SCCR Parish Blog

  After a long delay due to the church goods store, we finally received the new tabernacle purchased for St. Peter Church several months ago.   We blessed that at the Sunday Mass on May 1 st .   In a happy coincidence, this was the same weekend that some of the children from the parishes made their first Holy Communion.   Both of these events remind us of the priceless gift of the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist.   Through the power of His priesthood, shared with men ordained called to that vocation, the bread and wine offered at Mass become truly His Body and His Blood, given to the faithful as the Bread from Heaven to nourish us on the path to eternal life.   Once the bread and wine have been consecrated, they remain the true Body and Blood of Christ and so the Hosts not consumed at holy Mass are stored in the tabernacle so that Jesus can remain present, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity in every Catholic church in the world.   That ...

  Archbishop Schnurr has a brief  video for his flock  on the joy of the Easter season.

  We recently finished the Year of St. Joseph. Fr. De Souza writing for the National Catholic Register provides a reflection on the "Shadow of St. Joseph" for Good Friday.

  In the Church's Liturgy of the Hours (daily prayer cycle for the universal Church required for all priests, deacons and religious), I have certain favorites I like to meditate on each year. This beautifully poetic Holy Thursday reflection from St. Melito regarding the sufferings of all mankind that Christ took upon Himself, is one of them. From an Easter homily by Saint Melito of Sardis, bishop The Lamb that was slain has delivered us from death and given us life There was much proclaimed by the prophets about the mystery of the Passover: that mystery is Christ, and to him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.   For the sake of suffering humanity he came down from heaven to earth, clothed himself in that humanity in the Virgin’s womb, and was born a man. Having then a body capable of suffering, he took the pain of fallen man upon himself; he triumphed over the diseases of soul and body that were its cause, and by his Spirit, which was incapable of dying, he dealt man’s des...

Find out more about Holy Thursday from this National Catholic Register blogpost. Note: In the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, the Chrism Mass was celebrated early, this past Tuesday of Holy Week.  You can view the livestream of that Mass at St. Peter in Chains Cathedral Basilica on YouTube. Below, from the Magnificat devotional magazine, is an excerpt of the significance of the Chrism Mass mentioned in the above article - including the purpose of that Mass and the texts that priests use to renew the promises they made on ordination day.  Please pray for your priests and for the men preparing to be ordained to the priesthood for service of our Archdiocese this May. ================================ This Mass, which the Bishop concelebrates with his presbyterate, should be, as it were, a manifestation of the Priests’ communion with their Bishop. Accordingly it is desirable that all the Priests participate in it, insofar as is possible, .... . To signify the unity of the presbyterat...

  There is a lot going on right after Easter both in our parishes and nationwide. Will try to update this and related posts soon after Easter. * A new Catholic movie that everyone is talking about (that actually paints the Church and the priesthood in a positive light) * The launching of the U.S. Church's year of Eucharistic renewal - with the relics of Bl. Carlo Acutis. * Relics of St. Bernadette touring the United States, including St. Bernadette Parish in Amelia.  * Our own sacraments for our parish children -- Confirmation and First Communion. * Ordination to the diaconate (office of the deacon) for Patrick Blenman * Ordination of new priests for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. Here are some links, mostly from the National Catholic Register.  "Father Stu" movie review - " Father Stu" Movie  trailer -- Father Stu Movie website  - Background  -- Conversation with Catholic actor / producer Mark Wahlberg   More Bl. Carlo Acutis  and the Eucharisti...

  Please join us for the Easter Triduum here in the South Clermont Catholic Region. Triduum is the Latin name for the "three days" running  of these very important liturgies of the Church's calendar year leading up to the  high point of the Church's year on Easter Sunday.  That is,  Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Vigil. These are not obligatory but are highly recommended because of their importance in our life of faith.  Mass for Easter Sunday is of course obligatory but the obligation can be fulfilled by attending the Easter Vigil.  Please note that the Vigil Mass is quite long -- often at least two hours.  The schedule for all Masses and services is kept up to date on the parish website calendar (also available on your MyParish smartphone app). Highlights are included below for your convenience. ====================================== Holy Thursday * Mass of the Lord's Supper.  7:30 p.m. @ St. Peter * Adoration of the Blessed Sacrame...

  Fr. Earl K. Fernandes, a priest of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, was just appointed bishop-elect of the Diocese of Columbus, Ohio by our Holy Father Pope Francis.  I was in seminary with Fr. Fernandes and even then had a hunch that he would be a successor to the apostles one day.  Please pray for him and for all of our bishops in this very challenging time for the church and the world. 

  Recently at a short talk I gave on making the most out of the upcoming Holy Week, a parishioner reminded me of the tradition of  "Praying the Steps" at Immaculata Church in Mt. Adams near downtown Cincinnati.  This beautiful and ancient tradition dates back to the Civil War era of the 1860s and is a rich part of our Catholic history in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. I recommend making that a part of your family's tradition. To find out more about this powerful way to join with pilgrims from all over the diocese and beyond, view this video from Holy Cross-Immaculata Parish.  For more detailed information about logistics, visit their parish website .