Today is the fifth Sunday of Easter. In the first reading, Acts 9:26 - 31, we hear about Saul who wants to become one of God’s disciples. The other Disciples are scared of Saul because he was known to be someone who attacks and murders Christians. Barnabas had to explain to the Disciples that the Lord had spoken to Saul. Once Saul encounters the Lord, Saul is changed and now speaks out boldly in the name of Jesus. Saul’s eyes have been opened and he understands who Jesus truly is. The Apostles have learned to trust Saul because Saul now understands that without Jesus he can do nothing.
The second reading, John, 3:18 - 24, advises us to keep all of God’s commandments and do what pleases God. We should believe in the name of his son, Jesus Christ, and love one another as Jesus has taught us. If we continue to follow his directives, we are living our lives as God has requested.
PASTA DINNER TO BENEFIT BIRTH HAVEN hosted by SPARK Youth Ministry and The Teen Advisory Board, May 18, 2024 @6:30pm-8:30pm
Are you ready to make a difference in the lives of even the littlest among us? On May 18, 2024 @6:30pm-8:30pm in the Knight of Columbus Hall, join our Teen Ministers for a Pasta Dinner Fundraiser in support of Birth Haven, Newton, NJ. In October, Birth Haven’s home was badly damaged in an accidental fire and they are still trying to rebuild. As you sample some delicious items donated by local merchants and prepared by our own SPARK and TAB Teens, you will help them in the rebuilding process! All proceeds will be donated directly to Birth Haven. We need you to help us do God’s work! Tickets will be available after weekend masses beginning on April 27-May 18, 2024 and at the door on the day of the dinner. Cost of the tickets is $15/person or $40 for a family of 4. Thank you and may God Bless you!
In the 4th Sunday of Easter’s Gospel reading, Jesus Christ reveals Himself as the Good Shepherd: “I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11). On Good Friday, Jesus laid down his life on the Cross to save us from sin and death: “He humbled Himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8). After His resurrection, the Lord entrusted to the Church the continuation of His mission as the Good Shepherd, thrice asking Peter if he loved Him, and thrice commanding him as a sign of that love to: “feed my lambs…tend my sheep…feed my sheep” (John 21:15-17).
The assurance of the Good Shepherd’s love and care for His flock is probably the reason why the image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd was popular among the early Christians, who faced cruel persecution from political and religious powers. The image of the Good Shepherd is one the most represented in the art of the Christian Catacombs in Rome. One such image is described as “…inspired by the parable of the Lost Sheep. Christ is thus represented as a humble shepherd with a lamb on his shoulders as he watches over his little flock that is sometimes made up of only two sheep placed at his sides” (Vatican Website, Christian Catacombs).
The universe changed when Christ was born into the world more than two millennia past. It changed radically with His resurrection on that first Easter Sunday as did our world when we celebrated that event three weeks ago.
More than being happy people during a happy season, we are people of joy living in a joyful season. And how so? Lent was not a happy, nicey-nicey, cheerful and upbeat time, but one of tumult, when the worst tendencies of human evil manifested themselves with Christ’s crucifixion on Good Friday. But beginning with His resurrection on Easter Sunday, joy rose to the forefront. Joy being that overwhelming state of fullness despite having experienced the devastating feeling of emptiness.
We all know the emptiness we feel because of our sins. The harm, the destruction of relationships, the guilt of our sinning. In Acts 3, Peter explains how all the Gods of the Old Testament, the wrathful Gods, take glory in Jesus. And how Jesus has revealed a forgiving God and by following Him our sins will be wiped away. Our emptiness, sometimes in an instant, will be filled with the fullness of joy.
FATHER STANLEY C. BARRON’S
50TH ANNIVERSARY OF PRIESTLY ORDINATION,
MASS TO BE CELEBRATED MAY 5, 2024 at 11:00AM MASS AT SAINT ELIZABETH ANN SETON PARISH
Please join us for Holy Mass and light refreshments afterward in the adjoining church Community Room.
by Candace Niblett, Adoration and Rosary Ministries
This Sunday we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday.
In order to fully understand what Divine Mercy is all about, we need to look at the history of Divine Mercy.
Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, chose to give this message to Sister Faustina. Our Lord asked Sister Faustina to tell the whole world of his unfathomable Mercy. Jesus promised to defend throughout their lives all those who would proclaim HIS Mercy to everyone that they would meet. Jesus asks us to be reflections of him through love and Mercy. He reminds us to be merciful towards others, especially towards sinners. Love everyone out of love for Jesus.
Sister Faustina states that she saw Jesus dressed in a white garment with one hand raised in blessing and the other hand was touching his garment. From under the garment came two rays of light, one red and the other pale. Jesus asked Sister Faustina to paint this picture of Him with the words “Jesus I trust in You.” The pale ray symbolizes the water that cleanses our soul, the red ray symbolizes the blood which gives new life to our soul. Jesus wants us to know that he loves us with a never ending love.
The Ministers of Hospitality are responsible for ensuring a welcoming and comfortable environment for the Celebration of the Eucharist and other ceremonies. Assignments are once or twice a month (depending on staffing). Duties include greeting worshippers, taking collections, seeing to an orderly Eucharist reception, dispersing weekly bulletins, etc. Ministers of Hospitality are required for all Masses. The typical duties of a St. Elizabeth's Usher as described by one of our own ushers: Greet parishioners as they enter the church.
Since the stop of our Parish Food Pantry, all your donated food items have gone to support our neighbors using the Mt. Olive and Roxbury Food Pantries. Thank you to the Knights of Columbus for continuing this ministry by selflessly dropping off our parish donations on a weekly basis. Our SPARK Teens were able to see first-hand the needs of the MO Food Pantry during our Summer Mission Days. The stock on shelves and in refrigerators/freezers had diminished severely. They are in desperate need of basic pantry staples going into the winter season.
Special thank you to Anita Kochis for the beautiful plantings at the front driveway, entrance to the church, assisted by John Batsch, who decorated in front of the church building and the interior décor of the church. We are blessed with your design talent that transforms our church during the Holy Days and appreciative of all who assisted in gathering supplies.
Thank you, to all our ministries:
Ushers, Eucharistic ministers, lectors, and
Deacon, to make our Holy week and Easter liturgies run smoothly. To Candace and Steve Niblett and Alice and Don Campbell who beautifully decorated the Chapel for the evening Adoration on Holy Thursday. A special thank you to the choirs and music ministry who provided the beautiful music, tying together The Word in a way that touches our heart and soul.
Join us on Zoom to Pray the Rosary Monday-Fridays, beginning at 6:00pm. Email Candace Niblett: [email protected] for information to dial into zoom. You may also email Candace to request a prayer for special intention.