[Acts 13:14,43-52; Psalm 99; Revelation 7:9,14-17; John 10:27-30]

This has been a momentous week for the Church. A new Shepherd has been chosen to take up the Commission given to Peter by Jesus Christ. As we waited with bated breath, my wife and I both shrieked in delight as we heard the name of the new Pontiff. Earlier this year, whilst we were in Rome for the Jubilee of Deacons, we were hosted by Cardinal Prevost for a catechesis and sharing of experiences on the “Concrete signs of hope in the ministry of deacons.” He came across as a very capable man, a man without airs and graces. He was prepared to make himself vulnerable by holding a question-and-answer session with all present. We also had a brief chat with him afterwards. From the brief time we spent with him we are filled with hope, that he is the right man to shepherd the Church going forward.

The shepherd-sheep relationship symbolizes trust, dependence, and the need for guidance. Sheep are known for their vulnerability and tendency to stray; necessitating a shepherd’s constant care. This dynamic reflects the spiritual reality of humanity’s need for divine guidance and protection.[1] The Gospel this week is a fitting one to follow on from last week’s when Jesus asked Peter to ‘feed my lambs, look after my sheep and to feed my sheep’ Today we hear Jesus state that His sheep hear His voice, and they follow Him. Leo XIV is the successor of Peter, and he now has to take up this commission; to tend the flock given to him by God.

This Sunday we are encouraged to pray for vocations, especially vocations to the priesthood, the diaconate and the religious life. My ministry, whilst challenging at times gives me the opportunity to serve people. Many of whom I would never encounter, if it wasn’t for my ministry. I have had many joyful times with people as well as accompanying them at some of the saddest times of their lives. I have met some extraordinary people who share aspects of their lives with me, a stranger. I have sat with people when they are scared and try to find the words to reassure them. I couldn’t do any of this without the help of God. I know that God is with me when I go out to visit people in their home or in hospital.

On his visit to Ireland, Pope St John Paul II, said in an address to the priests at Maynooth “Your first duty is to be with Christ. You are each called to be a witness to his Resurrection. A common danger with priests, even zealous priests, is that they become so immersed in the work of the Lord that they neglect the Lord of the work. We must find time, we must make time, to be with the Lord in prayer. What the people expect from you, more than anything else, is faithfulness to the priesthood.” The Pope then turned to those in contemplative life and said “Never was the contemplative vocation more precious or more relevant than in our modern restless world.” The Pope then pleaded for many more young people to be “called to the contemplative life, at this time when the future of the Church and the future of humanity depends on prayer.” The Pope concluded “This is a wonderful time in the history of the Church. This is a wonderful time to be a priest, to be a religious, to be a missionary for Christ. Rejoice in the Lord always. Rejoice in your vocation.”

There are currently 11 men in formation for the priesthood for our diocese, one of them from St Bede’s Parish. There are also 8 men in formation for the Permanent Diaconate with another 3 due to start in the next year. Three of these men are from this Pastoral Area. God willing, there are two men due to be ordained priest and another two men due to be ordained as Permanent Deacons this summer.

Please keep all of these men and their families in your prayers. Please keep all of our priests and deacons in your prayers.

Further Reading

Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC)

Fourth Sunday of Easter

CCC 754, 764, 2665: Christ the Shepherd and Gate
CCC 553, 857, 861, 881, 896, 1558, 1561, 1568, 1574: Pope and bishops as shepherds
CCC 874, 1120, 1465, 1536, 1548-1551, 1564, 2179, 2686: priests as shepherds
CCC 60, 442, 543, 674, 724, 755, 775, 781: the Church is made up of Jews and Gentiles
CCC 957, 1138, 1173, 2473-2474: our communion with the martyrs

Topical Bible: The Relationship Between Shepherd and Sheep

Please keep in your prayers this week

  • The sick and housebound, those who are dying and those who are grieving.
  • Father Jean-Patrice that he makes a full recovery.
  • The continued fight to protect all life from conception until natural death.
  • The new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, that he may look after the flock given to him by God.
  • The families starting the Baptism Preparation sessions this Sunday at St Bede’s.
  • The children who made their First Holy Communion at St Bede’s this weekend and all those preparing for their First Holy Communion in the Pastoral Area in the next few weeks.

Deacon Tony, 10th May 2025

[1] Topical Bible: The Relationship Between Shepherd and Sheep