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ST. MICHAEL RELIGIOUS EDUCATION OFFICE MESSAGE TO RE FAMILIES – MAY 2, 2020

Praying the rosary this Sunday, a song of Mary, Mass readings and Holy Heroes help for students, and help for dad from St. Joseph!

Hello dear holy families! As we grow in understanding of our faith, in living our faith, and in our relationship with Jesus, we grow in holiness. It's a journey of one step at a time, one holy moment at a time, acknowledging each holy moment we have in our family. Think about it for a bit . . . your family has holy moments where God is present and working through one or more of you . . . embrace them.

We pray . . . Jesus, I trust in You. Jesus, I trust in You. Jesus, I trust in You. St. Joseph, pray for us. Blessed Mother, pray for us. Amen!

Tomorrow on Sunday we pray together the 2nd Glorious Mystery of the Rosary. We have many intentions for this Sunday's rosary prayer, including prayers for our First Communicants who were to receive the sacrament of Eucharist today Sat. May 2nd and for our Confirmandi who were to receive the sacrament of Confirmation on March 21st. We pray they turn to God every day in prayer as they continue to prepare to receive His sacraments. We know in God's time, good things come to those who wait. With God, everything is possible and happens for our good. Here is your video link for my message and for praying the rosary together . . .

https://youtu.be/JjyBwCTTg6E

Since the month of May is devoted to our Blessed Mother Mary and praying the rosary more than we have been and to offer intentions for everyone affected by the current pandemic, I hope you all truly enjoy this arrangement of many different people for whom we are praying, all with their rosary, as the song "Ave Maria" is beautifully sung . . . https://youtu.be/BqyA‐u0RG9Y

Did you try using the Holy Heroes Mass prep this past Sunday for your child(ren)? Did you show your child the video about the April 26th Mass Gospel? Curious if you tried and if your child or you has any feedback about it. Here is the link for this Sunday's May 3rd Mass preparation from Holy Heroes (holyheroes.com) with a video of the Gospel and options for a coloring page and questions. I share this, not to pressure you or add more to your plate, but truly to help you as you help your child grow in faith and holiness ....... https://www.holyheroes.com/MassPrep‐s/57.htm?Click=6412

For our current student lectors and any 2nd through 8th graders who are thinking about serving as a student lector at some point starting this Fall . . . I have attached for you to this email the readings for this Sunday's May 3rd Mass from the Children's Lectionary. These are the readings that are proclaimed by our student lectors at the 9:00am and 10:30am YPLW (Young People's Liturgy of the Word) in our chapel during Sunday Mass. These readings are the same scriptures proclaimed in our church at Mass but in words that children better understand. So, mom and dad, your child can practice the readings aloud a few times and then proclaim them to your family as part of celebrating this Sunday's Mass. (Mom and dad, I also attached for you the YPLW Script that the adult uses to guide the children's liturgy in the chapel. You will see the focus of the homily and the "Hey Kids!" column to help guide you in a discussion with your child(ren) about the meaning of this Sunday's readings.)

Hi dads! Praying for you for strength and perseverance for all you are doing from your Father who loves you dearly. St. Joseph wants to offer you some help and support . . .https://catholic‐link.org/what‐can‐dads‐learn‐from‐the‐silent‐giant‐of‐ faith/

Bulletin for this weekend of May 2nd and 3rd . . . Enjoy Fr. Frank's Fire and the wonderful "Hey Kids!" message! If you have any photos or "Godcidences" to share of your family that we can share with others in our bulletin, please send them my way via response to my email. Through postings in our bulletin and on our parish fb page, we can share what your faithful family is doing with God during this time that can help spread God's love and hope to many. Here is the link to the bulletin . . .

https://www.e‐churchbulletins.com/bulletins/000147.pdf

We conclude our time here together in prayer . . .

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Thank you God for this glorious day! Let us rejoice and be glad!

Kelly Martinez Coordinator of Religious Education St. Michael Parish Orland Park 708‐873‐4633 [email protected] During class time phone number: 708‐873‐4631

Office Hours: Currently closed, but we are always available to answer questions and pray for you. Email anytime.

Fourth Sunday of Easter – May 3, 2020

FIRST READING: Acts 2:14, 36-41

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles

After they received the Holy Spirit,

the apostles stood in front of the people, and Peter said,

"All the people of Israel must now be told,

and must know for sure, that God has raised Jesus up

and made him Lord and Christ.

This is the same Jesus whom you killed."

When the people heard this, they were very upset and disturbed

and asked Peter and the other Apostles,

"What should we do now?"

Peter said to them,

"Show that you are sorry by changing your lives.

Be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.

He will forgive your sins,

and you will receive the Holy Spirit.

The promise he made is for you and for your children,

and for all people everywhere."

About 3,000 people believed in what Peter said

and were baptized that day.

The Word of the Lord


Reader: Our response will be, Let us rejoice and be glad

The Lord has raised Jesus.

It is amazing to us.

R: Let us rejoice and be glad.

This day belongs to God.

Let us celebrate and be glad.

R: Let us rejoice and be glad.

Leader: Alleluia, Alleluia R: Alleluia, Alleluia Reader: I am the Good Shepherd.

My Sheep know me.

R: Alleluia, Alleluia


GOSPEL: John 10:1-5, 10

A reading from the Gospel of John:

One day Jesus said,

"I tell you the truth,

the one who comes into the sheepfold through the gate

is the shepherd.

But anyone who tries to climb in some other way

must be a thief and a robber.

The sheep hear the shepherd's voice

when he calls each one by name.

He leads them out and they follow him

because they know his voice.

The sheep will not follow the voice of a stranger

but will run away.

The thief comes only to steal and kill.

But I came so that you will have life,

a full and happy life."

The Gospel of the Lord

4th Sunday of Easter May 3, 2020

Young People’s Liturgy of the Word

Centering Song – led by Cantor

Opening Prayer

Presider: God of new and eternal life,

thank you for sending Jesus to be our shepherd.

May your Holy Spirit give us the wisdom

and strength

to hear and follow his voice every day.

Through Christ our Lord.

R: Amen

Presider motions the children to be seated.

Introduction to First Reading

Presider: In today’s first reading, the Good News of the Risen Jesus

begins to change the lives of thousands of people in a

single day!

Reader: Acts 2: 14, 36-41

Introduction to Psalm

Presider: We rejoice with all who were baptized, and so we pray.

Psalm read by child lector

Response: Let us rejoice and be glad.


Gospel Acclamation

Presider: Alleluia, Alleluia

All: Alleluia, Alleluia

Presider: I am the good shepherd and my sheep know me

All: Alleluia, Alleluia

Introduction to the Gospel

Presider: In today’s gospel Jesus tells us that he cares for us

like a shepherd cares for everyone of his sheep.

May the word of God be on our minds, on our lips

and in our hearts.

Reader: John 10: 1-5, 10


Homily Focal Points: Today’s homily might focus on the voice of Jesus, the Good shepherd. Just as sheep

recognize their shepherd’s voice, we can learn to recognize the voice of Jesus. This voice is never far

away. We hear the voice of Jesus in those who care about us as he does—in our parents, teachers, priests,

catechists, and others. We also hear the voice of Jesus in the quiet of our hearts. Surely this voice says ot

us what the risen Christ said over and over to his disciples: Peace be with you. Surely this voice was

speaking through Peter, when he said, change your lives…be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. The

promise he made is for you, and for your children, and for all people everywhere.

In today’s bulletin . . .

When Peter faced the crowds on Pentecost, he was emboldened by the Holy Spirit and proclaimed the

truth of Jesus Christ passionately to those who gathered to hear him. There was likely part of him that was

not quite sure what to expect, knowing that a few weeks prior, crowds of people had chanted “Crucify

him!” as Jesus was sentenced to a cruel and unjust death. The people who heard Peter were moved by his

witness, compelled to acknowledge their sinfulness and to accept the news of salvation through Jesus

Christ as good news, the gospel that changes everything.

Be honest with yourself. Have you ever gone astray? Have you ever given in to temptation or

weakness? Do you sometimes feel that you need someone to help you get your life on back on track?

Most people could answer yes to any of these questions. As people of faith, we know that Jesus

understands the struggles we face and gave his life to save us from our human frailty. The Lord knows

that we need help in order to live as God’s people in the world. There are people and powers that seek to

mislead us, who offer a way that may for a time be appealing, even though it does not lead to the true way

of life, love, and peace. We can be readily dissuaded and distracted from the ways of holiness. We easily

lose our way, lured by the trappings of material possessions, wealth, or social status. We can forget others

who also need life, love and peace. Jesus is our only real way, the door that leads to meaning and peace

in this earthly time, and to life everlasting.

Hey Kids. 4th Sunday of Easter 2020 . . .

We hear the word REPENT a lot when we talk about sins/doing bad things. But what does REPENT

mean—really mean? Sins are different from mistakes because with sins, you DO know better. A mistake

is something that you just did wrong without meaning to do it. Example: A mistake: bumping into

someone when you are passing them in the hallway. A sin: pushing someone to make them fall. When we

REPENT, we are saying that we are sorry, but then also trying our best to never repeat that sin/bad

behavior again.

When Jesus died on the cross, the disciples were very scared: Remember that Peter denied knowing

Jesus and the cock crowed? Judas betrayed Jesus and let the soldiers know where he was hiding. Many of

the disciples questioned Jesus after he died on the cross. When they were told he rose from the dead, they

wanted to see proof of His scars. In the 1streading (Acts of the Apostles) the disciples were heartbroken

when Peter said, “Let the whole house of Israel know for certain that God has made both Lord and Christ,

this Jesus whom you crucified.” The disciples felt guilty for doubting Jesus and were so sad. But, Peter

says, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your

sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” When Peter said this, it gave everyone hope. To

REPENT meant that they should be truly sorry for denying Jesus and promise that they would NEVER

deny Him again. If they did, they would have Jesus’s Spirit with them on earth. And when they died, they

would be allowed into the kingdom of heaven to be with Jesus, just as He promised!

We can repent each time we sin. We can go to confession, confess our sins and our souls will be made

clean. We must try our best not to repeat the same sins that are washed away. When we sin or do

something bad – let us try to REPENT by following these steps. 1) When we know we have done wrong,


listen to what the Holy Spirt is telling us to do; then do it. 2) Say we are sorry. When we say we are sorry,

we are recognizing that we did something wrong. 3) Ask for forgiveness. This is different from saying

sorry – this is asking if everything is now okay and how we can make up for what we did. 4) Make it

right. What can you do to make it better? Once you know what to do, do it! 5) Go and grow. Learn from

what you did. Truly REPENT by not repeating the sin.

Let’s pray: Jesus, we heard how you were free of sin in (1 Peter 2:20b-25). I want to be just like you!

Have an adult read you this beautiful reading. Learn from Jesus – GO AND GROW! Amen


Nicene Creed

Presider: Today’s readings spoke of some of the things we believe as

Catholics. As we pray the Creed let us recognize those things

we heard in the scriptures today.

I believe in one God,

the Father almighty

maker of heaven and earth,

of all things visible and invisible.

I believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,

the only begotten Son of God,

born of the Father before all ages.,

God from God, Light from Light,

true God from true God,

begotten, not made,

consubstantial with the Father.

through him all things were made.

For us men and for our salvation

he came down from heaven:

(as we read the words in the box, all bow)

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;

he suffered death and was buried,

and rose again on the third day

in accordance with the Scriptures.

He ascended into heaven

and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again in glory

to judge the living and the dead,

and his kingdom will have no end.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the Lord, the giver of life,

who proceeds from the Father and the Son.

who with the father and son is adored and glorified.

who has spoken through the Prophets.

I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.

I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead

and the life of the world to come. Amen.

And by the Holy Spirit

was incarnate of the Virgin Mary,

and became man.


Prayers of the Faithful

Presider: We offer our prayers in faith and with joy …

For people of all nations. May we work together to take care

of one another and make sure that all are safe.

We pray to the Lord… R: Lord, hear our prayer.

For the people of our Church. May we hear the voice of Jesus

speaking to us in Masses online and in many other ways..


For our families. May we share the love of Jesus with each

other in our homes and reach out to others who need comfort

and love.


For children, parents and teachers who are learning at home.


For those working at home and for those who have lost their

jobs.


What other prayers do we want to offer today?

For all who are sick, especially those who have the

covid-19 virus and for all who have died,

we pray to the Lord.

Response: Lord, hear our prayer.

For all the intentions we hold in our hearts . . .

(leave some time for silence) . . .

we pray to the Lord.

Response: Lord, hear our prayer.


Closing Prayer:

Presider: Gracious God,

we thank you for sending Jesus

to be our good shepherd.

May your Holy Spirit open our ears

to know and hear the voice of Jesus.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

R: Amen

The children are dismissed back to the assembly

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