52 Sundays

Year C: Fourth Sunday of Easter & Good Shepherd Sunday

Acts 13:14, 43-52

Ps 100:1-2, 3, 5

Rev 7:9, 14b-17

Jn 10:27-30

TAKE TIME TO CHAT

Who are the sheep in today’s Gospel?
What is Jesus trying to teach us in this story?
Share a time when you’ve heard Jesus’ voice.

ACTIVITY

Honor Mom

Motherhood is a vocation. Just as the Good Shepherd takes care of his sheep, mothers are called to care for us. We can always turn to our heavenly mother, Mary, the Mother of God as well! This week, do something special for your mom or a mother figure in your life.

Here are some ways to treat mom:

Serve her breakfast in bed.

Prepare a special meal (and clean up afterward).

Do a photo shoot with mom.

Help mom in the garden.

Write her a letter.

Light a candle in church for her.

Pray a rosary for her.

PRAYER

Holy Mother

Hail Mary, full of grace;
all generations call you blessed.
Hail Mother of God; when asked by the angel
to bear the Son of the Most High,
filled with faith, you responded:
"Let it be done unto me."

Holy Mother of Jesus, at the wedding feast at Cana,
you prompted your Son to perform his first sign.

Be with us as we discern our life's work
and guide us in the way we are called to follow
in the footsteps of your Son.

Holy Mother of the Savior, at the foot of the cross
you mourned the death of your only Son.

Bless and embrace the loving parents of all priests,
deacons, religious brothers and sisters, and single people.

Holy Mother of the Good Shepherd,
turn your motherly care to this nation.

Intercede for us to the Lord of the harvest
to send more laborers to the harvest
in this land dedicated to your honor.

Queen of Peace, Mirror of Justice, Health of the Sick,
inspire vocations in our time.

Let the word of your Son be made flesh anew
in the lives of persons anxious to proclaim
the good news of everlasting life.

Amen.

Adapted from Prayer #6 from http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/prayers-and-devotions/prayers/prayers-for-vocations.cfm

LITURGY LINK

World Day of Prayer for Vocations is always celebrated on Good Shepherd Sunday. Listen to the Prayers of the Faithful after the homily to see how your church is praying for those discerning and living out vocations to ordained ministry and consecrated life.

FAMILY CHALLENGE

During the month of May, the Church honors Mary, the mother of God. This week, pray the Angelus each day. The Angelus is a Marian devotion that dates back to the 13th century. This prayer is traditionally prayed at 6 a.m., 12 p.m., and 6 p.m., but you can pray it at the time that works best for your family. Angelus V/. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary, R/. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit. V/.Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. R/. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen. V/.Behold the handmaid of the Lord, R/. Be it done unto me according to your Word. Hail Mary... V/. And the Word was made flesh, R/. And dwelt among us. Hail Mary... V/. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, R/. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Let us pray. Pour forth, we beseech you, O Lord, your grace into our hearts: that we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ your Son was made known by the message of an Angel, may by his Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of his Resurrection. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

FUN FACTS

Shepherds used to “anoint” the heads of their sheep to prevent sunstroke and to prevent parasites. The oil ran into the crevices around the sheep’s ears, eyes, and nose to repel flies, fleas, and other parasites that could make it sick and even die.