MAY 19, 2019 FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

SCRIPTURE READINGS

Saturday, May 18 First Reading: Acts 14: 21-27 5:00 PM Int. of Erich Specht Paul and retrace their steps, encouraging the little communities of Christians they had founded. Sunday, May 19

7:30 AM Int. of Layla Aziz Second Reading: Revelation 21: 1-5 9:00 AM Carol Rutkowski Taken from the final part of Apocalypse, this opens with 10:30 AM Louise Venezia the vision of a new world and the new order of things 12:00 PM Thomas Masi inaugurated by Christ.

Daily Mass May 20-24 @ 9:00 AM Gospel: John 13: 31-35 Monday Richard Bobbe During the Last Supper Tuesday Frank Librizzi Jesus gives his apostles a new commandment— Wednesday Timothy Dowling to love one another as he has loved them. Thursday Mary Greco Friday Marguerite Harris-Chinkel “Encounter with God, In Daily Living,

Saturday, May 25 Through the Sunday Scriptures”

5:00 PM Luella Murphy Tuesday, May 21st from 9:30 - 10:45am (Chapel)

Sunday, May 26 ReflectDiscuss:

7:30 AM Thomas & Imelda Brooks 1. How did St. Paul and Barnabas respond to the Jews? 9:00 AM Richard Bobbe 2. What causes the tears in my life? How can I allow God to 10:30 AM Antonio Cetani wipe them away? 12:00 PM Marguerite Harris-Chinkel 3. What are some examples of what it means to truly love someone?

Please Note: The last scripture reflection group for the first half of this year will be on May 28th. There will be The community of a break for the summer and we will begin meeting again Good Shepherd joyfully in the Fall. welcomes our newly baptized Christians: COLLECTION BREAKDOWN May 11 & 12:  Grayson Gerard  Son of Mike & Terri Sierchio Envelopes: $ 6,290.50 204 families/$30.84 average Not using Envelopes: 2,377.00  Dominick James Washer  Regular Collection: $ 8,667.50 2nd Collection: $2,499.00 Son of Matthew & Victoria Washer (Parish Maintenance)

Our thanks to all of our parishioners who respond each week to Rejoice, for now you are truly a child of God. the needs of our parish and who make their weekly offering a part of their budget. Your contributions, both monetary and in service, are important to our parish. May God Bless you for your generosity.

PRIEST’S MASS SCHEDULE - MAY BAPTISM PREPARATION CLASS 5:00 PM 7:30 AM 9:00 AM 10:30 AM 12:00 PM nd meets 2 Saturday monthly 18-19 Fr. Tim Fr. Michal Fr. Ed Fr. Ed Fr. Michal

25-26 Fr. Tim Fr. Tim Fr. Michal Fr. Tim Fr. Michal June 8 ● July 13 ● Aug 10 @ 10:00 AM JUNE Contact the parish office or visit our website. 1-2 Fr. Michal Fr. Michal Fr. Tim Fr. Tim Fr. Michal

8-9 Fr. Tim Fr. Tim Fr. Michal Fr. Michal Fr. Tim

Heartfelt thanks to the lovely Moms, pictured here, who graciously shared their stories with us this past Mother’s Day. We thank them as we thank all the Mother’s in our lives for their love, their sacrifice and their faith in us all.

Pictured from top left to right are Priscilla Vince-Cruz, Lynne Harrison, Melissa Lewis and Mary Kay Spahl.

Special Thanks to Judy Fletcher who provided the lovely Our Sincere Thanks to Richard Smith for bringing the Lambs potted geraniums that surround our outside statue of the to add to our celebration of Good Shepherd Sunday. More Good Shepherd and the walk way that leads into our church. thanks and appreciation to our Knights of Columbus who They add to the beauty that surrounds us as we prepare to graciously hosted Hospitality Sunday and to Joe Novak who worship. also took pictures at the 9am Mass.

FAITH FORMATION NOTES

Excerpts from our Confirmation students’ essays on their chosen names

This week we hear from two young ladies:

“As I prepare to make my Confirmation, a particularly spe- cial saint comes to my mind: St. Christina of Bolsena. As a , the exemplary life she led motivates me to follow her path and deepen my relationship with God as I ap- proach this essential turning point in my life...

The lessons I can learn from St. Christina are accountable. First, I can learn from her that faith comes before all things. Life will put me through struggles and thought times, but I must remember to stick to my faith and put my ultimate trust in God when times get hard. God is an amazing friend and is always there for me to pray to. Like Christina did, I can get into the habit of praying to God when times get tough or when I am confused or puzzled about my life or practices of faith at the time. Another lesson I can take from the story of Christina is to follow my faith and carve my own path towards God. My parents support my faith and practice it with me…. I will take her story as an overarching lesson to never let others get in the between me and God. At Roar, VBS, kids discover that God is good even when life get wild! Kids participate in Her motivating example of ignoring those around you and memorable Bible-learning activities, sing sticking to your faith is so difficult and therefore so im- catchy songs, play teamwork-building games, pressive. As I prepare to make my Confirmation, I desire make and devour yummy treats, experience to emulate the virtuous action of St. Christina. one-of-a-kind Wild Bible Adventures, collect Bible Memory Buddies to remind them of God’s love, and test out Sciency-Fun Gizmos +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ they’ll take home and play with all summer long. Plus, kids will learn to look for evidence “St. Katharine of Drexel, the second American born saint of God all around them through something to be canonized was an inspiring educator and religious sis- called God Sightings. ter. Her decision to give her large inheritance away and turn away from material life is an inspiration to me. I Roar is for kids entering grades k-5 in strive to be like St. Katharine of Drexel… September 2019 and will run from 9am until th th noon the week of June 24 through the 28 . She is a huge inspiration to me. In this world where so Please visit the website for more information many are judged by their race, Katharine is an example of and registration – www.goodshepherdrc.org not judging others by their what their race is but accept- ing all as children of God. Katharine was very courageous for working for education equality because many people of her time discriminated against the Native and African Americans. She encourages me to denounce material wealth and share what I have with others. I can try harder to reach out to others in need...

Because I want to be a teacher when I grow up ...I aspire to live like Saint Katharine, an awe inspiring life and a great example of living the faith. Going forward, I will keep in

mind her actions as I go through my life.”

All families with children currently in the Faith Formation program will be emailed NEXT SUNDAY WE WILL HEAR FROM TWO YOUNG MEN

The countdown to Good Shepherd’s NEW BACKPACK CAMPAIGN 40th ANNIVERSARY has begun!

To commemorate the 40 years, a foundation fact about It’s hard to believe that with the bounty we enjoy Good Shepherd’s history will be presented each week. every day, there are children who suffer from

Week #2 Did you know that...... hunger every weekend. It is truly a very real prob- lem here in Sussex County, and probably in your Upon Father Steiger’s retirement, Reverend Msgr. own town. Good Shepherd's Mary’s Caring Martin McDonnell became Good Shepherd's Ministry has initiated a special project under the second pastor and served our parish from 2011-2016 direction of Deacon Keith, called the Backpack until his retirement. He has an expansive history of Hunger Campaign. leadership in the Paterson Diocese and we are so fortunate to have had his spiritual guidance at Along with the assistance of the Sussex County Good Shepherd. Under his leadership, the statue of Administrators and the Sussex County Food the Good Shepherd that graces the entrance into Pantry, we will be donating our June food collec- our Church complex was installed. This tion on the first Sunday of the month to help inspirational statue, the generous donation of children who would ordinarily go hungry on the Rosemarie Specht, a dedicated parishioner, was weekend. custom designed and carved from Carrara marble The good items will be placed in a backpack to be in and came to our church in July of 2016. distributed to children throughout the county. The Sussex County Food Pantry will provide the backpacks and labor to pack and distribute these Good Shepherd’s very special items. 40th Anniversary Party We ask that you open your hearts to a hungry WHEN: Sunday, June 9th child and fill a shopping bag with the following TIME: 1:00-4:00 PM items:

WHERE: On the church grounds 1 box Mac & Cheese

This is a FREE event; however, in order to plan 1 can Chicken Noodle Soup efficiently you must sign up in advance. 1 Can Spaghetti O’s (Please remember to Print Clearly at the sign up table) 1 can tuna 2 Ramen noodle packages Sign-Ups will take place after all Masses on: 2 packets of oatmeal May 18-19 and June 1-2 3 Granola Bars 2 packages of Fruit Snacks (Rain Date: Sunday, June 23) “For I was hungry, you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me to drink, a stranger and you welcomed me.” —Matthew 25

All this for about $7.00 per bag. Food items can be placed in one shopping bag specially marked for the Backpack Campaign. HOLY FATHER’S PRAYER INTENTION If you prefer to donate a check or cash, please Please join His Holiness, Francis, who has use the basket in the Atrium for your donation. chosen the following intention to be prayed for Checks should be made payable to Good Shepherd during the month of May. Church. Evangelization: That the Church in Africa, through the commitment Our Blessed Mother will thank you for of its members, may be the seed of unity among her your generosity. peoples and a sign of hope for this continent.