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Browsing From the desk of Fr. Tharp

January 15, 2023 - Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Next Sunday: Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Celebrant : Fr. Williams

Epiphany “Chalking the Door”


I wish to express my gratitude to the Women of Faith for sponsoring the revered tradition
of “chalking the entrance” this Epiphany. Remember that the chalk has been blessed so it
must never be used to deface or damage. Don’t use on porous materials as the residue
may be difficult to remove. When you see the 20+C+M+B+23, say a little prayer asking
that every residence may give comforts to all who reside in the dwelling and honor and
glory to God.


Disciple Maker Index


With the approval of both the St. Ann and Sacred Heart Parish Councils and with the
strong recommendation of the Archdiocesan Beacons of Light leadership, we will be
participating in a parish-wide survey about discipleship conducted by the Catholic
Leadership Institute, a non-profit Catholic apostolate that does leadership training and
development.  The results of this survey will become a major resource of parishioner
opinion and data for the forward migration of discussions as to how we assimilate two
parishes into one “Family” still utilizing two church buildings and two schools, but
sharing the same pastoral vision and goals. From my perspective, it is a priority that the
unique intangible treasure of each parish not be lost in some attempt at homogenization.


We must not squander the uniqueness of each community, but lift it up as important in
the new whole. However, accomplishing this task will require each nuclear family in
both parishes to embrace and articulate the components that will form the essence of the
new whole.
 
 I am therefore imploring (begging) each family in St. Ann and each family in Sacred
Heart to complete a 10-15 minute survey.  The survey will only be available from
January 21- February 27 and will ask you to reflect on your own spiritual growth and
enable you to provide feedback on what our parish is doing (or not doing) to help you
grow spiritually.  It will be available online and in paper format with more instructions to
follow.  All responses will be confidential and the parish will only receive information
about the community as whole.


The survey results will be invaluable to me as pastor and to every parishioner committee
member working on this project as we seek ways to best support everyone in their
discipleship journey.  Additional details are in this bulletin.
 
Application for Director of Evangelization for the St. Ann/Sacred Heart Family


The cut off for receiving applications was 11:59 p.m. Monday, January 2, 2023. At the
time this is written, we have seven (7) applicants to consider. The search committee is in
process of review.


Catholic History Podcast


Dr. Kevin Schmiesing, co-host of the Sunrise Morning Show on Sacred Heart Radio has
asked us to inform you of his new podcast.


Interested in learning more about our Catholic heritage? The Catholic History Trek
podcast covers a wide range of topics: the history of Catholic schools, foods, and prayers;
religious orders such as the Franciscans and Norbertines; the Mass and liturgical music;
the origins of Catholicism in each of the fifty states; and much more. It is co-hosted by
Scott Schulze and Kevin Schmiesing and available on all popular podcast platforms such
as Spotify, Google, and Apple, with some video episodes also available on YouTube.


Eucharistic Display created by Blessed Carlo Acutis


The Women of Faith group is sponsoring Eucharistic Miracle posters created by Blessed
Carlo Acutis, who died of Leukemia at age 15, but had created a website displaying these
accumulated Eucharistic miracles from throughout the world. There is little doubt that
when canonized, he will almost certainly become the patron of the internet and social
media. Remember that the three stages or “cause of sainthood” to having one’s name
placed on the “list” or “canon” of Saints in Rome starts with the title “Venerable, “
moves to the title “Blessed, ” and then after miraculous interventions is verified by the
Holy See, the pope may name the person to the “list” or “canon” of titled “Saint.”
To encourage especially the young to take note of these posters, the Women together
have created a raffle for those who take note of each poster throughout the next year.


Re-introduction of Precious Blood at Communion


I may have been too quick to announce that we have distributors lined up for two cups at
“all three Sunday morning Masses at Sacred Heart.” So far we have not been able to
schedule cups for the 8:00 a.m. We will keep trying.


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:


Last Monday on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, we read Matthew’s account of the
baptism of Jesus by John in the Jordan. This Sunday we read the account of the same
event in John’s Gospel. At his baptism in the Jordan, God inaugurated the public
ministry of Jesus by the voice heard from the heavens. The word “inaugurate” comes
from the combination of two Latin words meaning to “dedicate or bring about the
beginning of.”


Jesus is a “new beginning.” All the great prophets of the Old Testament were “called” to
prophecy in some mystical way. Isaiah had the angel bring an ember from God’s altar to
cleanse his lips. Ezekiel was told to “eat a scroll.” But all the prophets, even John the
Baptist, were “men” called by God. Jesus is not simply the “son of man” or the
“messiah.” Jesus is the “only begotten Son of God.” The prophets spoke and displayed
the word of God. Jesus is the “logos,” in other words “the direct communication of the
Father.” Remember: “If you have seen me, you have seen the Father.” God
communicates with humanity by becoming part of it. “Incarnation”


This is why we are said to be “reborn in baptism.” We are all naturally born in the
image and likeness of God. In baptism, we are supernaturally reborn into the family of
Jesus Christ. As members of the mystical body of Christ, we are made heirs of the
destiny of the saved. In Jesus Christ, the destiny of the saved is eternal life in Heaven
with God. Thus “reborn” is an apt analogy.


When you look in the mirror, you see a physiological body born of a woman in the
context of time. In the mirror of eternity however, we must recognize a soul made in the
image of God and redeemed by Jesus Christ.


NEXT WEEK Third Sunday in Ordinary Time


Is 8:23 - 9:3
1 Cor 1:10-13, 17
Mt 4:12-23


Theme: Becoming “fishers of men.”

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