X

Browsing From the desk of Fr. Tharp

May 16, 2021 - THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD

Next Sunday:   Pentecost Sunday                         Fr. Schmitz

 

Congratulations to our newest Priest who is a Son of St. Ann Parish

 

Father Louis Paul Jacquemin was ordained to the Priesthood by Archbishop Schnurr on Saturday, May 15 and will celebrate his First Mass at St. Ann this Sunday, May 16, 2021 at 2:00 p.m.  Because of COVID social distancing restrictions which are still in place, the St. Ann “church nave and transcepts” can only accommodate the formally invited guests, but I will be live-streaming Fr. Jacquemin’s First Mass on the Pastoral Region YouTube channel.  Remember you can access our YouTube site at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVLLqbEY5hKWinwz069MVcg.   The Mass will be streamed live at 2:00 p.m. but it will also be available thereafter as a recorded archived.

 

St. Ann should be very proud of its sons and daughters who have accepted vocations to priesthood and religious life.  Fr. Jacquemin’s sister is a cloistered Carmelite Sister (nun).  You may recall that we had a sendoff for her at St. Ann a few years ago.  As pastor, I am asking every long term parishioner family of St. Ann (since you have watched him grow up) to take the time to write a brief congratulatory note to Father Louis Jacquemin, thanking him for accepting  his vocation and for making St. Ann very proud.  If you are able, please join me in sending with your note a small gratuity, as a new priest starting from scratch has many costs associated with outfitting himself with the tools for ministry.  You are free to direct your congratulatory note to Fr. Louis Jacquemin c/o  St. Ann Catholic Church 3028 Pleasant Avenue  Hamilton, Ohio  45015.  Our parish secretary will make certain your cards and letters are forwarded to him.  Also feel free to place an envelope with his name on it in the weekly collection basket.  Again, our secretary will forward these.

 

The Pastoral Region of St. Ann and Sacred Heart joyfully welcomes Fr. Louis Jacquemin as a priest of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.  On the day of ordination, the Archbishop will inform Fr. Jacquemin as to where in the Archdiocese he will be assigned.  I will be sure to publish his new address and assigned residence as soon as the information is available. 

 

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) is well underway.   Please be aware that this planning process will result in dramatic changes in the organizational and identity structure of every parish and parochial school within the Archdiocese.  I have met (or will be meeting with) the parish councils and paid parish staff at both parishes in our Pastoral Region to engage in a discernment process to refine and determine the “parameters” of discussion regarding the six “Guiding Principles” as articulated on the Beacons of Light web page: 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.  This is why we must all participate as parishioners of our pastoral region in the Beacons of Light initiative, so we can look to the future with hope and trust in the Holy Spirit. We have been assured by the Archdiocese that the future organizational structure of every existing parish, with or without a parochial school, in the Archdiocese will be impacted. 

 

How will Beacons of Light work?  By gathering and analyzing demographic, sacramental, financial, and school data; while also considering the pastoral situations that affect life in our communities, the Archdiocese will be assimilating all existing parishes into new Families of Parishes in the cities, towns, rural communities and suburbs throughout our 19 counties in Southwest Ohio.   Eventually, there will be one priest pastor for every “Family;” and eventually one Canonical Parish (juridic person).

 

I encourage everyone to check this website out now and frequently as the process moves forward; and pray for this important initiative. 

 

Communion on the Tongue

 

Because we are still obligated to fulfill COVID guidelines, if you wish to receive Holy Communion on the tongue, you must come to me (Fr. Tharp) ONLY; and you must be sure you are at the end of my line.  Please do not present yourselves to Fr. Schmitz or any of the Lay Eucharistic Ministers for communion on the tongue!  If on Sundays, you see that I am going to be at St. Ann, then you must come to St. Ann that Sunday if you want to receive ONLY on the tongue.  If on Sundays, you see that I am going to be at Sacred Heart, then you must come to Sacred Heart that Sunday if you want to receive ONLY on the tongue.  I always celebrate Saturday at 4:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart and  5:15 p.m. at St. Ann every week. 

 

Live Streaming a precept Mass from St. Ann and Sacred Heart each week 

 

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:

 

“He is risen.  He is not here!”    These words of the angel at the empty tomb of Jesus define in seven words what the Feast of the Ascension is all about.  It is not the celebration of Jesus “leaving us behind.”  It is the celebration of Jesus “leading the way.”  There is a big difference between the two.  The former implies abandonment.  The latter defines empowerment. 

 

Vacationing with my parents as a child, I asked permission to go on a tour through some caves.  My mother said she did not want to go into an underground cave as she had claustrophobia and was afraid of snakes.  My father encouraged her to come with us by assuring her that caves were expansive the temperature was so chilly that no self-respecting snake would ever go that deep.  Her fears were assuaged when she saw the lighted corridors and the guide walking ahead of us. 

 

By his ascension, Jesus has empowered us to follow him throughout our lives.  And when our life in this world ends, we know who will be waiting for us at our destination.  The Church provides us with footlights (the Sacraments) along the way, lest we stumble and fall.   We can’t always see what obstacle we may have to encounter in the darkness ahead, but the sacraments light the footpath.  Sacred Scripture is our map that assures us we are on the right path, the only path that leads to Jesus.   In the Ascension, Jesus has basically said to us, “We are on the path to eternal life in paradise.  Let me go first and show you the way.” 

 

Next WeekPentecost

 

Acts 2:1-11

1 Cor 12:3b-7, 12-13

John 20:19-23

 

Theme:  The Holy Spirit breathes life into the Church!

Subscribe

RSS Feed

Archive


Access all blogs

Subscribe to all of our blogs