Father Madden's Sunday Reflection
Seventh Sunday of Easter
St. John's Church
May 24, 2020
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- Fr. Madden's Sunday Reflection
- Video Mass
- Sunday Mass Readings
- Prayers: Parish Needs & Intentions / Additional Prayers
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Fr. Madden's Sunday Reflection
Life in Time of Pandemic #10
Dear Friends in the Lord,
We had been enduring a polemic pandemic even before the Coronavirus existed. Yet, it certainly has worsened since the virus attacked. As we prepare to begin the first phase of reopening, it is critical that we do not allow ourselves to be seduced by either extreme of the present polemic. One extreme proclaims that somehow these past horrible weeks have been a hoax. The other extreme warns that if we step out of the house, we will become infected and die. Neither one is helpful – or true.
Ever since Bishop McManus responded to Governor Baker’s reopening plan by lifting the suspension of Masses effective this Saturday, May 23rd, I have been completely excited about people returning and totally anxious about people returning. Both at the same time. We are resuming our regular Mass schedule. This is great news and cause for real concern. Both at the same time. Therefore, we will be back together in church and this must include the need to follow serious protocols. For instance, everyone must wear a mask and to social distance. The seating in the church has been arranged so that people, except for those who live under the same roof, will remain safely distanced from one another etc.…
In my mind, what is most important to remember is that the obligation to attend Sunday (and Holy Day) Mass remains lifted. No one is obliged to attend Mass. Indeed, if you are feeling sick, do not come to Mass. If you belong to one of the vulnerable groups – older people, those with underlying health issues – do not come to Mass. If you would rather not take the chance at this time, do not come to Mass.
If you decide to attend Mass, you must be vigilant in complying with the protocols. No one can or will be admitted without a face mask. There will be no congregational singing, the distribution of holy communion will be different and slower. As you know, all the changes have been put in place for health reasons. We keep one another and ourselves healthy and safe by following them.
This weekend we begin the experience of what our new normal will eventually be. How it will look at the end of the reopening phases and in the future remains to be seen. What is clear is that, in varied and different ways, we live in perilous times. For us Christians, then, these times call us to both grow in our trust in God’s mercy and wisdom and to deepen our concern and our loving action on behalf of one another. So, let us begin.
In Christ’s Peace,
Fr. John Madden
Reminder: Sunday Mass will also be live-streamed
on Sunday at 12:15 AM on Facebook
1st Reading: Acts 1
After Jesus had been taken up to heaven the apostles
returned to Jerusalem
from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem,
a sabbath day’s journey away.
returned to Jerusalem
from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem,
a sabbath day’s journey away.
When they entered the city
they went to the upper room where they were staying,
Peter and John and James and Andrew,
Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew,
James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot,
and Judas son of James.
All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer,
together with some women,
and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
they went to the upper room where they were staying,
Peter and John and James and Andrew,
Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew,
James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot,
and Judas son of James.
All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer,
together with some women,
and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 66
R. I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.
The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life’s refuge;
of whom should I be afraid?
R. I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.
One thing I ask of the LORD; this I seek:
To dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
That I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORD
and contemplate his temple.
R. I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.
Hear, O Lord, the sound of my call;
have pity on me, and answer me.
Of you my heart speaks; you my glance seeks.
R. I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.
2nd Reading: I Peter 4
The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life’s refuge;
of whom should I be afraid?
R. I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.
One thing I ask of the LORD; this I seek:
To dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
That I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORD
and contemplate his temple.
R. I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.
Hear, O Lord, the sound of my call;
have pity on me, and answer me.
Of you my heart speaks; you my glance seeks.
R. I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.
2nd Reading: I Peter 4
Beloved:
Rejoice to the extent that you share in the sufferings of Christ,
so that when his glory is revealed
you may also rejoice exultantly.
If you are insulted for the name of Christ, blessed are you,
for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.
But let no one among you be made to suffer
as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as an intriguer.
But whoever is made to suffer as a Christian should not be ashamed
but glorify God because of the name.
Rejoice to the extent that you share in the sufferings of Christ,
so that when his glory is revealed
you may also rejoice exultantly.
If you are insulted for the name of Christ, blessed are you,
for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.
But let no one among you be made to suffer
as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as an intriguer.
But whoever is made to suffer as a Christian should not be ashamed
but glorify God because of the name.
Verse before the Gospel: John 14
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I will not leave you orphans, says the Lord.
I will come back to you, and your hearts will rejoice.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel: John 17
Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said,
“Father, the hour has come.
Give glory to your son, so that your son may glorify you,
just as you gave him authority over all people,
so that your son may give eternal life to all you gave him.
Now this is eternal life,
that they should know you, the only true God,
and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ.
I glorified you on earth
by accomplishing the work that you gave me to do.
Now glorify me, Father, with you,
with the glory that I had with you before the world began.
“Father, the hour has come.
Give glory to your son, so that your son may glorify you,
just as you gave him authority over all people,
so that your son may give eternal life to all you gave him.
Now this is eternal life,
that they should know you, the only true God,
and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ.
I glorified you on earth
by accomplishing the work that you gave me to do.
Now glorify me, Father, with you,
with the glory that I had with you before the world began.
“I revealed your name to those whom you gave me out of the world.
They belonged to you, and you gave them to me,
and they have kept your word.
Now they know that everything you gave me is from you,
because the words you gave to me I have given to them,
and they accepted them and truly understood that I came from you,
and they have believed that you sent me.
I pray for them.
I do not pray for the world but for the ones you have given me,
because they are yours, and everything of mine is yours
and everything of yours is mine,
and I have been glorified in them.
And now I will no longer be in the world,
but they are in the world, while I am coming to you.”
They belonged to you, and you gave them to me,
and they have kept your word.
Now they know that everything you gave me is from you,
because the words you gave to me I have given to them,
and they accepted them and truly understood that I came from you,
and they have believed that you sent me.
I pray for them.
I do not pray for the world but for the ones you have given me,
because they are yours, and everything of mine is yours
and everything of yours is mine,
and I have been glorified in them.
And now I will no longer be in the world,
but they are in the world, while I am coming to you.”
Prayers
St. John's Parish:
Prayer Needs & Intentions
Please remember the following needs and intentions in your prayers:
- For my sister Stacy who starts another round of chemo this weekend. (Tracy C)
- For the health and intentions of Jeff Par (Steve S)
- For the gift of the Holy Spirit to ignite in us (John B)
- For the health and safety of everyone in the community of St. John's as we return to Masses and sincere thanks to all who worked so hard to keep us together with the Livestream services when we were apart. (Barbara T)
- For Keith Freeman who got hit by a motorcycle. (Ann Marie S)
- For the Wetnicka family, who just lost their daughter. (Tina A)
- For David, who is struggling to move on after 9 years and suffers from depression and several physical issues. (Tina A)
- A prayer of thanksgiving for all those who love enough to pray for others and share God's love. (Tina A)
- Prayers for Joshua Peter who died in November (Sophie K)
- For my first grandchild to be born soon (Bonnie M)
- A grateful prayer of thanksgiving for churches starting to open (George M)
- For Jack Gallagher. (Lori K)
- For my family and friends. (Lori K)
- For Rutland Detective John Songy who remains in the ICU at St. V's. (Linda L.)
- For Ken Bullen of the Bullen Foundation. (Supporting people fighting cancer.) (Linda L.)
- For my fiancé and I as we prepare for our marriage in September (Jeanne D)
- For my patients (Jeanne D)
- For the health and well being of my children and grandchildren (Anne L)
- For all those seeking guidance in their life, that the Holy Spirit would grant us the wisdom to know and to do God's will. That that Holy Spirit would fill our hearts with love and devotion for God, with love and compassion for all people and especially our enemies.
- For all of our families, that the Holy Spirit would help us to love and serve one another with joy. For our married couples, that Holy Spirit would unite couples in service to the Lord and one another. For parents, that the Holy Spirit would grant us wisdom, patience, fortitude and diligence as we raise our children in the faith.
- Prayers for parents and their general health. Prayers for our children that they make good choices and become closer to God. Prayers for financial stability. (Zandra V)
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Novena Prayer to the Holy Spirit
May 22 - May 30
On my knees, before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses I offer myself, soul and body to You, Eternal Spirit of God. I adore the brightness of Your purity, the unerring keenness of Your justice and the might of Your love. You are the Strength and Light of my soul. In You I live and move and am.
I desire never to grieve You by unfaithfulness to grace. I pray with all my heart to be kept from the smallest sin against you. Mercifully guard my every thought and grant that I may always watch for Your light and listen to Your voice and follow Your gracious inspirations. I cling to You and give myself to You and ask You by Your compassion to watch over me in my weakness.
Holding the pierced feet of Jesus and looking at his Five Wounds and trusting in His Precious Blood and adoring His opened Side and stricken Heart I implore You Adorable Spirit, Helper of my infirmity, so to keep me in Your grace that I may never sin against You.
Give me grace, O Holy Spirit, of the Father and the Son to say to You always and everywhere, “Speak Lord for Your servant is listening.”
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.
Schola Cantorum
Motet
St. John's Schola
Our apologies, we were unable to prepare hymn lyrics this week
Parish Resources
For our St. John's family
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