Message from Bishop Weisenburger . . .

Dispensation from the Sunday Mass Obligation Rescinded

As of July 1, 2021, the general dispensation from the Sunday Mass obligation for the general public will cease. However, the dispensation from the Sunday Mass obligation remains in place for those at serious medical risk. Serious medical risk refers primarily to those with a chronic health condition, those providing direct care for the vulnerably ill, or those with a compromised immune system or other health condition that leaves them unable to be vaccinated.

In some respects, the language of “obligation” is unfortunate as it tends to speak of something unpleasant. Nevertheless, the language of obligation is not entirely inappropriate. Indeed, most cultures make obligatory those things that are deeply treasured, such as education for children. For faithful Catholics the primary motivation to participate in Sunday Mass should be a sincere desire to encounter Christ in the Eucharist and to gather in community. Many have said to our clergy that they have greatly missed participating at Mass in person. I pray that same holy longing is in each of our hearts.

Gathering in community to celebrate the Eucharist is a most serious matter, originating in the Commandments given by God to the Jewish people. The first Christians quickly recognized that all things were made new by the death and resurrection of Jesus. It was within this spirit that the Commandment to keep holy the Sabbath was transferred from the last day of the week (Saturday) to the day of Jesus’ resurrection, the first day of the week (Sunday). Nevertheless, the obligation has never been without exception. Canon Law for the Roman Catholic Church notes that while Sundays are holy days of obligation, there always have been exceptions for people in serious situations. Not only the local bishop but also pastors can dispense members of their congregations from the Sunday Mass obligation for a proportionate reason.

As noted above, the current dispensation from Sunday Mass attendance remains in place for those at serious risk of the Covid-19 virus. This will require a prudent evaluation on the part of responsible Catholics. In traditional Catholic theology a prudent decision flows from a properly formed conscience. Those at serious risk should have a clear conscience in refraining from in-person gatherings of any kind at our churches. But those who are comfortable dining at restaurants, shopping for non-essentials, traveling, or engaging in other public activities would have no legitimate reason to claim the dispensation.

It also must be noted that the recent and creative uses of technology to serve the faithful have been a blessing. Many are truly unable to leave their homes or care facilities and they have found live-streamed, televised or internet Masses, holy hours, and other events to be a great spiritual comfort. While pastors are prudent to continue at least some of these services offered via technology in the future we must be careful not to allow this blessing to substitute for gathering around the altar of the Lord in person and receiving Christ sacramentally. The Judeo-Christian history is one of encountering God through actual lived community, and community is built and sustained through actual lived interaction with other believers. There is no tradition of privatized religion within Catholicism. The ease or convenience of religious offerings via television or the internet can never legitimately replace a lived experience of community. For this reason, the use of televised or internet liturgies can never replace in-person worship for those who are capable of participating in parish life. Moreover, to choose not to participate personally in Mass when we are capable of doing so is to deprive ourselves of the immeasurable spiritual graces that can be received only by active participation with others in the Mass.

Most Reverend Edward J. Weisenburger

Bishop of Tucson

Confirmation Mass - Wednesday, June 30, 2021 at 6:00 p.m.

Bishop Weisenburger will be conferring the Sacrament of Confirmation on the youth and adults of our parish on Wednesday, June 30, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. in the church. The Sacrament of Confirmation bestows the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit upon the Confirmandi.  Everyone is invited to attend the Confirmation Mass to support those who are being confirmed and to welcome Bishop Weisenburger to our parish!

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches: 1302 It is evident from its celebration that the effect of the sacrament of Confirmation is the full outpouring of the Holy Spirit as once granted to the apostles on the day of Pentecost.

1303 From this fact, Confirmation brings an increase and deepening of baptismal grace:
• - it roots us more deeply in the divine filiation which makes us cry, "Abba! Father!";
• - it unites us more firmly to Christ;
• - it increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit in us;
• - it renders our bond with the Church more perfect;
• - it gives us a special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith by word and action as true witnesses of Christ, to confess the name of Christ boldly, and never to be ashamed of the Cross.

Please note that the weekday daily 5:15 p.m. Mass and confessions will be cancelled for this day only.

With great joy and thanksgiving to God,

The Most Reverend Edward J. Weisenburger,

Bishop of Tucson

invites you to join in the

Diaconate Ordination

of

Richard Rivera, Jr.

Saturday, June 26, 2021

at One o'clock in the afternoon

St. Andrew the Apostle Church

800 North Taylor Drive

Sierra Vista, Arizona 85635

To Livestream go to: https://www.youtube.com/StAndrewtheApostleRomanCatholicParish

Cake and Punch after Mass in the kiosk

Welcome to Fr. Bartolomé Vázquez Johnston!

We welcome to our parish our new parochial vicar, Fr. Bartolomé Vázquez on Thursday, July 1, 2021. Fr. Fr. Bartolomé is coming from being pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Somerton, Arizona.

Although Fr. Bartolomé will be newly arrived, he is already familiar with our parish, having served with me in the past. He will begin full-time duties as an assistant pastor beginning immediately in July.

I hope that you will welcome wholeheartedly Fr. Bartolomé to Sacred Heart Parish!

8:00 a.m. Sunday Mass to remain Protocol Compliant

In response to Bishop Weisenberger's request that one Sunday Mass be designated as the "Protocol Mass", which will retain the Covid-19 virus protocols, for the foreseeable future we will be designating the 8:00 a.m. Mass as the Mass that will retain the protocols.  This Mass is for those who are not fully vaccinated or for those who do not feel comfortable returning to larger crowds at Mass.

8:00 a.m. Misa Dominical Permanezca Protocolo Cumple

En respuesta a la solicitud del obispo Weisenburger de que se designe una misa dominical como "Misa de protocolo", que mantendrá los protocolos del virus Covid-19 en el futuro previsible, designaremos la Misa de las 8:00 am como la Misa que conservará la protocolos.  Esta Misa es para aquellos que no están completamente vacunados o para aquellos que no se sienten cómodos al regresar a multitudes más grandes en la Misa.

Sacred Heart Parish Grand Raffle 2021

Drawing Postponed to September 16, 2021

First Place Cash Prize: $15,000

Second Place Cash Prize: $3,000

Third Place Cash Prize" $2,000

To help offset the lack of fundraising activities, e.g., our Annual Festival “Kermes” and Raffle, the Finance Council along with the parish group leaders have come up with a new raffle. We are trying something we have never tried before, the cost of the ticket is $100.00 but you have 5 chances to win and four months to purchase your ticket. The raffle will be held on June 11, 2021, the Feast day of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, our patron. If you have any questions or need further clarification, please call the parish office, or talk to any group leader. We thank you for your support and generosity.

Para ayudar a compensar la falta de recaudación de fondos de nuestra Parroquia como nuestro festival anual "Kermes" y la rifa, el Consejo de Finanzas junto con los líderes de los grupos han creado una nueva rifa. Estamos probando algo que nunca antes habíamos hecho, el costo del boleto es de $100.00 pero tiene 5 oportunidades de ganar y cuatro meses para comprar su boleto. El sorteo se llevará a cabo el 11 de junio, día de la fiesta del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús, nuestro patrono. Si tiene alguna pregunta o necesita más aclaraciones, llame a la oficina parroquial o hable con cualquier líder alguno de nuestros grupos. Les agradecemos su apoyo y generosidad.

LIVING OUR FAITH THROUGH ACTS OF CHARITY PERSEVERING IN HOPE 2021 Annual Catholic Appeal

Entire Diocese Goal: $4 million

Parish Goal: $44,340

Donate to Annual Catholic Appeal Here!

Through the Annual Catholic Appeal, parishes work together to provide funding for 26 uniquely Catholic charities and ministries that truly do answer God's call to serve.

The goal for the Annual Catholic Appeal this year is to raise $4 million. The best way this extraordinary amount of money can be raised is to encourage people to pledge a certain amount and then pay it over several months. All payments must be received no later than May 31, 2021 to be counted in the 2018 Campaign. The Annual Catholic Appeal is the primary way by which the Diocese raises money for its charities and ministries.

Please consider making a pledge to the Annual Catholic Appeal on behalf of our Parish and "Living our faith through acts of charity" we will reach our goal!

Proposed Changes to Sunday Mass Schedule and Weekday Mass Schedule

 Cambios Propuestos al Horario de la Misa Dominical y al Horario de Misas entre Semana

Beginning the first weekend of January 2021 (January 2-3, 2021) I am proposing the following changes to our Sunday Mass Schedule:

• Saturday Vigil Mass - 5:15 p.m. - English
• Sunday Mass - 6:30 a.m. - Spanish
• Sunday Mass - 8:00 a.m. - English
• Sunday Mass - 9:30 a.m. - Spanish
• Sunday Mass - 11:30 a.m. - English
• Sunday Mass - 5:15 p.m. - Spanish

We have been counting the attendance of parishioners since August 2019. The average participation in the seven (7) weekend Masses was about a thousand (1000) people. One thousand divided by seven equals 143. Our church has a seating capacity of about six hundred persons. This means that we could comfortably meet the needs of the parishioners attending Sunday Mass with only four Sunday Masses (600 divided by 143 equals 4). Even before the pandemic began to affect Mass attendance I had been thinking about reducing the number of Sunday Masses we celebrate and I now feel this would be an opportune time to implement these changes.

Weekday Mass Schedule. In regards to the Weekday Mass schedule, I also am planning to make some changes.  We currently celebrate three daily Masses at 6:30 a.m., 12:10 p.m. and 5:15 p.m.  I am proposing eliminating the 12:10 p.m. Mass and celebrating the 6:30 a.m. Mass in English, so that the parishioners have an opportunity to attend Mass in English or Spanish everyday.  We have been averaging four to five funerals a week, in addition to weddings, quinceañeras, and the school Mass, this makes the weekday schedule at times very busy.  I have received no word from Bishop Weisenburger as to how long it will be before he will be able send another priest to the parish.  I hope you understand why these changes are necessary at this time. Thank you.

Hemos estado contando la asistencia de feligreses desde agosto del año 2019. La participación promedio en las siete (7) misas de fin de semana fue de aproximadamente mil (1000) personas.  Mil dividido entre siete es igual a 143.  Nuestra iglesia tiene una capacidad para unas seiscientas personas.  Esto significa que podríamos satisfacer cómodamente las necesidades de los feligreses que asisten a la misa dominical con solo cuatro misas dominicales (600 dividido por 143 es igual a 4).  Incluso antes de que la pandemia comenzara a afectar la asistencia a misa, había estado pensando en reducir el número de misas dominicales que celebramos y ahora siento que este sería un momento oportuno para implementar estos cambios.

Horario de Misas entre Semana.  En lo que respecta al horario de la misa entre semana, también estoy planeando hacer algunos cambios.  Actualmente celebramos tres misas diarias a las 6:30 a.m., 12:10 p.m. y 5:15 p.m. Propongo eliminar la Misa de 12:10 p.m. y ofrecer la Misa de las 6:30 a.m. en inglés, para que los feligreses tengan la oportunidad de asistir a Misa en inglés o español todos los días.  Hemos estado promediando de cuatro a cinco funerales a la semana, además de las bodas, quinceañeras, y la misa escolar, esto hace que el horario de los días entre semana sea a veces muy ocupado.  No he recibido noticias del Obispo Weisenburger sobre cuánto tiempo pasará antes de que pueda enviar a otro sacerdote a la parroquia.  Espero que comprenda por qué estos cambios son necesarios en este momento.  Gracias.

Catechism Classes News

Religious Education Is now open for registration. Please call the parish office 520-287-9221 or 520-397-0963 to set and appointment. The Religious Education office is open from Monday—Thursday from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Online registrations are coming soon.

Noticias sobre clases de Catecismo

El programa de Educación Religiosa ya está abierto para inscripciones. Llame a la oficina parroquial 520-287-9221 o 520-397-0963 para agendar su cita. La oficina está abierta de lunes a jueves de 1:00 p.m. a 6:00 p.m. Pronto tendremos inscripciones en línea.