For the past eighteen years, God has blessed me with great parish assignments in my Priesthood ministry: Parochial Vicar - St. Alphonsus in Wexford and St. Paul Cathedral in Oakland; Co-Director of Vocations; Chaplain to the Catholic Committee on Scouting; Member of the Priest Council and College of Consulters for the Diocese; Board of Directors for the Holy Family Institute and Pittsburgh Catholic Newspaper; Chaplain to the Pittsburgh Pirates, Pittsburgh Police Department and St. Anthony School Programs; Pastor of Good Shepherd in Braddock and St. James in Sewickley, Administrator to St. Bede - Point Breeze, St. Charles Lwanga - East End, and St. James - Wilkinsburg; and Radio Host on KDKA Radio 1020 AM for Catholic Education Plus.
Every day I try to do my best to be a good priest and shepherd to the people that I am entrusted with. I love being a priest!
This weekend we celebrate the Fourth Sunday of Easter, also called “Good Shepherd Sunday” and we also celebrate Mother’s Day!
In the First Reading from the Acts of the Apostles, we read how Paul and Barnabas are on their first missionary journey to the Roman provinces in Asia Minor (modern day Turkey). They enter a local synagogue and teach about the Risen Lord. Their vocation was to preach the word even when opposed. The word of God continues to spread. In the Gospel of John we read how Jesus proclaims himself to be the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep. He grasps our hand and continues to offer us eternal life. Christ is both the compassionate shepherd and obedient lamb. Jesus found his own message contested and contradicted by religious authorities and concludes his discourse by announcing his oneness with the Father.
We are called to be Good Shepherds to those entrusted to our care. Today’s Gospel offers us both comfort and a challenge. Comforting in knowing Jesus the Good Shepherd knows us, provides for us, and loves us. The challenge is that we are called to be Good Shepherds to those entrusted to our care.
We all have a vocation in life, whether we are called to be single, married, priesthood or religious life, we all have gifts and talents that God blesses us with each day. We become Good Shepherds by loving those entrusted to us, praying for them, and spending time with them.
My mom, Marge Burke, is a remarkable woman. She and my dad Bill just celebrated their Fifty-Seventh Wedding Anniversary last Sunday, raised three kids and have seven wonderful grandsons. Raised in Hazelwood, she attended St. Stephen School in Hazelwood and graduated from St. John the Baptist High School in Lawrenceville. After high school she worked for the Diocese of Pittsburgh with Bishop Vincent Leonard until she had her first child, my oldest sister Lisa. I can remember my mom always being there for me, walking every day to Concord Elementary School for Kindergarten, preparing daily lunches for me to take to St. Norbert Elementary School, teaching me my daily prayers, and always being there for me and my sisters. I give thanks each and every day for all that my mom has done for me over the past forty eight years of my life.
Let us invite a family member or friend who has been away from the Church to attend Mass with us. Let us pray for those who have fallen away or trying to find their way through life and be shepherds to the “lost sheep.”
Let us pray for all living and deceased Mothers, Grandmothers, Godmothers, and Aunts in our life.
The Lord is My Shepherd!
Parish Survey
Thank you to everyone who participated in our CCEEP Mass Survey. Our Joint Pastoral and Finance Council’s will be meeting this coming week to discuss the surveys and we will be evaluating the comments and suggestions with our parish staff. We will keep you posted.
Catholic Education Plus on KDKA RADIO 1020AM
Tune into KDKA Radio, 1020am Sunday, May 26, for “Catholic Education Plus” my guests will be: JoLynn Clouse, Principal of St. Wendelin School in Carbon Center, Butler County, and Fr. Matt McClain, the Administrator at St. Wendelin Parish.
Next weekend our Second Collection will be Catholic Relief Services, please be as generous as possible.
Congratulations to Maria Elena Brunello who is being baptized this weekend.
Something to Think About…
“Every Day is Mother’s Day”
Marge Burke