From Fr. Jim

The Easter Season: Good Shepherd Sunday and World Day of Prayer for Vocations

Every year we hear from John’s Gospel about Jesus as the shepherd or the sheep gate on the Fourth Sunday of Easter. Today, the Gospel proclaims, “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” Think about the people whose voices you recognize and what feelings are stirred within you when you hear that person’s voice. In one of the Resurrection appearances it wasn’t until Jesus, who looked like the gardener, called Mary Magdalene’s name that she recognized him. Today we pray for vocations to the ordained priesthood, diaconate and religious life. Today is the 53rd Annual World Day of Prayer for Vocations.

St. Francis de Sales taught that “My deepest vocation is to be a witness to the glimpses of God I’ve been allowed to catch.” Certainly priests, deacons and women and men in the religious life share those glimpses because we have heard the shepherd’s voice. Have you heard God’s invitation to consider following the Lord and witnessing your glimpses of God in one of these lifestyles? All the baptized, whether single or married, lay or religious, are called to holiness, to share those glimpses of God we’ve been allowed to catch. How will you be a witness to the Good Shepherd today? How do you hear his voice? How will you respond? Please pray for vocations to priesthood, diaconate and the religious life. Also pray for those whose vocation is marriage. May God help all of us hear the shepherd’s voice, witness the Good Shepherd in our lives, and get close enough to Jesus and one another to smell like the sheep and the Good Shepherd.

Pope Francis Year of Mercy Quote of the Week

On this Fourth Sunday of Easter, “Good Shepherd Sunday,” I am reminded of Pope Francis’ words to theologians in a letter he wrote on March 3, 2015: “The good theologians, like the good shepherds, smell of the people and of the road and, with their reflection, pour oil and wine on the wounds of humankind.” He states this consistent theme of his Papacy in a number of ways: “From the Gospel narratives we are able to understand the closeness, the goodness, the tenderness with which Jesus drew in the suffering people and consoled them, comforted them, and often healed them. By our Teacher’s example, we too are called to draw near, to share the conditions of the people we meet.” (Address, June 14, 2014)

2016 Annual Catholic Appeal

“ Blessed are the Merciful for They Shall Obtain Mercy”

In celebration of the Holy Father’s acclamation of the Holy Year of Mercy, we are called to “rediscover and make fruitful the mercy of God with which all of us are called to give consolation to every man and woman of our time.” The 2016 Annual Catholic Appeal, with its theme, Blessed are the Merciful for They Shall Obtain Mercy , reminds us that we are given the opportunity to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ through our actions, touching people’s lives and offering hope.

Thank you to everyone who made a pledge to the diocesan Annual Catholic Appeal. If you have not yet participated, please consider doing so today. Your gift makes a real difference in the lives of thousands of individuals and families who reside within our 12-county diocese. Pledge envelopes are available in the pews [OR the appropriate designated location] and can be placed in the offertory basket. Thank you for your generosity and support.

To learn more about the Appeal, visit www.cdow.org ; click “Giving” then “Annual Catholic Appeal”.

Help our parish by shopping on Amazon!! You donate to Immaculate Conception just by shopping for the items you already need! Simply go to http://smile.amazon.com and you will see a bar saying to “select your own organization.” Type in Immaculate Conception Church and scroll until you find Elkton, MD. Then shop as usual! Amazon will donate a percent of your shopping total right to us! Now shop away!