Quartet Classic: "Some Glorious Day"

As we continue to live this week,I offer this version of Quartet Classic presenting "Some Glorious Day":

 

School Bus Driver Appreciation Day

This day, 23 April is being observed as School Bus Driver Appreciation Day. This observance, on the fourth Tuesday in April, is designed to "celebrate this often underappreciated school role."

Related information:

FutureFund: 25 School Bus Driver Appreciation Ideas

Thank You, Lord

Thank you,  Lord, for the graces you bestow on us during the Easter season.

Br. Andrew Lyons, O.P., on Easter People as Pilgrim People

"In April of 2022, a few months before taking the Dominican habit, I walked around the Notre Dame campus with a Dominican friar. A question had been on my mind for some time. 'Father,' I said, 'I don't think I understand Easter.' . . .

"He replied with an understanding but cautionary tone, 'Easter doesn't mean that we're done, that the work of the Christian life is over. It's a time of new life, of growth.'"

In a recent commentary using the example of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Brother Andrew Lyons, O.P., reflected on how, although we are still Easter people, we are still pilgrims on our journey..

To access Br. Andrew's complete post, please visit:

Dominicana: Easter People, Pilgrim People (19 APR 24) 

Reflection Starter from Perry Paxton

"Excellence is in the details. Give attention to the details and excellence will come." - attributed to Perry Paxton

The PeacheatersL "Midnight Rider"

One of the treasures of New England is the great variety of music in our region. Some of this music (of whatever genre) is provided musicians from the region; other music is provided by artists visiting the region from other areas.

One such example is the Massachusetts-based Peacheaters.

In this video, The Peacheaters are presenting "Midnight Rider":

 

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of helpful advice.

Bishop Henning on God's Mysterious and Marvelous Ways

"Last week, the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul was packed to overflowing for a Mass of Thanksgiving and farewell with Bishop-elect James Ruggieri. At the reception after the Mass, people waited upwards of two hours to greet him personally. It was a truly beautiful evening of prayer and fellowship and I am so grateful to the many volunteers and diocesan staff who worked to make the gathering possible. Of course, I am grateful for the Bishop-elect. His humble gift of himself drew us together as he has done for so many years across multiple parishes of the diocese. While it is difficult to say goodbye to a friend - and there were certainly some tears shed that evening - it was nonetheless an evening filled with a sense of joy in the blessings of God and a desire to send the Bishop-elect to his new ministry accompanied by the prayers and best wishes of Providence. 

"I know that too often, we have to read of decline in the practice of the faith. . . . And yet I have to ask, how many other events took place that Thursday evening in Rhode Island that drew more than 1,500 committed and joyful people...?"

In a recent commentary, Bishop Richard G. Henning, the bishop of the Diocese of Providence (RI), reflected on how it "can be challenging in the midst of life's circumstances to clearly discern God's purposes and on how we often can discern, in moments of crisis, the seeds of renewal and new life.

To access Bishop Henning's complete essay, please visit: 

The State of Hope: God’s ways are mysterious and marvelous (18 APR 24)

Reflection Starter from Josh Billings

"As the flint contains the spark, unknown to itself, which the steel alone can awaken to life, so adversity often reveals to us hidden gems, which prosperity or negligence would forever have hidden." - Josh Billings

Gaither Vocal Band: "Gentle Shepherd"

As we continue our Sunday celebration, I offer this version of the Gaither Vocal Band presenting "Gentle Shepherd":

Fourth Sunday of Easter

Today the Church celebrates the Fourth Sunday of Easter. The assigned readings are Acts 4:8-12, 1 John 3:1-2, and John 10:11-18. The Responsorial Psalm is from Psalm 118 (Psalm 118:1, 8-9, 21-23, 26. 28-29).

For one version of the Responsorial Psalm set to music, please visit:

YouTube: Responsorial Psalm / 4th Sunday of Easter / Year B / CBW#98/ Psalm 118

The Gospel reading for the procession with the palms (Mark 11:1-10) is as follows:

Jesus said: "I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. A hired man, who is not a shepherd and whose sheep are not his own, sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf catches and scatters them. This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd. This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again. This command I have received from my Father."

Reflections related to these readings:

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Salesian Sunday Reflections: April 21, 2024 Fourth Sunday of Easter

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Sundays Salesian: Fourth Sunday of Easter (April 21, 2024)

Community in Mission: Lord and Shepherd - A Homily for the 4th Sunday of Easter (20 APR 24)

Benedictine College: This Sunday, What Jesus Said About the Good Shepherd Almost Got Him Killed (18 APR 24)

Word on Fire: Three Qualities of a Good Shepherd (Cycle B * Easter * 4th Week)

The Pilot: Echoes: Scott Hahn: The shepherd's voice (19 APR 24)

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for Your presence with us as we face life's challnges.