Resources by Date for May 2023

We really don’t know a lot about these two apostle. James, called James the Lesser to distinguish him from James the son of Zebedee. Philip is mentioned in the gospel most in relation to his doubts about Jesus. But both were included in the Twelve, those chosen directly by Jesus.

The readings for the 5th Sunday of Easter Year A tell us that we are called to follow Jesus and serve him, even though we don’t know where that might lead us.

St. Damien of Molokai volunteered to be a missionary to Molokai in Hawaii. There was a colony of people afflicted with leprosy (Hansen’s disease) there. Because of fear of the disease, these people were isolated from other communities.

The feast of Our Lady of Fatima commemorates the appearance of the Blessed Virgin Mary to three children in Fatima, Portugal in 1917. Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta were shepherds, and while watching their sheep Our Lady appeared to them on six separate occasions. She instructed them to be devoted to God and to pray the rosary.

The readings for the 6th Sunday of Easter Year A remind us that God is always with us and always caring for us, no matter where we are or what the circumstance. So some possible themes for this Sunday are trust in God and a reverence for human dignity.

St. Matthias was chosen by the apostles to replace Judas, who betrayed Jesus. Unlike the other apostles, he was not called directly by Jesus, but was chosen by casting lots.

The readings for the 7th Sunday of Easter Year A remind us that even though Jesus is not with us in his human body, we are still connected to him and to each other in prayer.

The feast of the Ascension of the Lord Year A commemorates the day that Jesus Christ ascended into heaven. He also gave the Great Commission, that all of the world should be saved. So this is a day to focus on our service to the Kingdom of God and evangelization. Here are some ideas for youth ministry, your home, and your Sunday School.

Even during his own lifetime people respected St. Bede for his faith and wisdom. He was called venerable by those around him.

St. Philip Neri lived in Italy in the sixteenth century. He trained with his uncle to be a merchant, but felt himself called to serve the poor of Rome instead. There he ministered to the sick and to prostitutes. After 17 years of ministry, he decided to enter the priesthood. Eventually he founded an order of priests known as the Oratory. These priests visited various churches in Rome to preach and to hear confessions. Philip himself was known for his piety, humor, and joyful nature.

The Spirit is obviously the main focus for the Mass readings for Pentecost Year A. Empowered by the gifts of the Holy Spirit, we go out to the world to preach the message of Jesus Christ. This is the birthday of The Church and is celebrated 50 days after Easter. It is the last day of the Easter season.

The feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of the Church recalls that Mary received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost with the Apostles. At this time, she understood what it meant to say yes to God and saw the grace bestowed on us all by her son, Jesus Christ. This feast also reminds us that at the cross, Jesus gave Mary to the Church to be a mother to us all.

The feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary commemorates when Mary, pregnant with Jesus, visited her cousin Elizabeth, who was pregnant with John the Baptist. John was aware of the presence of the Lord and leapt in Elizabeth’s womb.