Today’s Readings

First Reading — The Eleven and the women devoted themselves to prayer (Acts 1:12-14). Psalm — I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living (Psalm 27). Second Reading — Glorify God if you suffer for the name of Christian (1 Peter 4:13-16). Gospel — The Son will give eternal life to all those who are given to him by the Father (John 17:1-11a).

Today’s Music

Gathering Song: Jesus Shall Reign

Preparation of the Gifts: Alleluia Sing to Jesus

Communion: Keep in Mind

Sending Forth: Go to the World

Parish Website: ChristTheDivineShepherd.org ChristTheDivineShepherd

The Catholic Community of Penn Hills and Monroeville

Christ the Divine Shepherd Parish May 24, 2020

From Father Al Zapf

One thing that makes the

gift of life from the Lord so

wonderful is that even

when all seems bleak or

lost, the Lord giving us

delight in all creation, all nature around us.

From the birds of the air, to the turkeys crying

out in the woods, to the deer grazing, the sun

shining, the flowers blooming, and the buds

and blossoms on the trees, and to the rain

which the Lord sends to keep our world fresh

and new, we have been blessed and we

appreciate God as if He is smiling on us, even in

times of Covid and stress. In our Gospel Jesus

is praying to His Heavenly Father. This prayer is

often known as the PRIESTLY PRAYER OF JESUS.

The first part of the prayer is to the Father

asking the Father to give Him (Jesus) the glory

Jesus had when He was with the Father before

the WORD BECAME FLESH (Jesus became a

human being). Now Jesus knew He was about

to complete His mission, to be taken, to suffer,

and to die, but later to rise, then to ascend, to

be with the Father in Heaven for all eternity.

This tenet of our faith is what we know as the

PASCHAL MYSTERY. Jesus wanted everything

to be perfect. Then Jesus continued

praying to the Father for His disciples that they

may be ONE, as the Father and He are One. He

wanted them and us to have a unity in faith and

charity. Soon Jesus would leave the world, so

He asked the Father to watch over those Jesus

would be leaving behind as He would depart

from the world to go to the Father. Even we in

our day are among those Jesus prayed for,

since we are in the world, but not of the world.

Jesus promised the disciples that they would

not be alone but they would need special

graces. Jesus knew that the Holy Spirit, The

Paraclete, the Advocate, the Consoler would

come to the world at PENTECOST, and

therefore through the Holy Spirit Jesus would

be with them always even to the end of time.

Next weekend the Church celebrates Pentecost

Sunday, the Birthday of the Church. We are so

fortunate to have the TRINITY, the Father, the

Son, and the Holy Spirit with us to love us and

guide us, to sanctify and enrich us. In the midst

of our safe social distancing, we still can rejoice

for the gift of our faith in Jesus Christ our Lord.

We know that many of our ‘normal events’ for

this time of year, graduations, weddings,

Memorial Day cookouts, parties, other

celebrations are on hold or are being

celebrated in different ways, but we still have a

need and desire to give thanks to God that we

and our loved ones are with us to celebrate

remotely because of modern technology and

wisdom. Thanks to all our deacons, priests, and

staff for their continued support and prayers.

Thanks to all of you for your prayers and

understanding. As things do begin to open for

us, enjoy and give thanks for the time, the

quiet, the freedom and blessings we all share,

together but apart. God bless you. Fr. Al Z+

7th Sunday of Easter

As most of you know Bishop Zubik announced the Diocese of Pittsburgh plan to return to On-Site Ministry and Worship. These are guidelines that will help each parish evaluate and come up with their individual plan during this transitional phase of the Corona Virus pandemic. As noted in the guidelines, we are in the process of developing a “Safety Team” to insure our safety. Meditating on our Parish name, Christ the Divine Shepherd, we know that every good shepherd cares for his flock and most importantly protects them from any threat of harm. As Allegheny County moves into the “Yellow” phase, we must balance the yearning of returning to what was, our old normal, to the ever changing new normal. That being said with consultation of the Pastoral Council and some members of the Safety Team we are making plans now for Private Prayer.

Private Prayer will be held alternately in both Monroeville and Penn Hills starting on Monday, June 1st .

St. Bernadette will be open for Private Prayer beginning Monday, June 1, 2020 Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11am to 1pm

St. Susanna will be open for Private Prayer beginning Tuesday, June 2, 2020

Tuesday and Thursday from 5pm to 7pm

Before this can occur, we are in need of volunteers each day at each site to help us coordinate this endeavor. The volunteers will help welcome attendees, guide social distancing and approved seating, use of masks and hand sanitization, and in accordance with County Health officials, take a roster of all who enter our facilities for contract tracing. The Safety Team will train you beforehand. If you feel called to this new Ministry of Hospitality and Safety, and are NOT in a high risk category, please call the Parish Office at 412-373-0050 or email us at bulletin@cdsmph.org. We realize your deep devotion and anxiousness to return to church. Please familiarize yourself with the signs and symptoms of this virus stay home if you suspect you have these symptoms and call your health care provider.

Our Parish Community

Moving Forward Together-Private Prayer

Bishop Zubik approved the resumption of the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation in the Diocese of Pittsburgh, and provided guidance on how the sacrament may be celebrated in the current situation of the pandemic. It will be celebrated in “drive-through” style in your car (no confessions will be celebrated inside the church), following all applicable standards put in place by civil authority (i.e., social distancing, use of masks in public places, etc). At Christ the Divine Shepherd Parish, the Sacrament of Reconciliation will be celebrated on Saturdays at noon at St Bartholomew Church.

Confessions

Are you a member of the graduating Class of 2020? Let you parish family know by emailing us at bulletin@cdsmph.org. Please include your school (high school, college etc.) along with any future plans. We look forward to hearing from you!

Class of 2020

Christ the Divine Shepherd Parish May 24, 2020

Monday: Acts 19:1-8; Ps 68:2-3ab, 4-5acd, 6-7ab; Jn 16:29-33 Tuesday: Acts 20:17-27; Ps 68:10-11, 20-21; Jn 17:1-11a Wednesday: Acts 20:28-38; Ps 68:29-30, 33-36ab; Jn 17:11b-19 Thursday: Acts 22:30; 23:6-11; Ps 16:1-2a, 5, 7-11; Jn 17:20-26 Friday: Acts 25:13b-21; Ps 103:1-2, 11-12, 19- 20ab; Jn 21:15-19 Saturday: Acts 28:16-20, 30-31; Ps 11:4, 5, 7; Jn 21:20-25

Readings for the Week

With the cancelation of public Masses at the Parish due to COVID-19, many of you are probably wondering what will happen if you had a Mass intention scheduled. If you would like one of the priests to fulfill the intention in their private Masses, please email bulletin@cdsmph.org. If you would like a Mass intention rescheduled, members our parish staff will work with you when our offices reopen to schedule a new date.

Mass Intentions

Our Live-stream Masses continue every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and

Sunday at 9:30am. We are in the process of discerning how we might begin to transition to public Masses. Once we know we will update you on our

media platforms. Please like us on Facebook @ ChristTheDivineShepherd, to continue to be connected in our community during this time. We will be

posting important updates on Facebook along with on our website at www.ChristtheDivineShepherd.org. If you would like to receive a digital

copy of the bulletin each week, email bulletin@cdsmph.org.

Sunday, May 24, 2020 9:30am, (LA), For the People of our Parish Monday, May 25, 2020 9:30am, (AZ), Edward Schaffer—Son Wednesday, May 27, 2020 9:30am, (TM), Donald Turak - Judy Dokmanovich Friday, May 29, 2020 9:30am, (RT), Thomas O'Neill lll—Tom & Alice O'Neill Sunday, May 31, 2020 9:30am, (FF), For the People of our Parish

Legend AZ Fr Al Zapf LA Fr Larry Adams TM Fr Thom Miller RT Fr Rick Thompson FF Fr Faustine Furaha B Benedictine TBD To be determined VP Visiting Priest

Live-Stream Mass Intentions

Spiritual Communion Prayer

My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the

Most Holy Sacrament. I love you above all things and I desire to receive you in my soul. Since I

cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally, Come at least spiritually into my heart.

I embrace you as if you were already there And unite myself wholly to you.

Never permit me to be separated from you. Amen.

7th Sunday of Easter

SAINT PHILIP NERI (1515-1595) May 26

In a shop near the Vatican, a group of Americans laughed as the shopkeeper showed off his fluent English and latest souvenir, a key ring whose papal portrait, when pressed, activated a recorded blessing. Through the shop window, two clerics scowled disapproval. The shopkeeper grunted, “They’re a very somber order who’ve left the Church. I recognize them.” “By their long robes?” an American asked. “Many in Rome wear robes,” replied the shopkeeper. “It’s their long faces!” When Philip Neri arrived in sixteenth-century Rome, there was reason to be somber. Swiss Guards had been massacred on Saint Peter’s steps defending the pope. Parts of Europe were abandoning the Church. But Philip resolved to be an “apostle of joy,” drawing especially the young to Christ—and frequent confession and Communion—by his sincere interest in their problems, prayerful example, and gentle humor. His “Oratory,” a movement as well as a place, provided recreation and devotion in a joyful atmosphere of companionship, service, and liturgy. Philip Neri challenges each of us to begin improving Church and world by changing ourselves with unfailing joy.

—Peter Scagnelli, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

What fun is online school if it's all work and no play? Tuesday, May 19, 2020 Divine Mercy Academy's held its first EVER Virtual Field Day! The day will consisted of no assignments for students (YIPEE!) and lots of fun activities for the kids to do at home. The day ended with a Reverse Parade in the parking lot at DMA.

Christ the Divine Shepherd Parish May 24, 2020

Rev. Albert Zapf, Moderator, Team Ministry azapf@cdsmph.org

Rev. Larry Adams, Team Ministry Fr.Larry@cdsmph.org

Rev. Thomas Miller, Team Ministry tmiller@cdsmph.org

Rev. Richard Thompson, Parish Chaplain rthompson@cdsmph.org

Deacon Michael W. Kelly, Pastoral Associate mkelly@cdsmph.org

Deacon Richard M. Tucek rtucek@diopitt.org

Mrs. Bess Biamonte, Pastoral Associate bbiamonte@cdsmph.org

Mr. Joshua Bandish, Director of Music Ministry jbandish@cdsmph.org

Ms. Mary Lou Bender, Assist. Dir. of Music mbender@cdsmph.org

Mrs. Cindy Karell, Organist ckarell@cdsmph.org

Mr. Jerry Brandl, Business Manager jbrandl@cdsmph.org

Mrs. Melissa Busbey, Office Manager mbusbey@cdsmph.org

Mrs. Cathy Cowan, Bookkeeper ccowan@cdsmph.org

Mrs. Marlene V. Kopper, Dir. Faith Formation mkopper@cdsmph.org

Ms. Irene Swackhammer, Assist. Dir. Faith Formation

iswackhammer@cdsmph.org

Ms. Kathy DeStefano, Admin. Assistant kdestefano@cdsmph.org

Ms. Sandy Baer, Secretary sbaer@cdsmph.org

Ms. Pat Cepec, Secretary pcepec@cdsmph.org

Mrs. Charlotte Dobrinsky, Secretary cdobrinsky@cdsmph.org

Mrs. Sandy Palmieri, Sacramental Secretary spalmieri@cdsmph.org

Ms. Ginny Beck, Weekend Secretary gbeck@cdsmph.org

Mr. Tim Jacob, Maintenance tjacob@cdsmph.org

Mr. Leo Bickert, Maintenance lbickert@cdsmph.org

Mr. William Sterf, Maintenance bsterf@cdsmph.org

Mrs. Eileen Almeter, Maintenance ealmeter@cdsmph.org

Office Hours and Phones

The Christ the Divine Shepherd Offices are closed until further notice due to the COVID-19 Virus. Should you need assistance

please call 412-373-0050 and leave a message for Sandy or email parishoffice@cdsmph.org.

Email Contact Information

Parish Information

Pray for the Repose of Souls

Pearl Czegan

Betty Kral Margaret Fischer

Barbara Leiendecker Anthony Pugliese Estelle Gearhart

Angela Bliss Elaine Del Grosso Stephen Rusvosky Robert Reynolds

Robert Kalina Joseph Skaro

Michael Ventrone Walter Szramowski Jr.

Dolores Dover John Raspanti David Twigger

Charles R. Catley Clara Fedishen

Anna Mager

William Miller Ursula Pofi Pauline Pail

Marjorie Downs Karen Biedinger

Raymond Radzevick Louis Pitacciato Isabel Palandro Dolores Herda Doris Neuman Leo Plunkett

Nellie Rutledge Regina "Jean" Hoburg

Regis Bauer Joseph Toth

Mary Elizabeth Busch Helen Durken

David Shimp III Gaetano Bartolomeo

Martha Petit Marilyn Spinola

Visit cdsmph.org for links to obituaries of those

members of our parish community who have passed away since the cancelation of

public Masses.

Parish Website: ChristTheDivineShepherd.org ChristTheDivineShepherd

7th Sunday of Easter

Christ the Divine Shepherd Parish May 24, 2020

7th Sunday of Easter

Christ the Divine Shepherd Parish May 24, 2020

7th Sunday of Easter