Next Sunday: Twenty Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Celebrant : Fr. Williams
Monday, September 6 is Labor Day
Because Labor Day is a Federal Holiday on which most will not be going to work, Mass on Monday morning at St. Ann will be at 9:00 a.m. rather than 6:30 a.m. The Mass at Sacred Heart will be at 7:30 a.m. as usual. Both church buildings will be locked after Mass for the day for security reasons.
Even though Labor Day in the U.S. is a civil holiday, the value of human labor is an important social teaching of the Catholic Church stated unequivocally by Pope Leo XIII in the encyclical “Rerum Novarum (1891)” and restated eloquently by Pius XI in “Quadragesimo Anno.”
Attention parish or school volunteers who work with or around children
Are you aware that the Archdiocese of Cincinnati has moved all parishes and schools from using the “Virtus” Child Protection program to the “Safe Parish” program? If you are a volunteer classroom parent in the school, a coach, drama club volunteer, scout volunteer, etc please contact your local parish Safe Environment Coordinator as to what is necessary for you to be eligible to work with or around children here or in any Archdiocesan location. As we return to school and fall programs ramp up, 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.
Beacons of Light
The Beacons of Light program continues to move forward. It is my understanding that the “reveal date” for the “families of parishes” combinations will be around October 1, 2021. Please reference the Beacons of Light web page for the most up-to-date information at: https://catholicaoc.org/beacons-of-light. The process of determining which parishes are likely to join together as “Families” is currently being studied. This consultative process is moving forward so that a draft of the probable pairings can be announced for discussion with the general population of the Archdiocese by the end of September or early October.
The following is a message from the Archdiocese:
BEACONS UPDATE: BE HEARD, STAY INFORMED, SIGN UP - To stay on top of the latest developments on Beacons of Light, the archdiocese-wide pastoral planning process currently underway, sign up for the free monthly Beacons Update newsletter at www.BeaconsAOC.org.
Fr. Tharp’s Pager is no longer in use!
The pager company I have used for years is now ceasing operation. Therefore, please do not leave voice or numeric messages using my old pager number. It won’t get to me. Leave all emergency messages on my emergency voicemail, (option #2 in the afterhours menu) and the system will alert me with a message on my cell phone. You can leave an emergency message for me by calling (513) 858-4210 and select option number two; “Fr. Tharp for an emergency.” The system will alert me to the fact that you have left an emergency message and I will call you back within five minutes unless I am having Mass. Delete or throw away the old pager number. It won’t work anymore.
Live Streaming a precept Mass from St. Ann and Sacred Heart each week
Even though the dispensation for the precept of Sunday Mass attendance has now been revoked, 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:
Don’t act like you are better than anybody else! My father reiterated this directive to me from the time I was old enough to understand. If you are trained in Judeo Christian morality, you are valued because you are made in the image and likeness of God. God does not make more and less valuable human beings. As a reflection of his Divinity, every human life is sacred.
In today’s reading from the Letter of St. James, we are instructed to never look down on anyone because of their clothing or lack of social graces. Favoring the wealthy or fashionable is asserting that God made this human better than that one. Acting in the contrary insults God. Showing respect for others shows God that we value his creation and all those made in his image. Showing respect for others does not diminish the one giving respect. Quite the contrary, it shows that he or she knows and respects the author of life.
Next Week: Twenty Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Is 50:4c-9a
Jas 2: 14-18
Mk 8:27-35
Theme: Peter said to him in reply: “You are the Christ.”