St. Ann Fiesta

I am very grateful to our Fiesta chairpersons as well as to all the volunteers in all the booths and all those who helped with set-up and tear-down.  I am also grateful to God for the “perfect” weather this year.  To my knowledge, no one engaged in bad behavior during the Fiesta this year.  I am grateful to the police who worked our fiesta and attribute the good order to their skillful enforcement and watchful eyes.  Finally, thanks for all who came to the Fiesta.  I ask God’s blessing upon all who support St. Ann Church.

Don’t forget that our Pastoral Region partner parish, Sacred Heart, has its festival next weekend, Friday, August 11 through Sunday, August 13. 

Cooperative Mission Appeal

 Every year the Archdiocesan Mission Office assigns a missionary to come and speak with each parish about the missionary activity of the Church in general, and share some of their mission experiences.  This year the Archdiocese has designated Father Fortunatus Mugusha as the preacher for the Pastoral Region of St. Ann/Sacred Heart.  Father Fortunatus is preaching at all the precept Masses at St. Ann this weekend of August 5 & 6, and at all the precept Masses at Sacred Heart on the weekend of August 19 & 20.  There will be a second collection at each of the Masses which will be sent to the Mission Office of the Archdiocese and dispersed according to their formula to each of the Missionary Societies participating in the Cooperative Mission Appeal.

Just a “Heads up!”

August Fifteen is the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven.  The fifteenth is on a Tuesday this year so it is a Holy Day of Obligation.  Last year the fifteenth fell on a Monday and thus the obligation to attend Mass was removed for 2016.  Because it is on a Tuesday this year, the “obligation” is restored.  

We will have our Holy Day Schedule of Masses at St. Ann and Sacred Heart.  The schedule will be in next Sunday’s bulletin. 

Reflection on Scripture

The Feast of the Transfiguration falls on Sunday, August 6 this year.  Jesus, accompanied by Peter, James, and John, ascend the mountain and witness Jesus instructing Moses and Elijah.  Moses is the great law giver for Israel and is credited with giving Israel its identity..  Elijah is considered the greatest Old Testament prophet and is credited with giving Israel its conscience.  Both are subordinate to Jesus, the Son of God, the giver of the New Law and the New Conscience.  Remember that Moses met God in the burning bush on Mount Horeb (Sinai).  After the exodus, Moses was given the tablets of the Law on Mt. Sinai.  Jesus ascends a high mountain (either Mt. Tabor or Mt. Hermon) not to be in the same geographical place but to create the same theological ambiance.  Moses meets God on Sinai.  Elijah recognizes God in a theophany as he stands in the entrance of a cave on a mountain.  Jesus reveals himself to be the Son of God before three witnesses to verify the reality of the revelation.  Jesus is the culmination of the Law and the Prophets.  Jesus is the Divine Son of God.

Readings for the Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

1 Kgs 19:9a, 11-13a

Rom 9:1-5

Mt 14:22-33

Theme:   Jesus walks on water.