SAINTS JOHN PAUL II AND JOHN XXIII
Pope Francis, in his canonization homily, said: “St. John XXIII showed an exquisite openness to the Holy Spirit. He let himself be led and he was for the Church a pastor, a servant-leader, guided by the Holy Spirit. This was his great service to the Church; for this reason I like to think of him as the pope of openness to the Holy Spirit.
In his own service to the People of God, Saint John Paul II was the pope of the family. He himself once said that he wanted to be remembered as the pope of the family. I am particularly happy to point this out as we are in the process of journeying with families towards the Synod on the family. It is surely a journey which, from his place in heaven, he guides and sustains.”
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CATHOLIC CHARITIES ANNUAL CAMPAIGN
Your gift to Catholic Charities’ 2014 Annual Campaign brings hope for the homeless, the working poor, new arrivals, families in crisis, new parents, children and youth. Your support enables Catholic Charities to provide help and hope for the most vulnerable in our community. The collection will be on May 10-11. Envelopes will be in the back of the church. Make checks payable to Catholic Charities.
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STANISLAUS OF SZCZEPANÓW
Stanislaus of Szczepanów, or Stanisław Szczepanowski, (July 26, 1030-April 11, 1079) was a Bishop of Kraków known chiefly for having been martyred by the Polish king, Bolesław II the Bold. After his men wouldn’t kill Bishop Stanisław, King Bolesław is said to have slain Stanisław while he was celebrating Mass in the Skałka outside the walls of Kraków. The exact date of his death is uncertain. According to different sources, it was either April 11 or May 8, 1079. Stanislaus is venerated in the Roman Catholic Church as St. Stanislaus the Martyr (as distinct from Stanislaus Kostka).
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LAMB OF GOD
1. In Jewish sacrifices, especially at the Passover, a lamb was often the victim. Thus, in Scripture, the lamb prefigured the Messiah. As a title, it was applied directly to Christ by St. John the Baptist (Jn. 1:29-34) when he pointed his finger at Christ and declared, “Behold the Lamb of God.” In this sense, the lamb, a symbol of innocence, is Christ; and He is designated as one sent by God to be offered up as God wishes. Further recognition of Christ as the Lamb of God was given at the Last Supper when Christ and His disciples gathered to eat the Pasch. The two sacrifices, the Feast of the Pasch and of the New Law, instituted at the Last Supper, are paralleled (Lk. 22:7-23).
2. The lamb as a symbol in Christian art refers to Christ.
3. The title of a prayerful appeal, recited three times in the Mass.
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REST IN PEACE
In your prayers, plese remember Longin Gierek, age 90, born in 1924 and who entered Eternal Life in Kraków on April 13th. Our condolences