The Fourth Sunday of Easter each year is known as Good Shepherd Sunday and is the day of prayer for vocations. The oldest image of Jesus found in the early Church is the image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd carrying home on his shoulders a lost sheep. I once saw a wood carving of the Good Shepherd with Jesus having a smile on his face.The joy of the Good Shepherd was obvious.      Jesus speaks of Himself as the Shepherd and he makes the distinction between the Shepherd and the hired hand. The Shepherd will lay down his life for his sheep, while the hired hand will flee danger.      Jesus uses this same image when he commissions St. Peter to lead the Church. From the very beginning of Christianity, the image of the Shepherd is used both for our Savior and for the clergy. These images are evident today. We call the Pope the Shepherd of the Universal Church, our Diocesan Bishops are called shepherds and the symbols of their office include the shepherd’s crosier. Leaders of parishes are called “pastors” which call to mind the ancient symbol of the shepherd.      So it is appropriate to take this day and pray for vocations to the clergy. The Lord has called each Bishop, Priest and Deacon in a specific way to serve the Church. Members of both the clergy and the faithful are called to support our clergy through prayer and to pray that more will receive and answer the call to serve as members of the clergy.      All of us need to continue to pray for an increase in vocations and to support our priests, bishops and deacons in their vocations, and encourage our seminarians to continue their journey following their call of ordained ministry. God Bless! Fr. Joe Bacevice

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY

This Sunday, is Mothers Day, the day we honor our mothers. On this day, we remember the prayer of blessing given to new mothers on the day their child is baptized: "God the Father, through his Son, the Virgin Mary’s child, has brought joy to all Christian mothers, as they see the hope of eternal light shine on their children. May he bless (our mothers). They now thank God for the gift of their children. May they be one with their children in thanking God for ever in heaven, in Christ Jesus our Lord."

MEMORIAL DAY

Monday, May 27^th is Memorial Day. Again this year, our Catholic War Veterans Post 613 will have their annual Memorial Day commemoration here at St. Casimir, beginning at 8:30am with a service at the Freedom Memorial in our Neff Road parking lot, followed by Mass. The commemoration will conclude with breakfast at the Lithuanian Club (877 E 185^th St.). All are invited.

SUPPORT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

This weekend we are accepting donations for the Office of Catechetical Services. This office focuses on supporting and enhancing the catechetical initiative (PSR programs) throughout the Diocese and supports faith formation for all including adult faith formation, catechetical leader training and catechist formation for teachers of religion, media literacy, and the Newman Campus Ministry program. Please use the envelopes provided for this collection and please be generous.

PICK UP YOUR FLOWER ORDERS
NEXT WEEKEND

Those who ordered flowers and vegetables from the Altar Society Plant Sale will be able to pick up their orders next Saturday, May 18^th, from 2-5pm, and after the 5:30 Mass and on Sunday, May 19^th, after all the Masses.
     We are also looking for volunteers on the morning of Saturday, May 18^th (beginning at 9:30am) to help unload, sort and distribute the orders. Come help for the entire time or just for an hour or two. Please sign up at the main entrance to the Church if you can help out.
     If you forgot to order plants, there will be some extras available for sale during the pick-up times. We thank everyone for their support.

 CATHOLIC CHARITIES

     Next weekend, we will be participating in an important Follow-Up Parish Appeal for Catholic Charities. Funds raised through this effort will support improving the camp experience for campers with disabilities through camperships to help reduce financial burdens, programming and activities for campers with special needs, and cabin renovations that are adaptive for campers of all abilities. With your support, Catholic Charities will be able to serve more campers with special needs and enhance their experience once they arrive at Camp Christopher.

     As in past years, all new, increased and additional gifts returned in the in-Pew Envelopes next weekend or donated online will be matched up to $100,000.  Donate online at: www.CatholicCommunity.org/Camp We hope you see the benefits that camp can have on persons with special needs. Prayerfully consider the impact you can have on all who attend Camp Christopher, and please give as generously as possible. Contact Karen Joyce at 216-696-6525 x 1910. Thank you for making a difference.

CATHOLIC WAR VETERANS

Memorial Day is approaching, and our Catholic War Veterans Post 613 will have their annual Poppy Distribution. This activity enables the Post to continue their welfare programs for our veterans and their families. They will be distributing poppies and accepting donations after all the Masses the weekend of May 25-26. Please be generous in supporting their work.