22 July 2018

16^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Readings at Mass
1st: Jeremiah 23:1-6
Ps: 22
2nd: Ephesians 2:13-18
Gospel: Mark 6:30-34

They were like sheep without a shepherd

The apostles rejoined Jesus and told him all they had done and taught. Then he said to them, ‘You must come away to some lonely place all by yourselves and rest for a while’; for there were so many coming and going that the apostles had no time even to eat. So they went off in a boat to a lonely place where they could be by themselves. But people saw them going, and many could guess where; and from every town they all hurried to the place on foot and reached it before them. So as he stepped ashore he saw a large crowd; and he took pity on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he set himself to teach them at some length.

Christ the Good Shepherd

The figure of Jesus Christ as shepherd of the Church, his flock, takes up and represents in new and more evocative terms the same content as that of Jesus Christ as head and servant. (…) Jesus presents himself as “the good shepherd,” not only of Israel but of all humanity. His whole life is a continual manifestation of his “pastoral charity,” or rather, a daily enactment of it. He feels compassion for the crowds because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He goes in search of the straying and scattered sheep and joyfully celebrates their return. He gathers and protects them. He knows them and calls each one by name. He leads them to green pastures and still waters and spreads a table for them, nourishing them with his own life. The good shepherd offers this life through his own death and resurrection, as the Church sings out in the Roman liturgy: “The good shepherd is risen! He who laid down his life for his sheep, who died for his flock, he is risen, alleluia.
St. John Paul II, Pastores Dabo Vobis 22,
Apostolic Exhortation, March, 1992

THIS WEEK’S FEASTS
Mon 23 St. Bridget of Sweden, Religious  
Tue 24 St. Charbel Makhlouf, Priest  
Wed 25 St. James Apostle Feast 
Thu 26 Ss. Joachim and Anne, parents of the BVM. 
Sat 28 BVM Memorial

Psalter week IV

17^th Sunday OT:
1^st: 2 Kings 4:42-44
Ps: 144:10-11,15-18
2^nd: Ephesians 4:1-6
Gospel: John 6:1-15

Saint Bridget of Sweden

Bridget was born in 1303 to wealthy yet pious parents who procured her a careful religious education which gave her amazing spiritual maturity even from childhood. When she was thirteen years old, she married a noble young man, Ulf Gudmarsson with whom she had eight children, among them St. Catherine of Sweden. One day, the couple made a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostella and on the way back, Ulf became ill, he managed to finish the journey but died shortly after. As a widow, Bridget became a member of the Third order of St. Francis and devoted herself to prayer and penance, it was during this time that the visions which she had had since her childhood, intensified, so she began writing them down and are contained in a book known today as ‘St. Bridget’s Revelations.’ She moved to Rome in 1349 and went on to found a religious congregation, the Brigittines whose Rule of life was accepted in 1370 by Pope Urban V. Bridget died in 1373 but her charity and holiness were already known far and wide, while her admonitions and example had helped many to convert and live holy lives.
St. Bridget of Sweden, pray for us

Our Condolences to Archbishop Pierbattista on the death of his father, Pietro Pizzaballa. We pray for the eternal repose of his soul and for the strength of his family and friends. Lux Perpetua Luceat Ei.

BOAT TRIP to Blue Lagoon Sunday 5 August, €20, depart from Latchi at 2pm, more details to come. Call Kumari 9663 1888, or Rosalina 9927 9294.

JOIN St. Paul’s 100 CLUB:  Members have a chance to win a €50 prize 3 times a year; it costs €2 a week which can be paid at any moment. This also helps the emergency fund of the Parish. Call Ruth 99040294.

CARITAS Paphos Assisting the vulnerable in the Paphos area. If you can lend a helping hand, call Wendy 9904 0294. Prayers welcome!

Mass Times HERE

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