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Browsing From the desk of Fr. Tharp

October 4, 2020 - 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Next Sunday:  Twenty Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time    -   Fr. Schmitz

 

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

As of last Saturday, we had the new encoder boxes installed at St. Ann and Sacred Heart to make live streaming from both locations possible.  Unfortunately, there was some electronic or programing glitch and at 4:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart and 5:15 p.m. at St. Ann both attempts failed.  For this reason, the Mass last Sunday posted on the pastoral region You-tube page was recorded by me without a congregation at 8:00 p.m. Saturday night.  At the time I am writing this article, we have not diagnosed the problem, but will work diligently to get everything functional by next weekend when you are reading this.  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   Hopefully there will be no “oops” this weekend.

 

St. Francis blessing of Pets (animals)

Sunday, October 4 is the traditional Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi.  Normally we would gather in the afternoon for the traditional blessing of animals (pets).  Because of COVID and the risk of spreading infection, this year we will have “do it yourself” prayer cards at Church doors which you can pick-up after Mass.  The dogs, cats, parakeets, fish, and even a goat I have had as pets over the years add so much to our lives.  Asking God’s blessing upon them as St. Francis did seems the least we can do.  I will also record the blessing of pets at the end of the video Mass on our Youtube channel on the weekend of October 3 & 4.  Let us praise God for all manner of his creation.

 

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.

 

RCIA:  Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults began this past Wednesday

Schedules for the RCIA for St. Ann and Sacred Heart are still available at church doors (both St. Ann and Sacred Heart) as well as on  our parish websites.  If you wish to join but missed the first two classes, please call me at 858-4260 to enroll or simply come next Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.  We will be sure to socially distance and wear masks. 

 

Reflection on Scripture: Twenty Seventh  Sunday in Ordinary Time 

If you do not use a gift correctly, you dishonor the giver.   If you consistently use the gift improperly, you forfeit your ownership of the gift.  Isaiah compares people of Israel to a harvest of wild grapes.  Wild grapes are smaller than cultivated varieties, are tart, and each vine produces many fewer grapes than cultivated varieties.  My father used to say, “They are all vine and no grape.”  Isaiah was saying that Israel was all talk and no loyalty to God. 

 

Jesus also uses the vineyard analogy in his parable.  In this case the tenants take possession of the vineyard and refuse to pay a just percentage of the profit to the owner.  They go so far as to kill the heir so they can confiscate the property and keep the profit.  Everyone in the crowd agrees that such behavior is wrong and will surely be punished. 

 

Jesus then compounds the metaphor by using the analogy of building products.  If a quarried stone is not square, it will ruin the vertical integrity of the wall.   Jesus says that he is the stone rejected by the stone masons which has become the keystone or cornerstone.   The moral of the story is that God expects a return on his investment.  Loyalty is the “produce.”  Are we paying God the fair and just “royalty of loyalty” on his investment?   God made us and gave us life.  He has been so loyal to us that he has redeemed us by his blood on the Cross.  Have we given him the loyalty he deserves in return?

 

Next WeekTwenty Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time     

 

Is 25:6-10a

Phil 4:12-14, 19-20

Mt. 22:1-14

 

Theme:   “He wore brown shoes with a black tuxedo!”

 

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