Very Rev. Simon Peter Engurait, VG Pastor Deacon Stephen Brunet

Contact Informa on Church Office : 446-6801—2076 W Main St. Fax Line: 448-2764 Youth Forma on Office: 446-1985 E-mail address: stbridgetchurch@htdiocese.org

In light of the Coronavirus Pandemic,liturgies will be live streamed on our parish facebook (facebook.com/stbridget) Please check the facebook page and parish website for details.

St. Bridget Catholic Church

TODAY’S READINGS First Reading — All peoples called by God will receive the gift of the Spirit if they repent and are baptized (Acts 2:14a, 36-41). Psalm — The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want (Psalm 23). Second Reading — Once we were like straying sheep; but now we have been re turned to the shepherd, our guardian (1 Peter 2:20b-25). Gospel — The shepherd leads the sheep out into pastures of abundant life (John 10:1-10). The English translation of the Psalm Responses from Lectionary for Mass © 1969, 1981, 1997, International Commission on Eng-lish in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.

My Dear Family of St Bridget,

The Lord is risen alleluia, alleluia. Welcome to the Fourth Sunday of Easter as we continue to celebrate and bask in the Easter season.

The Fourth Sunday of Easter is traditionally called Good Shepherd Sunday, be-cause the readings invite us to reflect on how our risen Lord Jesus is our shep-herd. He is a shepherd who leads us to eternal life. If He is the shepherd, then of course it is needless to say that we are His sheep.

With the exception of last week’s Gospel from Luke, we have been hearing more from the Gospel of St John since Easter Sunday. The gospel of John is a more theological Gospel and offers various im-ages of the Lord Jesus for us to consider. For example the gospel of John presents Jesus as The Bread of Life, The Light of the World, and now today, The Good Shepherd, each im age is r ich and wonderfully nuanced.

When we think of a shepherd, we think of many, many things even though some of us may not have any real experience of shepherds or shepherding. In the Old Testament, the image and reality of a shepherd was very prevalent. In fact, this image flows into the New Testament. During biblical times a shepherd was a person who spent his whole life with his sheep, taking care of them, raising them, loving them, healing them and, most of all, protecting them from all harm. In the Teso region of Uganda where I was born and raised, livestock farming/rearing (especially cattle and goats) is one of main economic activities. I am therefore very familiar with shepherding.

Just as a shepherd spends his whole life on and with his sheep, so does Jesus spend Himself on us. I am sure that we are all familiar with another illustration of Jesus as a shepherd - the parable of the lost sheep (Mt 8:12-14). Last week we heard about the story of the two disciples on the road to Em-maus and how Jesus went after these two ‘lost sheep’ and found them. The two disciples were deject-ed and were straying away just as the lost sheep in the parable. In the same way, He is searching for us. As we listen to these words of Jesus in today’s Gospel they take on added meaning because we are in the Easter season. We have celebrated Jesus’ death and resurrection. Indeed, Jesus died like all of us will die and then He resurrected from death to live His new life. In so doing Jesus has opened for us the gateway to eternal life. In gospel reading, He said: “I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture.”

Jesus’s message and example here of being the Good Shepherd who is willing to lay down his life for the flock has always been interpreted throughout history as an example particularly for those in Min-istry, especially ordained Ministry. After all, those of us who are ordained are charged at some level or other with the care of God’s flock. If we’re going to imitate Christ we can’t run away when the wolves come, and if we are ever living in a time when the wolves are within the Gate of the Sheepfold, this is certainly such a time. We therefore pray in a special way for good shepherds who will protect the sheep from the wolves. We also pray for shepherds who by their own example lead the flock to the abundant pastures.

As we contemplate Jesus the Good Shepherd this Sunday, Pope St John Paul II during his pontificate declared this Sunday (fourth Sunday of Easter) as a Day for of Prayer for Vocations. We therefore pray those who are called to the ministry of shepherding others, may respond to the call.

My dear brothers and sisters, for all of us, as we continue to celebrate Easter on this Good Shepherd Sunday it would be good to check our status in relationship with Jesus the Good Shepherd by consid-ering and reflecting on the following questions: Are we truly members of His flock? There are three elements to an effective relationship with Him: First do we believe in Him. Hopefully all of us check this off, because of our baptismal commitment. Secondly; He says ‘my sheep listen to my voice’. Do we listen to His voice? Do we know His voice? Of course we know that this is best expressed in prayer. The extent that we pray manifests the extent to which we listen. Thirdly; He says ‘my sheep follow me’. Do we follow His instructions? In other words, in our daily lives are we guided by Je-sus? Are our actions, choices, and words prompted and guided by the voice of Jesus or by other voic-es? Happy Easter, Fr Simon Peter

The Ettrick Shepherd Inspirational Story

In Scotland there once lived a poor shepherd whose name was James Hogg. His father and grandfather and great-grandfather had all been shepherds. It was his business to take care of the sheep which belonged to a rich landholder by the E rick Water. Some mes he had several hundreds of lambs to look a er. He drove these to the pastures on the hills and watched them day a er day while they fed on the short green grass.

He had a dog which he called Sirrah. This dog helped him watch the sheep. He would drive them from place to place as his master wished. Some mes he would take care of the whole flock while the shepherd was res ng or ea ng his dinner.

One dark night James Hogg was on the hilltop with a flock of seven hundred lambs. Sirrah was with him. Sud-denly a storm came up. There was thunder and lightning; the wind blew hard; the rain poured. The poor lambs were frightened. The shepherd and his dog could not keep them together. Some of them ran towards the east, some towards the west, and some towards the south.

The shepherd soon lost sight of them in the darkness. With his lighted lantern in his hand, he went up and down the rough hills calling for his lambs. Two or three other shepherds joined him in the search. All night long they sought for the lambs.

Morning came and s ll they sought. They looked, as they thought, in every place where the lambs might have taken shelter. At last James Hogg said, "It's of no use; all we can do is to go home and tell the master that we have lost his whole flock."

They had walked a mile or two towards home, when they came to the edge of a narrow and deep ravine. They looked down, and at the bo om they saw some lambs huddled together among the rocks. And there was Sir-rah standing guard over them and looking all around for help "These must be the lambs that rushed off to-wards the south," said James Hogg.

The men hurried down and soon saw that the flock was a large one. "I really believe they are all here," said one. They counted them and were surprised to find that not one lamb of the great flock of seven hundred was missing.

How had Sirrah managed to get the three sca ered divisions together? How had he managed to drive all the frightened li le animals into this place of safety? Nobody could answer these ques ons. But there was no shepherd in Scotland that could have done be er than Sirrah did that night.

Long a erward James Hogg said, "I never felt so grateful to any creature below the sun as I did to Sirrah that morning."

Catholic Social Teaching: Rights and Responsibilities As human beings, we have a right to live and grow in peace. Because we have that right, we have the re-sponsibility to make sure others enjoy the same op-portunity too. Today’s image of Christ as the Good Shepherd in-vites us to promote peace and apply this image to the issues of our world.

Does not the Good Shepherd challenge our inter-national institutions to show a special care for those in need – the poor, the powerless, wom-en, children, refugees, etc.?

Does not the Good Shepherd challenge our nation and its institutions to a more sincere and ef-fective respect for human rights?

Does not the Good Shepherd want us to create a world with less inequality and injustice among all people?

Does not the Good Shepherd call us to energy and environmental policies which respect the plan-et and all the creatures?

A world that makes real the loving care of the Good Shepherd must work to put an end to all kinds of abuse that may be endured by God’s people. Like the people in today’s story from Acts who were “cut to the heart,” we are aware of our own failures, personal and communal. Peter says, “Repent.” He says forgiveness and reform is possible and thousands come to salvation. Our church, our nation, and our world can also move toward a new life and redemp-tion. Our world can come to salvation! As John Paul II once wrote, “Do not abandon yourselves to despair. We are Easter people and hallelujah is our song.”

Online Giving

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Please consider online giving.

Your donation is safe, secure, and guar-anteed. Online giving is a way to ensure that St. Bridget receives your donation even when you’re out of town or forget your envelope. Online giving donors can receive financial statements for income tax purposes at the end of the calendar year or whenever necessary. Donations can be recurring (weekly or monthly) or one time. For more information visit our secure website at www.stbridget-htdiocese.org or call the Office at (985) 446-6801.

The Sanctuary Light memory of: May 3-9

Tristan Ables by Me Maw and family May 10-16

Catherine Brown, Blackie Stevens, Carmel Boudreaux by Phyllis and John Ables and

family

DA=Death Anniv. B= Birthday WA=Wedding Anniv.

—————————————— Weekend of May 2-3 Tristan Ables by Me Maw and family Agnes & Ernest Breaux by family and friends Jimmy Coupel by Diana and family Ruth Olin (DA) by Olin family William L. Fanguy (DA) Burnelle & Margaret Landry May 5 James (Jim) LeBoeuf (DA) Gale and family Weekend of May 9-10 Rudy Thibodaux by family Carey Gauthreaux by Karen Dufrene Charles (DA)& Irene LeBlanc (DA) by Mary & Ivy Louviere See Mother’s Day list

April 19, 2020 Church Support $ 5135.00 Your Church support can be mailed or dropped off at the office.

Thank you for your generosity.

COUNTING SHEEP When at night you cannot sleep,

talk to the Shepherd and stop counting sheep. —Anonymous

ENTRANCE

How else but through a broken heart May the Lord Christ enter in?

—Oscar Wilde

MUCH-NEEDED LOVE No one needs love more than someone who

doesn’t deserve it. —Anonymous

Prayer Line If you or someone needs to be added to the prayer line, call Nina Richard at 446-1206 or the rectory at 446-6801. In the charity of your prayers, please pray for the sick, elderly, and homebound. Please pray for: Elaine Ables, Susan Arceneaux, Heidi Ardoin, Jacob Aucoin, Sara Aucoin, Elvin Babin, Tommy Badeaux, Chad Barrileaux, Ronnie Bednarz, Chuck Beebe, Gertrude Benoit, Judith Benoit, Fr. Paul Bergeron, Rosemary Besson, Mitzy Bet-tridge, Gretchen Bilello, Pat Billiot, Preston Billiot, Al-vin & Gail Blanchard, Dennis Blanchard, Ronald Blanchard, Cody Bourgeois, Emile “Jay” Bourgeois, Patricia Bourgeois, Troy & Joan Bourgeois, Wade Bour-geois, Connie Bouterie, Beau Brassette, Dustin Brassette, Mark Brassette, Emma Del Broussard, Richard Brous-sard, Susan Caillouet, Bessie Chiasson, Randy Chiasson, Brad Clement, Bryce Comeaux, Jay & Tiffany Conner, Huey Cortez Sr., Martha Cortez, Randy Davis, Cary Da-vis, Jr., Barbara & Ronni Duhon, Alan Dunbar, Linda Ekiss, Avery “Brother” and Sonja Fonseca, Darin Fonz, Robin Ford, Marie Fournier, Alisa Frederick, Dante Gal-liano, Toby Gambarella, Leigh Ann Gardner, Carrie Gib-bens Belinda Gil, Brandon Gil, George Gil, The Gil Fam-ily, Carrie Mae Givens, Austin Gros, Bryan Gros, Chad Gros, George Gros, Rosebella Gros, Vergie Gros, Kendra Guillot, Elaine Chauvin Hebert, Joy Hebert, Katie Hebert, Jerrell Hebert, Sr., Jessie Hoffpauir, Samara Holland, Kristen Koppel, Jackson LaFleur, Mona Lambert, Elmay Landry, Judie Landry, Joyce Landry, Craig Landry, Mark Landry, Barbara Nell Lapeyrouse, Allie LeBlanc, Evelyn Leger, Tammy Babin Loney, Tim Long, Payton Martin, Rick Melancon, Asher Miller, Savannah Miller, Emma Mire, Bethany Moore, Meghan Naquin, Misty Naquin, Shannon Naquin, Eric Oliviery, Robert Oncale, Annie Ordoyne, Kara Pellegrin, Sherry Pennison, Lisa Pennison, Sally Pertuit, Kenneth Pitre, James Pierce, Kip Pierce, Sharon Prejean, Ed Raidl, Kerri Reynolds, Bryce Richard, Ella Richard, Gladys Richard, Lorita Rodrigue, Susan Rodrigue, Cynthia Rogers, Danielle Samanie, Chester Sanchez, Karla Saunier, Kathy Savoie, Earline Sim-moneaux, Penny Simmons, Brenda Sonier, Deacon Ryan Stawaizz, Louis Stevens, Melissa Tardiff, Trish Templet, Pierre & Mary Theriot, Cammie Thibodaux, Lacey Thibodeaux, Thibodaux Family, Ronnie Thomas, Chris Toups, Joyce Toups, Ricky Turner, Suzanne Usey, Sara Day Vignes, Allison Walters, and Wanda Wawrose, Anna Wooten. Please notify the office when name can be re-moved.

The St. Vincent de Paul TriParish Community Pharmacy has relocated to 201 Canal Street, Houma, LA 70360. The mission of the St. Vincent Pharmacy is to serve the less fortunate of the area of the Dio-cese of Houma-Thibodaux by providing them with maintenance medicine they otherwise cannot afford and do not receive through assis-tance from government aid, Veteran’s benefits, or insurance. The pharmacy is still in need of volunteer pharmacists and pharmacy techs. For more information about the services of the pharmacy or to volunteer, please contact the pharmacy at 985-872-2253.

CORONAVIRUS HELPFUL RESOURCES

Diocesan Website: htdiocese.org (News, Vide-os, Prayers and More) St Bridget Website (stbridget-htdiocese.org) and facebook (facebook.com/stbridget) for live steam events.

READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Acts 11:1-18; Ps 42:2-3; 43:3, 4; Jn 10:11-18 Tuesday: Acts 11:19-26; Ps 87:1b-7; Jn 10:22-30 Wednesday: Acts 12:24 — 13:5a; Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8; Jn 12:44-50 Thursday: Acts 13:13-25; Ps 89:2-3, 21-22, 25, 27; Jn 13:16-20 Friday: Acts 13:26-33; Ps 2:6-11ab; Jn 14:1-6 Saturday: Acts 13:44-52; Ps 98:1-4; Jn 14:7-14 Sunday: Acts 6:1-7; Ps 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19; 1 Pt 2:4-9; Jn 14:1-12

IN NEED OF A SHEPHERD For a while it was very fashionable to own pigs as pets. The publicity surrounding these creatures informed us that they were—contrary to their popular image—very clean animals, and also quite smart. Sad to say, sheep will most likely never enjoy this sort of domestic vogue. They are neither clean nor smart and are largely defenseless when left on their own, even in large numbers. The biblical image of us as the flock of sheep is not a particularly flatter-ing one. Sheep without a shepherd are truly sad, because they most likely will perish either from their inability to fend for themselves or from their lack of defenses against predators. Placing ourselves in the heart of this unflatter-ing image can reinforce our faith. Until we come to a profound realization of how much we need a shepherd, we cannot appreciate how deeply blessed we are to have been given a Shepherd, one who laid down his life for us and was raised to life eternal in the Spirit, so he might guide us and we might follow him in faith forever. Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

PRAYER OF SPIRITUAL COMMUNION It has long been a Catholic understand-ing and practice that when circumstanc-es prevent one from receiving Holy Communion, it is possible to make an Act of Spiritual Communion, which is a source of grace. Spiritual Communion is an ardent desire to receive Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament and lovingly em-brace him at a time or in circumstances when one cannot receive Him in sacra-mental Communion. The most common reason for making an Act of Spiritual Communion is when a person cannot attend Mass. Acts of Spiritual Commun-ion increase our desire to receive sacra-mental Communion and help us avoid the sins that would make us unable to receive Holy Communion worthily. (As you follow the Mass on facebook, this is the prayer to pray at the time for Holy

Communion) I believe that you are present in the Most Blessed Sacrament. I love you above all things and I desire to receive you into my soul. Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I em-brace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen By St Alphonsus Liguori

PRAYER TO OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE

Patroness of the Americas

Holy Virgin of Guadalupe, Queen of the An-gels and Mother of the Americas. We fly to you today as your beloved children. We ask you to intercede for us with your Son as you did at the wedding in Cana. Pray for us, lov-ing Mother,and gain for our nation and world, and for all our families and loved ones, the protection of your holy angels, that we may be spared the worst of this illness. For those already afflicted, we ask you to obtain the grace of healing and deliverance. Hear the cries of those who are vulnerable and fearful, wipe away their tears and help them to trust. In this time of trial and testing, teach all of us in the Church to love one another and to be patient and kind. Help us to bring the peace of Jesus to our land and to our hearts. We come to you with confidence, knowing that you tru-ly are our compassionate mother, health of the sick and cause of our joy. Shelter us under the mantle of your protection, keep us in the em-brace of your arms, help us always to know the love of your Son, Jesus. Amen.

Need Help If you need help with rent, mortgages or utilities, call Catholic Charities at 876-0490.

Rice Bowls Please turn in your rice bowls. The can be brought to the office on Mon., Wed, or Fri. morning or they can be left in Church. You can even write a check for the contents and mail it to the office address with a note that says rice bowls. Thanks for your help.