Our Parish Mission — ‘Nuestra Senora de La Luz’ (Our Lady of the Light) is a community that comes together to model Jesus to all peoples by addressing physical concerns and spiritual matters, and to do as Jesus did, giving everything to bring people into a closer relationship with God, in celebration.

FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER: GOOD SHEPHERD OR VOCATION SUNDAY Readings: Acts 2: 14, 36-41, 1 Peter 2: 20-25, John 10: 1-10 Theme: Jesus, the good Shepherd. The Fourth Sunday of Easter is known as Good Shepherd Sunday. The Gospel readings for the three Liturgical cycles are taken from chapter 10 of John’s Gospel, on the Good Shepherd. In Year B, Jesus presents himself as the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep (Jn. 10: 11-18). For Year C, he is the one that knows the sheep that belong to him and he gives them eternal life (Jn. 10: 27-30). Today, for Year A, he presents himself as the Good Shepherd who is known and followed by his flock. He also presents himself as the gate of the sheepfold. In the Old Testament, the relationship between God and his people was like the relationship between a shepherd and his flock. Israel was the flock of the Lord and God was the shepherd of his people, who led them with fatherly care and tenderness. Kings, seen as “the sent and anointed of Yahweh, were attributed the title of shepherd, but many of them were bad shepherds and abused the trust that was laid on them. The “Law abiding” Pharisees and leaders of the people were also like shepherds, but they were not good shepherds because they did not care about the welfare of the people. They did not pasture the flock dutifully and did not enter into the sheepfold through the gate. At the time Jesus was speaking, nomadic shepherds used to gather their flock in one place called PEN at night and one of them or an employed guard/gatekeeper looked after the animals as the shepherds slept. Early in the morning, the shepherds went to the gatekeeper and he opened the gate for them. Each shepherd called “his own sheep” in a characteristic way and they recognized his voice, came out and followed him. The porter would not open if the person at the gate was a thief or a brigand, so such ill-willed mercenaries could not enter through the gate but sneaked in from another part of the sheepfold. Their mission was not to take care of the sheep, but to harm and rob. Therefore, Christ, the Good Shepherd, enters through the gate. He knows us individually by name, loves us and takes care of us. We reciprocate this love by listening to his voice (Cf. Jn 14:15-23) and following him as sheep follow their shepherd. His voice is the voice truth that we have to recognize and follow, because it does not deceive or lead us astray but leads us to the truth. Also, today, the church invites us to think about and pray for our personal vocations in the Church, the family of Christ’s faithful, and particularly pray and assist in the promotion of vocations to the priesthood – to have men who will follow in the footsteps of the Lord as faithful shepherds of his people – and to the religious life. As members of the body of Christ, each person has a role to play in building up that body, the Church, for which Christ shares his office of Shepherd with his disciples. Each one exercises the care of a shepherd according to the grace given to him or her. For some, that role of shepherd will be found as parents, single life, religious life or priesthood, teachers, directors, governors, presidents, etc. Finally, shepherd has to go through a lot of hardships for the sake of his sheep; risk of life, care, love, concern, etc. Could we say that this is expected also from any one who is placed over another person? Could we say that Parents, pastors, teachers, CEOs or Leaders are called to be the true shepherds after the mind of Christ? Let us think about this. Jesus loves you, and so do I. --Rev. Marcel Okonkwo.

Altar Servers (Carol Garcia 446-2129)

Church Cleaners: . If you can’t make your

assigned date, please trade with someone else.

If the Church is not open, please call Carol

Garcia at 446-2129.

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion

Nuestra Señora de La Luz

Our Lady of the Light Catholic Church

P.O. Box 236 La Luz, New Mexico 88337

(www.ourladyofthelight.org) Office: (575) 434 - 9460

Mon. – Thurs. (10:00 - 4:00pm) Pastor - Fr. Marcel Okonkwo

Deacon: Andy Weiss DRE: Alicia McAninch

Ministry to the Home Bound: Janice Gillen

Food Bank: 434-9460

4th Sunday of Easter May 3rd, 2020

Sacrament of Reconciliation:

Saturdays: 3:00 – 3:30 pm

Weekend Masses:

Saturday Evening: 4:00 pm

Sunday: 10:00 am (Rosary recited before

Mass)

Weekday Masses:

Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday - 8:30 am

Communion Service - Monday & Wednesday

Eucharistic Adoration - Thursdays after

Mass.

Anointing of the Sick - 1st Friday of the

Month

Mass Intentions Sat: Special Int. for Pat & Dick Antram by their children Sun: † For Repose of the Soul of Bessie Sanchez & Family healing by K. Sanchez Mon: †Lavonne & Deacon Don Dickman Tues: For the Sick of the Parish

Wed: † Bessie Sanchez by K. Sanchez Thurs: F or the Parishioners of Our Lady of the Light

Fri: † Bessie Sanchez by K. Sanchez Sat: † For those who have died from the Corona Virus.

Readers (Carol Garcia)

May 2nd - T. & D. Lozano

May 3rd - D. Chelgren & A. Mizerka

May 9 - C. & T. McGinn

May 10 - H. Sanchez & F. Pacheco

Please pray for those serving in our military

Major Paul Weaver (USAF) Jeremiah Williams (USAF) Eric Gayso - (Army) SSgt. Eliza Granados (USAF) Tec. Sgt. Robert Seaburgh (USAF) Markie Campbell Raul Martinez Jr. (USAF) Capt. Amanda Armijo Katherine Agnew (Army) John Gill - USAF Andrew McLaughlin Clinton Caleb Muncy (Marines)

Sick of the Parish John Herrera David Kellar Martha Kellar Bob Kellar Danny Lucero Clara Silva John Clute Marie Black Lane Dokken Lucas Gaukler Tilly Telles Diane Lopez Stacy Miller Lisa Gutierrez Sandra Wilder Anthony Lopez Margaret Brabson Tommy Garcia Bill Gayso Frank Borunda Erlinda Garcia Larry McEntire Sr. Edward Strumpf Sandra Carrillo Amanda Rose John Wilson Bobby Granados Roma Duncan Michelle Robinson

Parish Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 10:00am - 4:00 pm - Or by appointment.

Closed on all major holidays. (575) 434-9460(www.ourladyof thelight.org)

Offering Envelopes If you would like to continue supporting our parish by using your Offering envelopes, or making monetary donations. you can mail your envelopes & donations to: Our Lady of the Light Catholic Church, - P.O. Box 236 La Luz, NM 88337. Thank you for your continued support of our parish.

Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession)

If you would like to receive the sacrament of reconciliation or confession, please call the parish office and leave your name and telephone number. Fr. Marcel will contact you to set up an appointment for a time for confession. Fr. Marcel will also be available on Saturday afternoon at 3:30 in the church parking lot. Please remain in your cars and Father will come to you.

You’re invited to Join Us for Weekend Mass!

4:00pm Saturday/10:00am Sunday

Presiado Park (across from the Parish Hall)

Parking Spaces Limited You may remain in your vehicle for the duration of Mass or sit outside in the park (bring your own chairs). Please

practice safe Social Distancing.

Principal/Administrator position The All Saints Catholic School in

Roswell, NM is looking for a Principal/Administrator. If you are interested please

send your resume via email to secretary@allsaintsroswell.us or allsaint

scatholicschool.board@gmail.com.

Please pray for those serving in our military

Major Paul Weaver (USAF) Jeremiah Williams (USAF)

SSgt. Eliza Granados (USAF) Tec. Sgt. Robert Seaburgh

Katherine Agnew (Army)

Visit Our Website for Parish News, Events, & Photos! http://www.ourladyofthelight.org

Our Lady of the Light Food Pantry Our Lady of the Light Food Pantry

The Food Pantry is in need of the following items: Boxed mac and

cheese, Pasta sauce and noodles, Ramen noodles, canned soups, cold

cereal Small sugar and flour, small vegetable oil, canned beans &

dried rice, canned fruit, and potted meat and tuna. In April the Food Pantry

served 482 families. In May, the panty will be open the 2nd and the 4th Tuesday

of the month. The pantry will open from 9:30am until 3:00pm and will

distribute pre-packed food boxes. We would like to sincerely thank all of our

Pantry Volunteers, parishioners and everyone who have contributed food items

and given monetary donations to the food pantry. God bless you all.

How to Make an Act of Spiritual Communion

1. Make the Sign of the Cross

2. If possible, read the Mass Readings

3. Recite the Prayer of Spiritual Communion:

“My Jesus, I believe that you are truly present in the Most

Blessed Sacrament. I love You above all things and I desire to

possess You within my soul. Since I am unable at this moment

to receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my

heart. I embrace You as being already there, and unite myself wholly

to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen”

A Prayer During Coronavirus Pandemic

O clement, O loving, O sweet Mother Mary,

We, your children of every nation,

Turn to you in this pandemic.

Our troubles are numerous; our fears are great.

Grant that we might deposit them at your feet,

Take refuge in your Immaculate Heart,

And obtain peace, healing, rescue,

And timely help in all our needs.

You are our Mother. Pray for us to your Son. Amen.