This coming Sunday, the fourth Sunday of Easter, is known in the Church as Good Shepherd Sunday. Listening to the readings during Mass, which teach Jesus as the chief Shepherd, makes this evident. We can see the actions of the Good Shepherd in our church calendar. We have been celebrating First Eucharist for our 2nd grade children and Confirmation for the older students. This common element of Jesus leading and feeding us is so important for reflection today.
All of us, both young and old, as followers of Christ are part of the sheepfold that we call the Church. It is through the Church that he shares his life with us. He shares in his Word proclaimed at Mass and set down in the Scriptures; in the Sacraments that engage all of our senses (seeing, hearing, touching, tasting, smelling) as we draw closer to him; in the riches of his grace to light up our way and guide our steps are we move closer to our Heavenly home. These actions involve the participation by all of the faithful. This is how we enter into the full, active and conscious participation of our faith, as outlined by the Second Vatican Council (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, 14). It should begin at the earliest possible age so that it can take root as something that is integral to our lives and not simply another item on our weekly “todo” list. It is also something that must be fed and nurtured carefully as our young people grow so that it does undergo spiritual starvation; how many of today’s First Communicants will retain their sense of awe and wonder to be followers of Jesus when it is time for them to receive Confirmation? How will our Confirmands retain that sense of courageous witness they will need as they continue to be fully-initiated members of the Catholic Church?
As each of us is called to follow the Good Shepherd, we are also called – each in our own way – to be shepherds as well: reaching out and guiding the lost, teaching and feeding those entrusted to our care. As we are led and fed, may God “lead us to a share in the joys of heaven, so that the humble flock may reach where the brave Shepherd has gone before” (Collect [Opening Prayer] for the Fourth Sunday of Easter).
Parish Mission - May 19th to 22nd – Bill Wegner, Good News International
Sunday, May 19, Monday, May 20 and Tuesday, May 21 at 7:00 PM and
after the 7:30 AM Mass on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Come and deepen your relationship with Jesus. Bill Wegner of Good News International Ministries will speak to us about “Returning to the Heart of Jesus”.
Please register by noon on May 17:
(1) contact Dale Zanetti in the Adult Faith Formation Office at Visitation Church. 732-477-7059 Ext. 214 or dzanetti@visitationrcchurch.org
(2) or Click here to register
All of us, both young and old, as followers of Christ are part of the sheepfold that we call the Church. It is through the Church that he shares his life with us. He shares in his Word proclaimed at Mass and set down in the Scriptures; in the Sacraments that engage all of our senses (seeing, hearing, touching, tasting, smelling) as we draw closer to him; in the riches of his grace to light up our way and guide our steps are we move closer to our Heavenly home. These actions involve the participation by all of the faithful. This is how we enter into the full, active and conscious participation of our faith, as outlined by the Second Vatican Council (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, 14). It should begin at the earliest possible age so that it can take root as something that is integral to our lives and not simply another item on our weekly “todo” list. It is also something that must be fed and nurtured carefully as our young people grow so that it does undergo spiritual starvation; how many of today’s First Communicants will retain their sense of awe and wonder to be followers of Jesus when it is time for them to receive Confirmation? How will our Confirmands retain that sense of courageous witness they will need as they continue to be fully-initiated members of the Catholic Church?
As each of us is called to follow the Good Shepherd, we are also called – each in our own way – to be shepherds as well: reaching out and guiding the lost, teaching and feeding those entrusted to our care. As we are led and fed, may God “lead us to a share in the joys of heaven, so that the humble flock may reach where the brave Shepherd has gone before” (Collect [Opening Prayer] for the Fourth Sunday of Easter).
Parish Mission - May 19th to 22nd – Bill Wegner, Good News International
Sunday, May 19, Monday, May 20 and Tuesday, May 21 at 7:00 PM and
after the 7:30 AM Mass on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Come and deepen your relationship with Jesus. Bill Wegner of Good News International Ministries will speak to us about “Returning to the Heart of Jesus”.
This mission is FREE for children over 14 and Adults
Please register by noon on May 17:
(1) contact Dale Zanetti in the Adult Faith Formation Office at Visitation Church. 732-477-7059 Ext. 214 or dzanetti@visitationrcchurch.org
(2) or Click here to register
See our bulletin for more information. We look forward to seeing you at any conferences you can attend – and bring a friend!
God has, in fact, thought of us from eternity and has loved us as unique individuals. He has called every one of us by name, as the Good Shepherd 'calls His sheep by name.'
Our FORMED Recommendation for the Week
EBook (224 pages) - A Mother's Rule of Life: How to Bring Order to Your Home and Peace to Your Soul
https://formed.org/catholic-books/582ce1ca294f639c0e6c565b
On January 1, 2000, Holly Pierlot pounded her fist on the kitchen table and yelled at her husband, “I can’t take it anymore!” Motherhood and homeschooling had overwhelmed her. The house was dirty, the laundry undone. Holly felt frustrated, discouraged, and alone. She couldn’t find time to snuggle and have fun with her five children or to go out with her husband. Yes, she loved Philip and she did love God, but she had come to resent Philip’s freedom, and she almost never found time for prayer.
Today, everything’s better.
Holly still homeschools, but the house is cleaner, she gets more done, and the kids are happier. There’s less stress, less strife, and less housework. Holly’s been healed of past wounds that troubled her soul and her marriage. Best of all, she spends at least an hour each day in prayer and time each evening with Philip.
Holly brought about these changes with what she calls her Mother’s Rule of Life, a pattern for living that combines the spiritual wisdom of the monastery with the practical wisdom of motherhood.
Holly’s Rule is not just another set of schedules; it’s a way for Christian mothers to answer God’s call to holiness.
With the help of your own Rule, you can get control of your own household, grow closer to God, come to love your husband more, and raise up holy Christian children. In these wise and practical pages, Holly shows you how.
Do you want to be a better wife and mother? To have more order in your life? To grow in union with God? Are you desperate yet?
With your own Mother’s Rule of Life, you’ll transform motherhood and its burdens into the joyful vocation it’s meant to be. Learn from Holly Pierlot how to craft a Rule that’s right for you and your family. Then use that Rule to help God draw you, your husband, and each of your children into Heaven!
EBook (224 pages) - A Mother's Rule of Life: How to Bring Order to Your Home and Peace to Your Soul
https://formed.org/catholic-books/582ce1ca294f639c0e6c565b
On January 1, 2000, Holly Pierlot pounded her fist on the kitchen table and yelled at her husband, “I can’t take it anymore!” Motherhood and homeschooling had overwhelmed her. The house was dirty, the laundry undone. Holly felt frustrated, discouraged, and alone. She couldn’t find time to snuggle and have fun with her five children or to go out with her husband. Yes, she loved Philip and she did love God, but she had come to resent Philip’s freedom, and she almost never found time for prayer.
Today, everything’s better.
Holly still homeschools, but the house is cleaner, she gets more done, and the kids are happier. There’s less stress, less strife, and less housework. Holly’s been healed of past wounds that troubled her soul and her marriage. Best of all, she spends at least an hour each day in prayer and time each evening with Philip.
Holly brought about these changes with what she calls her Mother’s Rule of Life, a pattern for living that combines the spiritual wisdom of the monastery with the practical wisdom of motherhood.
Holly’s Rule is not just another set of schedules; it’s a way for Christian mothers to answer God’s call to holiness.
With the help of your own Rule, you can get control of your own household, grow closer to God, come to love your husband more, and raise up holy Christian children. In these wise and practical pages, Holly shows you how.
Do you want to be a better wife and mother? To have more order in your life? To grow in union with God? Are you desperate yet?
With your own Mother’s Rule of Life, you’ll transform motherhood and its burdens into the joyful vocation it’s meant to be. Learn from Holly Pierlot how to craft a Rule that’s right for you and your family. Then use that Rule to help God draw you, your husband, and each of your children into Heaven!
If you haven't done so already, go to https://visitationrcchurch.formed.org/, click on the REGISTER NOW button. Enter your e-mail address on the registration screen and you're good to go!
Do you find these weekly eCommunity mailings useful and think that family members or friends could benefit? Invite them either by having them text VisitationBrick to 84576 on their smartphone or by signing up on our parish website at http://visitationrcchurch.org/ - we'd love to have them join us!