Next Sunday: Feast of All Saints Fr. Tharp

FALL BACK time change Next Sunday November 1

Remember that daylight savings time ends at 2:00 a.m. November 1.  At 2:00 o’clock we officially turn our clocks back to 1:00 a.m.  (Actually, I reset my clocks, watches, and digital displays before I go to bed the night before, as I do not want to get up in the middle of the night to change clocks.)  I enjoy getting an extra hour of sleep when we “fall back” next weekend, but I hate losing an hour when we “spring forward” March 14, 2021. 

St. Ann Memorial at all weekend Masses

St. Ann will remember all those whose funerals have taken place in the past year at the Saturday evening and Sunday Masses next weekend (November 1) at St. Ann.  In remembering our deceased loved ones, we confirm our belief that Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the life.  We will be with our loved ones for all eternity in Paradise if we put our faith in him.  By remembering our recently deceased loved ones, we confirm our hope in resurrection and eternal life in Christ Jesus.

Communion on the Tongue

Please remember as I stated in recent articles, until the threat of COVID is over; 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.  I am not willing to ask Fr. Schmitz or any of the Lay Eucharistic Ministers to take a risk with which they are uncomfortable.  Be assured, I will follow all the protocols necessary to administer on the tongue safely.  

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

Alleluia!  At this time it would appear we will be able to live stream a Mass from Sacred Heart and a Mass from St. Ann EVERY SATURDAY!!!  It is the same homily since I do both 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

Giving Tree

This year we will not have request cards and collect donated gifts as such, but we will be asking for donations of gift cards (which do not need to be sanitized as gifts would.)   More specificity will follow.

First Communion for those who could not last May

I wish to reiterate from former communications that as soon as we have assurance from the authorities in Ohio and from the Archdiocese that we can reduce the requirements of social distancing and masks so as to have a traditional large Group First Communion celebration, we will do so for St. Ann and Sacred Heart. 

In the meantime, if any parent wishes their child who was looking forward to First Communion last Spring to have the opportunity to make an “informal” First Communion at any Sunday or Weekday Mass that I celebrate at St. Ann or Sacred Heart (Saturday at 4:00 p.m. excluded), please contact “Lauren” the Parish Secretary at Sacred Heart (513) 858-4210.  She has my schedule and will help you in choosing a regularly scheduled Mass when your child can begin receiving the Most Holy Eucharist. 

Feel free to choose the aforementioned option or to wait for the formal First Communion Mass (which cannot happen until current Health Department restrictions are lifted.)   This is a parental decision.  Whatever you think is best for your child; that is what I want to do.

Reflection on Scripture: Thirtieth  Sunday in Ordinary Time 

 In outer space, astronauts use hydrogen fuel cells to mix hydrogen and oxygen, and thus create electricity and very pure drinking water.  It is basic physics.   Rabbis in the Jewish tradition, combine two or more of the 613 laws articulated in the Torah (first five books of the Bible) into combinations that can enlighten us with new perspectives.  It is basic to Judaism.

This is what Jesus is doing in today’s gospel passage.  When asked the very controversial question, “which is the greatest commandment” of the Law, Jesus makes two references to the Torah and combines them.  First he quotes the Shema from Deuteronomy 6:5 and then combines it with Leviticus 19:18 to put forth “Love God and love your neighbor as yourself.”  This answers the proverbial question, “How can I show my love for God?”  After all, I cannot reach out and touch God.  I am unable to make something God needs, as God needs nothing and is the maker of all things.   But I can show compassion and charity to other persons whom God has made.  This is a corollary to Jesus instruction to Peter in John’s gospel.  Recall that Jesus asks Peter, “Do you love me?”  Peter responds in the affirmative.  Jesus says, “Feed my sheep!”  By caring for the other, we show our love for God. 

Next Week:  Feast of All Saints     

Rev. 7:2-4, 9-14

1 John 3:1-3

Mt. 5:1-12a

Theme:   Wash your robe in the blood of the Lamb!