Father Madden's Sunday Reflection
St. John's Church
7th Sunday of Easter
1st June, 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,
Next Saturday Deacon Zachary Sullivan, along with Deacon Jonathan Amidon, will be ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Worcester by Bishop McManus at the Cathedral of St. Paul. Many of you remember that Zack spent his Summer 2023 Internship with us here on Temple Street. Since then, he has been a consistent presence at our weekday morning meal at the St. Francis Xavier Center. Zack is an outstanding young man who has followed God’s call with an openness and humility that I have found impressive. We are blessed that he will celebrate his Mass of Thanksgiving here at St. John’s next Sunday at our regular 12:15 p.m. Mass. We know that a priest’s “First Mass” is hardly a regular Mass. This celebration of the Solemnity of Pentecost will be a special blessing. A reception will follow in the Xavier Center. All are invited to attend. We will be treated to a blessing from Fr. Zack along with physical refreshments.
On Friday, we began what is, essentially, the first novena in Church history. During the nine days beginning after the Solemnity of the Ascension and leading to the Solemnity of Pentecost, we celebrate the Novena to the Holy Spirit. We know that Jesus has returned to the Father, and we believe that it was not to abandon us but to be our hope. This hope comes to us through the Holy Spirit which he bestowed on the Apostles. For, as Bishop McManus reminded our Confirmation class and us at this year’s celebration, this is the same Spirit that is given to us. Therefore, this is a time for us to focus again and anew on where God is calling and guiding us.
Today’s first reading from the Acts of the Apostles recounts the sacrifice of the first martyr, Stephen. Luke tells us that filled with the Holy Spirit, he offered his life just as Jesus did. Which is to say, freely and without bitterness as he fell to his knees and cried out Lord do hold this sin against them.
Wherever, the Holy Spirit is leading us – to ordained ministry or to the religious life, or to the single life or to married life; whether to liturgical ministry or to service ministry, or both – we know that to respond authentically we must humbly sacrifice our own will and pleasure and be open to the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
The invitation of these days – and beyond – is to ask, with confidence, for the gifts of Fear of the Lord, Piety, Fortitude, Knowledge, Understanding, Counsel and Wisdom.
In Christ’s Peace,
Fr John Madden
1st Reading: Lectionary 61
Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit,
looked up intently to heaven and saw the glory of God
and Jesus standing at the right hand of God,
and Stephen said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened
and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
But they cried out in a loud voice,
covered their ears, and rushed upon him together.
They threw him out of the city, and began to stone him.
The witnesses laid down their cloaks
at the feet of a young man named Saul.
As they were stoning Stephen, he called out,
“Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
Then he fell to his knees and cried out in a loud voice,
“Lord, do not hold this sin against them;”
and when he said this, he fell asleep.
looked up intently to heaven and saw the glory of God
and Jesus standing at the right hand of God,
and Stephen said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened
and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
But they cried out in a loud voice,
covered their ears, and rushed upon him together.
They threw him out of the city, and began to stone him.
The witnesses laid down their cloaks
at the feet of a young man named Saul.
As they were stoning Stephen, he called out,
“Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
Then he fell to his knees and cried out in a loud voice,
“Lord, do not hold this sin against them;”
and when he said this, he fell asleep.
Responsorial: Psalm
R. (1a and 9a) The Lord is king, the most high over all the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice;
let the many islands be glad.
Justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne.
R. The Lord is king, the most high over all the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The heavens proclaim his justice,
and all peoples see his glory.
All gods are prostrate before him.
R. The Lord is king, the most high over all the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
You, O LORD, are the Most High over all the earth,
exalted far above all gods.
R. The Lord is king, the most high over all the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice;
let the many islands be glad.
Justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne.
R. The Lord is king, the most high over all the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The heavens proclaim his justice,
and all peoples see his glory.
All gods are prostrate before him.
R. The Lord is king, the most high over all the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
You, O LORD, are the Most High over all the earth,
exalted far above all gods.
R. The Lord is king, the most high over all the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
2nd Reading: Revelation
I, John, heard a voice saying to me:
"Behold, I am coming soon.
I bring with me the recompense I will give to each
according to his deeds.
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last,
the beginning and the end."
Blessed are they who wash their robes
so as to have the right to the tree of life
and enter the city through its gates.
"I, Jesus, sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches.
I am the root and offspring of David,
the bright morning star."
The Spirit and the bride say, "Come."
Let the hearer say, "Come."
Let the one who thirsts come forward,
and the one who wants it receive the gift of life-giving water.
The one who gives this testimony says, "Yes, I am coming soon."
Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!
"Behold, I am coming soon.
I bring with me the recompense I will give to each
according to his deeds.
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last,
the beginning and the end."
Blessed are they who wash their robes
so as to have the right to the tree of life
and enter the city through its gates.
"I, Jesus, sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches.
I am the root and offspring of David,
the bright morning star."
The Spirit and the bride say, "Come."
Let the hearer say, "Come."
Let the one who thirsts come forward,
and the one who wants it receive the gift of life-giving water.
The one who gives this testimony says, "Yes, I am coming soon."
Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!
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
Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed saying:
"Holy Father, I pray not only for them,
but also for those who will believe in me through their word,
so that they may all be one,
as you, Father, are in me and I in you,
that they also may be in us,
that the world may believe that you sent me.
And I have given them the glory you gave me,
so that they may be one, as we are one,
I in them and you in me,
that they may be brought to perfection as one,
that the world may know that you sent me,
and that you loved them even as you loved me.
Father, they are your gift to me.
I wish that where I am they also may be with me,
that they may see my glory that you gave me,
because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
Righteous Father, the world also does not know you,
but I know you, and they know that you sent me.
I made known to them your name and I will make it known,
that the love with which you loved me
may be in them and I in them."
"Holy Father, I pray not only for them,
but also for those who will believe in me through their word,
so that they may all be one,
as you, Father, are in me and I in you,
that they also may be in us,
that the world may believe that you sent me.
And I have given them the glory you gave me,
so that they may be one, as we are one,
I in them and you in me,
that they may be brought to perfection as one,
that the world may know that you sent me,
and that you loved them even as you loved me.
Father, they are your gift to me.
I wish that where I am they also may be with me,
that they may see my glory that you gave me,
because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
Righteous Father, the world also does not know you,
but I know you, and they know that you sent me.
I made known to them your name and I will make it known,
that the love with which you loved me
may be in them and I in them."
Prayer
St. John's Parish:
Prayer Needs & Intentions
Please remember the following needs and intentions in your prayers:
- Please pray for my family. Thank you. (Katie D)
- My family's health and safety, help with a stressful matter and a special intention. Thank you 🙏 (Anne L)
- Prayers for my brother Charlie dealing with pancreatic cancer, for Peggy who is dying of a brain tumor, for sweet little Henry! ❤️🩹🙏🏻 (Martha L)
- Soe (George V)
- Please continue to pray for my family's health and safety. (Susan P)
- Please Pray for Stephanie, that doctors can cure her severe Lyme disease. (Charles L)
- For Heather and PJ (Kassandra R)
- Please pray for good health for Paul and Kathleen. Also, for a special intention. Thank you. (Kathleen L)
- For parents to hear the Holy Spirit's guidance in raising their children in the Catholic faith and tradition (Pamela J)
- Continued prayers for my family as we are facing some difficult circumstances. Thank you. (Kerri N)
- Prayers for my family (Janice A)
- Health and intentions of Joan, Joe, Vicky, Jane, Larry, Josh & his parents, Amy and her mom, Frankie, Adam, Ashley, Pam, Kathy, and myself. Repose of the soul of my cousin Kelly. (Dianne G)
- Prayers for Linda Rossi, Jean Barbieri, Deric, Jessica, Tabitha Benoit, Alex and Ellie on their Wedding, Adora, Zaandar Russell, My Family and my Health, and the World (C. Patricia S)
- Sr. Paulette Gardner, S.S.A., Jim R. for cure of brain cancer; for all earlier requests needing continued prayers; for our wonderful pastor, Fr. Madden, Msgr. Scollen, Fr. Valinskis, Deacons Zack Sullivan and Kykle who is returning to Brazil to become a Catholic Priest and all priests, deacons, seminarians and religious for all gifts and grace they need to remain faithful servants of God and those they serve. And for a just, merciful and speedy end to all war, injustice and oppression, including abortion, physician assisted suicide, and all those suffering or at risk of same. Read More (JAMES C)
- Praying for successful surgery and improved health for Barbara M, Denise H, Cathy L, Mary O, Betty C, Sharon R, Earle M, Bill R, Ed V, Jim O, Anita M and MaryAnn/Bob H. (Donna W)
- Please pray for my health and the health of my family and friends that we might heal quickly! Thank you. Tiffini J Special Intentions (Barbara K)
- Bria Bates stage 4 breast and liver Cancer full healing
Janice Whitley breast Cancer full healing (David 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
For our St. John's family
Online Giving
Safe, secure, online giving
available through our eCatholic website
