May 3, 2020 – Fourth Sunday of Easter/Good Shepherd Sunday

I.  Half Way There! We are midway in Eastertide. Only three more Sundays remain until we begin our preparation for the Feast of Pentecost! ++The Acts of the Apostles (Acts 2:14a, 36-41) is the same reading the church gives us for All Saints Day, reminding us that we belong to a holy family, because we are children of God—something not always recognized by others, and something we may not always recognize ourselves. ++The letter of Peter (I Peter 2:20b-25) assures us that we will be strengthen to live as disciples of Jesus, witnessing to what we believe. We are with Peter, who is under arrest for teaching about Jesus. Peter, who was a scared coward at the trial of Jesus, now at his own trial is fearless. ++The Gospel reading (John 10:1–10) paints for us a most beloved image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd, a name He gave himself. This vigilant, loving Shepherd knows us intimately and cares for us, even during this coronavirus season of our lives.

II.  57th Annual World Day of Prayer for Vocations to Consecrated Life and Priesthood: “The sheep follow the Good Shepherd because they recognize his voice” (John 10:4). “The Lord’s call is not an intrusion of God in our freedom; it is not a “cage” or a burden to be borne. On the contrary, it is the loving initiative whereby God encounters us and invites us to be part of a great undertaking. He opens before our eyes the horizon of a greater sea and an abundant catch” (Pope Francis). Join an “Invisible Monastery” by pledging to pray for vocations at the international website, invisiblemonastery.com. It was inspired by a call from the Vatican urging Catholics to “organize an ‘invisible monastery’ in which many persons, day and night, are committed to continuous prayer for priestly vocations. 

  • Pray for the priests who have ministered to you throughout your life, both living and dead.
  • Keep our parish priests and deacons in prayer throughout the week.
  • Encourage your children or grandchildren to consider a vocation as a priest or religious brother or sister.
  • Pray a rosary for more young men and women in our diocese to respond to God’s call.

Thank you to those praying the rosary for the Matthew 9 Mission!

Prayer for Vocations to Priesthood and Consecrated Life

God our Father, we thank you for calling men and women from the Diocese of Owensboro to serve in your Son’s kingdom as priests, deacons, and religious.

We pray that you continue to inspire young men and women to respond courageously to your call and give themselves generously to the Church in service of the Gospel.

Pour out your Holy Spirit upon our parishes, schools, and families and assist us in building a culture of vocations in which many will hear your call to serve you people.

Help us to remain faithful to the call of the Gospel as we support and encourage vocations of sacrificial love in our youth.

We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us!

III. Honoring Mary the Month of May:  The image most created by artist of all times is Mary, mother of Jesus and model disciple. We honor (not adore) Mary because of her openness and docility to the will of God.  Healthy and true devotion to Mary always points the way to her son, Jesus, our Savior and Good Shepherd. Typically we celebrate as a Church community by gathering near our Marian grotto to crown Mary and honor her with flowers. This year, since we are unable to gather as a Church community, we are asking that you bring flowers from your the domestic church/home; vases will be available at our grotto honoring Mary starting May 1.  A ritual for an “At Home Crowning of Mary” is available on our website and at the doors of Church.

IV. Praying the Rosary: Since the beginning of the 12th century, the rosary has been a key devotion in the church, modeled after the 150 psalms which monks were praying in the countryside monasteries, and based upon the actions and events in the life of Jesus as well as the events leading up to his arrival.  Are you aware that in 2002 Pope Saint John Paul II added the Luminous mysteries (or the mysteries of Light) to the rosary for meditation?

   Thanks to the members of the Cathedral Rosary Makers for supplying us with rosaries and a pamphlet on “how to pray the rosary” at the doors of church. Please be sure to take one for yourself and someone else. Please visit http:\\www.how-to-pray-the-rosary.

V.  Picture This! For our next issue of The Parishioner newsletter, we want to feature YOU! How are you—-or your family—-spending time during #HealthyAtHome ? Photos can show how you celebrated Easter, time in prayer, or other ways you are making the best of your time at home. Email: [email protected] or [email protected] or send via U.S. mail to the parish office by May 5.  Remember to tell us who’s in the pics!