Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost

September 4, 2016
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Weekly Announcements

Signs of Respect for the Blessed Sacrament The tabernacle in which the Blessed Sacrament is reserved, at least in the Western Catholic tradition, was usually the focal point of the interior of the church. Tabernacles were often constructed very elaborately or of precious materials. Nevertheless, a parallel tradition also prevailed that the tabernacle be veiled. So strict was this requirement that even if the tabernacle were made of solid gold, it was still required that it be veiled.This practice has fallen out of use in many places, but it served a number of functions.  One of them goes back to the first Good Friday.  We are told in the gospels that when Christ died on the cross, the veil of the temple in Jerusalem was split from top to bottom.  The manner in which the tabernacle is veiled, with a split down the middle, recalls this event and reminds us that we have direct access to God, mediated by no one but Christ.  The temple ceased to serve that function at that moment, and the New Testament in Christ's Blood was inaugurated.

The other function it serves is to remind us that holy things ought not be exposed to the view of the common masses.  It might surprise many who read this that in most Catholic liturgical traditions, including the Roman tradition in some places in Europe (and especially in England), the altar was NOT easily visible by the people in the nave of the church.  This continues to be the practice in the Eastern Catholic churches, where the iconostasis obstructs the view of the sanctuary, and communication with the people is done through doorways, and also by simply hearing the priest as he chants various prayers from the altar. Once again, this does not imply an unworthiness on the part of the people (who indeed share in the common priesthood of all faithful) but to underscore the otherworldliness of what is going on in the course of the liturgy. The sanctuary really is seen to be heaven brought down to earth, and it must by necessity remain somewhat mysterious as long as we are in this vale of tears.


MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK Mass Schedule:
  •  Sunday, Sept 4 - 16th Sunday after Pentecost 10:00 a.m.  Pro Populo
  •  Monday, Sept 5 - St. Laurence Justinian, Bishop 7:30 a.m.   Poor Souls
  •  Tuesday, Sept 6 - Feria 7:30 a.m.    †Helen Coomes
  •  Wednesday, Sept 7 - Feria 6:00 p.m.    †Gerard Voland
  •  Thursday, Sept 8 - The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 7:30 a.m.    †Debra Shininger
  •  Friday, Sept 9 - St. Peter Claver, Confessor     6:00 p.m.    Sacred Heart Mass Servers
  •  Saturday, Sept 10 - St. Nicholas of Tolentino, Confessor 9:00 a.m.    †Carole Imes
  • Sunday, Sept 11 - 17th Sunday after Pentecost 10:00 a.m.    Pro Populo

Special Collection

A special collection next Sunday, September 11th, for the Catholic Communications Campaign. There will be an envelope marked Special Collections Envelope at the entrances. Please pick one up if you would like to be accounted for your contribution. At the top of the Envelope please mark what the collection is for along with your name. Thank You!

Prayer Request, Announcements and Other Info

We have set up a google.com group for the parish, so that parishioners can more easily share prayer   requests, announcements, and other information with each other.  This can be found at groups.google.com/group/sacred-heart-fort-wayne

If you wish to be added to this group, simply log in to a google account, go to the above link, and click the “Request to be added to the group” button.  Note that if you do not wish to receive further emails from the group, you can opt out, and you can also read the past posts to the group there.

If you do not have and do not wish to have a google account, you can request to be added to the loop with your existing email address. Simply emailsacredheartfortwayne@gmail.com with your request to be added. You can then continue to submit news items to that same email address. Please put "for the email loop" or some such specifying verbiage in the subject line.

30th Annual Bishop’s Appeal

Our Annual Bishop’s Appeal will begin next week in our parish. Our goal for this year is $11,109.34. If we exceed our goal, the parish gets back 100% of the overage. Many people are aware that dioceses typically take a percentage of the weekly collection from  every parish for their operating expenses. Many,    however, are not aware that this diocese keeps that percentage very low compared to other dioceses some of which have assessments approaching 20% of the Sunday collection! Our Bishop relies on this appeal to run various diocesan programs and ministries including education of seminarians, pro-life activities, and works of charity towards those in need. Please be generous in supporting the work of Bishop Rhoades, and know that your pledges are appreciated!