Pastor’s Corner 11.05.2025
The Fourth Sunday of Easter, known as Good Shepherd Sunday, is also the “World Day of Prayer for Vocations.” Each year on this Sunday, we reflect on the image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd, devotedly and kindly taking care of his flock. The title “Pastor” means shepherd. A shepherd leads, feeds, nurtures, comforts, corrects, and protects his flock—responsibilities that belong to all Church leaders, parents, civil leaders, and all who oversee others.
Jesus speaks of himself as the leader of God’s flock, the Good Shepherd, walking in front of the sheep, as the way, the truth and the life for all those who are truly seeking to be in God’s sheepfold.
Today, perhaps more than ever, in the face of so much loss of morality and direction in life, where apathy and mistrust abound in the social, political and even religious realms, we need to hear again the strong message of Jesus.
The Lord is indeed our Good Shepherd, guiding us in right paths, giving us courage and strength even in our darkest moments, spreading a banquet for us and inviting us to dwell in God’s house forever. If that be the case, then truly we shall not want for anything!
The gentle message of the Lord today is applicable to all, the rich and the poor, the well and the infirm, the young and the old, leaders and followers, saints and sinners. No one is to be excluded from Jesus’ sheepfold, and all are lovingly invited to it.
The shepherd knows his sheep, Jesus says, and he knows each of us.
Our Good Shepherd knows our needs, shares our experiences, and is in communion with his flock. Because of this, we have confidence that we are never left without the help of a loving and saving God.
But hearing His voice is not enough; we must follow Him. This means trusting in His guidance, even when life’s path seems uncertain. It means listening to His call in prayer, in Scripture, in the Sacraments, in the quiet moments of our hearts, and in the shepherds, He places on our path.
As we reflect on this Sunday’s message, let us ask ourselves:
Do we recognize the voice of the Good Shepherd in our daily lives?
Are we truly following Him, or are we distracted by the noise of the world?
How can we be shepherds to others—guiding, protecting, and leading them closer to Christ?
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On Wednesday, 7 May, 49 of our young people, from St. Mary’s school, PREP and Vanspec, were Confirmed at a very meaningful liturgy. On Saturday, 10 May, 40 of our children from PREP and Vanspec received the sacrament of the Eucharist for the first time.
On behalf of St. Mary’s Parish, I congratulate them and encourage them to live out their responsibilities of bearing witness to Christ, the Good Shepherd. I thank their parents for leading them and guiding them to this sacrament and urge them to be examples to their children. I thank the teachers for preparing these young people and children for the worthy reception of the sacrament of Confirmation and the First Communion.