Bulletin Articles

At the back of our church, is a stained glass window that draws my attention every time I celebrate Mass. The image depicts Christ the Good Shepherd—gentle, strong, and watchful— and next to this image are the words: “Come, follow me.” Every time I see that window, I’m reminded not only of the Lord’s tender care for us but also of His call to follow Him—to walk where He walks, love as He loves, and seek those He seeks.Good Shepherd Sunday is a powerful moment to reflect on this invitation. Christ doesn’t just ask us to admire His care for us; He calls us to participate in it. In following the Good Shepherd, we’re not simply walking behind Him, we’re being sent with Him, on mission.

Pope Francis once reflected on the parable of the lost sheep, where Jesus says that the shepherd leaves the ninety-nine to go in search of the one who is lost. It is a beautiful image of God’s radical love, of a Shepherd who will stop at nothing to find even one wandering soul. But the Holy Father added something striking. He said that in today’s world, it can feel like the situation is reversed—not that one sheep is lost, but that many have wandered far. In a culture often indifferent or even hostile to the Gospel, it can feel like we are leaving the one and going out to find the ninety-nine.

We often cross paths with family members, friends, coworkers, or neighbors who, for one reason or another, have become disconnected from the life of faith or have never known the love of Christ at all. Some carry wounds from the past, others have drifted gradually, and many are simply waiting for someone to notice them. These are the “lost sheep” in our midst. The Lord places them on our hearts not by accident, but because He wants to reach them through us. Who is He inviting you to seek out with compassion, with courage, and with the heart of the Good Shepherd? Who is he inviting you to see, know, and love?

The Good Shepherd doesn’t wait for the sheep to return on their own—He goes out to find them. And so must we. Often, it begins with simple conversations. Just last week, I ran into someone at the grocery store who was surprised to see a priest—they said they had only ever seen one in the movies! As we talked, they opened up about a desire for deeper meaning in their life. I invited them to come visit us at Sacred Heart. Will they actually come? I don’t know—only the Lord knows—but we must be ready to welcome and accompany them if they do. That same week, while waiting in line at Subway, someone else approached me and said they had never seen a priest “out in the wild.” That sparked another conversation, much like the first. My brothers and sisters, the mission field is all around us! The Lord is already at work. We just have to be willing to respond.

We don’t do it alone. The same voice that calls, “Come, follow me,” continues to echo in our hearts. Christ leads us, strengthens us, and walks with us. As we follow Him, may we also echo His voice—inviting others to encounter the Shepherd who never stops searching, never stops loving, and never stops calling.

May we follow Christ the Good Shepherd who desires to grow his flock!

With Paschal Joy,
Fr. John

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As the conclave begins today, it is important that we pray daily for the guidance of the Holy Spirit for the cardinals.  In fact, the cardinals have asked for our prayers, read here.

I have had the privilege of meeting three cardinals in my lifetime.  I met Cardinal Thomas Collins of Toronto, Canada when I was in seminary.  He gave a day of reflection for us that was filled with practical wisdom for a diocesan priest.  I recall him saying that, “it’s our office to pray the office.”  In other words, it’s our responsibility to pray the Divine Office (the Liturgy of the Hours) daily for the people entrusted to our care.  Cardinal Joseph Tobin of Newark, New Jersey was the Archbishop of Indianapolis.  Saint Meinrad Seminary, where Fr. John and I attended, was within the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, so then-Archbishop Tobin spoke to us a couple of times each year.  I found him to be a deeply humble man who saw the person in front of him and was able to engage complex issues with nuance.  Finally, I met Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, at the installation of Bishop Cozzens back in 2021.  He also struck me as a down-to-earth, humble man with a good sense of humor, who exuded the joy of the Gospel.

I share this because my experience of meeting these three cardinals is not what one would expect from media portrayals.  They are humble men seeking to be guided by the Holy Spirit.  One of them will very most likely be elected as our next Holy Father and will not be returning to his home country.

The conclave process is an intriguing one that is governed by strict protocols.  Prayer is at the heart of it.  You can read more about the process here.

Blessings,
Fr. Matt