Dear Sacred Heart and St. Ann Parishioners and friends:
DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY
The Sunday after Easter (or the Second Sunday of Easter) has most recently come to be known as Divine Mercy Sunday. I will celebrate Mass for the Second Sunday of Easter “live streamed” for our Pastoral Region of St. Ann and Sacred Heart from the sanctuary of Sacred Heart Church starting at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 18. Join us live for the Mass on our Pastoral Region Youtube page by highlighting and clicking on the following address: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVLLqbEY5hKWinwz069MVcg or by accessing the live stream Mass on either of our parish websites.
The traditional Sunday Afternoon Chaplet of Divine Mercy celebrated in the St. Ann Sanctuary will be available on either parish website or on the above Pastoral Region Youtube site any time after 12:00 p.m. (Noon) on Sunday. The Chaplet will be sung by Melody and Rick (music directors for each of the two parishes respectively). We will conclude the Chaplet with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Remember to have your rosary handy so you can pray along.
HOURS WHEN SACRED HEART CHURCH IS UNLOCKED
Because I came in on some behavior which I consider inappropriate taking place and being filmed in the sanctuary of Sacred Heart mid-afternoon on Easter Sunday, and because when the Narthex doors are unlocked access to the church is unrestricted; I am for the time being opening access to the church for weekday visits from about 9:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. It is clear that I must be there to provide security even though cameras record everything in the church in real time and recorded. I am generally in my office long after these times, so if you need access feel free to call me at 858-4260 and I will be glad to let you in. I will be unavailable when I am celebrating daily Mass, as I am required to do this throughout the duration of the quarantine without anyone else present (sine populo).
St. Ann will continue to be accessible only to those parishioners to whom the entrance code has been given.
Remember that I am having individual confessions only behind the screen and following all “social distancing protocol” at the published times at both parishes: Sacred Heart Tuesday 6:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m and Saturday Morning 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and St. Ann Saturday afternoon from 3:30 p.m. until about 3:45 or 3:50 p.m. I have to leave early enough to get set up for the live stream Mass at 5:00 p.m.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUING SUPPORT
Please remember that you can access the current Sunday Bulletin on line at our respective parish websites. Please note in the bulletin that because of your generous donations on-line, mailing or dropping off your Sunday envelope, or ACH deductions we are able to keep both parishes treading water and not sinking.
I am very grateful for your loyalty to our parishes evidenced by your generosity and also evidenced by all the cards and supportive emails you have offered. I am so blessed to have been assigned by the Archbishop to pastor Sacred Heart and St. Ann. You may have noticed from watching the end of the Easter Vigil Mass that I got a little “verklempt” when I said “We will be together again.” Because of your affection and prayers, we may be socially distancing, but we are together in spirit and prayer.
Your pastor in the Lord Jesus
Fr. Larry Tharp