Sunday Liturgy
Saturday: 5:00 pm
Sunday: 11:00 am
Mission Statement
We are a welcoming Christian community called to embrace and respect the uniqueness of each individual as we join together in our faith and worship. Our ongoing mission is to engage our youth, promote renewal, out reach, evangelization and ecumenical cooperation.MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK
Monday, April 29th – 9:00 am Vincent Richard
Tuesday, April 30th – 9:00 am Florence Maillet
Wednesday, May 1st – 9:00 am Olive Martin
Thursday, May 2nd – 9:00 am Dr. Joseph Hazel
Friday, May 3rd – 9:00 am First Friday – Art Barrieau (Anniv)
Saturday, May 4th – 5:00 pm Roy Lord
Sunday, May 5th – 11:00 am John Montague (Anniv)
Weekly Reflections (Homily) from Msgr. Sheehan (Updated April 19th, 2024)
FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
Dear friends:
On this fourth Sunday of Easter… we continue to reflect on the event of Easter – and especially what the event brings to us – what it effects for us… in our union with the risen Lord.
To-day, to bring this home to us, we are presented with probably the most appealing and loved image of Jesus… “the Good Shepherd”…
In the homes of our parents – or grandparents… the two most popular representations of Jesus – in a center place, in their halls, or living rooms – were either a framed painting of Jesus as – the Sacred Heart – or Jesus, as the Good Shepherd…
The Good Shepherd one perhaps being more popular… surrounded by sheep – or with a lamb around his neck… they were all over the homes of our ancestors…
The shepherd image has a long history… going way back in the Old Testament… and even in secular literature…
In the ancient Near East, the title of shepherd was applied both to kings and to gods… The title of shepherd is given to the rulers of the people, who include the king, the royal officers, the elders, all who have authority…
In Jeremiah, the prophet strongly rebukes the leaders as shepherds – for failure to meet their responsibilities… they scatter the flock… they lead people astray… they are unfaithful; Ezekiel complains that they have no understanding…
“Disaster for the shepherds who lose and scatter the sheep of my pasture”, the Lord declares, “you have scattered my flock, you have driven them away, and have not taken care of them” (Jer. 23, 1-4)
Even more forcefully in the prophet Ezekiel:
“The word of God was addressed to me as follows:”
“Prophesy against the shepherds of Israel… the Lord God says this: “Disaster is in store for the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Are not shepherds meant to feed the flock… you have sacrificed the fattest sheep but failed to feed the flock… You have failed to make weak sheep strong… or to care for the sick ones… or bandage the injured ones…” (Ezk. 34, 1-3)
“You have failed to bring back strays or look for the lost… on the contrary, you have ruled them cruelly and harshly… for lack of a shepherd they have been scattered, to become the prey of all the wild animals…” (Ezk. 34, 4)
And finally:
“Very well, shepherds – hear the word of the Lord… since my shepherds have ceased to bother about my flock… I shall take my flock out of their charge and henceforth not allow them to feed my flock…
I myself, shall take care of my flock and look after it… I shall look after my sheep… I shall rescue them… I shall bring them back… I shall pasture them… I myself shall pasture my sheep, I shall give them rest… I shall look for the lost one… I shall be a true shepherd to them…”
(Ezk. 34, 10-16)
All this is the background of to-day’s Gospel – dear friends…
There are many other texts… especially Psalm 23… “The Lord is my Shepherd…” and Jesus’ words about the lost sheep… and how the real shepherd leaves the ninety-nine just – to go after the lost… and the joy in finding the lost one…
All this is the background of this beautiful Gospel to-day… chapter ten of John’s Gospel…
An earlier part of this chapter is so descriptive of the role of Jesus – as both the sheepgate and the shepherd:
“The sheep hear his voice… he calls them by name… those that belong to him… he leads them out… he walks in front of them… they follow him because they recognize his voice…”
(John 10, 3-4)
Then to-day’s words:
“I am the good shepherd…”
“What does the “good shepherd” do?... What is the greatest thing about him?
“The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep”…
“There is no greater love than to lay downs one’s life… for one’s friends…”
(John 15, 13)
All this is what we have just celebrated and meditated on –
Then this beautiful second description and quality of the “good shepherd”:
“I know my own… and my own know me…, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father…”
(John 10,14)
The wonderful quality of being known completely by another… the greatest blessing of a real friendship… not needing to explain yourself – or cajole, or prove… just to be totally accepted by another, as we are… who we are… being loved by someone who unconditionally accepts and loves us…
“I know my own… my own know me…”
Then a magnanimous statement… which broadens the scope of the good shepherd’s focus – on a universal salvation:
“I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice… so there will be one flock, one shepherd…” (John 10,16)
The ever present outreach… of Jesus… and for his followers… not looking inward… but outward… towards others –
And the whole thing ends with this summarizing statement:
“For this reason, the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again… No one takes it from me… but I lay it down of my own accord… I have received this command from my Father”…
(John 10,18)
“In the laying down my life… I am following the command of my Father… it is what he asks of me… to show you his great love for you… it is the sign of his love for me… it is the sign of his love and my love for you…
For you… in love… my sheep… I have laid down my life…”
Amen.