Holy Family Parish 4848 Pearl Avenue, San José, California 95136-2701 www.holyfamilysanjose.org April 26, 2015 Fourth Sunday of Easter Jesus is the Good Shepherd Mom has laryngitis and cannot make a high pitched sound by whistling through her mouth. couple of weeks from now, we will celebrate Mother’s Day to honor all mothers who nurture, care for, and love their children so dearly. There is nothing in the readings this Sunday that refers to mothers. However, the gospel gives us the qualities of the Good Shepherd that are inherent in most mothers. My Mom was indeed an excellent shepherdess. I cannot enumerate all the qualities of my Mom as an excellent shepherdess. My siblings and myself knew her voice from near or far. We recognized her voice that always called us to safety and redemption. A When I was growing up, my immediate image of the good shepherd was my mother. We were eight siblings in the family. My dad was often at work, so my mom was usually left at home to oversee and to make sure that the children were safe and free from all harm. My mom was a typical mom. She was very active and often thought about her children. She tried to make sure that her kids had food to eat and were okay. And what is heartbreaking is that for Mom, the well-being or welfare of her eight kids is more important than hers. Like any mother, Mom was always ready to risk her own life for her kids. Each time I got sick, Mom would be with me round the clock, until I would fully recover. One of the funniest but most memorable things that Mom oftentimes did, so as to keep us within her defined safety zone was to whistle. She could create a shrill sound in order to call our attention. And even if we were miles away, Mom would still be heard. There were no mobile phones yet at that time, but Mom utilized her primitive skill to communicate and to keep us safe. Now at age 84, Needless to say, there are countless destructive voices in the world that mislead people. There are voices that could deceive and misguide our sons and daughters. But the voices of mothers as shepherdesses will make the world a better place to live in. And as such, the voices of all mothers of the world must be heard, valued and respected by all. Hence, few days before Mother’s Day, we should all be thinking of something that would express our profound respect and love for women that served as shepherdess to us. Let us bear in mind that the voices of our mothers, constantly reechoeing the voice of Jesus, our divine shepherd that is continually leading us to safety, to greener pasture and to the fullness of life. - Fr. Edsil N. Ortiz Joseph and Mary “Today, the 1st of May, we celebrate St. Joseph the Worker and begin the month traditionally dedicated to the Virgin Mary. During this encounter, I would thus like to reflect on these two important figures in the life of Jesus, of the Church and in our lives... In the Gospel of St. Matthew, one of the times when Jesus returns to his native region, to Nazareth, and speaks in the synagogue, the Gospel underlines his fellow villagers' astonishment at his wisdom, and the question they ask one another: is not this the Carpenter's son?" (13:55). Jesus enters into our history, he comes into our midst, being born of Mary by the work of God, but with the presence of St. Joseph, the legal father who guards him and even teaches him his trade. Jesus was born and lived in a family, in the Holy Family, learning from St. Joseph the carpenter's trade, in the workshop of Nazareth, sharing with him his commitment, hard work and satisfaction, as well as each day's difficulties. - Pope Francis, May 1, 2013 Welcome to Holy Family! Contact Us If you are new to our parish, come to the Parish Office ………………….408-265-4040 Newcomer’s Orienta on, held on most School Office………………....408-978-1355 Sundays at 10:45am Faith Formation……………..408-265-5374 in the Charity Conference Room. Life Teen /Edge……………...408-265-8650 Parish Office Hours Mon – Thu: Fri: Sat: Sun: 9:30am—12pm; 1pm–7:30pm 9:30am—12pm; 1pm–5:30pm 10am - 2pm 9am - 1pm Walking with the Marginalized Our salvaƟon is Ɵed to the realiƟes of others By Colleen Dunne When I served as a college campus minister, a significant part of my job was to plan and accompany students on service immersion trips during school breaks. These trips took us to places from Native American reservations in northwest and southeast Montana; to inner-city settings in East Los Angeles, Cincinnati and Kansas City; to the mountains of Guatemala. On these trips, we learned about poverty, homelessness, hunger, immigration and education, among many other issues of human dignity. Prior to participating in a trip, interested students went through an application process to be selected, worked as a group to raise money, and learned about Catholic Social Teaching and the circumstances of the marginalized populations they would be encountering. Often, students who signed up for the trips imagined themselves building houses, cleaning, painting or preparing meals — work that would make lives visibly and instantly better for those they served. Their applications were full of ideas about what they, as college-educated middle-to-upperclass Americans, could do to make the world a better place. In spite of the aspirations of the students, to say these trips were service-oriented was always a stretch because in five days very little sustainable service could actually be done. As the process of preparing for the trip proceeded, more emphasis was always placed on the “immersion” element of the trips and the ability to build relationships with those we visited. In reality, students were more likely to be asked to read a book or play at recess with a fourth grader than to paint a school; to sit and eat breakfast with a homeless man than to prepare the meal; or to attend Mass in the mountains of Guatemala with indigenous farmers rather than work in their fields. [Continues on page 5] Bishop of San Jose’s statement My Dear People, We have received news today that one of our priests, Monsignor Hien Minh Nguyen, has been arrested on charges of bank fraud and tax evasion. The Diocese has been cooperating with an ongoing criminal investigation by the Internal Revenue Service into the conduct of Monsignor Hien since October of 2012. Pastoral & Administra on Staff Rev Hao Dinh, Pastor Rev Edsil Ortiz, Vicar, Liturgy Director Kim McFadden, Faith Formation Director Jeff Gans, Faith Formation Coordinator Kathryn Gray, Business Manager Anne Hashimoto, Parish Secretary Jessica Stalions, Administrative Assistant Linda Lariz, Bookkeeper Gail Harrell, School Principal Jennifer Lozzio, School Vice-Principal Nancy Melander, School Development Eucharist (Mass) Sat: 8:30am & 5:30pm (Vigil) Sun: 8am, 9:30am, 11:15am, 6pm Mon: 8:05am Tue – Fri: 7:30am Holy days: As announced Holidays: 8:30am (instead of 9am) Viet. Mass: Sat 7:30pm Eucharis c Adora on Weekdays: 12noon - 3pm 1st Fridays: 8am – 5 pm BenedicƟon Infant Bap sm Prepara on can begin before or a er the birth of your child. Call 408-265-4040 for more info. Chris an Ini a on (BapƟsm, ConfirmaƟon, Communion) If interested in the Catholic faith or comple ng the sacraments of ini a on as an adult, youth or child, contact 408-265-5374. Reconcilia on (Confession) Saturdays, 4pm - 5pm, or by appointments at 408-265-4040. Ministry to the Sick Any facts in the matter are the part of the investigation, and only the IRS has the authority to make disclosures at a time of its choosing. We do not know when that might be. At the request of the IRS, we have had minimal direct communication with Monsignor Hien. He is on a personal leave of absence, which he requested. Communion or Anoin ng of the Sick can be arranged for the sick or homebound at 408-265-4040. I would be grateful if you would keep all involved in your prayers at this time. Couples should contact a priest at 408-265-4040 at least six months prior to the proposed date of wedding. Sincerely, Bishop McGrath Wedding This Sunday’s Scripture Presiders & Music Groups Acts 4:8-12 After healing a lame man at the temple gate, Peter and John were arrested. In this passage, we hear Peter speaking boldly about Jesus to Jewish leaders. He presents the very heart of the Christian message. 1 John 3:1-2 Jesus has made it possible for us to be God’s sons and daughters, not just in some future life, but here and now. John 10:11-18 In these short verses about Jesus the Good Shepherd, "I lay my life down" was mentioned five times. It became the thread through which the believer was to understand the devotion of Jesus. 5th Sunday of Easter May 2/3 Apr 20 8:05am In Thanksgiving 5:30pm —Fr. Hao Kat Sylvan 8:00am—Fr. Edsil Alleluia Folk Group 9:30am—Msgr. Fran Alleluia Folk Group 11:15am — Fr. Hao Scott & Gina Thomas 6:00pm—Fr. Edsil LifeTeen Apr 22 7:30am Bakshish Chahal + First Communion & Confirmation Masses May 3 at 9:30am & 11:15am May 17 at 9:30am & 11:15am Pray for our candidates as they receive the sacraments of initiation. Stewardship Report - Based on Bishop Ken Untener’s reflections & Word-Sunday.com. Graphics from Celebration. Community Center Kitchen Update Effective, April 1, 2015, groups that use the Community Center Kitchen for fundraising events will be asked to donate 5% of the net profit from the event to the Kitchen Renovation Fund. The 5% assessment has been a topic discussed and approved by the Building, Grounds and Safety Committee, the Pastoral Council and the Finance Council. When the kitchen has been updated the committees will review and decide whether to continue with the assessment. Any questions about this assessment should be sent to Kathryn Gray, [email protected]. Pancake Breakfast & Music Next Sunday Stop by the Community Center next Sunday after the 8 and 9:30am Masses for a pancake breakfast served by our Knights of Columbus. Enjoy your meal while listening to the sounds of “Sunday Brunch Quintet.” April 19 (Week 41) Regular: $14,897 Thank you for your generosity. Buildings & Grounds Collection Next Week We continue to keep our facilities well-maintained and safe. Thank you for your generous support. Our ADA Report WEEK 13: 102% of our ADA goal. Any surplus will return to HF to benefit our Kitchen Upgrade. Thank you for your generosity. Church Lighting Project in Progress Thank you to the Renovation Committee and the Lyons Brothers for moving The Stations of the Cross. The Stations are now arranged around the Church and works is in progress to light the Stations, the Baptismal Font, Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Holy Family banner, and the Choir Area. We all appreciate your hard work and dedication of the Renovation Committee for making this project happen. Daily Mass Intentions Apr 21 7:30am In Thanksgiving Apr 23 7:30am In Thanksgiving Apr 24 7:30am Rafael Roxas + Apr 25 8:30am Philippe St. Charles, Jr. + Please Pray For those who have died: And for those who are ill: Charles Pori Multi-Cultural Mass Sunday, June 7 11:00am Pre-Liturgy Celebration 11:30am Mass 1:00pm Reception For the Mass: All are invited to wear attire from your heritage or a culture that you have experienced. Children are invited to take part in a procession carrying flags from every nation. For the Reception: All are welcome to bring an appetizer or other finger food. Contact the following: Mass: Joan Pfeifer at 408-778-8500 [email protected] Reception: Delana Romero at 408-6399636 [email protected] or Claire Husted at 408-629-5473 [email protected] Entertainment: Philip Sovi at 408-796-9136 [email protected] Papal Tweets April 21 We need to care for the earth so that it may continue, as God willed, to be a source of life for the entire human family. April 10 We can bring the Gospel to others only if it has made a deep impact in our lives. April 6 Lord, help us to live the virtue of generosity, to love without limits. April 5 Christ is risen! Christ is alive and journeys with us! Advance Directive Workshop Have you documented your end-oflife health care wishes? An Advance Directive is a document that clearly states your requests regarding health care if you are unable to speak for yourself. All are invited to a FREE workshop on Advance Directives at Transfiguration Parish (in church) on Tuesday, April 28th from 13pm. Presenter is Cindy Safe and it is sponsored by our Catholic Cemeteries and San Jose Diocese. Workshop attendees have written, “Outstanding!” “An eye-opener.” “Cindy Safe is knowledgeable.” “This info will be needed at end of life.” All are welcome. Free. For more information, contact Kathy Fanger 650-428-3730 x214 or [email protected]. Festival News… in April? Yes, planning for Festival is going on now. We are currently looking for coordinators for the Mexican Food Booth and Late Night Bakers. Please contact the Parish Office if you’re interested. Also, mark your calendar for August 23rd Festival Kick-off Breakfast. Tuesday Evening New Scripture Study How well do YOU know Jesus? Our new study just began, April 14th: Priest, Prophet, King by Fr. Robert Barron. You will better understand who Jesus really is and also realize your own priestly, prophetic and kingly mission. 7 weeks, Tuesday Eves, 7-8:40 Faith Room. Please contact Terry G. for more info. 408.997-2039, [email protected]. Scripture Studies Monday mornings (10am - noon) In the Youth Hall. The morning Bible study is currently on break. We will resume on Mon April 20th at 10:00 AM for a study of 1st Corinthians by Dr. Tim Gray. Questions contact Donna Holt at 408-371-3682. Or [email protected] Tuesday evenings (7-9pm) “Priest, Prophet & King” Contact Terry Giorgetti (408) 9972039 or [email protected] Thursday evenings (7:15-9pm) Hope Room “The Word is Alive” Bible Study Scripture study, all are welcome. Questions, contact [email protected]. Cinco de Mayo Dinner Dance Saturday May 2nd Doors open at 6pm, Dinner is at 7pm. Menu: Barbacoa (beef), cheese enchiladas, salad, beans, rice, chips, salsa and dessert. Live entertainment by Colibri and Dancing to DJ Orlie Marquez. Raffle with cash prizes. Dinner: $25 each. Raffle: $5 each or $20 for 5. Hosted by Our Lady of Guadalupe Society. Proceeds help offset costs for the O.L. of Guadalupe Celebration on Dec.12. Voca ons One day a local pastor was visiting the home of some parishioners who had a teenage son. The parents were worried about what career their son would choose, so the pastor said he had a simple test that could predict what would become of him. He would put three objects on a table and let the young man choose whichever one he wanted to have: a Bible, a wallet, and a bottle of scotch. If the boy chose the Bible, he would probably become a priest; if he chose the wallet, he'd be a banker; and if he chose the bottle, he'd become a worthless bum. So the parents called their son into the room, and the pastor told him he could have whichever object he wished. When the boy promptly picked up all three, the pastor cried out, "Heaven forbid! He's going to be a Jesuit!" Ministry of Consola on Support, Care & Service before, during and a er grief. Contact George 408-226-6606 or call the Parish Office. Ministry to the Sick & Homebound If you know a parishioner who would like to be visited, please call the Parish Office. Stephen Ministry One-to-one Chris an care-giving ministry for those experiencing life’s ‘hurts’ and struggles. Contact George 408-226-6606. St. Vincent de Paul Society For emergency financial assistance, call the parish office for an appointment Rosary Hour Tuesdays, 7:30 pm in the Chapel. Prayer Line Leave a prayer request message with Jeane e, 408-723-0445. Charismatic, Contemplative Group Praise and worship & quiet medita on, 4-5pm, Hope Room. For more info, call Annie Esget at 408386-4062. Regular schedule is 1st, 3rd, and 4th Sundays. Encore Amour -- Re-Married Encoreamour.webs.com Joe & Laura Trovato, 408-295-4793 Knights of Columbus Men’s Fellowship & Service Ed Cruz, H: 408-629-4634 or C: 408-656-8500 [email protected] Business mee ng, 7pm, 1st Wednesday of each month. Bookstore Community Center Sundays, 9am—1pm Middle School Youth Ministry High School Youth Ministry Date Events Time Date Events Time 4/19 Secure Promise 7:10p-9p 4/17-19 Edge Retreat Offsite TBD 4/24-26 LifeTeen Retreat Offsite TBD 4/26 Social Event 3:45p-5:30p 5/1 XLT 6:30-8pm 5/1 XLT 6:30-8pm Contact Jeff for more info: 408-265-8650 or [email protected] Parents of Sacramental Prep 2nd Year Students Time flies and this year of preparation has been no different. All classes are now finished. Please, if you still have paperwork, etc. to turn in, do it today. And don’t forget to come to the rehearsal for your sacrament Mass. Learn to Pray with Genera ons of Faith If your prayer life is in need of some inspiration, come to the Community Center on Sunday, May 31, right after the 11:15am Mass for the final session of the school year. All are welcome. What is VBC? VBC stands for Vacation Bible Camp. It helps children learn about God and Bible messages. Churches use a purchased religious curriculum in its VBC teachings. A typical day at VBC may include prayer, stories, arts and crafts, games, skits, songs, puppet shows, snack breaks, team lessons, character-building activities. EVEREST VBC: Conquering Challenges with God’s Mighty Power July 13-17, 2015 Klymer and all his bible buddies are getting ready for a TOTALLY CATHOLIC VACATION BIBLE CAMP! Registration and payment is now available online or in the Parish Office. Registrations will not be accepted without payment. Scholarships are available. If you are interested in helping, donating supplies or being a prayer partner, please email Kimberly, [email protected] or call 408-265-5374. empathy and understanding. Yet to truly answer the call of the Gospel, this acceptance is exactly where we are [Continues from page 2] challenged to encounter marginalized communities and As awareness set in for the students that the trip was going learn to empower others and speak together for change. to be more about “being with” than “doing for” others, real I recently had a chance to catch up with some students who conversations began to happen about concerns and fears participated in these trips while they were in college. around encountering the marginalized and understanding As they have graduated, several students have chosen to their lives. Students became nervous that they might not be continue walking with the marginalized by giving a year or able to relate to the people they were about to meet or the two of volunteer work in places such as Honduras, innerstruggles they faced. city Philadelphia and Kansas City, and the Blackfeet It’s Lila Watson, an Indigenous Australian activist, once Reservation in Montana. said, “If you have come here to help me, you are wasting In the midst of long days and endless needs, their jobs are our time. But if you have come because your liberation is demanding. Their stories tell of entering into communities bound up with mine, then let us work together.” where suffering is real and needs are many. They have To walk with the marginalized can be scary; it is where learned in these places that neither results nor solutions encounters happen with people whose lives are often very come easily and that there is no magic formula for making different from our own. Often we think we can do people’s lives better. Yet they have learned the value of something for others or give money to make situations being with others, and that the foundation of any endeavor better, and this is easier than creating relationships that of service begins with creating relationships to serve with involve us in real stories about the challenges poverty, others rather than for others. Their work is courageous, and illness, addiction or suffering bring to individuals and as I listened to them reflect, I can see how it is beginning families. Whether differences come from culture or to shape the choices they will make to continue to walk financial status, or from experiences of suffering and with the marginalized as they move forward in their lives. tragedy, it is difficult to accept that our salvation is tied to Colleen Dunne is the development director for realities of others that we can neither control nor easily De La Salle Blackfeet School in Browning, Mont. make better, but realities we are called to face with Article used by permission of Celebration worship resource. Walking with the Marginalized Do You Want to be Healed? Catholic Professionals OLOG4Life Conference May 9th from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm (Regjstration at 8:30am) at Sacred Heart Parish (13716 Saratoga Ave, Saratoga, CA) Father Michael Barry, SS. CC. will be guest speaker. Irish born Fr. Mike now resides in Southern California. He is active in retreat work, teaching on healing, and charismatic spirituality and has a special gift for inner healing the person. Early registration cost $20/adult and $10/ youth. No mail registration accept after 5/2. Walk-in registration will be at $25/adult and $15/youth. To register: email to [email protected] or call Monica at 408-710-5825. You can also get a registration form in the parish office or on the parish website. All are invited to the next meeting the Catholic Professionals on Thursday, May 14 at Three Flames Restaurant Banquet Room, 1547 Meridian Avenue, San Jose. Each meeting begins with Mass at 7am with Fr. John Sandersfeld presiding. The Speaker program begins at 7:30am. Come hear Arthur Boyle, Cancer Survivor and Development Officer, Archdiocese of Boston speak on “Six Months to Live One Man's Miracle” Reservations needed: $15 members, $20 NonMembers. Also, a CP Member may invite ONE guest at no charge for this May event. RSVP: 408-491-9229, [email protected], or www.sjcatholicprofessionals.com. Catholic Roadmap Married Couples: Marriage Encounter is a positive, simple common sense, private experience between you and your spouse, that revitalizes marriage by helping you to see again those loving qualities in each other that you may be taking for granted. The next Marriage Encounter Weekend is on May 29-31 in Mountain View. Early registration is highly recommended. For more information visit our website at: sanjosewwme.org or contact Ken & Claranne at applications@ sanjosewwme.org or 408-782-1413. Does fear keep you from reaching out to those who've paid their debt to society? Today's reading from Acts recounts transformation from abject fear to bold witness. Through Restorative Justice ministries, we can help turn lives around. To learn more, go to www.usccb.org/issues-andaction/human-life-and-dignity/ criminal-justice-restorative-justice/ crime-and-criminal-justice.cfm. One program that puts this into action can be found at https://thelastmile.org/. Marriage Encounter It’s Easy Being Green Use the most earth-friendly cleaning products available. Find out which are best at www.ewg.org/guides/ categories/2-AllPurpose, then use only those earning an A or B rating. Cursillo News Women's Spring Cursillo—April 30May 3, 2015 at St. Clare's Retreat Center, Rectora: Mary Grunthaner Charities Golf Tournament Save the date for the 31st Annual "Playing With A Purpose" Golf Tournament, Dinner and Auction, Friday, June 12th at Cinnabar Hills Golf Course. Armenian Catholics The Armenian Rite, one of more than 20 rites in the Catholic Church, is older than the Byzantine Rite. Armenian Catholics (about 350,000) live in Armenia, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Turkey, Egypt, Greece, Ukraine, France, Romania, Argentina, and the US. After Pope Francis spoke on April 12 of the persecution of the Armenians as “the first genocide of the 20th century,” Armenian Patriarch Nerses Bedros XIX said: “No one can expect to silence the Pope’s conscience.” Shepherd of Mercy By Pat Marrin By the Fourth Sunday of Easter, most of the best Resurrection stories have been told, and it sometimes seems odd to shift gears from Easter themes to the Good Shepherd. But Pope Francis’ strong emphasis on the link between mercy and evangelization has cast new light on the risen Christ as the Good Shepherd. In today’ Gospel, the risen Jesus gathers his disciples, who were scattered like sheep when he was arrested and executed. His first words to them are of peace — total forgiveness for their cowardice in his hour of need. The image of lost sheep certainly describes many people today, including Catholics who have wandered away or feel abandoned by the church. The thought that someone is out searching for them, eager to rescue them from the brambles of human temptation and entanglement, to bind up their wounds, lift them up on strong shoulders and carry them home — is a comforting message. It certainly beats being scolded by those who expect the casualties to crawl in off the battlefields if they want care. Mercy is first aid, no questions asked. Pope Francis’ vision of a merciful church does not dismiss the need for justice or accountability; he simply puts mercy first. The prodigal son, the ultimate lost sheep, might never have come home if he thought his father would only scold, belittle and punish him. In his desolate state, the son must have sensed that his father was grieving for him and wanted him to turn homeward. In fact, the story suggests that it was the father’s longing, his daily walks to the gate to see if his son was on his way, that prompted the son to consider coming home [Continues on the last page] DARLING & FISCHER MORTUARIES Associated with the Los Gatos Memorial Park Campbell San Jose Los Gatos 379-5010 998-2226 354-7740 FD898 FD577 FD940 Consider Remembering Your Parish in Your Will. For further information, please call the Parish Office. “I Value Your Business and Believe You Deserve the Best!” List or buy a home through me and I will make a donation in your behalf to Holy Family or your favorite cause. Parishioner Cindy Andrade Receive a market snapshot of Realtor®/Broker Associate house values in your area at: CalBRE #01108105 www.siliconvalleyhousevalues.com Cell 408.375.5135 www.CindyAndrade.com Email: [email protected] Joe Lima Sam Campagna Vince Lima Lima-Campagna-Alameda Mission Chapel FD-1949 “San Jose’s Premier Funeral Provider” 600 S. 2nd St., San Jose, CA 95112 • 408-288-9188 Parishioners & Alumni Serving Our Community A Complete Auto Body & Paint Facility kosscollision.com 280 Cimino St. San Jose, CA 95125 Conveniently located off of Hwy 87 at the Curtner Exit (408) 298-5000 Parishioner Don Lima Maria Campagna Joe Campagna Come Sail Away on a 7-night Catholic Exotic Cruise. Prices begin at $1045 per couple which includes all port fees and taxes. Daily Mass and Rosary offered. We have a Priest onboard almost every weekly departure with Holland America Cruise Line. Deposit of only $100 per person will reserve your cabin. Space is limited. Thanks and God Bless, Brian or Sally, coordinators 860.399.1785 913082 Holy Family Church (A) www.jspaluch.com an Official Travel Agency of AOS-USA For Ads: J.S. Paluch Co., Inc. 1-800-231-0805 Mystagogy (Mystagogia) After the long 40-day period of Lenten preparation and the powerful celebrations of Holy Week and the Easter Triduum, the liturgies of Easter Sunday can feel like the end of a long road. Yet Easter Sunday actually marks the launch of yet another intense period. During the 50-day Easter season, penance and preparation give way to a time of celebration and reflection, or mystagogy. The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) directs that the Easter season should be a time of mystagogy not only for the newly initiated but also for the entire community. As all the faithful were called during Lent to accompany the elect in their immediate preparation for baptism and to renew their own baptismal covenant, so during the Easter season they rejoice with the neophytes and join them in a time of mystagogy, of “deepening their grasp of the paschal mystery and making it part of their lives” (RCIA #244). Mystagogy is not a classroom activity but is carried out primarily in liturgical celebration. It draws on a joyful experience of celebrating the Eucharist, reflecting on the scriptures, deepening the bonds that draw the neophytes and faithful together, and engaging in works of charity, showing forth the love of Christ into which all have been baptized (see RCIA #245-246). The primary place for mystagogy is at Sunday celebrations of the Eucharist during the Easter season. “Since the distinctive spirit and power of the period of post-baptismal catechesis or mystagogy derive from the new, personal experience of the sacraments and of the community, its main setting is the so-called Masses for neophytes, that is, the Sunday Masses of the Easter season” (RCIA #247). - Excerpts from “Mystagogical Music” by J. Michael McMahon, used by permission of Celebration Shepherd of Mercy [Continues from page 6] The Good Shepherd will not give up on a single sheep. He knows each one by name, loves them so much he is willing to lay down his life to save each one. There is no talk of “cutting his losses” or the kind of “tough love” that lets a rebellious child suffer the consequences of his own actions before there can be any intervention or negotiated return home. God’s unconditional love leaps into action at the first sign of regret or repentance. As Pope Francis has said, “We tire of asking for God’s forgiveness, but God never tires of offering it.” God’s name is Mercy. God cannot do otherwise, for it is God’s very nature to love and forgive. Today’s Gospel is for anyone responsible for others. This includes parents, teachers, priests and bishops. Anyone entrusted with others who are vulnerable and need guidance has a model in the Good Shepherd. Their office cannot be just control or direction from a distance. A true shepherd goes among the sheep with humility and gentleness until he or she, in Pope Francis’ words, “smells like the sheep.” When trouble comes, the shepherd does not flee or look to his own interests like the hireling. The Good Shepherd is responsible for protecting the flock from harm. How powerfully this addresses the scandal of child sexual abuse by priests or the enabling by bishops who looked the other way. How much this challenges all Christians to care for society’s neglected poor and outcast members. We celebrate Easter by praying to be part of the community of the risen Christ. But it is less a comfort zone than a staging area for God’s mission of mercy to the world. Are we ready and willing to be good shepherds ourselves? [Used by permission of Celebration] Through its fundraising, Our Lady of Guadalupe has supported: $1,000 for the Restora on of Portrait of Our Lady of Guadalupe $500 for the Church Ligh ng Project $100 dona on for Father Ma going away luncheon $100 to New Direc ons Healthcare Founda on of North& Central. CA $100 to the Holy Family St. Vincent de Paul Society $100 to the Juan Diego Society Women's Center $200 to Youth Ministry Core Team Member for Life Teen Summer Missionaries $220 for Margarita maker for the Knights of Columbus (Original price $350) $500 for Corporals and Chalice Linens for Mass.
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