Father Madden's Sunday Reflection
St. John's Church
5th Sunday of Easter
May 18, 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,
Another school year has come and gone here at St. John’s. We are incredibly blessed to have such wonderful families and students that worship and learn with us. There were 25 Confirmed, and 18 who made First Reconciliation and received their First Eucharist. We’ve seen an increase in the number of altar servers, and children as young as 4 have assisted in the collection during Mass. Wonderful reasons for our parish family to celebrate! To do this, we are having a Parish Picnic on Sunday June 1, from 11:30-4 at Quinsigamond State Park on Lake Ave. There will be food, games, swimming, and fellowship. All parishioners are welcome to attend. We especially want to honor and recognize all the young people that volunteer at St. John’s. So, if your child has passed the basket, altar served, read at Mass, worked at the Xavier Center, or performed any other volunteer work here, please plan on attending. Please RSVP with how many will attend to dhgustowski@gmail.com, or call the rectory. We look forward to seeing you there!
There has been a certain pattern in Religious Education since the pandemic. We have large First Eucharist and Confirmation classes, but very small numbers in grades 1-9. We’ve discussed this at Parish Council, and it is a concern. I know that there are several factors that contribute to this. If a child attends a Catholic school, they are not required to attend parish religious education classes. Sports practices and games are held 7 days a week, all different times of the day. Parents share custody and may live in different towns. Work schedules may prevent availability on Sunday mornings. We have no control over any of these circumstances. But we can be agents of evangelization. Our children love coming to class! They learn about their faith, bond with their classmates, and have fun. So, I challenge you: if you and your children have positive experiences here at St. John’s, please tell your family, friends, neighbors, etc. Invite them to attend Mass with you. Come to the 10:15 on a Sunday and stay for coffee afterwards. Feel free to share my contact info with anyone who is interested in getting their family involved in their faith. I’m happy to help in any way I can. St. John’s is the truest Christian Community that I have ever been a part of. The whole world needs to know this.
Finally, I want to thank our teachers: Liz, Shonee, Joyce, Brandon, Larry, Sheila, and Patrick. They go above and beyond to spread the Gospel to our young people. Please pray for them, and me. May God bless us all in abundance, today and always!
Dianne Gustowski
Religious Education Coordinator
1st Reading: Lectionary 54
After Paul and Barnabas had proclaimed the good news
to that city
and made a considerable number of disciples,
they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch.
They strengthened the spirits of the disciples
and exhorted them to persevere in the faith, saying,
“It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships
to enter the kingdom of God.”
They appointed elders for them in each church and,
with prayer and fasting, commended them to the Lord
in whom they had put their faith.
Then they traveled through Pisidia and reached Pamphylia.
After proclaiming the word at Perga they went down to Attalia.
From there they sailed to Antioch,
where they had been commended to the grace of God
for the work they had now accomplished.
And when they arrived, they called the church together
and reported what God had done with them
and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.
to that city
and made a considerable number of disciples,
they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch.
They strengthened the spirits of the disciples
and exhorted them to persevere in the faith, saying,
“It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships
to enter the kingdom of God.”
They appointed elders for them in each church and,
with prayer and fasting, commended them to the Lord
in whom they had put their faith.
Then they traveled through Pisidia and reached Pamphylia.
After proclaiming the word at Perga they went down to Attalia.
From there they sailed to Antioch,
where they had been commended to the grace of God
for the work they had now accomplished.
And when they arrived, they called the church together
and reported what God had done with them
and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.
Responsorial: Psalm
R (cf. 1) I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.
or:
R Alleluia.
The LORD is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and of great kindness.
The LORD is good to all
and compassionate toward all his works.
R I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.
or:
R Alleluia.
Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,
and let your faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of your kingdom
and speak of your might.
R I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.
or:
R Alleluia.
Let them make known your might to the children of Adam,
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
Your kingdom is a kingdom for all ages,
and your dominion endures through all generations.
R I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.
or:
R Alleluia.
or:
R Alleluia.
The LORD is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and of great kindness.
The LORD is good to all
and compassionate toward all his works.
R I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.
or:
R Alleluia.
Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,
and let your faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of your kingdom
and speak of your might.
R I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.
or:
R Alleluia.
Let them make known your might to the children of Adam,
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
Your kingdom is a kingdom for all ages,
and your dominion endures through all generations.
R I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.
or:
R Alleluia.
2nd Reading: Revelation
Then I, John, saw a new heaven and a new earth.
The former heaven and the former earth had passed away,
and the sea was no more.
I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem,
coming down out of heaven from God,
prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,
“Behold, God’s dwelling is with the human race.
He will dwell with them and they will be his people
and God himself will always be with them as their God.
He will wipe every tear from their eyes,
and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain,
for the old order has passed away.”
The One who sat on the throne said,
“Behold, I make all things new.”
The former heaven and the former earth had passed away,
and the sea was no more.
I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem,
coming down out of heaven from God,
prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,
“Behold, God’s dwelling is with the human race.
He will dwell with them and they will be his people
and God himself will always be with them as their God.
He will wipe every tear from their eyes,
and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain,
for the old order has passed away.”
The One who sat on the throne said,
“Behold, I make all things new.”
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
When Judas had left them, Jesus said,
“Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him.
If God is glorified in him,
God will also glorify him in himself,
and God will glorify him at once.
My children, I will be with you only a little while longer.
I give you a new commandment: love one another.
As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.
This is how all will know that you are my disciples,
if you have love for one another.”
“Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him.
If God is glorified in him,
God will also glorify him in himself,
and God will glorify him at once.
My children, I will be with you only a little while longer.
I give you a new commandment: love one another.
As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.
This is how all will know that you are my disciples,
if you have love for one another.”
Prayer
St. John's Parish:
Prayer Needs & Intentions
Please remember the following needs and intentions in your prayers:
- Please pray for my family (Katie D)
- blessing for my nephew Paul and his fiancée who begin married life tomorrow. (Roseann A)
- please pray for the safe return of Hailey M (Artie L)
- Improved health for Donna and Brian (Nancy D)
- Please pray for my fractured hip to heal without incident in Jesus’ name! (Judy G)
- Heather, Tristan, guidance (Kassandra R)
- Please pray for a special intention. (Sandra K)
- Please pray for Linds, thank you. (Lori K)
- Please pray for the health and intentions (Steve S)
- Please pray for my grandson Carter who is 2 years old, diagnosed with autism and working hard to overcome speech delay. (Veronica R)
- Please pray for my family's health and Jarlath Waters and family as he begins chemo treatments for brain cancer, thank you 🙏🙏 (Anne L)
- Prayers and intentions for our country and our world. Stop the hatred, war, poverty and heartache that all comes from the lust for greed and power. (Rhonda F)
- Spec (George V)
- Prayers for Jean Barbieri, Linda Rossi, Fran Benoit, Deric, Jessica, Tabitha Benoit, Adora, Zander Russell, My Family, My Health, My Neighbors, and the World (C. Patricia S)
- Please pray for my family. Thank you in Jesus's name Amen. (Kerri N)
- All prior requests still in need of The Lord's help and especially at this time for Mary Moysello and her husband Alfred in as to safety and success in relief of pain in and by her second hip replacement operation this coming Tuesday. (JAMES C)
- Please pray for Teresa Doray who is recovering from emergency surgery. (Jeanne A)
- Praying for improved health for Susan M, Sharon R, Mary O, Roberta S, Cathy L, Kathleen K, Mary D, Betty Y, MaryAnn H, and Bob and MaryAnn H. (Donna W)
- Praying for the repose of the souls of Wayne BOND, Katherine BANACH and Paula BUTLER. May their souls Rest in Peace. (Donna W)
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
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