FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER APRIL 17, 2016

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1 FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER APRIL 17, Beaver Avenue Des Moines, IA Parish School

2 Dear friends: WEEKLY THOUGHTS APRIL 17, 2016 This past week, our Parish joined the people throughout the entire Diocese to celebrate Monsignor Jerry Stessman s life and ministry. He was the pastor at our Parish from 1993 to He touched many people with his quiet, prayerful, and faithful presence. He served as one of the priests in my childhood parish; the way he lived his priesthood was one of the influences which led me to embrace this vocation of priesthood that I have been called to. Thank you to the many parishioners and staff members that assisted with his funeral services. I am grateful for all those who physically helped by setting up chairs, singing in the choir, cleaning up the church pews, bringing & serving food, and creating his funeral worship aid booklet. Monsignor Stessman always stepped in to assist in a time of need. Our Parish returned the favor this week and assisted his family in celebrating his faith-filled life. There have been inquiries in regard to our Visioning Process. We have engaged the services of Jeff Johnson to lead us in this process. Our goal with this process is to define who we want to be as a Parish in the next years. He has already met with some parishioners. This month, he will engage in more conversations with 11 different groups of individuals. Eventually, it is hoped that he will have had discussions with over 40 various groups of our parishioners. In order that we may strengthen our service to the Lord and to one another, I ask that you keep Jeff and this process in your prayers. I recently spoke to the artist that is creating the St. Peregrine statute for our Parish. The sculpture is in its final stages and is at the foundry being bronzed. He will do a final inspection of the work and then make preparations for it to be delivered. The artists will send me some pictures which I will share with you when I receive them. After the arrival of the statue, there will be a dedication of the artwork. This will include a presentation from the artist about his thoughts as he created this sacred image for us. Enjoy these beautiful days of spring, and may your life be filled with the graces of... Peace, strength, and courage.

3 SPIRITUALITY OF THE READINGS Reading I: Acts 13:14, Responsorial Psalm 100:1-2, 3, 5 Reading II: Revelation 7:9, 14b-17 Gospel: John 10:27-30 Greet Him If we pay attention we can learn a lot about animals and about their humans. Think of the endearing way domestic beasts recognize their owners. Dogs collapse into a frenzy of delight when you come home, even if you have been gone for fifteen minutes. The new heaven has arrived in their midst, and hysterics are the least they can do. Somewhere there may be a cat like this, but most of them have a different reaction than the heartsick dogs. Oh it s you again, they seem to say. I know some exceptions. Though my cousin s cat does model indifference with most people, but when I walk into the house it makes a quiet bee-line to where I am sitting, making no secret of how it enjoys being petted by me. I have never been quite sure whether to be complimented. Nor can I explain it. There might be months between visits and still this cat makes its way to the petting machine, with both dignity and quiet craving. Judging from his stories, Jesus paid a lot of attention to animals and to their humans. He watched sheep many times on his trips through the lands and he observed their ways. They were not cat-like or dog-like, but were heartfelt in a different way. The sheep followed as the shepherds made them safe, guarded them, led them to food and drink. Jesus even compared a milling crowd of people to sheep without a shepherd. But I have been told that, in the Jerusalem of Jesus day, there was only one sheepfold. Various flocks would arrive, along with their respective shepherds, and all these flocks were funneled into the one sheepfold. This made for a rather large gathering, and there wasn t any practice of branding or marking in order to tell one from the other. What's more, sheep, unlike dogs, do not make themselves joyous when their shepherd walks up. Smartness was not a noticeable trait in them. Then how could each shepherd reclaim his own sheep? Two ways. One, the shepherd already knew them by heart. He might even have a special name for each character in the flock. And two, the sheep themselves recognized the voice of their master. When he called out, they simply got to their feet and came with him, through the sheep-gate. Jesus refers to this reaction in Sunday s short Gospel. My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they [know] me, he says. Haven t you ever craved the voice of someone who would make things right, would lift the burden from your shoulder? Someone who knows you by name and loves you? Jesus is that someone, he tells you. You shall never perish, he says, and then he steadies you with his hands. The Father has given you to Jesus. Who could revoke that gift? I have a hunch you do recognize Jesus voice when you hear it. Your feelings move when you listen trustingly to a certain Gospel, for instance. Or when you receive the bread of everlasting life and the cup of salvation not as a stranger might, but as a member of a well-fed and greatly cared for flock. What about trying, Sunday, to notice whether your spirit inclines to Jesus? Maybe you will settle into his lap for comfort. Your soul seeks him always, you know. And finds him. Fr. John Foley, S. J. of the Center for Liturgy Image: From Salviati of Venice: "I am the Good Shepherd." Church of St. Mary Magdalene, Paddington; photograph, 2009, George P. Landow. FAITH QUESTIONS? Question for Children: Jesus promises to guard us like a shepherd does the sheep. How do you experience his loving care in your life? Question for Youth: Jesus said My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. How does Jesus speak to you? What new path is he asking of you? Question for Adults: What is your experience of being a follower of Christ, of being cared for and guarded with him as shepherd?

4 PARISH & DIOCESAN NOTES Anointing of the Sick We have rescheduled Anointing of the Sick for Sunday, May 1st immediately following the 10:30 Mass. LINEN COLLECTION Phyllis Davis 15th Annual Memorial Linen Drive: St. Vincent DePaul is conducting a linen drive in her memory April 9th thru April 17th. Donations may be left in collection barrels or brought to the St. Vincent DePaul Society Thrift Store at 1426 Sixth Ave. For more information, contact ext. 10 Bishop Drumm Garage Sales The Bishop Drumm Garage Sales begin on Thursday, May 5th and continues each Thursday through September. Hours are 9:30-1:30. The sale is located in the garage next to the Bishop Drumm Care Center. Donations may be dropped off at the garage during those times or by calling Sue ( ) or Joyce ( ). No beds, old tvs or computers. If you wish to volunteer for 2 hours, please call the phone numbers above. Choir Concert Drake University will present a Cavalcade of Choirs concert, featuring all four choral ensembles, on Sunday, April 24, at 3:00 p.m. in Sheslow Auditorium on Drake s campus. The concert will feature music by contemporary American, Latvian, Estonian, Spanish, and German composers, along with works by Michael Haydn and Ralph Vaughan Williams. There is no admission charge. Please remember the faithful departed Randy Read Husband of parishioner Lyrio Cloma-Read Sawyer Hazel Bjornsen Unborn daughter of parishioners Adam & Jennifer Bjornsen Granddaughter of Diane & Blaine Tellis of our Parish Richard "Dick" Kenealy Brother of parishioner Roberta Pyle God grant them eternal rest Musical celebrates the Jubilee Year of Mercy Order your tickets today for THE FIRE AND THE MERCY, The Pentecost Musical. Written by Holy Trinity parishioner, Tom Quiner, it is being performed in 8 parishes in the Greater Des Moines area in a dinner theater format from April 15th through May 1st. Experience the drama of Pentecost. Watch the merciful love of Christ unleashed on Peter and Magdalene. Watch the Bible come alive before your very eyes! Order online today at Marriage Encounter Weekend The good news of the Gospel reminds us that we are God s people, the sheep of his flock! Because of Jesus death and resurrection we are given the ultimate gift of eternal life! Let these amazing and life giving truths fill you and your marriage relationship with His love and peace. The next Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend on May in Dubuque, Oct in Cedar Falls or Dec 2 4 in Iowa City. Early registration is highly recommended. For more information visit or call Salad Supper The Basilica of St. John Altar and Rosary Society, 1915 University Ave., Des Moines, will host its annual SALAD BUFFET & CARD PARTY on Tuesday, May 10, at 6:30 p.m. Doors open at 5:00 PM for card players. All are welcome. Tickets are $6.00 / person and are available at the door. Good food, door prizes, silent auction. Non-card players may enjoy board or dice games while visiting with friends. Questions? Call the church office at , ext. 0. Respect Life Corner "Dear Lord, Awaken your people to a commitment to justice To the sanctity of marriage and the family, To the dignity of each individual human life, And to the truth that human rights begin when human lives begin, And not one moment later." From Priests for Life website

5 SAINT OF THE WEEK St. Anselm of Canterbury, Bishop and Doctor, Born in Aosta (now Valle D Aosta in northwest Italy), Anselm developed a love of God and a love of learning from his mother. When he was fifteen, Anselm sought to enter a monastery. Fearing the displeasure of his father, the monks turned Anselm away. Nevertheless, Anselm determined to someday become a monk. A few years later, after his mother died, Anselm felt free to pursue his goal. With a companion, he set out on a journey which eventually led him to the Abbey at Bec in Normandy. This abbey had become renowned for the teaching of the prior, Lanfranc. Anselm became a student and protégé of Lanfranc. Anselm advanced quickly and, soon, he was helping Lanfranc with teaching. Sometime later, Anselm felt torn between a monastic life, becoming a hermit, or, since his father had died and left him some money, remaining a layman and using his wealth to support those in need. Seeking advice from Lanfranc, that monk referred this question to the Archbishop of Rouen. The prelate believed that Anselm was best suited for the monastic life and the young man became a monk at Bec in About three years later, Lanfranc was appointed Abbot of a monastery at Caen and Anselm was elected to succeed him as Prior at Bec. A few of the older monks resented this action feeling that someone with more experience should fill that position. Anselm s wisdom soon won over the doubters. Anselm longed for a quiet, contemplative life and sought relief from his duties from the Archbishop of Rouen. This prelate advised him, not only to retain his position, but to prepare for greater responsibilities. This counsel proved to be prophetic. After fifteen years as Prior, Anselm, despite his objections, was chosen as Abbot of Bec in During his terms as Prior and Abbot, Anselm composed most of his theological and philosophical writings, most notably, Monologium and Proslogium. In the latter document, he put forth an argument for the existence of God. Beginning with the idea that God is that than which nothing greater can be thought, he suggested that what exists in actuality is greater than anything that is only in the mind; therefore, since God is that which nothing greater can be thought, he must exist in reality. As Abbot of Bec, Anselm was called upon to visit England where the abbey held several properties. Upon his arrival in Canterbury, Anselm was greeted by his old friend and mentor, Lanfranc, who was now the Archbishop of Canterbury. After a break of several years, the two had the opportunity to resume their discussions as equals. Anselm s reputation as a scholar and a holy man had spread through most of Europe and he was often called upon by kings and princes for his advice. William the Conqueror, for example, sought his consolation while on his death bed. When, sometime later, Lanfranc died, the English people wished to have Anselm named as his successor as Archbishop of Canterbury. In that age, rulers had a much larger hand in the naming of bishops. The king, William II, the son of William the Conqueror, refused to name a bishop for Canterbury, but instead, seized Church revenues and generally allowed the Church to sink into a state of anarchy. Some years later in 1093, the king fell ill and was somehow moved to remorse. At the urging of nobles and prelates, he agreed to fill the vacancy and, giving in to the obvious desire of the people, named Anselm as Archbishop of Canterbury. As he had when elected prior and abbot, Anselm tried to decline this appointment, but he was literally dragged to the king s bedside where the pastoral staff was thrust into his hand. While King William and his successor, King Henry I, later resumed harassment of the Church hierarchy and tried to get him deposed as archbishop, Anselm served in that capacity for the remaining sixteen years of his life. Anselm s knowledge, passed on in his writings, has been favorably compared to that of Sts. Augustine and Thomas Aquinas and he was considered the foremost theologian of his time. He was canonized in 1494 by Pope Alexander VI. He is honored by an optional memorial on the anniversary of his death, April 21. Anselm s message today: Thrust into positions which he did not seek and tried to decline, Anselm nevertheless served well and earned the respect of all but a few of his flock. How do you approach those unwelcome assignments into which you have been thrust? Do you put your best effort into them? Ask St. Anselm to help you.

6 PARISH AND SCHOOL CALENDAR SUNDAY 04/17 MONDAY 04/18 TUESDAY 04/19 WEDNESDAY 04/20 THURSDAY 04/21 FRIDAY 04/22 SATURDAY 04/23 HT School All School Mass hosted by 8th grade 8:30 am SCRIP Jeans Day 7th & 8th grade dance St. Anthony s Faith Formation RE Faith Formation/ Edge Adult Faith Formation RCIA Sunday Readings Groups 7:30 am Misc. Gala Auction Clean Up Baptism Class 7:00 pm MC Adoration 2:00-10:00 pm First Eucharist 1:00 pm Mrs. Hopkins class & Faith Formation students Mass and Liturgy Schedule and Intentions Sunday, April 17th 8:30 am Mass Msgr. Jerry Stessman 10:30 am Mass Special Intention for the Davis Family Monday, April 18th 8:00 am Mass Communion Service Tuesday, April 19th 8:00 am Mass Rosalie Coppola Wednesday, April 20th 8:30 am Mass For the Parish Thursday, April 21st 8:00 am Mass Bill Hicks Friday, April 22nd 8:00 am Mass Greg Goaley Saturday, April 23rd 4:30 pm Mass Mary Green Give the spiritual gift of a Mass. Offer it for the soul of a loved one or someone special in your life. Contact the Parish Office at to schedule a mass intention Financial Blessings Ending Week of April 3, 2016 Yearly goal (July 15-June 16) $1,030,000 Weekly offertory collected $15,004 Year to date offering $785,674 Liturgical Ministers and Altar Servers Saturday, April 23rd at 4:30 pm Altar Server St. Benedict Team Lectors Chris Nigg Deanne McLaughlin EMHC Team 1 Cantors Jacob Fross Organist/Pianist Janice Weast Sunday, April 24th at 8:30 am Altar Server St. James Team Lectors Tom Henderson Amanda DeJong EMHC Team 1 Children s Liturgy Team E Cantor Eric Sharp Organist/Pianist Janice Weast Sunday, April 24th at 10:30 am Altar Server St. Anthony Team Lectors Peggy Jones Billy Howe EMHC Team 1 Children s Liturgy Team 5 Musical Coordinator Jim Shutt CH - Church 6N, 6H, 7R, 7P, 8W, 8G Classrooms DC - Day Chapel Gym - Gymnasium K - Kitchen MC - Media Center PO - Parish Office Conference Room SR - Social Room SL - Staff Lounge

7 PARISH CONTACTS HOLY TRINITY CATHOLIC CHURCH Rev. Michael A. Amadeo, Pastor 2926 Beaver Ave Des Moines, Iowa PARISH OFFICE Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm (515) ext SCHOOL OFFICE Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm (515) ext Fax: (515) RELIGIOUS FAITH FORMATION OFFICE (515) ext For a Staff Directory, Calendar, or a List of Ministries and Groups, please go to PARISH REGISTRATION Registration forms are available in the pews, at the Parish Office or call ext SCHOOL REGISTRATION Contact Melissa Heller at ext or mheller@htschool.org MASS TIMES Weekend Saturday: 4:30 pm Sunday: 8:30 am & 10:30 am Weekdays Monday: 8:00 am Communion Service Tuesday/Thursday/Friday: 8:00 am Wednesday: 8:30 am All School Mass Adoration Thursday: 2:00 pm 10:00 pm Reconciliation Saturday: 3:00 pm SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION Baptism: Class is held once a month on a Monday at 7:00 pm. Contact the Parish Office to register. Matrimony: Contact the Parish Office at least 6 months prior to the wedding date. RCIA: The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the process adults go through to come into full communion with the Catholic Church., contact Jim Wilwerding at or jimw@holytrinitydm.org PASTORAL CARE Anointing of the Sick: Contact the Parish Office at Communion to the Sick: If you are aware of someone who is homebound or in the hospital or nursing home and would like to receive communion, contact Sandy at ext Prayer Chain: In the event of a crisis or serious illness of a family member or friend, your party will be included (with their permission) through a phone tree of parishioners who offer prayers daily. BULLETIN ARTICLES Submit no later than noon, Friday (10 days before date of Sunday bulletin). parishoffice@holytrinitydm.org Articles will be subject to edit and available space. Advertisers of the Week: To advertise your business, please contact Andy Negrete in the Parish Office ext or andyn@holytrinitydm.org FACILITIES SCHEDULING & RENTAL Parishioners may call Andy Negrete at ext for more information.

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