SCCR Parish Blog

  Since 1983, a group called Citizens for Community Values which has been doing good work advocating for Christian values in the public sphere (pro-life, pro-religious-liberty, anti-pornography and so on).  They were recently instrumental in passing a state law here in Ohio to insure that our churches would not be unjustly closed by government decree.  As the article below shows, that is not the case in all states.  Some governors have deemed worship "non-essential" and shut it down, or enacted restrictions much more stringent than for comparable secular activities.  As the Covid-19 pandemic has emboldened many politicians to deprive Christians of their religious liberty under the guise of "public safety,"  this is one of the many fronts on which we Christians will have to remain vigilant and work doggedly to defend our most basic rights.   CCV-Backed Religious Freedom Bill to Prohibit Government from Closing Churches Signed Into Law

Today is the Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows. A beautiful and rich feast day in which we remember the 7 Sorrows of Mary. It is fitting we celebrate this memorial after the Feast of the Holy Exaltation of the Holy Cross.  These 7 Sorrows of Mary are the sorrows of Our Lady throughout her life being the Mother of God. These 7 sorrows are: 1. The prophecy of Simeon. (St. Luke 2:34, 35) 2. The flight into Egypt. (St. Matthew 2:13, 14) 3. The loss of the Child Jesus in the temple. (St. Luke 2: 43-45) 4. The meeting of Jesus and Mary on the Way of the Cross. 5. The Crucifixion. 6. The taking down of the Body of Jesus from the Cross. 7. The burial of Jesus. In today's Office of Readings from the Divine Office, referenced today in my homily this morning, we have a beautiful reflection on Our Lady of Sorrows by  St Bernard of Clairvaux. As promised, here is the reading: His mother stood by the cross The martyrdom of the Virgin is set forth both in the prophecy of Simeon and in the actual s

   As the coronavirus threat drags on and on, I know that many parishioners still do not feel safe coming to Mass.  I am again including a prayer for spiritual communion for those who would like to pray it in the absence of celebrating the Eucharist.  (Click on the "spiritual communion" tag below for other blogposts with other prayers and more information on the practice).     

  Now that early voting season is upon us, I recommend reading this selection of quotes from the U.S. Bishops to help form how we vote.

  The Archdiocese of Cincinnati has asked us to join together to pray for certain causes in the coming weeks. Here are the dates:  NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER FOR PEACE IN OUR COMMUNITIES – SEPTEMBER 9 On Wednesday, September 9, 2020 , the Memorial of Saint Peter Claver, the Archdiocese of Cincinnati will offer a Mass celebrating the National Day of Prayer for Peace In Our Communities. The Mass will be held at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Peter in Chains at 11:30 a.m. Archbishop Schnurr will be the presider and homilist. For more information, please contact Deacon Royce Winters (513.263.6640) in the Office for African American Pastoral Ministries. DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE CHURCH AND THE VICTIMS OF ABUSE – SEPTEMBER 11 The archdiocese will observe the third annual Day of Prayer for the Church and the Victims of Abuse on Friday, September 11 . In addition to a Votive Mass of the Mystery of the Holy Cross celebrated by Archbishop Schnurr at 11:30 a.m. at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter-in-