In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks about His relationship with us through the metaphor of the Shepherd and the sheep. The thought of Jesus as the Shepherd has comforted many a million souls. Children retiring to bed have often said the prayer: “Jesus tender Shepherd, hear me; bless thy little lamb tonight.” And even old men, lying on their death beds have silently whispered to themselves. “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.”

The risen Christ is our Good Shepherd. He continues to be with us shepherding us and feeding us with His Body and Blood and leads us to our heavenly Father. The risen Lord tells us in today’s Gospel that we need to listen to His voice. And those who listen and believe in Him, He gives eternal life.

As we continue to enjoy in this Easter season let us pray that we may be filled with the grace of God so that we can listen to Jesus’ voice and follow him.

World Day of Prayer for Vocations

Today has been designated as “World Day of Prayer for Vocations”. Today, in a special way, we must pray for priestly and religious and married vocations. The world needs Jesus and His message. One of the renowned poets says, “As wounds always require medicine, so Christ is always necessary as long as sin resides in this world.” We need young men and women to take the Good News of Christ to the nook and corner of the world. Let us pray for all shepherds, starting from the Holy Father, Pope Francis, to all priests to strengthen them with His grace, to be good shepherds who are really concerned with their flock’s safety, wellbeing and salvation.

Mother’s Day

Today we celebrate Mother’sDay (Happy Mother’s Day to our beautiful mothers). Mother’s Day is in May because May is the month of the Blessed Mother. Mother Mary is the model for all mothers, it is said that there is no love like a mother’s love. A mother loves her child simply because the child is. There is no question of the child earning his mother’s love. He can do nothing for his mother, or even acknowledge her love. A mother’s love for her child is unconditional. That’s why a Mother’s love is compared with God’s love. In the book of Sirach we read, “Whoever glorifies his mother is like one who lays up treasure. When he prays, he will be heard.” (Sirach3:3). To our mothers we cannot give back what they give us sufficiently and equally. The best gift we can give to our mothers today is to pray a rosary for them, if possible, even better, with them. I wish all mothers a Happy Mother’s Day.

A very Happy Easter to each and every one of you! What a joy it is for every true Christian to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. It is not just the end of our period of penance and sacrifice, but the beginning of a new life in Christ the Risen Lord.

 Easter brings so many promises of God to us, life is stronger than death, love can overcome hate, goodness ultimately triumphs over evil and eternity and glory with God in Heaven are our destiny. May we continue to rejoice in this great mystery and allow Jesus to live in our hearts, and that we may always embrace Him with love and gratitude.  

 Our entire Parish Staff joins together in extending to you our best wishes and all of the joy of Easter. Since Easter is fifty days long, we will have many opportunities to greet you personally and to thank you for the life you bring to St. Valentine Parish.

 We extend a word of appreciation to all who made donations, or offerings toward our Easter flowers, to all those involved in our Triduum Liturgies, as well as those who helped with the changing of the environment in the church. Thanks to all who sacrificed to make our Holy Week as prayerful, enjoyable, and inviting as it has been.  

At the Easter Vigil we warmly welcomed 6 new Catholics into our parish family. We congratulate them and their sponsors who were willing to stand by them as they walked this journey. Let us remember to hold them in our prayers as they continue to deepen their faith.  

 We also extend a warm welcome to those who are visitors to our Parish. We are happy you chose to celebrate Easter with us. We extend an invitation to you to become a regular part of our Parish Life. Page 7 of our parish  bulletin  lists our Mass times, phone numbers and website address. Please visit our parish website and call us, if we can help.

I pray that you and your loved ones have a Blessed Easter!   We may not see each other each day but may we meet each day in our prayers!

Happy Easter!

Fr. Socorro 

Secrets of Spiritual Struggle Revealed to St. Faustina

Divine Mercy Sunday is in one week. Let us again reflect on some of the Secrets of Spiritual Struggle given to St. Faustina.

 ·  Put your self-love in the last place, so that it does not taint your deeds.

Self-love is natural but it should be ordered, free of pride.  Humility defeats the devil who is pride.  Satan tempts us to disordered self-love to lead us into his pool of pride.

 ·  Do not pour out your feelings. 

A talkative soul will more easily be attacked by the devil.  Pour out your feelings to the Lord only.  Feelings are fleeting.  Truth is the compass.  Interior recollection is a spiritual armor.

 ·  Do not become discouraged by ingratitude.

No one likes to be taken for granted.  But when we are met with ingratitude or insensitivity, the spirit of discouragement can weigh us down.  Resist all discouragement for it is never of God.  It is one of the devil’s most effective temptations.  Gratitude in all things wins the day.

Today we celebrate Palm Sunday and Passion Sunday. This is the time of year we stop to remember and relive the events which brought about our redemption and salvation. What we commemorate and relive during this week is not just Jesus’ dying and rising, but our own dying and rising in Him, which will result in our healing, reconciliation, and redemption. Attentive participation in the Holy Week liturgy will deepen our relationship with God, increase our Faith and strengthen our lives as disciples of Jesus. Therefore, I would like to invite everyone to take part actively in this Holy Week liturgy.

 The very important three days of Holy Week are known as ‘The Holy Triduum’ leading to Easter Sunday. They are Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday.

Holy Thursday: The day before His death commemorates three important actions of Jesus.

1. The institution of the Holy Eucharist. Jesus instituted the Eucharist on the day of the Last Supper.
2. The institution of the ministerial Priesthood. In instituting the Eucharist, Jesus also instituted the priesthood. Today the priests make present the redemptive Sacrifice of Christ through the Eucharistic sacrifice of the Church.
3. The promulgation of His New Commandment of Love. “Love one another as I have loved you.” Jesus taught this new commandment by washing the feet of his disciples.

 Good Friday: It commemorates the Passion and death of the Lord Jesus. We fast on this day and take part in the Stations of the Cross. This day’s special liturgy has three parts.
1. The Liturgy of the Word.
2. Veneration of the Cross
3. Holy Communion.

 Holy Saturday: On this Saturday The Easter Vigil Mass begins with the Service of Light. The Easter (Pascal) Candle is lit, the Exsultet is sung, and the Old Testament readings are read, retracing the steps of salvation history. After the Gloria is sung, we celebrate our death and resurrection with Christ with a reading from the New Testament; then the Gospel is  read, catechumens are baptized, and confirmations take place. People are received into the Church, and they receive their First Communion.

 I wish to invite all of you to participate in this Holy Week celebrations and experience the joy of Resurrection in your lives.

 God bless you all!

Fr. Kishore Battu SAC