From Father Carlos...
Dear friends at Saint Mary’s and Saint Frances Cabrini Parishes,
This weekend we are invited to reflect upon the Lord as the Good Shepherd.
In the Old Testament, God promised his people: “I will appoint for you shepherds after my own heart, who will shepherd you wisely and prudently” (Jeremiah 3:15.) The Father kept his promise and sent his only Son into the world to lead us all, not only to green pastures and living water, but most importantly to the Father Himself.
Our Lord Jesus Christ is a different kind of shepherd. He is the Good Shepherd! The Lord not only knows the right paths to take the sheep and not get lost, but He has also become the path itself which we can walk safely to salvation.
The Lord said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6.)
The Good Shepherd does not only take the sheep to the best pastures where they can satisfy their physical hunger. The Lord Jesus has actually become the nourishment itself that satisfies our desire, yes, for nourishment but also for eternal life.
The Lord said, “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day” (John 6: 54.)
Lastly, the Good Shepherd does not only fight against the wolves that try to come and get the sheep. The Lord actually gave himself up for his sheep, pouring out his blood so that the enemy of our souls may never have dominion over any of those who belong to the Lord’s flock.
The Lord said, “I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep (John 10:11.) I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. (v. 28)
In our days, the Lord continues shepherding us in and through the Church. In a special way, Christ chooses some men from amongst his people and constitutes them shepherds of his flock. They are the bishops, priests and deacons who, in a singular way, make present Christ the Good Shepherd in our midst. One of the prefaces used at Mass summarizes their ministry and service in our midst. The preface says:
“With a brother’s kindness [Christ] also chooses men to become sharers in his sacred ministry through the laying on of hands. They are to renew in his name the sacrifice of human redemption, to set before your children the paschal banquet, to lead your holy people in charity, to nourish them with the word and strengthen them with the Sacraments. As they give up their lives for you and for the salvation of their brothers and sisters, they strive to be conformed to the image of Christ himself and offer you a constant witness of faith and love.”
This weekend, I invite you to pray for all the bishops, priests and deacons of our Church, especially for our Archbishop Jerome Listecki and our Pastor Father Nathan Reesman who shepherd us and lead us to the Lord Jesus himself.
We also pray for those who have been called to become priests in the Church. The Lord certainly continues calling men to his service as priests and shepherds. Their “yes” to the Lord and his mission is also an invitation for us to continue praying for vocations to the ministerial Priesthood, especially from amongst men in our own parish communities.
This weekend, six men have been ordained transitional deacons for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. They will be, God willing, ordained priests in May of 2022. They are now deacons Matthew Kirk, Matthew Ferch, Kevin Harmon, Ariel Orzoco, Pedro Ruiz and Tony Kizza.
On May 15th of this year, three men from our Archdiocese will be ordained priests at the service of our communities in the Archdiocese! Their names are deacons Michael Malucha, Tim Schumaker and Michael Lawinger. We keep them in our prayers as well as those who are in Formation to the Priesthood, especially our seminarian Dominic Lazzaroni and those who come from our own parishes, Zack Galante and Joel Kolb. May the Lord assist them as they journey to the Altar of God where they will “sanctify the Christian people and offer sacrifice to God.”
May the Lord, the Good Shepherd, continue sending us shepherds according to his own heart at the service of the Holy People of God.
Father Carlos will be away on silent retreat this week from April 26-30.
Please pray for him! He will be keeping you in his prayers.