Next Sunday: Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time Celebrant: Fr. Tharp
Happy Father’s Day
Today, June 16 is Father’s Day. We will have a special blessing for all fathers at the end of Mass. I always use this day as an incentive to remember the love and wisdom my father imparted to my sister and me. If your father is living, take a moment to thank him. If (like me) your father is deceased, send a special prayer of thanksgiving to Heaven in gratitude for the special role he played in your life.
African Cultural Mass
Today, June 16 at 1:00 p.m. the Catholic Women’s Association of Cameroon will sponsor a special celebration of Mass done in the traditional African cultural fashion at Sacred Heart. All are invited to participate regardless of whether you are familiar with the African cultural worship traditions or you are simply interested in participating in a unique experience of what it means to be “Catholic” (universal). This is a precept Mass, so it counts for one’s Sunday obligation.
11:00 a.m. Mass next week
We will have a special blessing at the end of Mass next Sunday at Sacred Heart for those who have recently graduated from some academic or training institution or program. We will ask you to stand for the blessing in acknowledgment of your achievement.
Beacons of Light: Phase Two: “Envisioning”
This week (the same as last) my open question to you for consideration is: What if you could envision an outreach to some sector or group of the community that would be new or innovative; something that would address a need that isn’t even on our radar at present. This is pure speculative science. Your speculation must remain within the realm of harsh reality, so there are limitations. Nevertheless, do a bit of controlled day dreaming. The purpose as always is to cause people to “think outside the box.” In other words, “Not just how do we become more evangelical rather than simply maintaining our recent past? But genuinely what do we begin to do to ready ourselves for an uncertain future? What lines of communication do we need to create or maintain?”
Remember that envisioning seeks to identify a need (or excess) and then determine whether the parish can reach out to the broader community in this area of interest or concern. We want to be part of creating the future, not a victim of it!
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:
Using a parable allows us to avoid the prejudice of preconceptions. We all have preconceptions that influence our perception. If you see a rope being pulled through the grass, so as to mimic a slithering snake; you automatically react! This is precisely why Jesus uses parables as a teaching tool for the general population. He draws the crowds into thinking like him by the use of imagery and then the conclusion or message is predetermined. In other words, he draws the crowds into his thought process so the conclusion in inescapable. By the use of metaphor or analogy, he opens our minds to the reality that otherwise might well lay hidden or be undetected.
Jesus deliberately used common preconceptions to teach complicated concepts. If but for a moment you are emotionally invested into living and feeling the story of the parable, you have had a glimpse into the mind of God. Thus, the best way we can fulfill our evangelical role as baptized Catholics is to let our lives be parables for others. Therefore, we cannot cloister our commitment to Christ from our daily actions.
In our secular society it has become sheik and fashionable to publicly divest ourselves of words or actions that would betray our faith. The secular world advises: “If you respect God, that is fine; but don’t display that faith in a way that requires me or others to take note of it!” In other words, “Don’t let your religion seep out through the facade of your life in a way that influences others.” To the secular world, this is the intimidation of religion on culture, and if you don’t want to be ridiculed as being weird; don’t do it!
If on the other hand, we allow our worship of God to be so intertwined with who we are so that every habit and action bespeaks our worship of God; then it will be our nature to be evangelical.
NEXT SUNDAY Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Jb 38:1, 8-11
2 Cor 5:14-17
Mk 4:35-41
Theme: Nature is submissive to God