Father Madden's Sunday Reflection
29th Sunday in Ordinary Time
St. John's Church
October 17, 2021
What's in this email?
- Fr. Madden's Sunday Reflection
- Video Mass
- Sunday Mass Readings
- Prayers: Parish Needs & Intentions / Additional Prayers
- Schola Cantorum
- Parish Resources
- Online Giving
Father Madden's
Sunday Reflection
Dear Friends in the Lord,
As you read this bulletin, I am in Pittsburgh. In fact, if you are reading it at the Sunday night 7:15 p.m. Mass, I am in Heinz Field awaiting the Steelers game against the Seattle Seahawks. Clearly, I am a glutton for punishment. Whenever I am away from Temple Street, I miss St. John’s and Worcester – at least a little bit. This time it is more than a little, though. The Superintendent of Schools, Maureen Binienda – who has done so much for Worcester and our children – was kind enough to invite me to offer the Benediction at the dedication of the new South High School’s Brian A. O’Connell Memorial Auditorium. As many of you know, Brian was a life-long member of St. John’s. An active, dedicated and strong supporter of our parish and its mission. He also served on the School Committee for over thirty years. I regret not being able to attend this event. Brian’s wonderful combination of a superior intellect and sincere kindness was a gift to the parish and the city. We all miss him. My prayer is that this memorial will help us at St. John’s and the City to remain committed to creating a thoughtful and caring community.
Another important event this Sunday is the 10:00 a.m. Mass at St. Paul Cathedral which Bishop McManus is celebrating to mark the opening of the Diocesan Phase of the XVI Synod of Bishops. That Synod will meet in Rome next year to consider the topic: For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation and Mission. The Mass begins our prayer that the Holy Spirit guide us in providing input to the Synod and to pray for the Bishops who will gather in 2022-3. Bishop McManus writes:
Pope Francis recognizes that synodality is an integral part of the form, style and structure of the Church. He has asked the faithful of every diocese to reflect upon their experience of consultative processes in the Church as part of our mission of journeying together to deepen and spread the faith in our lives and our world.
The Bishop goes on to say that this Synodal consultation will provide a buttress to our efforts to get people back to Mass so that we can deepen and spread the faith in all our parishes and in the diocese.
Finally, this weekend’s passage recounts one of the most iconic exchanges in the Gospels. James and John ask Jesus that they may sit “one on your right and the other on your left” in heaven. The demand that they state at the beginning of the encounter is the give-away: “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask you.” The Lord indulges them – “What do you wish me to do for you? – so to teach them: “The cup that I drink, you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized you will be baptized…” Having been made in the image and likeness of God, we continue to try and make God into our image. Thankfully we will not succeed.
Another important event this Sunday is the 10:00 a.m. Mass at St. Paul Cathedral which Bishop McManus is celebrating to mark the opening of the Diocesan Phase of the XVI Synod of Bishops. That Synod will meet in Rome next year to consider the topic: For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation and Mission. The Mass begins our prayer that the Holy Spirit guide us in providing input to the Synod and to pray for the Bishops who will gather in 2022-3. Bishop McManus writes:
Pope Francis recognizes that synodality is an integral part of the form, style and structure of the Church. He has asked the faithful of every diocese to reflect upon their experience of consultative processes in the Church as part of our mission of journeying together to deepen and spread the faith in our lives and our world.
The Bishop goes on to say that this Synodal consultation will provide a buttress to our efforts to get people back to Mass so that we can deepen and spread the faith in all our parishes and in the diocese.
Finally, this weekend’s passage recounts one of the most iconic exchanges in the Gospels. James and John ask Jesus that they may sit “one on your right and the other on your left” in heaven. The demand that they state at the beginning of the encounter is the give-away: “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask you.” The Lord indulges them – “What do you wish me to do for you? – so to teach them: “The cup that I drink, you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized you will be baptized…” Having been made in the image and likeness of God, we continue to try and make God into our image. Thankfully we will not succeed.
In Christ’s Peace,
Fr. John Madden
1st Reading: Isaiah 53
The LORD was pleased
to crush him in infirmity.
to crush him in infirmity.
If he gives his life as an offering for sin,
he shall see his descendants in a long life,
and the will of the LORD shall be accomplished through him.
he shall see his descendants in a long life,
and the will of the LORD shall be accomplished through him.
Because of his affliction
he shall see the light in fullness
of days;
through his suffering, my servant shall justify many,
and their guilt he shall bear.
he shall see the light in fullness
of days;
through his suffering, my servant shall justify many,
and their guilt he shall bear.
Responsorial: Psalm 33
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
Upright is the word of the LORD,
and all his works are trustworthy.
He loves justice and right;
of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
and all his works are trustworthy.
He loves justice and right;
of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him,
upon those who hope for his kindness,
To deliver them from death
and preserve them in spite of famine.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
upon those who hope for his kindness,
To deliver them from death
and preserve them in spite of famine.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
Our soul waits for the LORD,
who is our help and our shield.
May your kindness, O LORD, be upon us
who have put our hope in you.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
who is our help and our shield.
May your kindness, O LORD, be upon us
who have put our hope in you.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
2nd Reading: Hebrews 4
Brothers and sisters:
Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens,
Jesus, the Son of God,
let us hold fast to our confession.
For we do not have a high priest
who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses,
but one who has similarly been tested in every way,
yet without sin.
So let us confidently approach the throne of grace
to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.
Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens,
Jesus, the Son of God,
let us hold fast to our confession.
For we do not have a high priest
who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses,
but one who has similarly been tested in every way,
yet without sin.
So let us confidently approach the throne of grace
to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.
Alleluia
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Son of Man came to serve
and to give his life as a ransom for many.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel: Mark 10
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Son of Man came to serve
and to give his life as a ransom for many.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel: Mark 10
James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and said to him,
"Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you."
He replied, "What do you wish me to do for you?"
They answered him, "Grant that in your glory
we may sit one at your right and the other at your left."
Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking.
Can you drink the cup that I drink
or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?"
They said to him, "We can."
Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink, you will drink,
and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized;
but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give
but is for those for whom it has been prepared."
When the ten heard this, they became indignant at James and John.
Jesus summoned them and said to them,
"You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles
lord it over them,
and their great ones make their authority over them felt.
But it shall not be so among you.
Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant;
whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all.
For the Son of Man did not come to be served
but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many."
"Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you."
He replied, "What do you wish me to do for you?"
They answered him, "Grant that in your glory
we may sit one at your right and the other at your left."
Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking.
Can you drink the cup that I drink
or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?"
They said to him, "We can."
Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink, you will drink,
and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized;
but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give
but is for those for whom it has been prepared."
When the ten heard this, they became indignant at James and John.
Jesus summoned them and said to them,
"You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles
lord it over them,
and their great ones make their authority over them felt.
But it shall not be so among you.
Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant;
whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all.
For the Son of Man did not come to be served
but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Prayers
St. John's Parish:
Prayer Needs & Intentions
Please remember the following needs and intentions in your prayers:
- Please pray for the following who are seriously ill, for God’s healing presence; Glenn F., Mike L., Danielle R., Amy N., Sam N., Colby N. Thank you very much for your prayers. (Joseph F)
- Here’s to hoping and hoping. Let’s pray. (Joanne M)
- For all the volunteer’s & guests at Hotel Grace🙏🏻 (Karen S)
- We have thanks to give for the miraculous recovery of my nephew from a cardiac arrest. We also pray for successful surgery for my daughter.this coming week. (Eileen P)
- For the health and intentions of Jeff Parson. (Steve S)
- Prayers for the souls of Joshua Peter, Maciej (Sophie K)
- A For my mother may her mind be at peace (Ryan)
- For a special intention (George V)
- Please pray for my daughter who has Lyme disease! And all others who are suffering! (Donna B)
- Please pray for the Red Sox may they continue the great success in the postseason in all the residents Saint Francis nursing home and rehab amen (Larry T)
- Please pray for healing for Kristina and those that need healing. Also for a special intentions. (Kathleen L)
- My family's good health, St John's family and those who have no one to pray for them. (Anne L)
- For the online diocesan workshop, "Help 'Missing' Catholics Come Back to Jesus and the Mass." Come, Holy Spirit, bring all of us together who are in pain about family and friends who stopped going to church! (John B)
- Praying for my daughter's health~ (Carol H)
- For a special intention, and for a family who is hurting due to the loss of a loved one. (Dan S)
- For my fiancé who has been admitted for mental illness. Please God heal his mind and free him from long Covid also. (Jeanne D)
To share a prayer request or intention in the Sunday Reflection,
please click the REPLY button at the bottom of any
"St. John's Church (General)" email and post it in the comments.
Additional Prayers:
Spiritual Communion - Pandemic Prayer - Prayer to St. Michael
Act of Spiritual Communion
by St. Alphonsus de Liguori
My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.
Prayer in Time of Pandemic
from Bishop McManus
O God, whose Only Begotten Son bore the weight of human suffering for our salvation, hear the prayers of your Church for our sick brothers and sisters and deliver us from this time of trial.
Open our ears and our hearts to the voice of your Son:
"Be not afraid, for I am with you always."
Bless all doctors and nurses, researchers and public servants; give us the wisdom to do what is right and the faith to endure this hour, that we might gather once again to praise your name in the heart of your Church, delivered from all distress and confident in your mercy.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
"Be not afraid, for I am with you always."
Bless all doctors and nurses, researchers and public servants; give us the wisdom to do what is right and the faith to endure this hour, that we might gather once again to praise your name in the heart of your Church, delivered from all distress and confident in your mercy.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel
by Pope Leo XIII
St. Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
defend us in battle.
Be our defense against
the wickedness and snares of the Devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
and do thou,
and do thou,
O Prince of the heavenly hosts,
by the power of God,
by the power of God,
thrust into hell Satan,
and all the evil spirits,
who prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls.
and all the evil spirits,
who prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.
PRAYER PLEDGE
Join the team of St. John's parishioners pledging to pray daily
for the religious education and spiritual formation of our young people
In this challenging time our commitment to praying for our youth is more necessary than ever. Without prayer we cannot hope to transmit the riches of our Catholic faith to the next generation; join us as we lift our voices to God and ask for His blessing upon our efforts to teach our young people to become disciples of Christ.
We welcome you to pray a daily prayer of your own choosing, or to use the "Prayer for St. John's Religious Education" below. 👇
Prayer for St. John's Religious Education
Most gracious Lord, we ask your blessing upon the Religious Education program of our beloved parish of St. John’s. Please allow Your love and grace to flow freely and permeate the hearts and souls of our students and their families. Holy Spirit allow your gifts of Wisdom, Knowledge, and Piety to flourish in our Catechists as they pass on the teachings of Your Church to our students. Bless our volunteers for their generosity and loyalty which keeps our program operating properly. St. Joseph, intercede for our parents in this time so that they will recognize and accept their role as leaders of the Domestic Church.
We praise and honor you our Triune God, Father, Son and Spirit. Amen
St. Charles Borromeo, patron of catechists, pray for us.
St. Gemma Galgani, patron of students, pray for us.
Schola Cantorum
Introit
Ego clamavi
Communio
Domine, Dominus noster
Motet
Ubi Caritas
Parish Resources
For our St. John's family
Online Giving
Safe, secure, online giving
available through our eCatholic website
