To view 'The Thought' click on video above | |
Editor's Note: Next Weekend's Gospel Reflection Fourth Sunday of Easter) will be John 10:11-18 where Jesus identifies himself as the Good Shepherd. | |
3 Comforts Christians Can Draw from the Good Shepherd in John 10 | |
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” – John 10:11
by Aaron D’Anthony Brown
The term “Good Shepherd” is greatly highlighted in the passage of John 10. We read this work as one of many authored by John, a former fisherman who became an apostle of Jesus. Here specifically, we receive a retelling of a conversation with the Pharisees and another particular person. This person refers to themself as the “Good Shepherd.” In conversation with the Pharisees, this man gives them an analogy of a flock of sheep and a shepherd. The sheep who belong to the man, the good shepherd, enter through his gate and into his pen. Anyone who tries to bypass the gate by climbing over does not belong to this shepherd, in fact, they are regarded as “a thief and a robber” (John 10:1). On the other hand, those familiar with the shepherd, those who belong to his flock, know him and he knows them. He is so familiar as to call them by name and they respond (John 10:3).
The love and intimacy in this metaphor is expanded upon when this person says that anyone trying to stir the sheep away will fail. Instead of the sheep being lured, they will turn and will flee. They only know the shepherd, not any stranger trying to lead them astray (John 10:5). Moreover, the shepherd cares so much for his flock that he regards his life as equal to theirs. He is willing to lay down his life for them (John 10:11). On the contrary, those feigning a relationship with the flock, or those who care less about their wellbeing will not lay down their lives. That’s what makes the relationship between the shepherd and his flock so special. Who is this peculiar man referring to himself as a good shepherd? The answer may seem so obvious to us today, but that was not the case for the Pharisees of the time. READ MORE
| |
|
By Baltimore Sun Editorial Board
PUBLISHED: March 31, 2024 at 5:00 a.m. | UPDATED: March 31, 2024 at 2:14 p.m.
The Baltimore Sun is pleased to announce the 2024 class of inductees into our Business and Civic Hall of Fame, chosen for their leadership and community endeavors. We will honor these 11 accomplished individuals at an awards banquet to be held at The Center Club in Baltimore on June 6 and in a special section to be published shortly thereafter.
(Editors Note: Listed in the article are blurbs about the 11 inductees, which we won't list here...but guess who is one of them? Our own Fr. Watters!)
The article continues...
William J. Watters
William J. Watters, a Jesuit priest, founded three tuition-free or very low-cost private schools in Baltimore City for under-resourced students, including the Loyola School, which opened in 2017 (and from which he retired as president in March); the Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, which opened in 2007; and St. Ignatius Loyola Academy, which opened in 1993.
| |
|
Therefore...Because we are so proud! Sunday, April 28, 2024, after the 10 AM. Mass we will have cake and refreshments to acknowledge Fr. Watters and this wonderful honor!
| |
|
Things to Know!
A couple of things I wanted to point out to you, and a couple of upcoming events over the next few weeks.
6 p.m. Sunday Mass in need of lectors
Are you looking for an opportunity to contribute to our community? The 6:00 p.m. Mass on Sundays is searching for Young Adult lectors to join our vibrant team!
If you're interested in sharing your voice and spreading the word of the Lord, we invite you to sign up today! Simply visit https://bit.ly/6pmMassSignup or reach out to Sam Jennings at samjennings@gmail.com to get involved.
Instagram
Stay in the loop with all the latest young adult events and updates from our parish by following our Instagram account: @St.Ignatius_Baltimore.
Events:
|  | |
Join us for a delightful evening of fellowship at our Young Adult happy hour and potluck in Ignatian Hall, Sunday, April 21st, at 7:00 p.m.
Bring your favorite dish to share, something to drink, or just bring yourself – all are welcome! For more information contact Sam Jennings at samjennings@gmail.com.
| |
From the Environmental Justice Committee | |
|
In the Reeves Gallery
Immediately after the 10:00 AM Mass.
Variety of beneficial plants for bees, butterflies, and moths in sunny and shady locations.
CASH and CREDITED ACCEPTED
Net Proceeds to be donated to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and its work in the Bay and the surrounding waters after the tragic Key Bridge Collapse
| |
|
And now for some St. Ignatius Springtime Fun!
Our Parish has reserved 125 tickets for the Orioles/Blue Jays game on May 14th. Game time is 6:05 PM. Our seats are iust out in left field (section 85) and are covered if necessary. Tickets are $16.00 per seat. Last year we had close to 100 people join us...it was a great time...and how about those Orioles this year?
Please click the button below to find out how to purchase your tickets. Tickets must be purchased by April 16th.
Would love to spend an evening with you, your family, and your friends!
| |
|
Sunday, April 14
@11:15 am - 1:00 pm
Embracing God's Gifts
Learn More
| |
|
Sunday, April 21
@11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Native Plant Sale
Learn More
| |
|
Sunday, April 21
@7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Young Adult Potluck / Happy Hour
Learn More
| |
|
Tuesday, April 30
@7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Young Adults: Discussions on Draft
Learn More
| |
|
Wednesday, May 1
@ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Environmental Justice Committee Meeting
Learn More
| |
|
Friday, May 3
@ 8:00 am - 11:00 am
First Friday Adoration and Benediction
Learn More
| |
On Monday, April 29, at 4 PM EST all are invited to Discerning Diakonia, a focused synodal encounter about the renewal of the permanent diaconate for the Church’s social mission and the possibility of ordaining women as deacons. This event, which will include a listening presence from voting Synod delegates, features special guests including Deacon Geert de Cubber, the Synod’s only Roman Catholic permanent deacon, and esteemed scholar on the diaconate Deacon William Ditewig. We will gather virtually to hear from ministry leaders from the United States and Canada whose stories, experiences and examples give us living witness for what is needed and what could be possible for our Church in this third millennium. | |
Volunteer Ministry Opportunity | |
One of the gifts of being a patient at Mercy Hospital is the opportunity to receive the sacrament of Holy Communion every day. This is only possible if the Pastoral Care department has volunteer Eucharistic Ministers. They are seeking additional volunteers for Tuesdays and Fridays. There is training and shadowing, and it does require a regular commitment. If anyone is interested in volunteering or learning more, they should email PastoralCare@mdmercy.com. Our parishioner, Liz Lacovara, is also happy to speak with anyone to share her experiences as a weekly volunteer and why she recommends it as a meaningful way to connect our faith to our community. | |
Join us for a free Mental Wellness Retreat | |
|
Dear Friends in Christ,
I extend a warm invitation to you to join a special event May 15 to mark the observance of the feast day of St. Dymphna and Mental Health Awareness Month. The Archdiocese of Baltimore and Seeds of Hope ministry will host a retreat for mental wellness.
All are welcome, especially those who have lived with mental health challenges, as well as their loved ones. We also want to reach individuals searching for healing after the loss of a loved one to suicide. I also enthusiastically extend our invitation to anyone in our parish and school communities who volunteers – or wants to volunteer – in a mental health ministry.
The retreat will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.. Wednesday, May 15, at the National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Emmitsburg, the one-time home of the first American-born saint. The cost for attendees is generously covered by the Seeds of Hope program; space is limited. READ MORE
| |
Seek The City to Come – SAVE THE DATES | |
|
The Archdiocese of Baltimore will hold 2 Open Sessions: Thursday, April 25 and Tuesday, April 30 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. to present draft models of the parish sites in Baltimore City and to solicit feedback. Sessions are open to the public.
Locations are yet to be determined. Announcement will be made available shortly. Check Seek the City to Come website for more information.
| |
|
POOR BOX
This month's collection:
Families affected by
the Key Bridge Disaster.
| |
|
PRAYER LIST
Pray for those who are sick
and on our Prayer List.
Click here for Prayer Listt
| |
READER NOTIFICATION:
Parish: 'the thought' is a publication of St. Ignatius Catholic Community—Baltimore. Each edition contains articles and news feeds that are included for awareness of current topics in our world today. The positions expressed by outside authors and news feeds are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or positions of St. Ignatius Catholic Community or its staff.
- This e-zine was designed and compiled by John C. Odean
| | | | |
