Father Madden's Sunday Reflection
St. John's Church
4th Sunday of Easter
May 11, 2025
EasterWhat's in this email?
- Fr. Madden's Sunday Reflection
- Video Mass Link
- Sunday Mass Readings
- Prayer Intentions
- Parish Resources
- Online Giving
Father Madden's
Sunday Reflection
Dear Friends in the Lord,
It is clearly providential that we gather together on Good Shepherd Sunday just a couple of days after the Holy Spirit sent us, in Pope Leo XIV, a Shepherd after the heart of our Good and Merciful God. In the days leading up to the Conclave I was asked several times who I thought would be the next Pope. My reply was that I had no idea whatsoever, except that I was absolutely sure that it would not be an American. I was hardly the only one who made that mistake. Of course, the new Holy Father, by ancestry, is truly American – his father was French and Italian, his mother was of Spanish descent along with Creole and Afro Haitian roots. (There will be no living with Fr Brice now!) The Holy Father’s ministerial background is just as diverse. He has been a parish priest, a teacher, vocation director, judicial vicar, professor, director of formation, Provincial Prior, Prior General, Bishop, Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and Cardinal. In all of these roles, he has been a missionary. It has been clear to me that, at least over the course of my lifetime from Pope John XXII to Pope Leo XIV, the Holy Spirit has given us the Pope that we have needed at the time. Praise God, the Holy Spirit has done it again. The Holy Father begins his Pontificate assuring us that:
We are all in God’s hands.
Therefore, without fear, united hand in hand
with God and among ourselves, let us move forward.
We are disciples of Christ.
If not exactly providentially, then certainly fortuitously, we also celebrate First Communion Sunday today. At the 10:15 a.m. Mass, the following 18 young people will receive the real presence of Jesus, body, blood, soul and divinity, in the Eucharist for the first time. They and their families have worked with Donna Mastrovito, Carole Cronin, Ellie Daly to prepare for this big day. Thanks to all, and to Srs, Carol and Janet for the reception following the Mass. This is an important celebration in the life of our parish community as the sincere devotion and excitement of our communicants remind us what a gift it is to receive Jesus into our hearts:
Cecilia Arce, Violeta Arce, Emma Arroyo,
Emma Burtnyk, Antonio Delvina, Braxton Everson
Lorenzo Ginisi, Rhyen Higgins, Annabella Jacobson,
Anna Krasowsky, Lily LaBonte
Lucia Menzano, Adelaide O’Leary, Oakley Quinlivan, Thomas Setzko, John Stankus
Javian Gingras Toney, Natalia Gingras Toney
In Christ’s Peace,
Fr John Madden
1st Reading: Lectionary 51
Paul and Barnabas continued on from Perga
and reached Antioch in Pisidia.
On the sabbath they entered the synagogue and took their seats.
Many Jews and worshipers who were converts to Judaism
followed Paul and Barnabas, who spoke to them
and urged them to remain faithful to the grace of God.
On the following sabbath almost the whole city gathered
to hear the word of the Lord.
When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy
and with violent abuse contradicted what Paul said.
Both Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said,
“It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first,
but since you reject it
and condemn yourselves as unworthy of eternal life,
we now turn to the Gentiles.
For so the Lord has commanded us,
I have made you a light to the Gentiles,
that you may be an instrument of salvation
to the ends of the earth.”
The Gentiles were delighted when they heard this
and glorified the word of the Lord.
All who were destined for eternal life came to believe,
and the word of the Lord continued to spread
through the whole region.
The Jews, however, incited the women of prominence who were worshipers
and the leading men of the city,
stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas,
and expelled them from their territory.
So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them,
and went to Iconium.
The disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.
and reached Antioch in Pisidia.
On the sabbath they entered the synagogue and took their seats.
Many Jews and worshipers who were converts to Judaism
followed Paul and Barnabas, who spoke to them
and urged them to remain faithful to the grace of God.
On the following sabbath almost the whole city gathered
to hear the word of the Lord.
When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy
and with violent abuse contradicted what Paul said.
Both Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said,
“It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first,
but since you reject it
and condemn yourselves as unworthy of eternal life,
we now turn to the Gentiles.
For so the Lord has commanded us,
I have made you a light to the Gentiles,
that you may be an instrument of salvation
to the ends of the earth.”
The Gentiles were delighted when they heard this
and glorified the word of the Lord.
All who were destined for eternal life came to believe,
and the word of the Lord continued to spread
through the whole region.
The Jews, however, incited the women of prominence who were worshipers
and the leading men of the city,
stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas,
and expelled them from their territory.
So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them,
and went to Iconium.
The disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.
Responsorial: Psalm
R.(3c) We are his people, the sheep of his flock.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
serve the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful song.
R. We are his people, the sheep of his flock.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Know that the LORD is God;
he made us, his we are;
his people, the flock he tends.
R.We are his people, the sheep of his flock.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD is good:
his kindness endures forever,
and his faithfulness, to all generations.
R.We are his people, the sheep of his flock.
or:
R. Alleluia.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
serve the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful song.
R. We are his people, the sheep of his flock.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Know that the LORD is God;
he made us, his we are;
his people, the flock he tends.
R.We are his people, the sheep of his flock.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD is good:
his kindness endures forever,
and his faithfulness, to all generations.
R.We are his people, the sheep of his flock.
or:
R. Alleluia.
2nd Reading: Revelation
I, John, had a vision of a great multitude,
which no one could count,
from every nation, race, people, and tongue.
They stood before the throne and before the Lamb,
wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands.
Then one of the elders said to me,
“These are the ones who have survived the time of great distress;
they have washed their robes
and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
“For this reason they stand before God’s throne
and worship him day and night in his temple.
The one who sits on the throne will shelter them.
They will not hunger or thirst anymore,
nor will the sun or any heat strike them.
For the Lamb who is in the center of the throne
will shepherd them
and lead them to springs of life-giving water,
and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
which no one could count,
from every nation, race, people, and tongue.
They stood before the throne and before the Lamb,
wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands.
Then one of the elders said to me,
“These are the ones who have survived the time of great distress;
they have washed their robes
and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
“For this reason they stand before God’s throne
and worship him day and night in his temple.
The one who sits on the throne will shelter them.
They will not hunger or thirst anymore,
nor will the sun or any heat strike them.
For the Lamb who is in the center of the throne
will shepherd them
and lead them to springs of life-giving water,
and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
Verse Before the Gospel
Christians, to the Paschal Victim
Offer your thankful praises!
A Lamb the sheep redeems.
Christ, who only is sinless,
Reconciles sinners to the Father.
Death and life have contended in that combat stupendous:
The prince of life, who died, reigns immortal.
Speak, Mary, declaring
What you saw, wayfaring.
“The tomb of Christ, who is living,
The glory of Jesus’ resurrection.
bright angels attesting,
The shroud and napkin resting.
Yes, Christ my hope arises.
to Galilee he goes before you.”
Christ indeed from death is risen, our new life obtaining.
Have mercy, victor King, ever reigning!
Amen. Alleluia.
Offer your thankful praises!
A Lamb the sheep redeems.
Christ, who only is sinless,
Reconciles sinners to the Father.
Death and life have contended in that combat stupendous:
The prince of life, who died, reigns immortal.
Speak, Mary, declaring
What you saw, wayfaring.
“The tomb of Christ, who is living,
The glory of Jesus’ resurrection.
bright angels attesting,
The shroud and napkin resting.
Yes, Christ my hope arises.
to Galilee he goes before you.”
Christ indeed from death is risen, our new life obtaining.
Have mercy, victor King, ever reigning!
Amen. Alleluia.
Gospel: John
Jesus said:
“My sheep hear my voice;
I know them, and they follow me.
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.
No one can take them out of my hand.
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all,
and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand.
The Father and I are one.”
“My sheep hear my voice;
I know them, and they follow me.
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.
No one can take them out of my hand.
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all,
and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand.
The Father and I are one.”
Prayer
St. John's Parish:
Prayer Needs & Intentions
Please remember the following needs and intentions in your prayers:
- For Pope Leo XIV (Bronwyn T)
- Please pray for our daughter, Isabella and her health intentions
Please pray for our sons Anthony and Santiago and their work and health intentions
Plese pray for our grandchildren, Elena and Alexander
Please pray for zandras work and health intentions
Please pray for Thomas health and work intentions
Please pray for our dear friend Phyllis as she continues with cancer treatment Read More (Zandra V) - Pleased pray for my family. (Katie D)
- Spec (George V)
- Anne L My family's health, Pope Leo XIV and a special intention. Thank you
- Improved health for Brian and Donna (Nancy D)
- Please pray for improved health. Thanks, Lori (Lori K)
- Pray for Pope Leo to have the patience and courage to help our world. And, for my daughter Emily to get a job. (Karen S)
- Praying our family lovingly reconnects. (Janice A)
- Please pray for the health and intentions of Jeff and my personal health
One Read More (Steve S) - For niece Jenny who is traveling overseas and for Russ so he may have a successful recovery from a major surgery. (Greg P)
- Please pray for suffering Senior. citizens. Thank you. (Barbara K)
- For Heather, my job, guidance (Kassandra R)
- Prayers for Linda Rossi Adora and Zander Russell Deric Jessica and Tabita Benoit My Family My Health My neignbors Pope Leo and the world (C. Patricia S)
- Please pray for my grandsons and for their special intentions. Also, for good health for my husband and I . Thank you 🙏 (Kathleen L)
- Please pray for Melissa as she undergoes her medical testing at the Mayo Clinic. (Cynthia D)
- Prayers for our new Pope Leo, for little Henry and my brother Charlie with pancreatic cancer ❤️🩹🙏🏻 (Martha L)
- All listed in prior emails plus our new Holy Father, Pope Leo (JAMES C)
To share a prayer request or intention in the Sunday Reflection, please click the REPLY button at the bottom of the Saturday morning Prayer Intentions email and post it in the comments.
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.
Our Common Prayer
O God, whose Only Begotten Son bore the weight of human suffering for our salvation, hear the prayers of your Church for all our brothers and sisters in need and deliver us from our trials. Open our ears and our hearts to the voice of your Son:
"Be not afraid, for I am with you always."
Bless all those working for the common good; give us the wisdom to do what is right and the faith to endure this hour,
that, trusting in your loving protection,
we might see the end of our struggles
and rejoice 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.
Parish Resources
For our St. John's family
Online Giving
Safe, secure, online giving
available through our eCatholic website
