Catholic Parish of
Saint Augustine of Canterbury, Springfield

FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
(World Day of Prayer For Vocations)
3rd May 2020

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Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

This fourth Sunday of the Easter season is sometimes called Good Shepherd Sunday. This Sunday is also known as the world day of prayer for vocations. In each of the three lectionary cycles, the Gospel reading invites us to reflect on Jesus as the Good Shepherd. In each cycle the reading is from the tenth chapter of John's Gospel. This chapter sets the framework for Jesus' teaching about himself as the Good Shepherd. It is the call of everyone to be a good shepherd in the area of their vocation. And it also reminds us of our duty to pray for many and holy vocations, especially to consecrated life.

Today's reading falls between the stories of Jesus' healing of the man born blind and the raising of Lazarus. Both of these stories were proclaimed in the Gospels found in this year's season of Lent. Following the controversy that ensued when Jesus healed the man born blind, Jesus directs his allegory about the sheep and the shepherd toward the Jewish religious leaders of his time, the Pharisees.

Throughout John's Gospel the Pharisees fail to accept Jesus' ministry and teaching. They show themselves to be "robbers and thieves" because they try to lead the sheep without entering through the gate, Jesus. Through these metaphors, Jesus is telling his listeners that those who follow him and his way will find abundant life. He identifies himself both as the shepherd and the gate. The shepherds who are faithful to him are the ones whom the sheep (Jesus' disciples) should follow.

The relationship between the sheep and their shepherd is based on familiarity. Sheep recognize their shepherd and will not follow a stranger. At the end of the day, shepherds lead their sheep from pastures to a common gated area called a sheepfold. There, one shepherd protects all of the sheep until the next day when each shepherd returns to lead his own sheep to pasture. As shepherds move among the sheep, the sheep follow only their shepherd.

Today's Gospel also gives us the opportunity to reflect on Christian leadership. Jesus' words suggest to us that those who will lead the Christian community will be known by their faithfulness to Jesus. The leaders will recognize that Jesus is the gate for all of the sheep and that having a good relationship with Jesus is the primary characteristic of a Christian leader. Jesus' allegory also suggests that faithful Christian leadership requires a good relationship with the community: the shepherd knows his sheep, and they know him. Christian leaders follow the example of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, by being faithful to him and by being a good shepherd.

Wishing you all a peaceful and serene time. Stay safe and healthy. May the blessings of risen Christ fill you with hope.

SEND O LORD, HOLY APOSTLES INTO YOUR CHURCH.

Fr. Sabu Pariyadan RCJ

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Notices:

• From Fr. Sabu: This Sunday is also known as the Good Shepherd Sunday. This Sunday has been dedicated as the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. The purpose of the World Day of Prayer for Vocations is to publically fulfil the Lord's instruction to, "Pray the Lord of the harvest to send labourers into his harvest" (Mt 9:38; Lk 10:2). As a climax to a prayer that is continually offered throughout the Church, it affirms the primacy of faith and grace in all that concerns vocations to the priesthood and to the consecrated life. While appreciating all vocations, the Church concentrates its attention this day on vocations to the ordained ministries (priesthood and diaconate), to the Religious life in all its forms (male and female, contemplative and apostolic), to societies of apostolic life, to secular institutes in their diversity of services and membership, and to the missionary life, in the particular sense of mission "ad gentes". 2020 marks the 57th Anniversary of the World Day of Prayer for Vocations.
• Rogationists of the heart of Jesus: As a member of the order of the Rogationists of the heart of Jesus this day has always been very special to us. Each religious order originates based on specific charism/s. Our main charism is praying regularly for vocations and promoting vocations to the holy church while also taking a lead in the care for the poor and needy of the society. Thus I encourage everyone today and on a regular basis to pray ardently for many and holy vocations in to the church. We remember with gratitude and pray for the vocation of Michael in our parish, for vocations in our diocese and in the whole Catholic Church. So let us always pray together the prayer st. Hannibal taught us "send o Lord, holy apostles into your church".
• Message of Pope Francis on the world day of prayer for vocations:
  http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/vocations/documents/papa-francesco_20200308_57-messaggio-giornata-mondiale-vocazioni.html
• Good Shepherd Sunday - This Sunday is Good Shepherd Sunday when we traditionally pray for vocations to the priesthood for our diocese. Usually on Good Shepherd Sunday the seminarians travel to parishes to speak about vocations. This year three of them, Michael Barwick, Jonathan Burden and Deacon Paschal Uche have recorded video messages in place of this. You can watch them with the following link: https://bit.ly/3aGVQp9.
• Thank you: A very special thank you to all for your calls and emails. Thank you everyone for your prayers and support in this season of pandemic. Keep up the good spirit and continue to stay safe and healthy and stay at home. I am regularly praying for you all and most especially for all those suffering with Covid-19.
• Looking out for our friends: If you know any of our parishioners or your neighbours, who live alone and who may not be using the new world media and communication technologies like internet and smart phones, it would be great if you have their telephone numbers, to give a call and offer words of support and make them feel connected.
• Acts At Easter In Lockdown: Lockdown may provide us with opportunities to dedicate more time to the reading of Scripture, celebrating our own Liturgy of the Word. Throughout the Easter season we read from the Acts of the Apostles, seeing how the Easter gospel is preached in Jerusalem, Judaea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth. Fr Adrian Graffy has recorded a talk on the opening eight chapters of Acts, which is now available on www.whatgoodnews.org/faith-talks. It is hoped to provide a further talk later in the Easter season.
• From Dundee - South Africa: Fr Gerald Gostling in South Africa shares here his experience in lockdown. Our parish is twinned with the Diocese of Dundee; please find his letter on our website. You may be interested to consider what lockdown would mean minus alcohol and cigarettes, as in the case in Dundee!
• A reflection by Raymond Perrier: he is the Director of a Jesuit run Centre in Durban. Some of you may know Raymond - he is originally from our parish. Entitled "The Long Good Friday" his Reflection is from Holy Week, with insights into work with refugees and the poor. You can find the same on our parish website here.
• Parish Email Chain: There is a parish group of email chain circulating around, connecting people and sharing their lockdown activities and advices. So if you wish to be added to the email chain please click here to Email the parish address or click here to Email directly to Margaret cook who is coordinating it. Thank you all for the good job.
• The Good Friday Collection for the Holy Places, mandated by the Holy See, will now take place on the Feast of the Exultation of the Holy Cross.
• Deputy Headteacher Vacancy
  Our Lady Of Lourdes Catholic Primary School, Leigh-On-Sea
  Manchester Drive, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, SS9 3HS
  Required for September 2020
  Salary Range: Group 2, L9-14
  Assisi Catholic Trust and Governors of Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School are looking for an enthusiastic, inspiring Deputy Headteacher with exceptionally strong values.
  Applications are welcomed from experienced, enthusiastic and suitably qualified practising Catholic Leaders to play a key role in building on the school's successes and reputation.
  Candidates are warmly encouraged to visit the school.
  Please contact Mrs Victoria Blake-Lawson to arrange a telephone conversation or virtual tour on 01702 475689 or click here to Email
  Application packs are available from Miss Nikita Parr at the Assisi Registered Office on 01702 606762 or click here to Email. Full details of the post are also available on the school's website https://www.olol.co.uk/.
  Applications should be sent by clicking here to Email.
  Closing Date: 13th May 2020 (noon).
  Shortlisting: 15th May 2020.
  Formal Interviews: 21st and 22nd May 2020 (to be held virtually as necessary)
  CVs or applications from agencies are not accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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Novena for the Safe Re-opening of the Churches and the Restoration of Public Mass as soon as possible:

The following Litany will be said by Catholics across the UK from Sunday, 26th April, until the following week Monday, 4th May, the Feast of the English Martyrs.

Please join us. If you hear about it later than those dates, please join anyway. This novena petitions Our Lord, the Good Shepherd, that it may be safe to re-open Churches and restore public Masses as soon as possible.

The Litany of the Sacred Heart

For the Intention that it may be safe to re-open the Churches and restore public Masses as soon as possible, we pray:

Lord, have mercy on us.
-	Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
-	Christ, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
-	Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven,
-	Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
-	Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit,
-	Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God,
-	Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Son of the Eternal Father,
-	Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Formed by the Holy Ghost in the womb of the Virgin Mother,
-	Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Substantially united to the Word of God,
-	Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Of Infinite Majesty,
-	Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Holy Temple of God,
-	Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Tabernacle of the Most High,
-	Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, House of God and Gate of Heaven,
-	Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Burning Furnace of charity,
-	Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Vessel of Justice and love,
-	Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Full of goodness and love,
-	Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Abyss of all virtues,
-	Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Most worthy of all praises,
-	Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, King and centre of all hearts,
-	Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, In Whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge,
-	Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, In Whom dwelleth all the fulness of the Divinity,
-	Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, in Whom the Father is well pleased,
-	Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Of Whose fullness we have all received,
-	Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Desire of the everlasting hills,
-	Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Patient and abounding in mercy,
-	Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Rich unto all who call upon Thee,
-	Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Fountain of life and holiness,
-	Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Atonement for our sins,
-	Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Filled with reproaches,
-	Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Bruised for our offenses,
-	Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Made obedient unto death,
-	Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Pierced with a lance,
-	Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Source of all consolation,
-	Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Our Life and Resurrection,
-	Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Our Peace and Reconciliation,
-	Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Victim for our sins,
-	Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Salvation of those who hope in Thee,
-	Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Hope of those who die in Thee,
-	Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Delight of all the Saints,
-	Have mercy on us.
Lamb of God Who takest away the sins of the world,
-	Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God Who takest away the sins of the world,
-	Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God Who takest away the sins of the world,
-	Have mercy on us.
Jesus, meek and humble of heart,
-	Make our hearts like unto Thine.

Let us pray.

Almighty and eternal God, look upon the Heart of Thine most-beloved Son, and upon the praises and satisfaction He offers Thee in the name of sinners; and appeased by worthy homage, pardon those who implore Thy mercy, in Thy Great Goodness in the name of the same Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, world without end.
Amen.

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Please remember to pray for:

Daily for the sick clergy of our Diocese

The sick and housebound

Those who have recently died

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