Next Sunday: Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Celebrant : Fr. Williams
Special Collection for Pro-Life Pregnancy Centers
Today is the special collection for the Pro-Life Pregnancy Centers in the Archdiocese. The Archdiocese will distribute 100% of the funds collected to thirty pro-life pregnancy care centers in the Archdiocese. Additional information regarding the special collection will be announced today before the second collection.
Safety for both Schools in our Family
The Archbishop has issued some new directives as to approved security procedures for churches and schools involving the use of, and restrictions on the use of defensive weapons. This bulletin is for the weekend of July 16 & 17, but I must submit the copy by July 11. It is my hope to have a meeting or meetings for parents and parishioners as the experts advise us on how to improve security in our schools and churches.
Mark your calendar now!
The determination has been made by the Beacons of Light process that EVERY active priest in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati will be required to attend a Convocation at a distant location they have determined. This absence of priests will begin Monday, September 26. We should be permitted to return by evening Thursday, September 29. Just as it is during the Easter Triduum each year, there will be virtually no availability of priests for daily Mass, anointing of the sick, or funerals for the four day period. I will seek to advise our local funeral directors as well as hospitals and nursing homes. We have had mandatory convocations in the past decades, but forewarned is forearmed. As we approach the time, I should have more information.
Beacons of Light
The 57 new “Families” under the Beacons of Light program are now officially promulgated as of July 1, 2022. The implementation of the “families” signals the beginning. It is the hope that over the next few years, parishioners of both parishes will meet and discern possibilities. Over the next five years (or possibly less due to the fact that your pastor is “long in the tooth”) you, the parishioners, will determine Leadership in Phase One, achieve a Vision in Phase Two, lift up and celebrate your Family’s history and Culture in Phase Three, engage in Planning in Phase Four, and determine Mission in Phase Five. This all happens according to your family’s time schedule; not some pre-determined calendar. The only caveat is that we cannot stand still or choose to do nothing.
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.
Servers at Sacred Heart
St. Ann reinstituted servers last month, but (for various reasons) we have been a bit delayed at Sacred Heart. However, as of the weekend of June 26, servers who have been trained in the past are invited to come to the sacristy and see if you are needed. There will be no formal schedule until additional servers are trained and ready to go by the beginning of school. During the rest of the summer, this will be informal, but if you have already been trained, feel free to come to the sacristy. If we get too many at any one Mass, I ask you to understand and offer to serve the next time you are here.
Re-introduction of Precious Blood at Communion
We are continuing to re-introduce communion under both species at as many Masses as possible. However, for the time being, we have only enough distributors for two cups at the 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon Masses at Sacred Heart, and for the time being 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. Also, I have heard chatter regarding other viruses in the news. I continue to be cautiously optimistic with the emphasis on “cautious.”
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:
“Lazarus, Martha and Mary” Sounds like a sixties folk group. Today’s story about this family consisting of one brother and two sisters has both a practical and a didactic meaning. Martha is complaining that the distribution of labor is unfair. One is serving, and one is simply enjoying the presence of Jesus. When Jesus is confronted by the inequity, he seems to take the side of the one being lazy. The practical reality of the message is expressed by St. Paul when he says, “If you won’t work, you don’t get to eat!” In fact, every monastic lifestyle in the traditions of the Catholic Church requires both physical work and prayer. When I entered St. Gregory Seminary full time in 1967, I was informed that we may have some classes on Saturday morning, but Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday classes were held only in the morning. I was then informed that on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, I was assigned to a work crew. Some worked in the laundry, some out of doors, some cleaned floors, etc. Formation included prayer, academics, physical labor, and recreation (particularly physical sports).
So what is the didactic meaning of the story? Simply put it means that we worship God in both faith and works. St. James calls our attention to the fact that faith without works is empty. On the other hand, charity without faith is meaningless. My grandfather once asked me if I liked the music? I offered a courteous “yes.” He said, “Then why aren’t you tapping your feet?” If you love the Lord, you will exhibit charity and good works. Your efforts may not achieve spectacular results, but God appreciates your effort. If you love the Lord you will also want to talk to him; especially when you are feeling lower than a snake’s belly. Why? Faith will give meaning and purpose to effort. Effort validates the genuineness of our prayer. St. Paul says, “We are saved by faith in Jesus Christ; not by works.” But faith is phony and contrived without validating effort. If you want water you need hydrogen and oxygen. If you want to truly worship God in gratitude and sincerity of heart, you need faith and works. Martha and Mary!
NEXT WEEK Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Gn 18:20-32
Col 2:12-14
Lk 11:1-13
Theme: You trust in God, but do you trust God?