SATURDAY, MAY 27 5:00 PM For Our Country & Those Who Serve

SUNDAY, MAY 28

9:00 AM For Our Country & Those Who Serve 10:30 AM For Our Country & Those Who Serve 12:00 PM For Our Country & Those Who Serve ________________________________________________________________________

DAILY MASS MAY 29 - JUNE 2 at 9:00 AM

MONDAY Mary Elizabeth & David Manning Deacon Edmund Galinski TUESDAY Peter J. Bahr

WEDNESDAY Tom Kavanagh

THURSDAY Albert & Caroline Mach

FRIDAY Int. of Terry & Jen O’Shea

Friday, June 2, for 1 hour following the 9:00 AM Mass

________________________________________________________________________

SATURDAY, JUNE 3

5:00 PM Deborah T. McGowan

James Silvestri

SUNDAY, JUNE 4 - PENTECOST SUNDAY

9:00 AM Kathleen Ann Addison James Bestider 10:30 AM Dolores Kaphan

Regina Szwarc 12:00 PM Mary Ann Ricci _________________________________________________________________________

MAY 28, 2017 SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

SCRIPTURE READINGS

First Reading: Acts 1:12‑14 After Jesus ascended into heaven, the eleven apostles returned to Jerusalem and prayed in the upstairs room. With them were some women and Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Second Reading: 1 Peter 4:13‑16 Christians are exhorted to rejoice in suffering because through suffer-ing, they share in the life of Christ.

Gospel: John 17:1‑11a This is a continuation of Jesus’ prayer at the Last Supper. He tells the Father that he has made his name known, that he has finished the work his Father has given him, and that he wishes now to share in the glory at his side.

Mass Intentions for the Week

PRAYERS FOR THE DECEASED Please remember in your prayers, the soul of

Lillian Bruno who died this past week.

May her soul eternally Rest in Peace.

PRIESTS MASS SCHEDULE - JUNE

JUNE 5:00 PM 9:00 AM 10:30 AM 12:00 PM M 27-28 Fr. Michal Fr. Tim Fr. Tim Fr. Michal 3-4 Fr. Michal Fr. Samuel Fr. Michal Fr. Michal 10-11 Fr. Michal Fr. Tim Fr. Tim Fr. Michal

SANCTUARY FLOWERS This week’s flowers were donated

in loving memory of Mary Grace Petteruti by her family and friends.

Our sincere gratitude for this generosity.

MARRIAGE CONGRATULATIONS Courtney and Barry Bonkoski were united

in the Sacrament of Matrimony last weekend. The bride is the former Courtney Kobrick.

May the Lord Bless them with many years of a faith-filled and happy life together.

COLLECTION BREAKDOWN LAST WEEK:

Envelopes: $6,269.00 220 families/$28.50 average Not using Envelopes: 1,015.00 Regular Collection: $7,284.00 Second Collection: $2,071.00 (Parish Maintenance)

Our thanks to all of our parishioners who respond each week to the needs of our parish and who make their weekly offering a part of their budget. May God Bless you for your continued generosity.

We have received such a positive response to our new Baptismal Font created and donated by Alan Koontz (and family) in memory of Paul Koontz and to the Baptismal Basin and Lid donated by Sharon Matuza in memory of Fr. Steiger that we wish to offer parishioners some additional memorial opportunities.

In our efforts to enrich our worship space, we are looking to purchase some lovely Altar Linen Sets for celebrating: Funeral Masses

Advent/Christmas (two-sided) Lent/Easter (two-sided) four Altar Cloths for the various liturgical seasons

If you are interested in a memorial gift and would like to inquire as to the costs of the linens, please call the office.

All memorial names and donors will be acknowledged and entered in bronze in the “Book of Memory”

on the wall to the right of the entry doors in the atrium.

9:00 AM Mass will be celebrated by Fr. Michal on Memorial Day, May 29th.

MEMORIAL GIFTS

FOOD PANTRY

We thank you for your continuous sup-port in keeping our Food Pantry stocked as a means of outreach to those in need.

You are gently reminded to please check your food donations for expiration dates and proper packaging.

NEXT FOOD COLLECTION: 6/3-4

A Thank You Message from Fr. Ed

STEPPING AWAY: a message from Sharon Matuza

It was a Saturday in September when my telephone rang. The call was anticipated but deliberately left unanswered. No way was I answering this call. I had been told that a certain Fr. Steiger would be calling to ask me to join him in discerning if God was calling me to ministry at Good Shepherd. Answering that call could lead to heartache as I would leave behind a ministry to those I loved.

Eventually, the Lord (and Fr. Steiger) won out…thanks be to God…and the rest, as they say, is history. Fast forward to today and another calling and unbelievable heartache. I am announcing I am stepping away as Pastoral Associate. My life circumstances and that of my family have changed. My mom is 95 years old. My grandson who is 7 years old lives in Michigan. Mom’s is the voice of the elder. My grandson’s is the voice of the young. Yet they are saying the same thing: that they want more shared time, more shared presence. I want that too.

I am filled with gratitude to God (and Fr. Steiger for placing that call) for offering me shared leadership of such a marvelous faith community.

Thanks also to Fr. Martin and Fr. Tim who have encouraged and supported me in my ministry. I am thankful to Fr. Ed, Fr. McHugh, Fr. Michal, Deacons Ed, Keith and Tom for living out their callings so well and influencing my own. My great appreciation to our office staff, Alice and Mary for so many years of shared service and sister-hood and to Phyllis and Allison for their enriching presence.

There are no words to adequately thank all of YOU through whom I have grown in faith and into the minister-servant and person that I now am and who make Good Shepherd parish all that it is. This is such an exciting time in our parish and I am happy to say that I will be remaining as a parishioner and am eager to see what the future holds for all of us.

I invite you to join with me at the 10:30 AM Mass on June 11th in joy and thanksgiving and in fellowship at a hospitality to follow.

Please know that in my heart you are my family. Whenever I take leave of my family, I always tell them,

“I love you beyond all words.”

Thank you all for your prayers, and the many “thank you” comments that you gave me on the celebration of the 45th anniversary of my ordination as a priest in service to the People of God, on behalf of the Catholic Church. I first celebrated mass with Good Shepherd in 1980, later on serving almost every weekend. Some of you who I have baptized, I have also married! I have been here for three pastors and Pastoral Associates/DREs.

Although you seem to be thanking me, it is I who am really thanking you. Your accepting of my preaching, service and counseling has allowed me to grow in my understanding of how God lives and works among us. I have tried to give that same understanding to you in return.

Thanking you again. ~Fr. Ed Reading

PLEASE NOTE: The main parish office will close at 12:00 PM on Fridays from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The Religious Education and Cemetery office hours remain the same all year.

There is no change to the Mass Schedule this year for the Summer months.

HOSPITALITY MINISTRY

It is with warm appreciation that we recog-nize and thank the Hospitality Ministry for “nourishing” our souls on Hospitality Sunday’s, and for also assisting at other special gatherings throughout the year.

Our Gratitude to

Hugh and Bea Rush - Coordinators

Anna-Marie and Jim Kelly Ann Annichiarico • Mary Di Carlo Irene Finnan • Mary Kuduk Rosemarie Specht • Anna Zamora

Allison and Dan Holdt

Hospitality Sunday will resume in the Fall and volunteers are always welcome! If you are interested in joining this Ministry, please notify the office or speak to any of the volunteers listed.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NOTES

Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Thank you to all who donated during the

Lenten season to Operation Rice Bowl. As a

parish we raised just over $2700.00.

Your generosity is truly appreciated!

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

JUNE 26th-JUNE 30th

9:00am until noon

At Maker Fun Factory VBS, kids discover that God

made them—and for a purpose! Children whose Sep-

tember 2017 grade is kindergarten through 5th

grade are welcome. The fee is $25.00 per camper and

registration will open May 29th.

In addition to VBS campers, crew and station lead-

ers are needed. A crew leader may be entering 7th

grade or older and a station leader must be a sopho-

more in high school or an adult. Please consider volun-

teering for a wonderful week of helping children

learn that they’re here for a reason and their pur-

pose comes from our amazing Maker—God!

Please call Phyllis for information at 973-786-6415

or email at phyllis@goodshepherdrc.org or visit the

website www.goodshepherdrc.org under the Religious

Education tab.

Congratulations to Alejandro Gali who

celebrated his First Eucharist this past

Sunday at the noon Mass.

CCD registration for the 2017 –2018

school year will be mailed by June 1st

to all currently registered religious

education families. If you are new to

the parish or program please contact

the CCD office at 973-786-6415.

Your help is needed in

planning the parish picnic

scheduled for September

This is a great way to get involved for a limited event. We need the following team members for success:

Treasurer * Games/Activities * Set up team Food * Barbeque * Decorating * Publicity

* Ticket sales * Clean up team

Please contact Phyllis at 973-786-6415 OR email at phyllis@goodshepherdrc.org.

The parish offices will be closed on May 29th.

A STUDY ON CHURCH HISTORY

"Catholicism: The Pivotal Players” by Bishop Robert Barron

every Thursday • 12:00 - 1:30 PM (St. Joseph’s Rm)

June 1 - G.K. Chesterton - The Evangelist Part II Orthodoxy; The Everlasting Man; Why a Pivotal Player?

June 8 - Michelangelo - The Artist Part I 8th Century dispute over the use of icons/spiritual depictions; life/times; The Pieta.

June 15 - Michelangelo - The Artist Part II The Sistine Chapel; Why is Michelangelo a Pivotal Player?

MEMORIAL DAY PRAYER

Dear Heavenly Father, On this day of remembrance for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the free-doms we enjoy every day, we think of how they followed in the footsteps of your son, our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Please hold our servicemen and women in your strong arms. Cover them with your shel-tering grace and your presence as they stand in the gap for our protection.

We also remember the families of those serv-ing and those we have lost. We ask for your blessings to fill their homes and we pray your peace, hope and strength will fill their lives.

Have a safe Memorial Day weekend!

Thank you to all parishioners who have committed their

gifts to the “We are Living Stones” program.

If you have not already done so, it’s not too late to participate - please return the Commitment Card

by June 4th to support our initiatives through your 1st collection Sunday offering.

Once all cards have been received, a summary report will be published.

Thank you again for your generosity!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO OUR PRIESTS

We offer our love, gratitude and prayers to Fr. Tim, Fr. Martin, Fr. Michal and Fr. Ed as they celebrate

the Anniversary of their Ordinations:

Fr. Tim - 24 years, Fr. Martin - 49 years, Fr. Michal - 1 year, Fr. Ed - 45 years

We thank God for the gift of their priesthood and we thank THEM for sharing that gift with us

and living it so well.

MARTHA MARY LAZARUS Bereavement Ministry

“Understanding Your Grief: Ten Essential Touchstones for

Finding Hope and Healing Your Heart”

Saturday’s • 12:00 - 1:15 PM (Chapel)

On Your Own: READ • JOURNAL Then: MEET • DISCUSS

June 10 Recognize You are not Crazy: Understand the Six Needs of Mourning June 24 Nurture Yourself: Reach out for Help July 8 Seek Reconciliation, Not Resolution: Appreciate Your Transformation

HOLY FATHER’S PRAYER INTENTION

Please join His Holiness, Pope Francis, who has chosen the following intention to be prayed for during JUNE:

National Leaders That national leaders may firmly commit themselves to ending the arms trade, which victimizes innocent people.

Reverend George A. Brown Memorial School

Summer STEAM Enrichment Program Science • Technology • Engineering • Arts • Math

RBS STEAM is a four-week program for Grades K-5

July 10 - August 4 • Sign up for 1,2,3 or all 4 weeks

A Fun, Creative and Highly Academic Program Designed to Engage Your Child

To register and for more details go to: www.revbrownschool.org & click on STEAM tab

Is there someone you can invite to explore the Catholic faith? Someone unbaptized or baptized into another faith tradition?

A Catholic adult interested in the Sacraments of Eucharist or Confirmation?

Please encourage them to call the parish office, 973-786-6631 to learn more about the

Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA).

REJOICE

IN THE LORD ALWAYS.

I will SAY it again:

~Philippians 4:4 REJOICE!