Tuesday Confessions move to St. Ann July 28
As the number of Saturday services increase and I cannot find a priest confessor to do Saturday confessions regularly, I have no choice but to cancel Saturday afternoon confessions at St. Ann effective immediately. I simply cannot hear confessions at St. Ann from 3:30 to 3:45 p.m. and then try to be ready to celebrate Mass at 4:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart. When I am the Sunday morning celebrant at St. Ann, I always try to hear confessions one half hour before Mass. I am also moving effective the last week of July (July 28) the regular Tuesday evening confessions from Sacred Heart to St. Ann.
Therefore as of July 28, confessions on Tuesday evening from 6:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. will move from Sacred Heart to St. Ann.
Students who should have made First Communion last April or May
I wish to reiterate from former communications that as soon as we have assurance from the authorities in Ohio and from the Archdiocese that we can reduce the requirements of social distancing and masks so as to have a traditional large Group First Communion celebration, we will do so for St. Ann and Sacred Heart. In the meantime, if any parent wishes their child who was looking forward to First Communion this Spring to have the opportunity to make an “informal” First Communion at any Sunday or Weekday Mass that I celebrate, please contact the Parish Secretary at Sacred Heart. She has my schedule and will help you in choosing a regularly scheduled Mass when your child can begin receiving the Most Holy Eucharist. Distancing rules do not allow us to do many of the things associated with First Eucharist like banners, gathering around the altar, etc. Nevertheless beginning to receive communion will not preclude them from the Group First Communion when we are permitted to have it. Some parents have said, they would rather wait. Others have done the informal route as they feel it best for the child. This is where I will defer to you as parents as to what is best for your child. Feel free to call and schedule if you wish to go for the informal option. Feel free to wait if you think that is best. Whatever is best for your child is what I want to do.
Reflection on Scripture Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
In the parable of the sower, Jesus revealed his affection for calculating grain yield! Well, not really. Jesus uses grain yield as an analogy for our spiritual progress and growth. But the story begs the question, “Why wasn’t the farmer more careful about where he sewed seed?” Today the planter’s onboard computer would turn off the planting of seed where there was likely to be low yield. What was wrong with the farmer?
Did you ever plant turnip seed? After we would dig our potatoes usually in early August, I would disk and harrow that part of the field and then I would plant the turnip seed. It is as fine as pepper from your pepper shaker. You throw it into the air and with a spinning move seek to evenly distribute the almost microscopic seeds. Before the first frost, you had beautiful turnips with purple tops emerging out of the soil, ready for picking. If you peel them with your pocket knife, you can eat them like an apple right there in the field. Not every tiny seed grew, but you were glad you scattered the seed.
Scatter the seeds of faith wherever you go. Don’t be ashamed of your faith; rejoice in it. Some will tell you to keep your faith to yourself. They will ostracize and ridicule you. Disregard their mean-spirited derision. The farther you throw the turnip seed, the bigger the turnips may be. Be evangelical at work, in leisure, on vacation, and wherever you are. Let your faith be obvious to everyone.
Next Week: Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Wis 12:13, 16-19
Rom 8:26-27
Mt. 13:24-30
Theme: Why does Jesus let weeds and wheat grow together?