ANNUNCIATION PARISH Interested in Becoming Catholic? If you or someone you know has no church home, or is attending Annunciation but is not Catholic, consider extending an invitation to this individual to give some thought to becoming Catholic. If you or someone you know is interested in finding out more about the possibility of becoming Catholic, please contact Father Grogan or Dr. Sandi Chakeres at the Parish Office, 861-1295. Baptism Preparation If you are anticipating the birth/baptism of an infant/ young child, please note that participation in a Baptism Evening of Preparation is required prior to scheduling the baptism. Attendance is encouraged early in the pregnancy. Godparents are also encouraged to attend. Our next Baptism Evening of Preparation will be Thursday, September 6, at 7:00 p.m. Please call our Parish Office, 861-1295, if you plan to attend. National Novena for the Legal Protection of Human Life The U.S. bishops urge our participation each Friday in a nationwide Novena for the Legal Protection of Human Life taking place August 3 September 28. Participants will receive weekly email or text reminders to pray and fast, along with little-known facts about Roe v. Wade to share with others. Sign up at www.usccb.org/ pray. Has Your Contact Information Changed? The beginning of a new academic year often finds us with changes in address, phone numbers, and email addresses. To make sure we have the most update contact information for you, would you take a moment to verify current information with us, and submit any changes? Contact us at 513-861-1295 or CLIFTON, CINCINNATI, OHIO Your Prayers Are Requested Please remember to keep in your prayers those of our Parish Community who are unable to be with us at our Sunday Eucharist: Freddie Domineack, Bertie Domineack Harper, Joseph Chaky, Jim San Filippo, Mary Thomas, Cheryl Walz, Vince Frasher, David Koenig, Anna Heuck, Pam Martini, Molly Minihan, JoJo, Tom Vonderahe, and Patricia & Harvey Sander. If you know of someone else who should be included in this list, please call the Rectory. Also, your prayers are requested for the safety, and safe return, of all the men and women serving our country in the armed forces. Annunciation School Faith Formation News Our beginning of the year Faith Formation In-Service for our school faculty will be this Thursday, August 23, beginning with 8:00 a.m. Mass. For more information about Faith Formation at Annunciation School, please contact our Director of Faith Formation, Dr. Sandi Chakeres at 861-1295. Pray for Persecuted Christians! Please remember to pray everyday for our Brothers and Sisters who experience hardship, suffering, and persecution for our Christian faith. Please pray for those Christians who will give their lives this day in faithful witness to Jesus Christ. And pray for the grace to quietly and courageously give witness in our own lives to the faithfulness of God. V isit the icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, located to the left of the altar. Divine Liturgy and Educational Event on International Religious Persecution On the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, Friday September 14, at 7:00 p.m. at St. Anthony of Padua Maronite Catholic Church (2530 Victory Pkwy., Cincinnati, OH 45206), the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre and the One Church of Mercy Committee (of which Annunciation is a member) are hosting a Divine Liturgy followed by an educational gathering concerning international religious freedom, focused especially on Christian persecution. More details available soon. For more information, contact the Archdiocesan Catholic Social Action Office at csa@catholiccincinnati.org. To Help You Prepare For Next Sunday: Joshua 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b; Ephesians 5:21-32; John 6:60-69
TWENTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINAL TIME AUGUST 19, 2018 An Invitation to Catholic Physicians and Health Care Professionals The Catholic Medical Association (CMA) is a national, physician led community of healthcare professionals that informs, organizes, and inspires its members, in steadfast fidelity to the teachings of the Catholic Church, to uphold the principles of the Catholic faith in the science and practice of medicine. The CMA does this through its national organization and annual conference, as well as local guilds. We are happy to announce the formation of the Greater Cincinnati Guild of the CMA designed to provide support, education, and fellowship for Catholic physicians and healthcare professionals in the area. To become involved, or for more information on upcoming meetings and events, please email Dr. Elmer Wahl at ewahl103@gmail.com or visit cathmed.org. Vocation View Because we have been called, formed and nourished by Christ, our actions must be in accord with the great gifts we have received. To strive for holiness every day of our lives is to live in accord with the promises made at Baptism. (Eph. 5:15) The Hail Holy Queen (The Salve Regina) Masses for the Week Monday, August 20th - Saint Bernard 8:00 a.m. Celebrant s Intention Tuesday, August 21st - Saint Pius X 8:00 a.m. Celebrant s Intention Wednesday, August 22nd - The Queenship of the BVM 8:00 a.m. Celebrant s Intention Thursday, August 23rd - Weekday in Ordinal Time 8:00 a.m. Persecuted Christians Friday, August 24th - Saint Bartholomew 8:00 a.m. Jim Chakeres; Sandi Chakeres Saturday, August 25th - Vigil, 21st Sunday in Ordinal Time 5:00 p.m. Terese Kessler; Bob & Mary Kessler Sunday, August 26th - 21st Sunday in Ordinal Time 9:00 a.m. Pro Populo, For the People of the Parish 11:00 a.m. Mary Hoffman; Jane & Doug Hausterman When Mass Intentions are listed, the first name given is the person being remembered by the priest celebrant at that Mass; the second name is the person requesting the intention. Mass Intentions are always welcomed. Please call the Rectory. Next Week s Ministers Saturday, August 25th - 5:00 p.m. Servers: Felicia Domineack & Pablo Patag Lectors: Pam Rosfeld & Paul Hendrick Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Leslie Clark & Melissa Booth Gift Bearer: Cheryl Walz Sunday, August 26th - 9:00 a.m. Servers: Ian Bentle & Sarah Turner Lectors: Joy Gunza & Tony Ertel Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Gus Giglio & David Turner Gift Bearers: The Bentle Family Sunday, August 26th - 11:00 a.m. Servers: Miguel Patag & Joseph Spaeth Lectors: Gabrielle Hopkins & Tess Neggerman Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: John McManus & Dean Stout Gift Bearers: The Hartman/Hopkins Family Hail, holy Queen, mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To you we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to you we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn, then, most gracious advocate, your eyes of mercy toward us; and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. Financial Stewardship Sunday, August 12th (47 Envelopes)...3,980.00 Sunday, August 12th (Electronic Giving)... 260.00 Sunday, August 12th Total Weekly Offering....... 4,240.00 Please remember Annunciation Parish in your will!
ANNUNCIATION PARISH CLIFTON, CINCINNATI, OHIO Congratulations to Sister of Charity Mary Catherine Faller, Daughter of Annunciation Parish, as she celebrates her Fiftieth Anniversary in Religious Life. She and her Community, and her family including parishioners Ray Faller and Sarah Faller, will celebrate her Jubilee on Saturday, August 18 th, at Mount St. Joseph Motherhouse. Please remember Sister Mary Catherine in your prayers, giving thanks to the Lord for her faithful service to Him in His Church, and for her wonderful witness to all of us. May the Lord continue to bless her in her vocation. Special thanks to the anonymous donor who has gifted the Parish with a gold-plated paten (communion plate) in honor of a birthday celebrated this month. The paten completes a set which includes a gold chalice given to the Parish by a former parishioner and friend of Father James Kelly, our founding Pastor, in memory of her sister. Such generosity assures that we, God s Faithful Worshipers, continue to worship the Lord in beauty! Please consider supporting Parishioner Wolfgang Windholtz, as he works on his Eagle Scout Project: two sets of three wooden stands to be made for use here in Church. These stands will give greater flexibility and variety in the placement of flowers, arrangements and plants throughout the Church at Christmas, Easter, Weddings, Funerals, Feast Days, etc. Wolfgang has been conceptualizing and designing these stand for a while now, and hopes to have them ready for our use by this November. He estimates the cost of this project (materials and supplies) to be approximately $600.00. He is the son of Parishioners Kelly and Mark Windholtz, nephew of Parishioner Philip Koenig, and grandson of the late Mary Koenig, a long-time parishioner of Annunciation. Please contact me, if you wish to support this Eagle Scout Project. Attention SERVERS, CURRENT AND NEW, there will be training on Sundays, August 19 th and 26 th, immediately after the 11:00 a.m. Mass. Training will last one hour. It would be helpful if you could attend both sessions. The ministry of Server, or Altar Attendant, is open to everyone beginning 4 th Grade this year (OK, and for any eager 3 rd Graders, too!), including adults. Families are welcome to serve together. Please let me know of your interest, by calling the Parish Office (861.1295) or emailing me, pastor@annunciationbvmaparish.org. God Bless, Fr. Grogan
TWENTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINAL TIME AUGUST 19, 2018
Our Sunday Obligation Much obliged is an old fashioned phrase first noted in the Old Oxford English Dictionary in the sixteenth century. Over the centuries, the phrase has lost some of its richness. Originally, it meant to be bound to a person by ties of gratitude. Today, the phrase is more often used as an automatic response to someone who has performed a perfunctory service. Unfortunately, this practice does not convey the sense of truly being bound to each other by gratitude. What a loss! Because of that loss, many people understand the word obligation as a burden rather than a commitment and duty that flows from a relationship. Obligation is a form of indebtedness that comes from within the heart of a relationship. Think of the obligations that make for a rich family life. A parent does not say, I wonder if I have to feed my children this week? Husbands and wives carry out a myriad of obligatory tasks in service to each other during the course of a week and never ask, Do I have to? In loving relationships, we are grateful for the gift of each other and we express that gratitude by doing right actions because we want to do so. Obligatory behaviors grow out of communication, intimacy, and personal and communal relationships. These examples can help us reflect on our obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and on holy days of obligation and rest from servile labor (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #2041). The heart of Sunday obligation is gratitude. The word Eucharist means to give thanks. We gather each week because we are much obliged to God for everything. This obligation is not an automatic response to someone who has performed a perfunctory service. We come together to give thanks to God, our Father who is the source of all life and creation, and to Jesus, God s Son who gave us eternal life through his death on the Cross that is made present in every Mass as we participate again in Christ s death and Resurrection through the Eucharist. Each time we attend Mass, we bring our lives, our very selves, to the Eucharist. We gather together as a community, Maureen Kelly, ma grateful to have each other as fellow pilgrims in faith and grateful to be nourished by the body and blood of Christ. Just as the relationships and obligations in families are nurtured and strengthened by intimacy and communion, so too does our participation in the Eucharist nurture and strengthen our relationship with the Trinity. Food nourishes our body in the same way that our participation in Holy Communion nourishes our spirit and unites us together as individuals and as a community in Christ. Acting on our Sunday obligation of being much obliged gives us reason to be more obliged in the most authentic sense of obligation. Questions for Reflection In what ways do I live out my Sunday obligation? What impact does my participation in the Eucharist have on my daily life? How can I explain Sunday obligation to someone who asks, Do you have to go to Mass every Sunday? Actions to Take Volunteer to become part of one of the liturgical committees or groups of liturgical ministers in your parish. Think about what you can do to improve your experience of Sunday worship. Talk with your family or another faith-sharing group about ways to make Sunday a day of worship. Scripture Corner Exodus 34:10 26; Psalm 100; John 4:4 42 Read and reflect on these passages. What do you bring to the worship experience in the light of your reflection? Maureen A. Kelly is an expert on sacramental catechesis and religious education. She holds an MA in theology from the Catholic University of Louvain and is a founding member of the North American Forum on the Catechumenate. 2006 Archdiocese of Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 1800 North Hermitage Avenue, Chicago, IL 60622-1161; 1-800-933-1800; www.ltp.org. Art by Julie Lonneman. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Rite magazine, page 31, May/June 2006, www.ritemagazine.org. This page may be reproduced for personal or parish use. The copyright notice must appear with the text. It also may be downloaded at www.ritemagazine.org.
What Are the Seven Deadly Sins? Kristopher W. Seaman The seven deadly sins have intrigued people throughout the centuries, even inspiring a 1995 movie starring Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt. However, it was the medieval poet, Dante, who gave the list of the infamous seven sins. While they are referred to commonly as the deadly sins, they are formally called the capital sins. Why capital or deadly? These sins are like constructing a wall between oneself and God. Discipleship is relational: loving the Triune God and loving one another. These capital sins rupture one s relationship to God and one another. Secondly, these sins are contrary to virtues to which all Christians are called. Having been baptized into the life of Christ, all members of the Church that is, disciples are called to live as Christ calls us in word and sacrament. The preeminent virtues include: temperance, justice, fortitude, and prudence. Discipleship ideally is living according to Christ s call to lives that embody God s faithful love (which we call grace). Virtues become like a habit that are almost second nature ultimately leading to cardinal virtues. The opposite is also true. Practicing small vices can ultimately lead to bigger and bigger vices, namely the deadly or capital sins. The capital sins include, as taken from the Catechism of the Catholic Church: pride, avarice, envy, wrath, lust, gluttony, and sloth (#1866). Saint Augustine defined sin as being curled in on oneself. Sin, therefore, is putting the self ahead of others. Looking at this list of sins, they all put oneself, one s needs, ahead of others. The opposite of humility is pride. A sin of excess, pride boasts too much about oneself to the neglect of one s neighbor and God. Avarice, which also can mean greed, forsakes the virtue of justice, by depriving one s neighbor of equitable resources. This includes stealing and hoarding goods. Envy may seem harmless, because what is wrong with envying another s luxury car or mansion? Envy as a deadly sin is not admiring another person or their property but desiring those things or qualities for oneself, to such an extent that one loathes the person. Resentment grows, and a feeling of entitlement can lead to the other deadly sins of lust, greed, or wrath. Anger that reaches the level of wrath turns violent. Anger in itself is something with which we all deal. Yet when we allow our anger to take charge of our lives, the result is violence, aggression, pain, and suffering. Lust is obsessive craving to the point of addiction or even the breaking of commitments. God s love is one that awakens within us the ability to cherish others, uphold their dignity as human persons, respecting them and beholding them as subjects created in God s very image and likeness. Lust supplants authentic love. Eating or drinking too much is known as gluttony. In the feudal system of the Middle Ages, gluttony was interpreted as eating beyond one s need, without care for those who are poor and starving. Like greed, gluttony lacks justice toward one s neighbor. Today, we tend to think of sloth as laziness or the couch potato who never does anything constructive. Laziness, in a spiritual sense, is not using all the gifts God has given us to build up the Church and the world. Our responsibility as the baptized is to further the mission Christ entrusted to the Church, and therefore laziness impedes our roles as members of the Church who use our gifts for the work of Christ. While these deadly sins have been written about and even evoked the imagination for a movie, what is important is accepting God s offer of life and love in our lives in order to be faithful disciples and virtuous persons. Kristopher Seaman is the associate director for the Office for Divine Worship for the diocese of Gary. 2010 Archdiocese of Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 3949 South Racine Avenue, Chicago, IL 60609; 1-800-933-1800; www.ltp.org. Art Julie Lonneman. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Pastoral Liturgy magazine, March/April 2010, www.pastoralliturgy.org. This page may be reproduced for personal or parish use. The copyright notice must appear with the text. It also may be downloaded at www.pastoralliturgy.org.