SCCR Parish Blog

We have good news.  Our parish bulletin company is starting to publish our parish bulletin again each week, starting with today's Pentecost bulletin . However, they are only publishing 50 per week.  So if we run out or if you are choosing not to attend Sunday Mass at this time or are unable to do so, you can always read the bulletin online .

For those parishioners still praying at home, I am sorry I forgot to post the prayer service for today, Pentecost Sunday , from our friends at the Magnificat devotional magazine.

Now that Pentecost is finally here and we are permitted to joyfully celebrate Holy Mass again, I wanted to issue just a few more updates. A deacon or I will be reading some announcements before Mass regarding the new procedures we are required to follow due to the current pandemic.  They are reproduced below. I also wanted to try to clear up some confusion regarding Sunday Mass reservations (for our Saturday evening and Sunday morning Masses).  Until further notice, you will have to sign up each time  (once for each weekend).  This is to insure that all of those who want to go to Mass have a chance to do so in the case that there are more who want to go than available seats, as the number of seats is significantly reduced due to social distancing requirements. If you are signed up for this weekend (Pentecost) your reservation is assured.  But please note that if you have signed up for a Sunday Mass for a date after this weekend, by our online registration websi...

With all the excitement about starting up public Masses again, got a little bit behind on something I meant to do on Ascension Thursday .  The Church has an ancient tradition of praying a novena (nine consecutive days of prayers) between Ascension Thursday and Pentecost Sunday, to invoke the power and gifts of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  I recommend this one. You don't have to sign up for the email on the webpage -- the prayers are already printed on that page. Getting started late, but that's OK.  Please just pray once a day for nine days until done.  We'll "wrap around" the great feast of Pentecost which we'll celebrate with joy this Sunday (including the special joy of at long last being able to celebrate Mass publicly together again.

Here are some FAQs (frequently asked questions) about the resuming of public Masses which starts tomorrow.   I'm anticipating questions here, based on some preliminary feedback I've received,  but will try to update this post after the Masses start when I find out what other questions people are actually asking. Do I have to wear a mask? Adults will be asked to wear a mask as they enter if not already wearing one.  An usher will provide either disposable use ones or a cloth one made by parish volunteers which you can take home, wash and reuse.  This is in accord with most research that shows that it will help prevent you from spreading Covid-19 to others at Mass if you have it but are not aware of it because you have no symptoms.  Even if you are not concerned about risk, we ask you to be considerate of other Massgoers who may gain peace of mind if they see others wearing masks.  We are asking people to keep the mask on except for the immediate reception of...

This past Thursday, the 40th day of the Easter season, the Church around the world celebrated the solemn feast of the Ascension of Our Lord into Heaven.  (It's celebrated today, Sunday, in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and many U.S. dioceses, so you might see the Mass for the Ascension today depending on which livestream you are watching.  If it's not the Ascension, it will be the 7th Sunday of Easter). My Ascension homily notes are below. Here's the YouTube version (about 10 minutes) ============= Ascension Thursday, May 21, 2020 ( A ) [observed in Archdi. Cinti. On Sunday, May 24, 2020] As we start drawing to the close of the Easter season, we celebrate today a much neglected feast: Ascension Thursday, 40 days after the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus, when He ascended to the right hand of His Father in Heaven. I say, neglected, because everyone remembers Easter – as well they should -- it’s the centerpiece of the liturgical year.   Most people r...

Welcome home! The Archdiocese of Cincinnati has a very helpful information page on the resumption of public Masses , including some short 2 minutes videos from a few pastors throughout the diocese, covering various topics such as how to prepare spiritually for Mass and what to expect.