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Browsing From the desk of Fr. Tharp

September 13, 2020 - 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Next Sunday:  Twenty Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time          Fr. Tharp 

 

Please “SUBSCRIBE” to the Pastoral Region YOUTUBE Channel

 

Please note:  The necessary equipment to begin to live stream Mass from St. Ann as well as Sacred Heart is supposed to be delivered by mid-September.  A great deal of additional wiring had to be completed at St. Ann to make live streaming possible.  To be able to utilize the new equipment, we must have at least one thousand subscribers on our You Tube channel.  For this reason, I am reprinting the following plea.

 

Reprint of earlier plea!

 

Many of you have been watching Sunday Mass for some time now on the “Pastoral Region of Sacred Heart and St. Ann” accessed on Youtube.  PLEASE take a moment to hit the button which says “SUBSCRIBE.”  It is free.  It costs you nothing! BUT if we (Sacred Heart and St. Ann Pastoral Region) can reach one thousand subscribers, under the Youtube rules, it will allow us to do so many more things VIRTUALLY!!!  (In other words, “OnLine”)    For example, instead of requiring parents to come “in person” to instructional meetings for First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation, I will be posting a  VIDEO our Youtube Channel to provide this information to parents, to be viewed at their leisure.  

 

Please let me strongly recommend again that you not view our Sunday Mass from either parish website.  These websites are more prone to crash with high volume.  It is far easier and more secure to go directly to the Pastoral Region Youtube site.  You can always go immediately to our Youtube site by using the following link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVLLqbEY5hKWinwz069MVcg

 

I suggest making this link a “bookmark” on your web browser for easy and quick access.  All you need is an email address to subscribe.   Please help.

 

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, please contact 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.  Distancing rules do not allow us to do many of the things associated with First Eucharist like banners, gathering around the altar, etc. Nevertheless beginning to receive communion will not preclude them from the Group First Communion when we are permitted to have it.    Feel free to choose the 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 means Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults

 

Schedules for the RCIA for St. Ann and Sacred Heart are available at church doors as well as on our parish websites.  Please contact me (Fr. Tharp) if you are interested in becoming a Catholic.  Because of the persistence of COVID, the RCIA classes may be able to take place “in person” in the basement of the church at Sacred Heart or they may be required to be held “virtually” using Zoom or some other platform.   The first classis September 23, so it is more important than ever that you register for the RCIA by contacting me at (513) 858-4260.   This comes directly to my desk, so if I am not in, please simply leave a voicemail and I will get back to you.  Please also feel free to email me at frtharp@sacredheart-fairfield.org.  

 

Reflection on Scripture: Twenty Fourth  Sunday in Ordinary Time  

 

To truly forgive, you must be infected with God’s compassion.  In today’s gospel, Jesus tells the story of a slave who was forgiven by his master, but failed to forgive his own subordinate.  The master then retracted his earlier forgiveness of the original debtor.  Why?  Because you cannot really forgive in your heart until you recognize the unqualified forgiveness of Jesus Christ.  The debtor who treated his subordinate without compassion, did not appear to be “forgiving” in the image and likeness of God.  Without recognizing and accepting the grace of Christ's forgiveness, we as mere humans could never truly forgive one another.  If the source and inspiration of our forgiveness is not Christ; then our forgiveness is not the real thing.  It is a mathematical calculation of risk and reward.  True forgiveness is found only in Christ.



Next WeekTwenty Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time     

 

Is 55:6-9

Phil 1:20c-24, 27a

Mt. 20:1-16a

 

Theme:   God’s justice is mercy

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