Next Sunday: Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Celebrant : Fr. Tharp
The New Sunday Mass Schedule begins Today
Precept Masses on Sunday Morning for the Parish Family of St. Ann / Sacred Heart are 8:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart, 9:30 a.m. at St. Ann, and 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart. I (Fr. Tharp) will celebrate all the Sunday morning Masses:
8:00 a.m. Mass at Sacred Heart worship space
9:30 a.m. Mass at St. Ann worship space
11:00 a.m. Mass at Sacred Heart worship space
Remember: The Saturday evening Masses (4:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart and 5:15 p.m at St. Ann) remain unaltered.
The new Mass schedule was determined entirely by the ad hoc Mass Schedule Committee of the combined Parish (Pastoral) Council of St. Ann / Sacred Heart. As pastor and in conformity with the Beacons of Light model, I have deliberately not involved myself or intervened in this determination. Canon Law and the Archdiocese determined that no priest could celebrate more than three Masses per day. The Beacons model determined that one priest should be able to handle the sacramental duties and needs of the Parish Family formed by Sacred Heart and St. Ann.
Catholic Conference of Ohio
The Catholic Bishops from the State of Ohio have asked faithful Catholics throughout Ohio to oppose the proposed ballot initiative for the November ballots which would enshrine and expand legal abortion in the State of Ohio. In addition, the amendment could mean that parents would no longer need to give consent or even be informed if their minor child is seeking an abortion, redefined gender assignment, or reproductive reassignment. Catholics of good conscience are encouraged to read the Archbishop’s communications, speak out, and stay informed.
The Sacrament of the Sick in Hospitals
Please remember that even Catholic Hospitals are not permitted to tell me when my parishioner enters their hospital. If two or three people tell me about their loved on in the hospital after Mass, I will not keep it straight in my weak brain long enough to get it on paper. Therefore, if your loved one enters the hospital (if it is not an emergency) and would like me to provide the Anointing of the Sick; please leave a clear and accurate message on my daytime voice mail at (513) 858-4260 or email me at frtharp@sacredheart-fairfield.org. Please also remember that you cannot text me at the above number as it is a land line and does not receive texts.
If an emergency arises during the evening or night after the secretaries leave and you need me for an emergency Anointing of the Sick, you must call (513) 858-4210, and press option number 2 to leave a paging voicemail for Fr. Tharp. This is the only way to be sure I will receive your message when I am away from my desk until the next morning. I suggest you use this emergency procedure only at the times when the secretaries are not available to answer the telephone.
Re-introduction of Precious Blood at Communion
We have distributors lined up for two cups at all three Sunday morning Masses; two at Sacred Heart and one at St. Ann.” For the moment, we do not have cups lined up for the either of the Saturday evening Masses. Again, we can only offer both species to the degree we have enough Eucharistic ministers willing to do cups at the various precept Masses. We hope to have cups offered at the Saturday Masses very soon.
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
As we move to the new reduced Sunday Mass schedule, it has been recommended that I continue to live stream the 4:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart, and consider not live streaming the 5:15 p.m. Mass from St. Ann but instead live stream the Sunday Mass at 9:30 from St. Ann. We are beginning the new arrangement this weekend.
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:
As a minister for Jesus Christ, don’t ask for the “power” unless you are ready to use it. Don’t ask to follow Jesus unless you are ready for the consequences. These phrases summarize today’s gospel admonition. Jesus asks us, “Do you want eternal life?” There is only one way to eternal life, and that way is to pick up your cross and follow Jesus. The Holy Spirit will give you the grace (power) to do this; but be aware that the enormity of the grace of God may intimidate you. Don’t let the shock of the power of God frighten you into turning back from the journey. To embrace the power, you must also embrace the suffering. But after this stern and confronting admonition, Jesus then reminds us that God is watching, and every observation of one suffering for the good, of charity and of forgiveness is appreciated by God. Nothing gets past God. Nothing escapes his notice. And therefore simply giving someone nothing more than a drink of water is a treasured memory to God. Perhaps you sacrificed or even suffered to accomplish the good deed? That makes it even more fulfilling to our God.
Be willing to suffer a little to give God a happy memory. The dividends it will pay at the end of time are truly out of this world.
NEXT WEEK Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Zec 9:9-10
Rom 8:9, 11-13
Mt 11:25-30
Theme: “For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”