MASS SCHEDULE

Saturday Vigil Mass 4:30PM

Sunday Masses: 8:30AM & 11:00AM

Adoration: Monday at 6:00pm only (except Holidays when Mass starts at 9:00am) Thursday from 8:30am to 12noon (11:00am if a Funeral is scheduled) Confessions: Saturday afternoon 3:30 - 4:15PM Daily Mass Monday at 7:00PM (except Holidays when Mass starts at 9:00am) Tuesday - Friday at 8:00AM

Holy Days as announced

Welcome to

Good Shepherd

Parish Hopelawn,

New Jersey 08861

MISSION STATEMENT We are called by Jesus as a community of faith to love God and love one

another by our acts of worship, fellowship and stewardship.

April 11, 2021 • Divine Mercy Sunday

THE PARISH CENTER Parish and Cemetery Offices 625 Florida Grove Rd., Hopelawn, New Jersey Phone: 732-826-4859 • Fax: 732-826-6078 Office open for phone calls only Monday-Friday 9:00AM - 4:00PM

Website: www.goodshepherdpanj.org E-mail: goodshepherd20@verizon.net

BLESSED SACRAMENT (CHAPEL) Located in the Parish Center Open for private prayer during office hours by appointment only.

Rev. Krystian Burdzy Administrator Deacon Sam Costantino Deacon Albert Coppola R.C.I.A. Maria C. Arcelay Parish Secretary/PCL/Cemetery Coordinator Wayne Behr Director of Liturgical Music

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ORGANIZATIONS NAME DAY TIME

Holy Name Society 2nd Thursday 7:00PM

Ladies Guild 2nd Tuesday 7:00 PM

Rosary Altar Society 2nd Sunday 9:30 AM

Tuesday Seniors 2nd & 4th Tues. 12:30 PM

Wednesday Seniors 1st & 3rd Wed. 12:30 PM

If you are interested in any of our above organizations/ministries, please contact the Parish Office for more information.

MINISTRIES

NAME CONTACT PHONE

Chairperson-Finance Council Carolina Chichester 732-826-4859

Music Ministry Parish Office 732-826-4859

Religious Education Maria C. Arcelay 732-826-4859

Parish Information

We welcome you to the Good Shepherd Parish Community!

Please register at the Parish Office as soon as you are able to do so, and the staff will be happy to inform you about our parish and the opportunities we offer. Parish registration is required for reli-gious education, celebration of all Sacraments and certification as a sponsor for Baptism and Confirmation. Regular Sunday worship with us indicates a practicing Catholic, not just parish registration. Attendance is necessary at weekend worship for the all sacra-ments and certification of sponsorship. Please notify the parish office of any changes in phone numbers, addresses, e-mail ad-dresses or when leaving the parish.

Baptism: All Baptisms are celebrated on the first Sunday of the month at 12noon. The preparation process should begin at least three months before the planned date of the Baptism. A Baptism Preparation Class is required for parents (godparents may attend if they wish). This class is offered on the fourth Sunday of each month at 9:45 AM. Please call the parish office to register. The date of the baptism is scheduled after attending the class. Parish membership and active worship is required for two months prior to preparation.

Religious Education: We provide faith filled instructions for Levels 1st through 8th. Due to Covid-19 we have a remote learn-ing program in place. Special instructions are given for sacramen-tal preparations.

Initiation of Adults and Older Children: This is an extended formation process for unbaptized or uncatechized adults or bap-tized Christians of other faith traditions who wish to become members of the Catholic Church, as well as for unbaptized or uncatechized school-aged children. Please contact the parish of-fice for more information. Initiation is celebrated at the Easter Vigil after a formation period of one or two years.

Adult Confirmation: This is a program for persons over the age of 18 who have received the Sacraments of Baptism and First Eucharist, but who never completed their initiation with the Sacra-ment of Confirmation. The program is a 10-12 week program, with Confirmation being celebrated on the Solemnity of Pente-cost. Please call the parish office for more details.

Matrimony: Couples wishing to marry in Good Shepherd Parish must be registered members of our parish. They are required to make initial arrangements at least one year in advance. Four ses-sions with the priest or deacon, as well as Pre-Cana or Engaged Encounter take place during this year. Active worship for at least two months are required before a date may be scheduled.

Anointing of the Sick: Anyone who is seriously ill or unable to come to church for a length of time should contact the parish of-fice to arrange for the Anointing of the Sick. Eucharistic Ministers bring Holy Communion to homebound parishioners every Sun-day, and our priest will visit on the First Friday of each month. Please call the parish office to make arrangements. The Diocese of Metuchen provides Catholic priests to serve at all local hospi-tals.

Holy Orders: If you are interested in learning more about the priesthood or religious life, contact the Vocations Office of the Diocese of Metuchen at 732-562-1990, ext. 1700 or by email at vocations@diometuchen.org or visit www.diometuchen.org/vocations.

GOOD SHEPHERD PARISH FINANCIAL CORNER

Monthly Operating Income & Expense 2021

Collection Income $ 25,490.00 Other Income $ $888.00 Total Income $ 26,378.00 Expenses $ 32,331.00 Month's Income/(Deficit) $ (5,933.00) Year-to-Date (July ’20-January ’ 21) Income/(Deficit) $ (30,598.00) Outstanding Diocesan Assessment Debt as of January 31st $ 24,133.00 Outstanding Diocesan Roof Loan Debt as of January 31st $ 535,000.00

Online Giving Church Donations

We’ve made it more convenient to give. Please visit our website and click on the green ’Online Giving” button on the top of the page. Register and support your church.

We continue to thank our parishioners who mail or deliver their weekly envelopes to the Parish Office when they’re unable to come to Mass. Even in these times of so many changes, suspen-sions and disruptions, our bills to run our Parish still need to be paid. If you are financially able, please continue to support our Church. You may mail your donations or put them in the locked mailbox, or door slot in the front of the Parish Office. Thank you for your continued support and understanding. Stay well and God bless!

We’re back LIVE every Sunday 11am Mass only.

3/21/2021 $5,280.00 3/28/2021 $5,586.00

Retired Clergy $1,383.00

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First Reading Acts 4:32-35

The community of believers was of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they had everything in common. With great power the apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great favor was accorded them all. There was no needy person among them, for those who owned property or houses would sell them, bring the proceeds of the sale, and put them at the feet of the apostles, and they were distributed to each accord-ing to need.

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm PS 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24

R. Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love is ever-lasting. or: R. Alleluia.

Let the house of Israel say, “His mercy endures forever.” Let the house of Aaron say, “His mercy endures forever.” Let those who fear the LORD say, “His mercy endures for-ever.”

R. Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love is ever-lasting. or: R. Alleluia.

I was hard pressed and was falling, but the LORD helped me. My strength and my courage is the LORD, and he has been my savior. The joyful shout of victory in the tents of the just:

R. Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love is ever-lasting. or: R. Alleluia.

The stone which the builders rejected has become the corner-stone. By the LORD has this been done; it is wonderful in our eyes. This is the day the LORD has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it.

R. Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love is ever-lasting. or: R. Alleluia.

Second Reading 1 Jn 5:1-6

Beloved: Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is begotten by God, and everyone who loves the Father loves also the one begotten by him. In this way we know that we love the children of God when we love God and obey his com-mandments. For the love of God is this, that we keep his com-mandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, for whoever is begotten by God conquers the world. And the

victory that conquers the world is our faith. Who indeed is the victor over the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? This is the one who came through water and Blood, Jesus Christ, not by water alone, but by water and blood. The Spirit is the one that testifies, and the Spirit is truth.

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Alleluia Jn 20:29

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

You believe in me, Thomas, because you have seen me, says the Lord; Blessed are those who have not seen me, but still believe!

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Jn 20:19-31

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spir-it. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disci-ples that are not written in this book. But these are written that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.

Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ

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My Dear Friends,

Today we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday. In the opening prayer of today’s Mass, we address God as God of Everlasting Mercy, and our Scripture readings echo this theme. The Apostles acted in the name of Jesus when they showed mercy to the sick and troubled who were brought to them. In the psalm, we hear the phrase, God’s mercy endures forever. In the Gospel, when Jesus gave the power to forgive sin to the Apostles, it was a manifestation of the mercy God has for those who are sorry for their sins.

The message of Divine Mercy, as found in the writings of Saint Faustina, is a simple one: God’s love and mercy are greater than any sin; we can trust him to have mercy on us when we call out to him; and, because we experience God’s mercy in our lives, we can be merciful to others. It was through private revelations from Jesus to Saint Faustina that the Church declared the Sunday after Easter to be a day dedicated to the blessings of God’s mercy, shown to us through Je-sus.

Jesus knew the weaknesses of human nature. He also knew the desire for peace within the hearts of people. Time and again, when people approached him to be healed of physical ailments, his words of comfort and compassion were first of forgiveness, and second of healing. Jesus extended his mercy to the whole person. In today’s Gospel, we heard how Je-sus passed his ministry of love and mercy to the Apostles and their successors. Just as the Father sent Jesus, he sent the Apostles, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to the whole world with the message of God’s mercy and forgiveness.

Through Baptism, we each became a recipient of God’s mercy in a special way. Sin no longer had any claim on us as we became members of the body of Christ. In the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick, God continues to share his mercy and forgiveness with us. We also acknowledge our trust in God’s mercy when we come together for lit-urgy. Think about the prayers of the penitential rite: Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy. Lord have mercy. Think about the trust we express when we ask God for our needs in the prayers of the faithful. Think about our plea for mercy and peace at the Lamb of God. Each day we can make the words of the psalmist our own. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for His mercy endures forever. (Ps 118:1) Jesus, I trust in YOU.

Also, we would like to congratulate our Children and Adult candidates, Amanda Acheson, Nathaniel Marnat, Amber & Naomi Miciek, Dawn Starrick, who will be receiving the Sacraments of Confirmation and the Eucharist this weekend at the 11am Mass. I hope you will join me in thanking Deacon Mickey, his wife Colleen, Toni Gianfrancesco and Susan Gulyas for their devotion and sacrifice of their time of preparing our Children and Adult RCIA each year. Thank you.

With prayers,

Fr. Krystian

For the month of April pray for those affected by Covid-19, and all hospital and nursing home personnel who

are working so bravely and tirelessly , their families, our sick and homebound of our Parish family, especially:

Carlos Bendrell, Carmen Collura, Andrea Costantino, Noah Dahlberg, Carolyn Duane, Chuck F., Victor & Melissa Ferrer, Tommy Fitzpatrick,

Joseph Frisbe, Mike Gaffney, Carol George, Johnny Gondek, Nancy Hunt, Tommy Jones, Arleen Kopin, Judy Liik, Rose Langan,

Louis Loso, Brianna Ortega, Megan Ortega, Carol Magyar, JoAnn Magyar, Fr. John Morley, Raymond Magyar, Ellen Malopolski,

Maryanne Mateuszczyk, Etelvina & Edite Monteiro, Lynn Munoz, Ellie Murray, Mary Murray, Teresa P., Catherine Paone,

Christopher Paone, Danny Parker, Dianne Petro-Duncan, Caroline Pry, Stephen Pry, Ann Rapetti, Greg Rohrbacher, Fred Rose, Marie Ross,

Paul Sheena, Jack Stacey, Tamya Stacy, Maryann Suhay, Telofski Family, Melissa Telofski, Dave & Louise Utter, Elsie Vega,

Barbara White & Bernard Yaros. .

With respect to personal privacy only requests made by immediate family members will be taken. If you would like to add or continue to keep a name on our list: call the parish office at 732-826-4859 or email goodshepherd20@verizon.net. Please keep in mind that we pray for all the sick every day in the general intercessions of the Mass.

Fr. Krystian

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Minister Schedule

LECTOR Saturday, April 17th

4:30PM Christine Greges Sunday, april 18th

8:30AM Gabriella Conrady 11:00AM Ben Salerno Sr.

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS Saturday, April 17th

4:30PM Deacon Sam Costantino & A. Cyrana Sunday, April 18th

8:30AM Mildred & Rudy Morales 11:00AM Deacon Mickey & Colleen Coppola

Altar Servers Saturday, April 17th

4:30PM K. Feliciano Sunday, april 18th

8:30AM K. Marmolejos 11:00AM Joel Sierra

MASS INTENTIONS

Monday, April 12 : Easter Weekday 7:00PM Mr. & Mrs. Kosh

Req Egan Estate Tuesday, April 13 : Easter Weekday

8:00AM Francis Moses Req daughter Betty

Wednesday, April 14 : Easter Weekday 8:00AM Eduvigis Felix

Req Felix family Thursday, April 15 : Easter Weekday

8:00AM Patrick Savoia Req grandchildren

Friday, April 16 : Easter Weekday 8:00AM Jack Masculin

Req Bev & Bob Hudak SATURDAY, April 17 :

The Vigil of the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time 4:30PM Charles & Ann Daraghy

Req Lorretta & Bob Gawroniak SUNDAY, April 18 :

The Third Sunday in Ordinary Time 8:30AM Beloved Past Organist Fred Briegs

Req Parish Musicians & Choir 11:00AM Jane Lukasc

Req Bernice & Glenn Gedeon & family

PRAY FOR THEM Please pray that our deceased loved ones

Carlos Serrano, Walter C. Ross & Mario Oliveria may know the joy and peace of eternal life. Pray that their families may be comforted.

For the Week of April 10-16th

SANCTUARY CANDLE In Memory of

Jewel Augustine Req daughter Lillian

BREAD & WINE In Memory of Walter Ross

Req Saturday Evening Ushers

“Please respect the Sacred Silence”

Easter De-Decorating Committee

Monday, April 12, at 10:00AM. Help is needed to de-decorate our church.

If you’re interested in helping please call Linda for more information 732-826-4068. 7th & 8th level Religious Ed students are invited to volun-teer.

DIVINE MERCY Schedule April 11, 2021

Following 11am Sunday Mass

There will be Exposition of the blessed sacrament until 3pm

1 or 2 Priest will be available for Confession.

Adoration till 3pm

A chaplet of the Divine Mercy will be sung, concluding with a blessing

at 3PM - there will be a Special Mass

Everyone is welcome

This Sunday at the 11:00AM Mass we will celebrate the Rite of Christian Initiation of our Children and Adult candidates, Amanda Acheson, Nathaniel Marnat, Am-ber & Naomi Miciek, Dawn Starrick, who are preparing for the reception of Confirmation and Eucharist this year. We ask you to support them by taking a card locat-ed in the belltower. Please keep them in your prayers.

PASCHAL CANDLE was sponsored

this year by Brenda & Bob Rinaldi & Mrs. Helen Paterniti

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Intercessory prayer is the act of praying on behalf of others. All Christians are called to be Intercessory. All Christians have the Holy Spirit in their hearts and, just as Christ intercedes for us in accordance with God’s will (Romans 8:26-27), we are to intercede for one another. Nothing is too small to request from our Lord, Jesus. Nothing is insignificant to him.

At the Good Shepherd Parish our Children have em-barked on a mission of Intercessory Prayer by pray-ing nightly at 9:00 pm. We have been conducting classes on Intercessory prayers so that our youth are prepared to be Intercessors. Weekly they are presented with the prayer re-quests from parishioners. We pray and then they go forth with their mission work.

Some of the benefits of the Intercessory Prayers: • It increases God’s Protection. • It strengthens us to do what God is calling us to do. • It removes feelings of aloneness. • It builds our relationship with God and increases our faith. If you wish to join or be added to the prayer list, please contact

Mrs. Mildred Padilla-Morales at 732-738-3909.

Monday, April 19th

We could use your help: with a monetary donation, or even a simple meal. Please call Mildred at (732)910-1277.

If you’re in need of a hot meal, or know someone...please join St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, 404 Division St. from 5pm to 6pm, every Monday. Prepared take-out (dinners only) are available to anyone who comes.

Thank you in advance.

Coronavirus Rules

• STAY HOME IF YOU’RE NOT FEELING WELL. • PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING. • WASH YOUR HANDS. • BRING YOUR OWN HAND SANITIZER. • FOLLOW ALL GREEN POSTED SIGNS FOR

YOUR HEALTH AND SAFETY. • Our ushers will be taking the temperature of each

member entering our church. • Masks must ALWAYS BE WORN when entering our

church. • Masks must remain on during all Mass services. • You may sit with your family. • ABSOLUTELY NO GATHERING! • The distribution of the Eucharist will resume at its tradi-

tional placement during Mass. • Instructions for the receiving line will be given before

Mass. Please follow your Usher. • FOR HEALTH REASONS THE EUCHARIST CAN

ONLY BE RECEIVED BY HAND. • We would like to respect everyone's dedication

to the Eucharist. If you insist on receiving it by tongue, you must wait and come at the very end of Father’s receiving line to be served.

• When receiving the Eucharist, you may bring your mask down, consume, then replace it to its original place. Then you may return to your seat.

• To avoid congestion during dismissal, the congregation will be dismissed by row.

• Your offertory donation can be placed in the baskets pro-vided when exiting.

Thank you for your coopera on in keeping us all safe!!!

Good Shepherd Parish Scholarship Committee Recruitment

In order to keep our Scholarship program going, we des-perately need some volunteers. So many of our youth have already benefited by receiving Scholarship money to offset school tuition. It would be a gracious and kind service if some parents of those grateful students who have benefited in the past to step up now when we are in need. Everything you need to know will be explained to you. Pay it forward so others may receive.

Unfortunately before Mr. Ross’s Passing...this was his final request.

HELP NEEDED

Two of our parishioners are looking for needed homecare assistance in the Perth Amboy Area.

• First, for a few hours a week, light housekeeping, cooking and must be certified.

• Second, is in need of someone to help with housework, shopping, etc. a few days a week.

If you are interested in either of the two positions please con-tact the Parish Office 732-826-4859.

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The Divine Mercy Message and Devotion The message of The Divine Mercy is simple. It is that God loves us – all of us. And, He wants us to recognize that His mercy is greater than our sins, so that we will call upon Him with trust, receive His mercy, and let it flow through us to others. Thus, all will come to share His joy.

The Divine Mercy message is one we can call to mind simply by remembering ABC:

A - Ask for His Mercy. God wants us to approach Him in prayer con-stantly, repen ng of our sins and asking Him to pour His mercy out

upon us and upon the whole world.

B - Be merciful. God wants us to receive His mercy and let it flow through us to others. He wants us to extend love and forgiveness to others just as He does to us.

C - Completely trust in Jesus. God wants us to know that the graces of His mercy are dependent upon our trust. The more we trust in Jesus, the more we will receive.

This message and devo on to Jesus as The Divine Mercy is based on the wri ngs of Saint Faus na Kowalska, an uneducated Polish nun who, in obedience to her spiritual director, wrote a diary of about 600 pages recording the revela ons she received about God's mer-cy. Even before her death in 1938, the devo on to The Divine Mercy had begun to spread.

The message and devo onal prac ces proposed in the Diary of Saint Faus na and set forth in this web site and other publica ons of the Marians of the Immaculate Concep on are completely in accord-ance with the teachings of Church and are firmly rooted in the Gos-pel message of our Merciful Savior. Properly understood and imple-mented, they will help us grow as genuine followers of Christ.

How to pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy

1. Make the Sign of the Cross In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

2. Optional Opening Prayers You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls, and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world. O Fount of Life, unfathomable Divine Mercy, envelop the whole world and empty Yourself out upon us.

(Repeat three times) O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of mercy for us, I trust in You!

3. Our Father Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy king-dom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we for-give those who trespass against us; and lead us not into tempta-tion, but deliver us from evil, Amen.

4. Hail Mary Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, Amen.

5. The Apostles’ Creed I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; He descended into hell; on the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

6. The Eternal Father Eternal Father, I offer you the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your Dearly Beloved Son, Our Lord, Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.

7. On the 10 Small Beads of Each Decade For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

8. Repeat for the remaining decades Saying the "Eternal Father" (6) on the "Our Father" bead and then 10 "For the sake of His sorrowful Passion" (7) on the following "Hail Mary" beads.

9. Conclude with Holy God (Repeat three times) Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

10. Optional Closing Prayer Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion — inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself.