​Good Shepherd Gathers - PRAY (Adults)
​​Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity
Live In Peace


​Our theme this week is Live in Peace, a message that is desperately needed in our world today. Before we can address an issue like Racism, we must take the necessary steps to LISTEN and to EDUCATE ourselves so that we may act and speak from a position of prayer and understanding, not from a place of emotion and ignorance. 

Take time this week to read some of the many resources (being careful to research their authenticity) on this topic and pray as a family for the many who are suffering from the effects of racism and violence.

​We also encourage you to participate in this week's Community Activity - Pray for Peace - on our LIVE page.
​RESOURCES​​​​
Excellent resources are available on the website of the National Museum of African American History and Culture. 

Read this powerful Statement of U.S. Bishops’ President on George Floyd and the Protests in American Cities.

Message from Pope Francis on Death of George Floyd (June 3, 2020)
Dear brothers and sisters in the United States,
​I have witnessed with great concern the disturbing social unrest in your nation in these past days, following the tragic death of Mr George Floyd. My friends, we cannot tolerate or turn a blind eye to racism and exclusion in any form and yet claim to defend the sacredness of every human life. At the same time, we have to recognize that “the violence of recent nights is self-destructive and self-defeating. Nothing is gained by violence and so much is lost.” Today I join the Church in Saint Paul and Minneapolis, and in the entire United States, in praying for the repose of the soul of George Floyd and of all those others who have lost their lives as a result of the sin of racism. Let us pray for the consolation of their grieving families and friends and let us implore the national reconciliation and peace for which we yearn.
May Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mother of America, intercede for all those who work for peace and justice in your land and throughout the world.
May God bless all of you and your families.
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Sunday, May 31 - Pentecost Sunday
Come, Holy Spirit, Come!

Who or What is the Holy Spirit?  Most people are comfortable with their understanding of God as Father and God as Son in the person of Jesus Christ; however, many faith-filled Christians do not have confidence in their knowledge and understanding of the third person of the Trinity - the Holy Spirit.  What is the meaning of the power and gifts we receive at Confirmation?

THIS WEEK
Watch this seven-minute episode of Opening the Word, on the power of the Holy Spirit.  This power transformed the 12 Apostles from a group huddled in fear on Good Friday, to disciples on a Mission, empowered to spread Jesus’ message fifty days later on Pentecost Sunday.

Reflection Question:
We read in Galatians 5:22-23 that "...the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." 

​Which of these fruits is most needed in your life right now?  Say a prayer to the Holy Spirit each day to grant you that fruit, and then watch how your prayer is answered!

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES​​​​
  • Podcast - Abiding Together. Abiding Together is a weekly podcast hosted by Michelle Benzinger, Sr. Miriam James Heidland, and Heather Khym, providing a place of connection, rest and encouragement for people who are on the journey of living out their passion and purpose in Jesus Christ. Join their three-week Book Discussion In The School of the Holy Spirit. 
  • Read and pray over the Gifts of the Holy Spirit as described in the Catechism.
  • On Pentecost Sunday, we read a very special prayer, called a Sequence. Spend some time in prayer and reflection over Veni, Sancte, Spiritus (Come, Holy Spirit) and invite The Holy Spirit, your soul’s most welcome guest!​
PREVIOUS POSTS​​​​​
Sunday, May 24 - Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord
Go and Make Disciples

​Go and Make Disciples………. Wait, do you mean ME??!!  Jesus' command to ‘Go and Make Disciples’ can frighten us.  Most of us do not see ourselves as competent at sharing our faith beyond our families and friends.  But Jesus doesn’t ask us to go get a theology degree to make sure we have all the answers!  To ‘make disciples’ means to live our faith ‘out loud’ and share with the world what it means to follow Jesus.  As St. Francis of Assisi said:  “Preach the Gospel at all times. Use words if necessary.”

THIS WEEK
In this month of May, a month typically devoted to the Blessed Mother, our greatest example of discipleship, view one of these wonderful Marian videos on FORMED.org.  

Reflection Question:
At the beginning of each day, consider “in what ways can I preach the Gospel to those I encounter" - a smile of encouragement, a phone call to someone who lives alone?  And, at the end of each day - reflect on those encounters and thank God for those He put in your path to share this journey.
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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES​​​​
Pope Francis is calling Catholics around the world to pray the Rosary at home in the month of May. We invite you to read the full text of Pope Francis' Letter on the Month of May and visit our Holy Rosary Page for resources on praying the Rosary.
Sunday, May 17 - 6th Sunday of Easter 
Jesus: I Will Come to You

In the Gospel of John, Jesus tells us:  “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always, the Spirit of truth…...you know him, because he remains with you, and will be in you.”
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​THIS WEEK
As He rose to be with the Father, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, to be with us; yet, most of us still struggle with understanding this vital part of the Trinity. 

​ Episode 2 of the Series “The Wild Goose” on FORMED tells us about the impact of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles who “had every advantage in being with Jesus, hearing him preach and seeing the many miracles that he had done, and yet, even with that advantage, they were frightened men living their faith life in a locked room before they received the Holy Spirit. What took place in the upper room changed the lives of these men and women and would change the course of human history. This experience of the Holy Spirit is an encounter available to everyone; it is not reserved for a select few. Pentecost and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit is the theme of this segment.”

​​Reflection Questions
  • How do you see the Holy Spirit as an Advocate in your life? 
  • How are you an Advocate for others?
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​LIVE OUR FAITH AT HOME
Visit our LIVE page to see this week's parish community activity and service opportunities.
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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES​​​​
Pope Francis is calling Catholics around the world to pray the Rosary at home in the month of May. We invite you to read the full text of Pope Francis' Letter on the Month of May and visit our Holy Rosary Page for resources on praying the Rosary. ​​
Sunday, May 10 - 5th Sunday of Easter 
Jesus: I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life

​The Magnificat worship aid publication concludes the reflection for this week’s readings in a poignant way: “We belong to you; be the way that carries us onward, the truth that inspires us with courage, and the life that fills us with renewed vigor.”  (emphases added)

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​THIS WEEK
How is Jesus The Way that carries you onward?   
View Symbolon: The Catholic Faith Explained  The Bible: God's Love Letter to Humanity to reflect upon how much God loves each and every one of us so that we rely upon that Love in good times and bad.

How is Jesus ​The Truth that inspires you with courage? ​
​​What Saint inspires you?  Read more about that saint’s life and how he/she met the challenges of daily life.  If you don’t have a favorite saint, download the Free ebook entitled:  Saint Gianna Molla: Wife, Mother, Doctor by James Monti and Pietro Molla.

​How is Jesus The Life that fills you with renewed vigor? 
For renewed vigor in your spiritual life, listen to the audio presentation entitled From Atheism to Catholicism: My Conversion Diary by Jennifer Fulwiler ​​

​​Reflection Question: How is Jesus The Way, The Truth and The Life for you? 

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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES​​​​
Pope Francis is calling Catholics around the world to pray the Rosary at home in the month of May. 
We invite you to read the full text of Pope Francis' Letter on the Month of May and visit our Holy Rosary Page for resources on praying the Rosary. ​​

​LIVE OUR FAITH AT HOME
Click on the LIVE icon to see this week's parish community activity and service opportunities.
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Sunday, May 3 - 4th Sunday of Easter 
Jesus, the Good Shepherd: We Recognize his Voice and Follow Him

​In the Gospel reading this Sunday we hear Jesus tell us about the Good Shepherd who knows us, guides us, protects us, and loves us. He calls his sheep by name, and they follow him because they recognize his voice. How often are we lost if we are left to our own devices? We need Jesus to help us grow into the life He has planned for us.
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​THIS WEEK
 Watch The Good Shepherd - Opening the Word for the 4th Sunday of Easter

Reflection Questions: 
  • How can you quiet yourself to hear Jesus?
  • How is God calling you to abundant life? What does that look like?
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES​​​​
​​​Pray for Vocations. On this Good Shepherd Sunday we celebrate the World Day of Prayer for Vocations.  Please pray for an increase in vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and consecrated life, especially for our diocese, that God will raise up good shepherds in our midst. See a variety of Prayers for Vocations from the Diocese of Arlington. ​​

Pray the Rosary in the Month of May. Pope Francis is calling Catholics around the world to pray the Rosary at home in the month of May. We invite you to read the full text of Pope Francis' Letter on the Month of May and visit our Holy Rosary Page for resources on praying the Rosary. 
Sunday, April 26 - 3rd Sunday of Easter 
Walking Together With Jesus
​In times of trouble or uncertainty, such as those we are experiencing now,  it is easy to let circumstances overwhelm us, and tempting to let the world view of security guide us.  As people of faith, however, these are the precise times we must Walk With Jesus and remain close to Him.  ​
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THIS WEEK
 Watch this excerpt from the FORMED series on St. Peter, Cornerstone of Catholicism, where we learn to Walk in Faith Not Fear.
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Question for reflection: How is God calling you to strengthen your faith so that you may walk more closely with Him, and live more freely in the present?

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES​​
Sunday, April 19 - 2nd Sunday of Easter - Divine Mercy Sunday
Jesus, I Trust In You!

THIS WEEK
​Watch Divine Mercy 101
Jesus told St. Faustina, "Mankind will not have peace until it turns with trust to My mercy."
​
Divine Mercy is the urgent message of hope for our world. Learn the powerful devotion and graces associated with it in this dynamic presentation with Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, filmed live at the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, Massachusetts.

Divine Mercy 101 provides a clear and concise overview of Divine Mercy and the role and mission of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska (1905-1938), the apostle of Divine Mercy whom St. John Paul II called "a gift of God to our time."

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Sunday, April 12, 2020 - Easter Sunday
He Is Risen!
​​Alleluia!  He is Risen!
On Easter Sunday we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. Through Holy Week we have walked with him in his suffering. On Easter Sunday, we celebrate God's transformation of the suffering of the cross into life for the world - into life for each one of us! As Jesus emerges from his tomb, he invites us to do the same - to come out of the tombs that keep us dead to love and joy, and follow Jesus on the path to true life.
​THIS WEEK
Watch An Easter Reflection by Father Mike Schmitz HERE.

​Reflect:
  • How has believing in Jesus' resurrection transformed your heart?
  • How can you go out and share that Good News with others?
​ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Sunday, April 5, 2020 - Palm Sunday
Walking With Jesus
THIS WEEK:  
Click HERE to celebrate the Paschal Mystery day-by-day inspirational resources from FORMED for each day of Holy Week.

Highlights include Triduum: A Spiritual Pilgrimage. This 30-minute film cinematically walks through the locations of the Holy Week story, re-presenting the most important days of human history. Immersed in the real and sacred places of the Holy Land, the pilgrim faithful is brought tangibly nearer to the story, the landscape, and the reality of the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Triduum draws Catholics and those with open hearts and minds to experience a deeper understanding of these events and places, and offers rich meditations for the pilgrimage of daily life. Now more than ever, as many of us are confined to our homes, journey along this spiritual pilgrimage and be drawn more deeply into the life and love of God.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
1. Pray the Stations of the Cross at Good Shepherd HERE
  • video of Stations of the Cross with Deacon Tom White and Anne Schingler, Director of Music and Liturgy
  • reflections on each station by Father Tom
2. Opening the Word: Palm Sunday. Walk with Jesus and reflect with Dr. Edward Sri on the Passion of the Lord, as Jesus says “Not my will, but Yours": 
​3. Experience Holy Week in Rome with Pope Benedict.
Sunday, March 29, 2020 - Fifth Sunday of Lent
Finding Peace in Suffering
THIS WEEK...
Join the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal in praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet and asking God to shower his mercy upon us. We encourage all people to pray that God's mercy helps to console the suffering, give peace to the anxious, wisdom to our pastors, and renew all people in their trust in the Lord.  “Jesus, I trust in you.”
  • PRAY the Divine Mercy Chaplet HERE with the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal.
  • REFLECT upon a time when you experienced God's mercy.​ How did God express his mercy to you? How might you extend God's mercy to others?
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Click on the following titles for additional opportunities to reflect and pray.