Feast of the Ascension
The Feast of the Ascension was formerly known as Ascension Thursday. It was 40 days after Easter. This year it would fall on May 9. In most dioceses in the US, the celebration of the Ascension of the Lord is moved to the Seventh Sunday of Easter. Therefore, there is no obligation to attend Mass on May 9, but rather the Feast will be celebrated on Sunday, May 12, which is also Mother’s Day in the United States.
CMA
As of 4/22/24, Sacred Heart is at 208% of target with 411 families participating. St. Ann is at 124% of target with 151 families participating. Remember that when any parish exceeds target, a percentage of the money over target comes back to the parish.
Thanks to all who have pledged or contributed. Thank you for prayerfully considering a donation or pledge to this year’s CMA. I will report each week the results I have in the bulletin.
Beacons of Light Phase Two
As we move through the Easter season toward Pentecost, St. Ann and Sacred Heart are conducting meetings and discussion sessions regarding the process for “visioning for the future.” During this phase, we seek out problems and envision practical solutions.
We will inevitably move to a time when both parishes will become one canonical parish under Catholic Law. We will become the Immaculate Heart of Mary parish at St. Ann campus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary parish at Sacred Heart campus. Nothing will close! We cannot service our congregations without both church buildings and both school buildings operating as independent schools operating under the authority of one canonical parish, at two locations, namely Immaculate Heart of Mary. So that loyalty to separate buildings and structures may be specified for restricted donations, I have proposed that internally in our one parish operation we will have four cost centers. One budgetary cost center will be Sacred Heart Church building, another will be St. Ann Church building, yet another will be St. Ann School operation, and a fourth will be Sacred Heart School operation. Those who wish to restrict their donation to one or another of the cost centers will be able to so specify their temporarily restricted donation to the specific budget for each, with the understanding that functional operation of the whole is contingent to adequate funding for each. We of course do not want a situation that is like unto a lifeboat! We cannot say I will only help fund the bow of the lifeboat, while another says I only want to fund the stern. If the bow of the lifeboat sinks, the whole of the survivors sink with it. If the stern of the boat floats, all the survivors are saved regardless of their seating position. Either the whole boat floats, or the whole boat sinks. Nevertheless, we can donate favoring our part of the lifeboat, recognizing that we are all in this together.
This is only one of the many possible solutions for funding, sacraments, worship, outreach, and charity. The only thing we cannot do is go backwards. If we move forward as one parish in two locations there is every reason to believe Immaculate Heart of Mary can flourish. The only obstacle to success is rowing backward. We either win together or lose everything. If we work together, I am certain the Holy Spirit will m,ake winners of us all.
DO NOT FALL FOR SCAMS!!!!
I keep running this article because there are new scams everyday
Remember I NEVER solicit funds, donations, favors, or any request of any kind over the telephone, text, email, carrier pigeon, drone, etc. NEVER! Do not allow yourself to be taken in by scammers. Even if they have my recorded voice, be assured it is computer generated fake! It is not me!!!
Reminder for volunteers who work with or around children
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.
Live Streaming for Precept Masses
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:
An electrician once told me know where the power comes from. If we know the location of the power plant, we know how to distribute the power. Sometimes we like to think we are an entity to ourselves. This lacks humility. “I am the vine….you are the branches.” Know where and who your power source is. You are then delegated to cooperate with the power.
“Pride goes before a fall.” We are not the power. Jesus is! Make sure in eaerything that you know where and who the power comes from.
NEXT SUNDAY The Sixth Sunday of Easter
Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48
1 Jn 4:7-10
Jn 15:9-17
Theme: Together in Jesus, we are all superstars.