GOOD SHEPHERD

AMERICAN NATIONAL CATHOLIC CHURCH

1890 WHITESVILLE RD, TOMS RIVER, NJ 08755
GOODSHEPHERDANCC@GMAIL.COM
732-279-6837

WWW.GOODSHEPHERDANCC.ORG
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/GOODSHEPHERDANCC
WWW.THEANCC.ORG

MAY 6, 2018
6TH SUNDAY OF EASTER
Mass Schedule
Saturday 5PM
Sunday 8AM & 10AM
Served by:

Fr. Drew Miller

Pastor

Sr. Donna Lombardi, FCM

Pastoral Associate
Parish Administrator

Karen Suter
Secretary

Joe Lombardi
Music Director

Mike & Fran Krol

Parish Council Leaders

An All Inclusive Independent Catholic Community,

Dedicated to Making the World a Better Place

“I can do all things through Christ who
strengthens me” Phil 4:13
Michael S Fr. Geety
Phyllis W Vicki S.
Patty S. Peggy M
Ginny J Fr,. Vince
If you or someone you know is in need of prayer, please let us
know by calling the church at: 732-279-6837 or via email at
GoodShepherdANCC@gmail.com
Jesus said,
“This is my commandment, that you love one
another as I have loved you."
~John 15:12
Whoever is without love does not know God,
for God is love." So many people hunger for
love. All of us desire to be intimately connect-
ed with others, God, and our world. Many
things can work against this and cause us to
feel alienated and even profoundly sad.
Pope Francis tells us that our "infinite sadness
can only be cured by an infinite love." We
have been touched by God's love. We are
called to bring that love to others so that their
sadness and wounds can be healed. We
must do this even for those we do not particu-
larly like or who have hurt us. We cannot let
anything stand in the way of love.
Our Mission: To create a sense of home in an
atmosphere of belonging,
as we share the Good News of Jesus Christ ...
using words when necessary.
Everyday Stewardship
"Get Together" was a popular song in 1967 by
the Youngbloods. I was not alive when the
song was released, but it was a song I played
frequently learning how to play guitar when I
was younger. The song called for all of us to
come together and "try to love one another
right now." It was a song that came out in the
Vietnam War era and during somewhat of a
hippie revolution, but perhaps the words
belong to no real moment in time. They are
simply the commands of Jesus.
Sometimes we minimize the power of love by
cute pop songs and slogans that mean little
without action. However, we can never
underestimate the power of love. Love can
tear down barriers between people, change
tears to laughter, and mend relationships torn
apart by sin.
No option exists for disciples of Jesus Christ to
not love others. Not only are we commanded
to do so, but love is a gift we must pass on
freely. If we give of our time, talent, and
treasure, but choose not to love, we cannot
claim to be truly committed disciples and good
stewards. As this Easter season draws ever
closer to an end, we must allow our love to
bear witness to the source of all love, the Risen
Jesus. This is our calling until, as the words of the
Youngbloods' song states, "the one who left us
here returns for us at last."
--Tracy Earl Welliver, MTS
Question for the week:
How is love of others connected to
love for God?
 FAMILY FAITH FORMATION

GOSPEL MEDITATION
ENCOURAGE DEEPER UNDERSTANDING Sharing the Gospel
Jesus loves you as much as his Father loves him.
OF SCRIPTURE
He wants you to love your family and friends as
May 6, 2018 6th Sunday of Easter much as he loves you. You are his friend. He wants
"I have called you friends." Authentic friendship to spend time with you. Spend time praying to
can seem hard to come by these days, Jesus every day. Tell him that you love him. Share
especially in our transient society. We move your food, toys, and clothing. Help your family and
away from family, change jobs, switch parishes, friends every day. Tell Jesus you do all good things
and end up in entirely new places with entirely in his name.
new people. When we look for new friends, we
Prayer
all have different qualities we're looking for. Jesus, help me love my neighbor as much as you
While we may think of certain standards of love me.
behavior necessary to be a "good" friend, we
would hardly refer to them as rules or Something to Draw
"commandments." Draw yourself praying to Jesus and telling him
In fact, if a friendship or romantic relationship- that you love him.
new or old-becomes characterized by imposed
Mission for the Week
obligations, we would rightly be suspicious. Who needs Jesus’ love this week? How can you
Friendships, we understand, ought to be show them His love?
characterized by freedom. We love the person,
even sacrifice for them at times because, within
ourselves, we want to maintain the friendship. So
why does Jesus use the language of command
as he calls the Apostles his friends? "You are my
friends if you do what I command you."
Jesus is radically transforming the concept of
commandment. In the Jewish heritage of the
Apostles, they would hear the word "command"
and immediately think of the strict Levitical law
and distance from God. In introducing the
language of friendship, Jesus ties
"commandment" to inner freedom of heart. The
disciples have this freedom precisely because
they know "what [the] Master is doing." Jesus has
invited his followers into intimate friendship all
along. He shares openly with them. He has
patience with their flaws. He isn't scandalized by
their failures. He celebrates their successes. We,
too, have been called by love and invited into a
relationship with Jesus. It is you and I that Jesus
chooses and appoints. He does so personally,
not from a distant mountain shrouded in clouds.
This "new commandment" to "love one another"
is received around the shared table in the
breaking of the bread.
 Saturday , June 23rd
The Parish Council helps the parish realize itself Day of Recollection
as a community of faith called to proclaim the
Details to follow
Good News of Jesus Christ; assists the pastoral
team to establish and accomplish long-term
goals consistent with the Church Mission
Statement; supports the pastor and fosters parish
unity; encourages participation of all parishioners Come and join the discussion!
in parish life; and identifies and summons the
talents of the members of the parish.
“Perfectly Yourself”
The selection of new members of the council will by Matthew Kelly
take place in June. Anyone over 18 who has
been an active parishioner for at least one year is Friday evening
welcome to submit a letter of interest explaining “7-9 with pizza and wine”
why they wish to serve. The letter should be
placed in a sealed envelope and deposited in All are welcome !
the box provided at the church.

Are you or do you know of

someone who is homeless in
Ocean County ?

Community Affairs & Resource Center (CARC) is

Church Offering Counters Needed
I have volunteered to oversee the church offer-
ings every week. I am looking especially for
counters following the 5 pm Mass on Saturdays.
It only takes about 15 minutes to complete the
task. There are also openings for the 8 am. and
10 a.m. Masses, but more are needed for the
Saturday Mass. If you are interested in doing this
please contact me: Madeline Wesolowski
at 732-797-0686 or e-mail me at
Madweso@comcast.net.
a new coordinated assessment agency to assist
in the process of locating permanent housing,
For more information contact CARC.
Toms River Office
253 Chestnut Street, 1st Floor
Toms River, NJ 08753
Phone: 732-341-2272 or 732-341-CARC
Toll free: 877-468-7317 or 877-HOUSE17

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Good Shepherd ANCC