The Holy Mass: Although we cannot gather for Mass, we can still enter into the “source & summit” of our Faith when the Sunday Mass is celebrated by Fr. Bosco and can be watched on our parish website and Facebook page. Also, Sunday and weekday Masses can be found on EWTN (Dish 261 and Comcast 393 and at https://video.ewtn.com/daily-mass/). Bishop Barron streams Masses at www.wordonfire.org/daily-mass/

I n today’s Gospel we read: “Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not

understand what he was saying to them” (John 10:6) Has that ever happened to you?

Have you ever listened to a Gospel reading and then said to yourself, “What is he talking about?” Have you ever read a passage of Scripture and wondered, “What does this mean? And how does it apply to my life?” I have and I still do.

This week is no different. Sheep and shepherd, gate and gatekeeper, thief and bandit, voices, abundant life. What’s all that mean? How does it apply to our lives?

I can’t put it all together in a neat package that makes sense. There are too many contradictions and mixed metaphors. For example, at the beginning of today’s Gospel, he is the shepherd who enters the gate and also the gate the shepherd enters. And then he says that we can enter him as a gate to abundant life.

I say this because the Gospel clearly states that Jesus was using a “figure of speech.” That’s why this text, like so many of Jesus’ sayings and teachings, is difficult to understand. This text cannot be taken literally. The rational, logical, intellectual mind cannot understand a figure of speech. The figure of speech points beyond itself, in this case to abundant life. A figure of speech asks us to think, see, and listen differently. So let’s take today’s Gospel and play with the images.

Figures of Speech &Voices — Fr. Bosco Padamattummal —

My dear parishioners, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:7).

Most likely you and I are not too different in finding ourselves remembering things we were used to doing “before” and considering how things will be different “after.”

For instance, just a few of the things in the parish that didn’t happen as they usually do were: Fish Fry Dinners; sacred liturgies for Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Stations of the Cross, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Divine Mercy Sunday; First Friday Adoration; Youth Group sponsored Easter egg hunt; Bible Study meetings; joyful Praise & Worship group singing; sacramental confession; and so on.

Some of the things ahead that remain uncertain might be: May Crowning, Corpus Christi Procession, Ice Cream Social, Rummage Sale, and so on.

However, our Lord assures us that we can count on Him for peace. And how deeply grateful we all will be when we once again can experience the many blessings that only come from being together! For now, let us commit ourselves to doing the best we can each day. Consider this quote from a talk by C.S. Lewis given to students as World War II was just beginning. He reminded them:

Never, in peace or war, commit your virtue or your happiness to the future. Happy work is best done by the man who takes his long-term plans somewhat lightly and works from moment to moment “as to the Lord.” It is

only our daily bread that we are encouraged to ask for. The present is the only time in which any duty can be done or any grace received.

Yours in the Risen Christ, — continued on p. 3

FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER MAY 3, 2020

p. 2 • May 3, 2020 Fourth Sunday of Easter St. Mary Catholic Church, Manchester, MI

NEED HELP? “AA” group meets Fridays at 7:00pm at

Emanuel Church, 324 W Main St. (next door to St Mary’s)

NEED HELP? ALTERNATIVES TO ABORTION:

Call (734) 994-8863 or the 24-hour Hotline 800-712-HELP

Or visit arborwoman.com/abortion/

Need Help? PROJECT RACHEL (post-abortion reconciliation

and healing) Call the confidential phone line: 517-993-0291, or email

nlc@resurrectionlansing.org

NEED HELP? “COURAGE” is a Catholic (endorsed by Diocese) spiritual support group for those struggling with same sex attraction. “ENCOURAGE” is a separate support group for families & friends. Call 810-231-9199 ext. 202 or email frjohnrocus@holyspiritrcs.org

0 St. Mary Roman Catholic Church

Stewardship WEEKLY COLLECTION:

Sunday, April 19, 2020 Sunday Env (31) ............... $ 2,000.00 Easter ................................ $ 665.00 E-Giving ............................. $ 433.10

Combined toward budget: $ 3,098.10 Budget goal: ..................... $5,300.00 Amt BELOW goal: ...... – $ 2,201.90

OTHER CONTRIBUTIONS: Bldg & Maint env .............. $ 80.00

Please Pray for…

!Birthday Blessings May 5… ..... Patrick Tracy May 6… ..... Mark Gemler

…Mary Sandoval May 7… ..... Jessica Coltre

…Alden Rohwer May 8… ..... Paige Bourland May 9… ..... Jacob Miller

PARISH AND OTHER NEWS

How is Our Parish Surviving Stay-at-Home? — by Bill Kwolek, Parish Finance Council

W E ARE SURVIVING, BUT INJURIES ARE MOUNTING. Weekly collections have dropped. The number of envelopes

before the virus averaged in the mid-seventies – they are now in mid-thirties. Weekly contributions are falling considerably short of the $5,300 goal. When COVID became serious at the end of February, we averaged $5,500/wk – now we average $3,800. It’s reasonable to assume that reduced contributions will continue as long as churches remain closed – for a duration that’s anybody’s guess. But the direct hit of lower weekly contributions is only a part of our loss.

OUR SAVINGS ACCOUNT will shrink in proportion to the investment losses realized by the Diocese of Lansing. Their investments (our savings account) is in stocks, bonds, and other diversified financial instruments comparable to IRAs and 401(k)s. We can expect to lose in proportion to the losses sustained in financial markets. Losses & gains are regularly reported to parishes as either positive or negative interest. We will need to keep a close eye on these reports. Before the virus, we realized regular gains. Our gains will now become losses.

This means that our PARISH CASH RESERVE will suffer on two fronts: reduced weekly contributions plus a reduction in our diocesan savings account.

Another subtraction comes from our FUNDRAISERS. The Fish Fry earned approximately $6,600. Based on the performance of the first three dinners, we expected more than $15,000 because the highest profits are realized at the end. With the Stay-at-Home government directives, the Ice Cream Social and Rummage Sale are in jeopardy. Our total fundraising shortfall might be considerable.

There is yet one more financial consideration: CHARITY. Over the years, our parish has provided funds to people in desperate need. Some of these funds have come from Poor Box donations and some from our general fund. With unemployment soaring, more parishioners have been permanently laid off. We must prepare for and expect a greater call to extend support.

LAYOFFS: No one on staff has had to be laid off. The hours worked by hourly employees have been reduced. Salaried compensation has remained steady. Because we have not laid off employees, our parish is qualified to apply for the Paycheck Protection Program offered by the federal government. We have submitted two PPP loan applications: one from our local bank, Comerica, and the other from the Notre Dame Federal Credit Union. The Diocese of Lansing suggested we apply to the NDFCU in addition to Comerica. If our application results in funding, we can accept the first and cancel the second. All funds from the PPP must be allocated to payroll, benefits such as health insurance, and no more than 25% toward utilities.

We have been deluged by LEGAL AND PROCEDURAL RECOMMENDATIONS from the Diocese; since life-with-the-virus started, we have received 27 documents, many emails and phone calls from them. Paperwork has dominated work in the office. When you see Sylvie, our office manager/bookkeeper, be sure to thank her.

Obviously, all parish projects are on hold. Expenses have been reduced wherever possible.

Banns of Marriage

III. Bud Ball & Eve Lozicki May 9, 2020

Have you forgotten how to use

FORMED??? — Dcn. Dennis —

I f it’s been awhile since you’ve used

FORMED, go to formed.org, That

brings up the login screen. At the top right corner of the screen, click on the “Sign In” link. A dialog box appears asking for your email address. Type that and then click “Next”; then, when prompted, check your email. You should see a message prompting you to click on the “Sign In now” button. Click on that, and you’re prompted to start watching.

1) For Larry & Debbie Benedict ~ for many years of HAPPINESS!!

(Jim & Marja Warner) 2) …

The SANCTUARY LAMPS are burning this week for the following intentions: PLEASE PRAY THIS WEEK…

• Calvin J. Miller

• Virginia Strong

• Lynn Doyle • All affected

by COVID-19 (suffering from, died of, or caring for)

• Walter Radisovich

• Bryson Corker & his mother Jennifer

• Rishi Shah • Paula Saft • Tom Kladzyk • Bruce

Sommers • Ray Seghers • Connie and

Frank Stancato

• Eddie Walz • Tom Burch • Leon Ball • Brian Ball • Duane Beuerle

St. Mary Catholic Church, Manchester, MI Fourth Sunday of Easter May 3, 2020 • p. 3

Let’s start with abundant life. That, Jesus says, is why he came; that we might “have life, and have it abundantly.” What does that mean for you?

The abundant life is not about quantity, wealth, success, popularity, security, being number one, or any of the other things we often think it is. How many times have you gotten what you wanted only to discover your own emptiness and poverty? You had it all, but you were not abundant.

It’s a quality not a quantity. It is about meaning, integrity, purpose, creativity, relationship, and wholeness. It is life that leads to life, love that leads to love, joy that leads to joy, hope that leads to hope, kindness that leads to kindness, generosity that leads to generosity, beauty that leads to beauty, and gratitude that leads to gratitude.

It does not add to the pain of the world but adds to and enhances life, our own as well as others. Isn’t that what we want for ourselves and for each other? I do? Don’t you? I want us to follow the shepherd into the pasture of abundance.

Who is the shepherd? The obvious answer is Jesus. Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd” (John 10:11). But is that the only answer? Could there be other shepherds? What about Psalm 23 that we just prayed? It said that the Lord, God, is our shepherd. He revives, he leads, he protects, he feeds, he waters, he pastures. But what about you and me? Couldn’t we do those things? Couldn’t we be the shepherd?

Who are the people that have shepherded, nurtured, and protected your life? When have you shepherded the life of another? Maybe the shepherd here is anyone who nourishes, fosters, and guards life. Yes, it is God, Jesus, but it also could be you, or me. Shepherding is not only an action but also a relationship.

What about those thieves and bandits? Jesus is not warning us about having our things stolen but

about having our life stolen and our abundance depleted.

We often don’t know the thief has been here until later. Then one day we wake up and wonder what happened to our life. How did we get to this point? Our life is a mess, and we don’t know when or how it

happened. Maybe we took a relationship for g r a n t e d , o r procrastinated, or were too comfortable, too busy, too preoccupied, or opened our heart to the wrong person or thing.

Bandits, on the other hand, are overpowering. They come in the daylight. They don’t even try to hide. It’s those times when we know our life is less than we want it to be: we recognize the patterns and behaviors that are destructive, and we know there is a better and different choice to be made – but we continue down the same path. It is falling down and refusing to get back up, recognizing our brokenness and refusing to ask for help, choosing our resentments and anger over forgiveness, feeling the pain but refusing the treatment.

How will you guard your heart against the thieves and bandits of an abundant life? The abundant life is always a matter of the heart.

We are the gatekeepers of our lives and the keeper and guardian of our heart. Guarding our heart means staying awake, being watchful, and remaining diligent. Awareness of and reflection on what is happening within and outside us are the gatekeeper’s key. Depending on who or what it is, we either open our heart or keep it closed. Sometimes we need to open the gate and sometimes we need to keep the gate of our life closed.

Look back on your life: To whom or what have you opened your heart in the past? Where did it take you? Did it

lead to the pastures of abundance or was it a dead end, or maybe a detour? Jesus said, “I am the gate.” He is the gate that opens and leads to the pastures of abundant life, the gate that stands against death. We open or close in collaboration with Jesus. “The sheep follow [the shepherd] because they know his voice.” We do not have to make our decisions alone or in isolation.

T o w h a t v o i c e s a r e w e listening? The voices to which we listen form and shape our lives throughout our lifetime. For better or for worse, we eventually begin to speak with the voice that has formed and shaped our lives.

Who do you sound like when you speak? Your mom or dad, your spouse, your boss, your fear or anger, your wounds, the church, politicians, television, the internet, friends, money , success , popu la r i ty , expectations, failures, self-criticism or self-hatred? Is it the voice of thieves and bandits? Or is it the voice of wisdom, life, love, compassion, beauty, generosity, hope, joy? The voice of Jesus? The voice of a shepherd?

To which voices do you need to close the gate of your heart and to which ones do you need to open?

— Fr. Bosco’s article continued from p. 1

We often don’t know the THIEF has been here until later… BANDITS, on the other hand, are overpowering…