From the Desk of Father Tharp

Infant Pre-Baptism Class

The pre-baptism class for our Pastoral Region for first time parents is the second Monday of each month.  The next class is Monday, May 13, 2019 at 8:00 p.m. in the basement of Sacred Heart Church.  There is no need to call ahead or pre-register.  Enter the Narthex and walk down the stairway to RH 2 & 3.  Program takes approximately 35 to 45 minutes.

Summertime Security Protocols

With warmer weather finally here (I hope), it is a good time to remind all to practice reasonable security.  Don’t leave valuables visible in vehicles in the parking lot.   Do not leave purses or valuables in pews while going up for communion.  Do not let smaller children run to the restroom(s) unattended.  If you see behavior that makes you suspicious, say something to the ushers or the priest celebrant.  Please just remember to practice the same protocols you would in any public place.  Be neither paranoid nor complacent.  Remain alert to what is happening around you.  Just be practical.

Auxiliary Group Checking or Savings Accounts

This is a reprint from earlier bulletins to be sure all parish auxiliary group leaders see it.  

Both St. Ann and Sacred Heart (in other words our Pastoral Region) are scheduled to be audited by the Archdiocese this summer.  For years, it has been the stated policy of the Archdiocese that any and all parish associated groups which collect, receive, distribute, or hold funds in name associated with either parish, must list the current pastor as one of the signatory names on the account.  Most parish groups at both sites are compliant. 

However, in recent months, the reinsurers of the Archdiocesan Self Insurance Program have added exclusionary language in their policies stating that any funds held under the specific parish’s Tax Identification Number which do not show the pastor as one of the signatories to the account, will not be covered by fraud protection under Archdiocesan insurance. 

If your parish group has a checking or savings account using the parish TIN, please make arrangements with Fr. Tharp so he can be listed as a signatory.  It is very important that this take place before the audit.

Reflection on Scripture

Jesus asks Peter three times, “Do you love me?”   The first two times he asks, Jesus uses the Greek word agapas.  Each time Peter responds using the word filw.    “Agape” means godlike unconditional love.  Phileo means brotherly love or human family love or human emotion “dearly” love.  The third time Jesus asks, Jesus uses the word filw.    Peter responds using the same word.  Some scholars say the words are used in John interchangeably and thus mean nothing unusual.  I disagree.  The first two times, Jesus is asking Peter if he has achieved “divine” love for Jesus.  Each time Peter says he is filled with the highest form of human love.  The third time Jesus asks if he is filled with “human” love.  Peter responds that his love is personal and human. 

Remember that Peter denied Jesus three times during his trial.  Thus Peter is asked to repudiate his former denial three times. Case closed!  Right?   No, there is more to the story than that.  Jesus asks Peter twice, do you love me because I am Divine?  Peter says I like you because you are my friend.  Jesus is asking if we love him out of friendship or out of fear?  Agape love for God is logical.  Phileo love for God is emotional.  Peter has emotional or friendship love for a God he should fear.  Do we love God with all our heart, soul, and mind?  Peter says “yes” to all of the above.  How do we respond?

Next Weekend: Fourth Sunday of Easter  (Mother’s Day)

Acts 13:14, 43-52

Rev: 7:9, 14b-17

Jn. 10:27-30

Theme: Jesus is the Good Shepherd