APRIL 25, 2021APRIL 25, 2021THE 4TH SUNDAYTHE 4TH SUNDAY

OF EASTEROF EASTER

SAINTOLAF.ORG • PAGE 1

SAINT OLAF CATHOLIC CHURCH • MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA • 612-332-7471 • SAINTOLAF.ORG

VOICE OF THE GOOD SHEPHERDby Michael Griffin, Director of Social Ministry

I am not a shepherd. The closest I came to this way of life was the time in kindergarten when I played a cow in the Christmas pageant. I even still remember my only line in the program, so before you laugh at the thought of my wearing a little hat with horns, consider this; “I gave Him my manger for His bed, I gave Him my straw to pillow His head.” Pretty good stuff, eh? My parents were likely proud though we have not discussed the events of more than 55 years ago. They were both born and raised on farms so my one-line nod to their agricultural heritage must have counted for something.I have no memory of the audition process so I do not know why I was not considered for the role of shepherd. Virtually everything I know about shepherds comes from going to Catholic schools as an elementary student, and CCD classes thereafter. Homilies and some written reflections as an adult have also provided some perspective.The gospel for this week is a liturgically reoccurring image giving shape to my understanding of shepherds. The text from John tells us Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd.” In the unfolding practice over the history of the Church, bishops and pastors have often had “shepherd” attached to their ministerial role and responsibilities. We know

from this same history, including very recent examples, that those called shepherd in the Church were not, or are not, by any gospel definition “good shepherds”.The horrific clergy sex abuse scandals had shepherds sin against the sheep entrusted to their care, including the most vulnerable. This was magnified by the extensive cover-up on the part of other shepherds. It was self-serving, not the sacrificial love in the example of Jesus. The bishop in Crookston, MN was just asked to resign last week. How many, including family and friends, had their own faith scattered by the shepherds acting like the wolves described in the gospel? This has damaged the ability to meet the needs of God’s people, the sheep of his flock. These needs are many.The message of Jesus is the message of God’s love, mercy and justice to be shared and shepherded in the world around us. All of us are children of God through the waters of Baptism. All of us have a responsibility to shepherd the call of our faith as followers of Jesus Christ and care for the vulnerable sheep in our midst and in the world. Just follow the example of the Good Shepherd!John’s gospel tells us the flock will recognize the voice of Jesus. We too are called to share

our voice so that the vulnerable know that as disciples of Christ we care about them and hear their needs, and the mighty and corrupt know their power is being challenged. From the beginning of time, the voice of the Good Shepherd comes through Creation, the Covenant, the Law and the Prophets. From the founding of the Church, the voice of the Good Shepherd gathered his disciples through the sacrificial love on the cross, sharing new life and sending them forth on a mission with the power of the Holy Spirit. With a mission of “serving as a living sign of Christ’s saving presence in the heart of the city”, the Saint Olaf community is called to shepherd the good news........With our voice that works tirelessly to end the outrageous sin of systemic racism in our hearts, our church, our community and in our world.....With our voice reaching out to those whose confidence in the Church has been scattered or shattered by clergy sex abuse, and affirming those shepherds who do care.....With our voice that welcomes the poor and vulnerable into our midst and says NO to poverty.....With our voice that proclaims the sacred dignity of ALL of God’s people, because ALL have been made in the image and likeness of God.

215 SOUTH 8TH ST, MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55402

From the Saint Olaf African Gallery – E.S. Keritas

READINGS FOR SUNDAY MASS April 25: Acts 4: 8-12, Ps 118, 1 Jn 3: 1-2, Jn 10: 11-18 May 02: Acts: 9: 26-31, Ps 22, 1 Jn 3: 18-24, Jn 15: 1-8

WATCH SAINT OLAF SUNDAY MASS ON CABLE TV Watch our Sunday 10:00am Mass on MCN Cable TV Channel 6 on Sunday evenings at 8:00pm and replayed on Mondays at 10:00am.

DAILY MASS LIVE STREAMSaint Olaf Live Streams our Monday-Friday 12:00noon Mass and our Sunday 10:00am Mass on YouTube: youtube.com/user/SaintOlafChurch/live.On Facebook, search for and like: Saint Olaf Catholic Church, Downtown Minneapolis. Saint Olaf also archives all of our Masses on the website, www.SaintOlaf.org/media.

VIRTUAL CHOIR EASTER GIFT - O FILII ET FILÆ Members from Saint Olaf have made another wonderful virtual choir video. Enjoy this Easter season treat on our website, Facebook, and YouTube: www.youtu.be/TtuJj3V0qo0

GRATITUDE FOR JOINING US IN PRAYERS FOR JUSTICE AND PEACE IN MINNEAPOLIS I thank everyone who joined us in prayer for peace and justice to prevail in our cities during the trial of Derek Chauvin. Please continue to pray for peace, justice, and reform to continue, where every life is valued. Our formal gatherings will cease on Friday, April 23, yet we never stop praying. During this Easter season may we continue to find hope, strength, peace, and wisdom for our lives, families, communities, and world. - Fr. Kevin

IN MEMORIAMPlease pray for loved ones lost who are associated with Saint Olaf. We will post news of any pending Funeral Masses or Memorial services when they are scheduled. Please check saintolaf.org and click on Funeral in the top right of any page to see the scheduled funerals.James Sheeley, Parishioner Died April 14, 2021 Funeral Mass: April 23, 2021Robert Thimmesh, Parishoner Died April 19, 2021 Funeral Mass: May 1, 2021

WHERE TO PARKFREE parking for Saturday/Sunday Masses in addition to the Saint Olaf surface adjacent to the building, we contract for parking in the ramp of the Minneapolis Club, 123 Ramp (pickup a validation ticket from the Usher or Reception) and the surface lot on the corner of 10th and 3rd Ave. (Pick up a voucher from reception and display the Parking Voucher in your windshield-Park in Southwest corner only).

SAINTOLAF.ORG • PAGE 2

EVENTS ANDOTHER INFORMATION

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AT SAINTOLAF.ORG/EVENTS

THIS WEEK’S SCHEDULEADDITIONAL INFORMATION AT SAINTOLAF.ORG

SATURDAY, APRIL 2412:00 PM MASS12:30 PM CONFESSIONS 4:00 PM MASS

SUNDAY, APRIL 25 6:00 AM MASS 8:00 AM MASS10:00 AM MASS (+LIVESTREAMED)12:00 PM MASS

4:00 PM MASS

MONDAY, APRIL 26 7:00 AM MASS

7:30 AM CONFESSIONS12:00 PM MASS (+LIVESTREAMED)

TUESDAY, APRIL 27

7:00 AM MASS 7:30 AM CONFESSIONS12:00 PM MASS (+LIVESTREAMED) 12:30 PM CONFESSIONS

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28 7:00 AM MASS 7:30 AM CONFESSIONS 12:00 PM MASS (+LIVESTREAMED)

THURSDAY, APRIL 29 7:00 AM MASS

7:30 AM CONFESSIONS12:00 PM MASS (+LIVESTREAMED)12:30 PM CONFESSIONS

FRIDAY, APRIL 30OFFICES CLOSED ON FRIDAYS

7:00 AM MASS 7:30 AM CONFESSIONS11:00 AM ADORATION12:00 PM MASS (+LIVESTREAMED)

SATURDAY, MAY 112:00 PM MASS12:30 PM CONFESSIONS 4:00 PM MASS

ANNUAL BUDGET AS OF WEEK #41

Thank you for your continued support of Saint Olaf.

CONTRIBUTIONS ACTUAL BUDGET DIFFERENCE

Apr 5-11 $27,121 $19,734 $7,387

YTD throughWeek #41 $993,223 $955,367 $37,856