Pastor's Note from Fr. Szparagowski 📝 - [April 26th Bulletin]

Dear St. Philip Neri Family and Friends,

We give praise and thanks to God for the graces and blessings.

On this Fourth Sunday of Easter, the Church places before us the comforting and powerful image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd.

In a world filled with noise, competing voices, and uncertainty, this Gospel speaks directly to the deepest longing of the human heart: to be known, to be guided, and to be safe.

Jesus says,

“The sheep hear his voice, as he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.”

Notice that - He calls them by name.

Our relationship with Christ is never distant or impersonal. He knows each of us intimately - our struggles, our fears, our hopes, and even the parts of our lives we would rather hide. And still, Jesus calls us.

But the question for us today is simple: Do we recognize His voice?

There are many voices in our lives - voices of fear, doubt, distraction, and even false promises. The Gospel warns us about “thieves and robbers” - those influences that pull us away from God, that promise fulfillment but leave us empty. These can be habits, attitudes, or even the pressures of our culture.

The voice of the Good Shepherd is different. It is steady. It is faithful. It is filled with truth and love.

Jesus does not drive us - He leads us. He walks ahead of us. That means wherever we go, whatever we face, He has already been there.

There is no darkness we encounter that He has not already entered. There is no suffering we carry that He has not already borne.

And this is where trust becomes essential. To follow the Good Shepherd means to trust Him - even when the path is unclear. Even when we don’t understand. Even when we are tempted to go our own way.

Trust is not about having all the answers; it is about knowing the One who does.

Jesus assures us:

"I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”

Not just existence—but abundant life. A life filled with grace, purpose, peace, and ultimately, eternal joy.

This abundant life is not something we create on our own. It is a gift—given through His presence, His guidance, and His faithfulness.

Jesus never abandons His flock. Even when we wander, Jesus seeks us. Even when we fall, He lifts us. Even when we are faithless, He remains faithful.

So today, we are invited to do three simple but profound things:

• First, listen—take time in prayer to recognize His voice.
• Second, trust—believe that He truly is leading you, even now.
• Third, follow—have the courage to go where He leads, even if it stretches you.

Jesus, the Good Shepherd is not distant. He is here. He is calling you—by name.

Please invite someone to Mass today,

St. Philip Neri, pray for us.

Have a blessed Easter,

-- Fr. Szparagowski