SCCR Parish Blog

  Pope Francis has recently issued a decree severely restricting the celebration of the Traditional Latin Mass (TLM) (sometimes also called the extraordinary form of the Mass).  This is the rite of the Mass that was celebrated continuously for hundreds of years until the Mass was modified as a result of the Second Vatican Council beginning in the 1960s and 1970s.    As recently as 14 years ago, Pope Emeritus Benedict had opened the celebration of the old rite very widely to all priests and faithful who wished to celebrate the Mass in that form.   This action by the current holy father reverses most of that progress and allows bishops to severely restrict it at their discretion.   Many people who loved the TLM are disappointed in the Holy Father's decision, but it is within his authority as the Supreme Pontiff to do so. In his writings, the Holy Father indicated that he was making this decision because the celebration of the old rite was causing "division."  Not everyone a

  Per the press release from the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Archbishop Schnurr has indicated that he was NOT contacted about tomorrow's visit of Mr. Biden to Mt. St. Joseph University in Delhi Twp. for a town hall event, nor would he have granted permission if asked for him to appear at such an event on Catholic premises.

  Over the next few weeks through August, the Sunday Masses will include readings on the Bread of Life Discourse (the teaching Jesus gives us about what the Eucharist and the Blessed Sacrament mean). I will post here the links to those readings, because they are so important to the faith that I think that is will be very helpful read and pray over them after Mass.  Week I:  July 18, 2021              Mark 6:30-34     (16th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B)  Week II:     July 25, 2021        John 6:1-15         (17th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B) Week III: August 1, 2021        John 6:24-35     (18th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B) Week IV:     August 8, 2021      John 6:41-51    (19th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B) Week V: (Note - this is interrupted by the Solemn Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary this year, which happens to fall on a Sunday.  I am posting the reading that usually falls during the fifth week of the cycle). 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B

  As I have written about earlier, the current President and Congress are moving quickly to force taxpayer funding of the terrible evil of abortion. This letter from the U.S. Conference of Bishops (below) encourages all the faithful to act quickly to stop this and to protect innocent lives and our religious liberty.  Please make sure your voice is heard! ================================================ Congress pushes taxpayer-funded abortion Congress is moving forward on paying for abortion with your tax dollars!  Babies and their moms urgently need your help. Congress is advancing appropriations bill this week that would essentially  force taxpayer dollars to pay for abortions  in D.C., through foreign assistance, and in federal employee health plans. And this is just the start. Easily send a quick, pre-written email by clicking the button below.  Your members of Congress need to hear from you  before they go any further . Don't let Congress vote for an appropriations bill that i

  Archbishop Schnurr has asked all of his pastors to share this important letter regarding the Beacons of Light diocesan resource planning initiative with all of the faithful of the Archdiocese.  This will impact all parishes soon, as we adjust the parish groupings and assignment of priests to match our changing resources. As a reminder, you can keep up to date on the process as it begins to unfold this year at the diocesan website for the planning process .    

  For those who are history buffs, you might be interested in the new history book of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati , reflecting on our bicentennial.  The author is Fr. David Endres, the dean of the Seminary who is a Church historian. It is available for purchase at the Archdioceses online store and I will try to get a copy for our parish libraries soon. 

  Today in the U.S. we celebrate one of the great "adopted" American saints, the Spaniard Fr. Junipero Serra .   Canonized by Pope Francis , he was a great 18th century missionary to much of what is now Mexico and California, walking thousands of miles and establishing many missions to bring the faith to the indigenous American peoples and help them learn the ways of agriculture.  You can still visit some of the missions he founded.  St. Junipero has recently been in the news, when some of the angry, divisive, violent and anti-Christian secularists who seem to be on the rise in our nation began attacking his reputation and destroying his statues .  That is a sign not only of our very troubled times, but also that the saints are not always esteemed in the eyes of the world during their lifetimes or afterwards.  No matter, enjoying the unimaginable happiness of the beatific vision of the Holy Trinity is its own reward.   St. Junipero, pray for us!