Next Sunday: Trinity Sunday                         Celebrant:  Fr. Tharp        

Beacons of Light: Phase Two:  “Envisioning”

Two weeks ago, I shared with you some envisioned ideas about how the treatment of directed gift donations from an accounting prospective may help us retain membership and loyalty.  Last week I shared some envisioned ideas about how we might engage people interested in becoming Catholic through the use of trained volunteer mentor parishioners.  In today’s article, I ask you to think about how we might invite people to our facilities not for worship specifically, but for information, camaraderie, and fellowship.   In the Beacons Planning Pathway chart, these could fit in under Evangelization and Love in Action.  Some parishes have sponsored “clubs” or “support groups” for interest in various activities or pastimes not specifically associated with worship.  Sometimes these are parish sponsored clubs for the persons with interest in horticulture, painting, astronomy, classic cars, or varied interests.     The purpose is to bring people into contact with the Catholic Parish in their community.  In other words, how do we think outside the box in order to familiarize the broader community with Catholics who share similar interests or hobbies.   

Remember that envisioning seeks to identify a need and then determine whether the parish can reach out to the broader community in this area of interest or concern.  

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:

The Feast of Pentecost is my favorite religious celebration.  We often call Pentecost “the birthday of the Church!”   Now you might say, “Wait a minute!  What about Christmas and Easter?”   Why?  God created the universe.  Thus we see our creator in all that surrounds us.  Jesus Christ is the revelation of God incarnate; the Savior of the world.    Pentecost allows us to live in God and God to live in us through the Sacraments.  As members of the Body of Christ, God reaches out to us with His grace, and we become conveyors of grace to the whole world.  The Holy Spirit fulfills what we could never have even hoped for or imagined. 

One analogy I have heard refers to a train.  God made the train so big and so powerful that it intimidates us.  Jesus teaches us the controls of the train and how to operate it.  The Holy Spirit at Pentecost makes us the owners of the train and lets us participate in his destiny and destination.  The Holy Spirit of God is in charge.  Don’t ever be afraid to board the train. 

NEXT SUNDAY  The Most Holy Trinity

Dt 4:32-34, 39-40

Rom 8:14-17

Mt 28:16-20

Theme:  Embrace the mystery