The Fourth Sunday of Easter is traditionally known as “Good Shepherd Sunday” because of the theme of the Scripture readings. Because the Lord continues to call men to serve as good shepherds of His flock, this is also the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. “The purpose of World Day of Prayer for Vocations is to publicly fulfill the Lord's instruction to “Pray the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into his harvest.” (Mt 9:38; Lk 10:2) As a climax to a prayer that is continually offered throughout the Church, it affirms the primacy of faith and grace in all that concerns vocations to the priesthood and to the consecrated life.

It seems that nearly every Sunday When I read the Gospel for the Mass, I find Myself saying, “ this is my favorite Passage in the Gospels.” The encounter of the Lord with Saint Peter recorded by Saint John in today’s Gospel is another such instance. Three times Jesus asks Peter, “Do you love me?”, and three times Peter says, “You know that I love You!” Jesus gives Peter a chance to make up for his threefold denial (after the Lord was arrested) by affirming three times that he loves Him. But Jesus knows that love does not consist in merely proclaiming it; it is made real in action. Therefore, Peter is commanded to “feed my sheep”.

The Church celebrates Easter for fifty days, from Easter Sunday to Pentecost Sunday inclusive, but observes the Octave of Easter (octave means eight – from Easter Sunday through Second Sunday of Easter inclusive) with particular solemnity. This always serves as a great contrast to the secular society which, as it does with Christmas, throws away all reminders of the Feast the following day. Make sure you continue to make the Easter Season a festive time of celebrating our Savior’s Resurrection.

Do not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said. (Matthew 28:5; Gospel for the Easter Vigil) Thus the evangelist records the words of the angel to the women who had come to the tomb on that Easter morn. The angel’s first words to the women were borrowed by our late Holy Father, Saint Pope John Paul II, when he was elected to the Papacy: “Be not afraid!” What is it that Man fears most? Is it not death, the ultimate destroyer of one’s identity and being?

TOTUS TUUS A weeklong Catholic summer program that will be hosted at SSPP June 8th - 13th. For more information or to register, please see the parish website.

The Holy Season of Lent culminates in the Church’s celebration of Holy Week. There is no more important observance in the Christian calendar than the celebration of the events of our salvation

The Gospels recount many of the miracles the Lord performed: restoring sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, strength of limbs to the lame and palsied, multiplying the loaves and fishes to feed the hungry. Saint John, in his Gospel, does not call these great works of Jesus miracles; he calls them signs.

The last three weeks I have written about the Sacrament of Baptism. Today I would like to conclude with some comments on the rights and responsibilities of parents. Parents have the right to have their child baptized in the Church.

The last two weeks I shared some reflections on the sacrament of Baptism, and today I would like to continue with that. Parents begin thinking about a name for their baby long before the child is born. Frequently they will consider names that have a family or ethnic history. (I’m named after my father, and one brother is named after my grandfather.) Since a name provides an “identity” for a person, the selection of a name is very important.

LENT SOUP SUPPERS All are invited to the Lent Soup Suppers! They will be held following Stations of the Cross that will be held each Wednesday at 5:15 pm during Lent. March 19,26 April 2, 16 will be at SSPP. April 9 will be held at SVDP due to Family Faith Formation. We hope to see you there!

Last week I began some reflections on the sacrament of Baptism, and today I would like to continue with that. Like every sacrament, Baptism is a sacred ritual celebrated with certain material elements, actions, and words. I mentioned last week that water is used because of its natural symbolism: it is used to cleanse us and is necessary for life.

We have embarked upon the great season of Lent. Since Lent is (among other things) a time to prepare for the sacrament of Baptism, I would like to write about that sacrament today and the next several weeks. The first of the sacraments, Baptism is rich in its symbolism and in its effects.

Lent is quickly approaching - Ash Wednesday is this Wednesday, March 5. I will be burning palms following the 9:00am Mass today at SSPP. The ashes - taken from these burned palms - placed on our heads are a physical sign of the spiritual journey we embrace every Lent.

The past five weeks I wrote about the Sacrament of Marriage. Today I would like to reflect briefly on the celebration of the Sacrament of the Eucharist. Vatican II referred to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass as the ‘source and the summit’ of our life in Christ. In other words, it is from the Eucharist that we receive the greatest Grace, and the occasion at which we give the greatest praise to God.

Ash Wednesday, and the beginning of Lent, is right around the corner. I invite our parishioners to bring their blessed palms (from Palm Sunday last year) to the church and place them in the box provided in the Holy Family Cenacle/Gather Place. These palms will be burned following the 9am Mass (SSPP) on March 2, and the ashes used on Ash Wednesday (March 5).

The last three weeks I have written about the Sacrament of Marriage. Today I would like to write about some practical and spiritual considerations for couples who are planning to marry. As soon as a couple become engaged they should contact the pastor of the parish where they belong. Do not presume that the church is available for your chosen date and time without confirming this with your pastor!

The last several weeks I have written about the Sacrament of Marriage. Today I would like to write about how best to prepare for marriage. One thing young people can do to prepare for marriage even before they meet their future spouse is to adopt a respectful attitude about marriage.

Last Sunday’s Gospel about the wedding at Cana prompted me to write about the Sacrament of Marriage. Today I would like to continue those reflections on marriage. The Church teaches – following from Sacred Scripture – that marriage has two main purposes. In other words, there are two reasons why people get married.

Souper Bowl Weekend Please bring your donation of cans of soup or boxes of crackers to the church by Feb. 8/9. This will help restock the shelves of our local food pantry

The Christmas season closed with the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord last Sunday, and now the Church resumes “Ordinary Time”. It is perhaps a rather unpoetic way to refer to this part of the liturgical year which is supposed to represent a time of growth (hence the use of green vestments).