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First Reading: Isaiah 50:4-7 The prophet suffers in carrying our his mission, but is sustained by the firm belief that God will not abandon him. Second Reading: Philippians 2:6-11 Because Jesus took hon himself our human condition, and accepted death on a cross, the Father has raised him up and made him Lord of heaven and earth. Gospel: Matthew 26:14—27:66 St. Matthew shows the passion as fulfilling the prophecies of Scripture, and portrays Jesus, because of his foreknowledge and free decision, as being in complete control of the situation.
COLLECTION BREAKDOWN for March 23rd - 29th:
First Collection: $3,252.00 2nd Collection: $611.00 (Parish Maintenance) Our thanks to all of our parishioners who respond each week to the needs of our parish and who make their weekly offering a part of their budget. Your contributions, both monetary and in service, are important to our parish. May God bless you for your generosity.
Scripture reflection with Fr. Tim + Pause + Reflect + Act +
1) What words of hope, promise, or challenge has the Lord given you to speak to others, from our first reading?
2) In your life, where have you encountered leadership through humility?
3) In the contrast between the two Gospels today, how could the people say “Hosanna” and let Him be crucified? What dos it say about us?
4) How is Passion/Palm Sunday different for us this year? 5) What person in the Passion do you most identify with at
this time?
* LATEST ANNOUNCEMENTS *
Notice from our Bishop: As of April 1st, all parishes must close their offices to non-essential personnel as well as the church itself until further notice. Therefore, Eucharistic Adoration on Sunday will no longer be available. However daily and Sunday Masses will continue with livestreaming. Please check the bulletin and website for all updates.
Easter Mailing: Most of you received our parish Easter mailing within the last week. Please not that the parish is required to submit the letter for the publication weeks in advance in order for parishioners to receive in a timely manner. Hence the Mass schedule highlighted in the letter is no longer relevant. Please refer to the bulletin and website for the most current information.
Thank you to all who continue through envelopes and online giving to support our Good Shepherd parish. Some parishes are already struggling financially, so we remind you of how important your continued contributions and support are. They are so appreciated.
To avoid any confusion please give to our parish directly by mail or through Online Giving and disregard any notice from the Diocesan Office of Development regarding donations to the parish. Simply go to: https://www.goodshepherdrc.org/online-giving-osv
PRAYERS FOR THE DECEASED Please remember in your prayers,
Greetings and Prayers: I would like to begin with a quotation from Saint John XXIII:
“Consult not your fears but your hopes and your dreams. Think not about your frustrations, but about your unfulfilled potential. Concern yourself not with what you tried and failed in, but with what it is still possible for you to do.”
Again, we would like to thank all those who continue to pray with and for us, as well as reach out to us. To those working countless hours in the medical field during this time, your efforts and dedication are appreciated. We are grateful to everyone tuning into the daily and weekend Masses, not only our Good Shepherd family but those outside our parish community and for the continued financial support through envelope mailings and enrollment in online giving.
On Sunday, we enter the beginning of Holy Week of the Lord’s Passion. This year we are gifted with the Passion from St. Matthew (21:1-11). We, as a country and community are blessed with readings that are very relevant. We can learn from them. Why the contrast from “Hosanna” and “Crucify Him”? What does it say to us? We encounter a very human Jesus. We are told He fell prostrate in prayer and His words “My God, My God why have You forsaken me?
The weeping women, Simon of Cyrene, Joseph of Arimathea and all the characters of the Passion offer inspiration. While at the Passion we leave Jesus in the tomb. We know in faith that is not the end of the story. From the Passion of Jesus, we are now challenged, all of us. What is our Passion?
We continue to pray on a deeper level and focus on the Cross this week. The Cross in our homes should be visible and prominent. It should help us to realize in humility we find ourselves very often between “Hosanna’ and “Crucify Him!”
We mourn and are conscience of the absence of people. We are also conscience of those parishioners who are vulnerable with illness and loneliness. Please continue to reach out to each other through technology and learn from each other.
St. John XXIII gives us hope. We can obtain great insight from the daily and Sunday readings of Mass. We can be inspired by the lives of the Saints and the human angels God places in our everyday lives. God our Creator has given us the gift of nature as we enter the season of spring with new beginnings, new life and new hope.
Peace, Fr. Tim
WE ARE STREAMING LIVE FOR ALL MASSES. .
• Daily Mass Monday - Friday: 9:00 AM
• Saturday: 5:00 PM
• Sunday: 9:00 AM & 10:30 AM
Go to our website and scroll down: https://www.goodshepherdrc.org/
or Log-in to our Facebook page: Facebook.com/GoodShepherdRC
PRACTICING SPIRITUAL
COMMUNION
Catholics across the world are experiencing an unexpected and unfortunate fast from the Eucharist, which
comes in the wake of the novel coronavirus COVID-19. In many ways, the inability of many to receive Holy
Communion has become an unimaginable Lenten penance.
When we are unable physically to attend Mass, we may consider the practice of “spiritual communion” - an act to
which the saints have given a consistent witness. Spiritual Communion is a traditional practice of expressing
to the Lord our longing for him and our desire for him to enter our hearts.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
How Do I Make a Spiritual Communion?
• Gather with others in your household and begin a time of prayer with the sign of the cross.
• Take time to read and reflect upon the readings from Sunday Mass.
• Share prayer intentions quietly or aloud.
• Pray the Lord’s Prayer.
• Close with the sign of the cross.
Please join His Holiness, Pope Francis, who has chosen the following intention to be prayed for during the month of April.
Freedom from Addiction: We pray that those suffering from addiction may be helped and accompanied.
Holy Week schedule is different than in the past, as we have reduced the number of Masses and are LIVE STEAMING. Please join our Celebration on our Website or Facebook page. PALM SUNDAY: Saturday, April 4th 5:00 PM Sunday, April 5th 10:30 AM
EASTER TRIDUUM
HOLY THURSDAY, April 9th Mass of the Lord’s Supper 7:00 PM
GOOD FRIDAY Friday, April 10th 3:00 PM
EASTER VIGIL Saturday, April 11th 8:00 PM
EASTER SUNDAY, April 12th 10:30 AM ***********************************************
Pope Francis has asked our parish to support the Pontifical Good Friday Collection, which helps Christians in the Holy Land.
Your support helps the church minster in parishes, provide Catholic schools and offer religious education. The Pontifical Good Friday Collection also helps to preserve the sacred shrines.
When you contribute to the Pontifical Good Friday Collection, you become an instrument of peace and join with Catholics around the world in solidarity with the Church in the Holy Land.
THE PONTIFICAL GOOD FRIDAY COLLECTION
ASK A FRANCISCAN…
My autistic son has chosen not to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation because he thinks he might join another religious group later.
I suggest that you not force the issue because you may well later regret doing so. His present faith level is probably the best that he can do now. Keep praying that his faith will grow.
THREE DAYS OF WORSHIP
Holy Thursday celebrates the Mass of the Lord’s Supper in the evening, commemorating the institution of the Eucharist and the priesthood. Christ’s new commandment to love one another is recalled in the Washing of the Feet. That love becomes fully realized in the Eucharist and Christ's sacrifice on Calvary. On Good Friday, the Church gathers in silence to read Scripture and offer prayers for the whole world. The Veneration of the Cross takes place not simply to mourn Jesus’ suffering and death but to acknowledge that through the cross of Jesus we are led to glory. The Easter Vigil is the high point of the entire Church liturgical year. The new fire is blessed and candles glow in the celebration of Christ as our light. Salvation history is proclaimed through Scriptures, climaxing in the joyous proclamation that Christ has risen. Those who have been prepared for baptism enter the Church, and all Catholics renew their baptismal promises, for this night commemorates our share in the dying and rising of Jesus.
FOOD PANTRY NEEDS
During this time, we are expecting an increased request for food.
Your donation directly prevents families from going hungry in our community!
Please drop off donations outside the front doors: Mon - Thurs 9am-2pm, Friday 9am-12noon
• Pasta sauce
• Pancake mix & syrup
• Peanut butter
• Jelly
• Beans, dry or canned
• Rice (32 oz)
• Canned soup
• Canned fruit
• Canned Pork & Beans
• Bars of soap
PLEASE NOTE: The Parish Offices will be closed on
Good Friday, April 10th and Easter Monday, April 13th.
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