Next Sunday: Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Basketball Hoops down for Summer Vacation
I am pleased to report that since the end of school, the basketball hoops have been put away for the winter. Those attending 5:15 p.m. Mass on Saturdays are now able to park in this part of the parking lot. If you know someone who stopped attending St. Ann to avoid confrontation with the group who were there each week, remind them that it is safe to return.
Sunday Mass Schedule under Review by the Archdiocese
Fr. Schmitz has informed me that the stress of the Sunday Mass schedule is too much for him physically and in light of his medical susceptibility. Fr. Schmitz and Fr. Tharp had previously agreed that the rigorous Sunday morning schedule would end in June 2021 due to Fr. Tharp's expected retirement. Now that I am not retiring, the time is upon us, and due to the general reduction of precautionary COVID restrictions; and given the appearance of so many new variants of COVID, caution requires Fr. Schmitz' previously compromised immune system to be considered. I want to thank Fr. Schmitz for his years of service to our two parish communities as he moves to a less physically demanding Sunday arrangement.
Dispensation from Precept Mass has ended
Beginning June 6 (the Feast of Corpus Christi) the Archbishop has reinstating the obligation to attend Sunday Mass. The law of the Church has always been that those with special medical challenges or obstacles are exempt from the obligation; but during the pandemic the Bishops of Ohio extended this exemption to all fearful of the Corona Virus. The dispensation for the general public has now been revoked.
Beacons of Light
The future planning process to determine the changes in parish organization structure of the entire Archdiocese of Cincinnati (to be implemented on or before 2025) continues to move forward. Please reference the Beacons of Light web page at: https://catholicaoc.org/beacons-of-light. Another option is to type “Beacons of Light” into your favorite search engine. It is expected that the beginnings of the discussions with the general parishioner population of the Archdiocese will begin this Fall.
I encourage everyone to check this website out now and frequently as the process moves forward; and pray for this important initiative.
Live Streaming a precept Mass from St. Ann and Sacred Heart each week
Even though the dispensation for the precept of Sunday Mass attendance has now been revoked, live streaming will continue for the sick, shut-ins, and others unable to come to Mass. 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:
Today is Father’s Day. It is also the 200th anniversary of the founding of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. It is also the 12th Sunday in ordinary time. The gospel for today is the story of Jesus asleep on a cushion in the stern of the boat during a violent squall. The disciples were sure the boat was going down and they might all be drowned. Panicked, they wake Jesus, who calmly quiets the storm, and then chastises the disciples for their lack of faith.
In our world today, we hear of the most outlandish problems usually at the worst possible time. The natural thing to do is panic! But Jesus says, “As long as I am in the same boat with you; why panic?” This is why Jesus gives us the sacraments. A sacrament allows us to know that Jesus is present. No matter what comes, we need not panic as long as we are fortified by the Sacraments of the Church. Don’t face a crisis alone. Make sure Jesus is with you.
Next Week: 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Wisdom 1:13-15, 2:23-24
2 Cor 8:7, 9, 13-15
Mk 5:21-43
Theme: Healing of the daughter of Jairus.