Cross

We are prohibited from public Stations of the Cross until the quarantine situation is resolved.

Reflection on Scripture for the Fourth Sunday of Lent  Laetare Sunday   

The word “pericope” comes from the Greek and means “cutting out.”   It means cutting out a section of literature that conveys one specific thought or concept.  The gospel of John uses this literary tool to create scenes (like scenes in a play) in our minds to elaborate on the sacraments and the truths of faith.  The story of Lazarus is taken from the narrative of John’s gospel to confirm that Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the life. Lazarus is raised from the dead because he is a friend of Jesus.  Friends of Jesus are also called “Saints.” If you live in this life in such fashion to prove you are a friend of Jesus; death is only temporary, resurrection is eternal.  

John’s gospel was written to the early Church to keep the early Church from straying into Gnosticism, and confirm the Sacramentality of the Church.  Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead to prove that what he is about to do on Easter morning is the destiny of everyone who is a friend of Jesus.

Next Week:  Palm Sunday   

Is 50:4-7

Phil 2:6-11

Mt 26:14-27:66

Theme: The Triumphant entry into Jerusalem / The Passion of our Lord