Hallelujah. This is A Word on the Word recorded live at Saint Gregory the Great, the Diocese of Bridgeport - Connecticut USA. Our pastor is Father Angelo Arrando. We are so glad you could join us today.
This week please pray for Margaret P., Rose M., Victims of the Iraqi Conflict, Victims of terrorists and all sick and deceased members of the parish. At the Crossroad, Jesus knows us and calls us. Our prayer this week is for vocations.
The readings for this the Fourth Sunday of Easter - Good Shepherd Sunday are from the Acts of the Apostles, the book of Revelations and the Gospel according to John. To hear them click on our link to the left. But now here is Father Phil.
- We are very selective in our hearing, seeing and the way we feel things.
- Jesus insists that sheep know the shepherds voice.
- Don't trust so much in yourself, but trust in Jesus. "Follow Me" and I will lead you to happiness.
- You will have eternal life, you will not perish.
- What belongs to the Father no one can take away from the Father.
- The relationship between us and our pets is a functional relationship
- The relationship between a shepherd and his sheep is an organic relationship.
- A shepherd will do anything for his sheep, lead them to clean water and good grass even die for them.
- Those who have heard and accepted the words of Christ become like Paul, a preacher of the Word.
- Paul's message is that Jesus, the Messiah, was put to death but is now alive and invites everyone to hear his voice.
- At an inner city Boston church, Father Gaudette brought everyone of different backgrounds together, to become a whole parish. That is the Gospel message: that Christ is calling us to come together, to see His image in everyone. He is a living God.
Recorded at Saint Gregory the Great - Danbury, Connecticut April 29, 2007, noon Mass. Thank you Father Phil.
Announcements from the bulletin
NEW TO OUR CHURCH
Please join us next Saturday, May 5th at the 4:30pm Mass to welcome all newly-registered families to our parish. If you have no church of you own feel free to stop by at Saint Gregory the Great and see how you like it. If you are not in our area stop by any local church or house of worship and get that extra feeling of God's love for yourself.
MOTHER’S DAY
The Sunday after that is Mother’s Day, May 13th. On the tables in the vestibules of Saint Gregory the Great, you will find Mother’s Day Spiritual Bouquet cards for all Mothers, living or deceased. Please pick one up and drop the offering in the collection basket. Nothing says “I love you” like flowers. If your church does not have a formal offering or if you do not belong to a church take a few moments to remember your mother and offer her a prayer or kind thought.
Vocation Sunday
This is also Vocation Sunday and as reported in First Coast News: Roman Catholic convents around the country say they are experiencing an upturn in new nuns for the first time in decades. The Church is drawing from a millennial generation, inspired by Pope John Paul II and looking for an alternative lifestyle that draws them closer to God. The Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate says sisterhood has dropped dramatically since its peak about 40 years ago, from about 180,000 US nuns in 1965 to just over 66,000 in last year.
If you hear the Holy Spirit calling you, stop and listen. God has a plan for men and women. Take the time find out what it is. One place that can help is the office of Vocations for the Diocese of Bridgeport. There is also an ongoing story at the Daily Breakfast, where Father Roderick recounts his call to the priesthood.
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For more information, details or questions, about Bulletin announcements go to the Saint Gregory the Great web site or contact us and we will forward your request.
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Now here is a word from Vatican Radio...
We come to the Crossroad and find you must know that Jesus is the Lord who shepherds His flock and gives them eternal life. Paul & Barnabas proclaim the Word of God to Jew & Gentile alike. So we ask Adults & Teens: When can I take time this week to listen to the voice of the Good Shepherd? And Children: Who helps you feel safe and protected? Whom can you take care of and help to feel safe?
Our CROSSROADS Opportunities
The Easter season is a season of new life. Many people have celebrated the sacraments of initiation. We all renewed our baptismal promises at Mass on Easter Sunday and often during the Easter season. Today’s second reading tells us that the Lamb, the center of the throne, will lead us to life-giving water. What are some of the “springs” of life-giving water that have made your faith come alive?
Discuss this question at dinner with your household. You could mention receiving the Eucharist each Sunday; the sacrament of Reconciliation; reflecting on the liturgical readings; the example of other people; the help of parish ministers; family prayer together; personal prayer and/or personal quiet time. How can your household continue to draw life from these springs?
In today’s gospel reading Jesus tells us, “My sheep hear my voice; I know them and they follow Me.” Jesus is our Good Shepherd. What are some of the things you have heard from Jesus that have been helpful in your life and the lives of your household members? How have your lives been enriched by following Christ?
By virtue of our Baptism we all share in the precious gift that is greater than all else-we share the vocation to care and to be cared for-to shepherd each other. We are all that special someone called to watch over our beloved-and that includes all of humankind.
Today has been designated “World Day of Prayer for Vocations”. Please pray this week for vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
The background music is Shepherds Serenade by The Brobdingnagian Bards, playing Scottish and Irish folk songs combined with the Lord of the Rings music and a wee bit o'Celtic fun. This is The Original Celtic Renaissance music duo from Austin, Texas. Their unique brand of folk music on the autoharp, recorder, and mandolin has made them one of the most-popular Celtic music groups online where they give away thousands of free Celtic MP3 downloads daily. This selection is from the Podsafe Music network.
From the Unites States Conference of Catholic Bishops; English Prayers for Vocations.
Father, we're your people, the work of your hands. So precious are we in your sight that you sent your Son, Jesus. Jesus calls us to heal the broken-hearted, to dry the tears of those who mourn, to give hope to those who despair, and to rejoice in your steadfast love. We, the baptized, realize our call to serve. Help us to know how. Call forth from among us priests, sisters, brothers and lay ministers. With our hearts you continue to love your people. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.
Well that's A Word on the Word for the Fourth Sunday of Easter. This PodCast is released under a Creative Commons license, some rights are reserved. Links to the Daily readings, Morning and evening prayers, music and more can be found to the left. The Saint Gregory Home page is www.danbury.org/stgreg.
A Word on the Word Executive producer is Father Angelo Arrando, and is produced by Gregory Wencek. Please let us know what you think. If you have questions or answers, we can include your comments if you drop us a line by clicking under"About Me' on the left. On behalf of Saint Gregory the Great parish, God bless and Peace be With you. Hallelujah.