Memorial Day

Monday, May 29 is Memorial Day, a Civic Holiday with religious foundation.  We remember and honor those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice so we may live in freedom.  Freedom and self-determination are gifts from God; but they are not “free.”  In this great nation, our freedoms have been paid for by the blood of men and women who valued freedom and family more than life.  Every person who lost his or her life or health in service to our freedom deserves our admiration and our prayers.  Make Memorial Day this year a day when we honor and remember all who have made our nation the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Mass at Sacred Heart will be at the regular time of 7:30 a.m.  Mass at St. Ann will not be at 6:30 but will be at 9:00 a.m. 

Discalced Carmelites Building Project

Our parishioner Mary Jacquemin is a vowed nun in the Order of the Discalced Carmelite Nuns of the Carmel of Jesus Mary and Joseph.  Her cloistered convent is building a new monastery building.   If you would like to show her your admiration and appreciation, please visit www.friendsofcarmeljmj.org. or retrieve one of the envelopes available at the doors.

Please Remember

This is just a reminder that all active priests of the Archdiocese are required to attend the convocation in Columbus from June 19 to June 22.  There will be no availability for morning Masses or even Funeral Masses on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday June 20-22.  I have made provision at each parish for a communion service each day.  Funerals will of necessity be delayed.

Reflection on Scripture

On the Feast of the Ascension, before Vatican II, we used to extinguish the flame of the Easter Candle during the reading to make the absence of the resurrected Lord here on earth powerfully evident.   The post Vatican II liturgy, we leave the candle lighted until after Pentecost.  The pre-Vatican II liturgy always made me feel a bit sad on the Feast of the Ascension.  In the post Vatican II liturgy we feel a sense of anticipation for Pentecost.  Since Pentecost is my favorite Solemnity, the anticipation of the Ascension seems fulfilled in Pentecost.  You can’t have Easter without Good Friday, and you can’t have Pentecost without the Ascension.  The truth is evident only when you see each in context.

Readings for the Feast of Pentecost

Acts 2:1-11

1 Cor 12:3b-7

Jn 20:19-23

Theme:   Come Holy Spirit, come into our hearts!