May 4, 2025
Liturgy Planning
Liturgy Planning
- SUNDAY’S MASS
- FR. CONNER PENN
- FR. LAWRENCE MICK
3rd Sunday of Easter C
MUSIC | GREETING | PENITENTIAL RITE | COLLECT
LECTOR PREP | RESPONSORIAL| HOMILY | PETITIONS
SOURCE: Crypt Church (2019 | 2022)
The Basilica of the National Shrine – Crypt Church
Celebrant & Homilist: Rev. Msgr. Raymond East
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Opening/Closing Song
OCP | WILLOW | GIA | CANTICA NOVA
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Greeting
As in any new counter-movement, early Christians made their case regarding Christ’s identity and redemptive work under perilous conditions and the possibility of persecution. Their faith and commitment were expressed at enormous risk. This is still true for Christians in some places and situations, but not for most of us. Today’s readings challenge us who are not personally endangered: How compelling is our personal faith commitment?
SOURCE: CELEBRATION (May 5, 2019)
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Penitential Rite
- Lord Jesus, you showed your identity to the disciples: Lord, have mercy.
- Christ Jesus, you called them to feed your lambs and your sheep: Christ, have mercy.
- Lord Jesus, you challenged them and us to love, above all: Lord, have mercy.
SOURCE: CELEBRATION (May 5, 2019)
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Collect
SOURCE: Julie Storr
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Lector Prep
RELATED: Videos by Lisa M. Bellecci
Greg’s tips for the Sunday readings
focusing on the lector’s understanding and proclamation
LECTOR NOTES
Historical and Literary Background
Acts 5:27-32, 40-41
Proclaiming It: Two features of this reading should stand out in your proclamation. The first is Peter's rendering of the gospel in response to his interrogators. Don't let this compelling summary of the Good News get lost. Imagine yourself in Peter's place. The high priest barks at you. You stare back in silence for a moment, then stand, never taking your eyes off his. You don't hate or fear this man, and you'd love for him to accept the gospel. You don't think that's likely, but you're going to be as convincing as you can be. You take a deep breath and begin:
Now that you've convinced the congregation, if not the high priest, of the truth of the gospel, note the other special feature of this story, and make sure the congregation hears how special it is. The apostles left the hearing "rejoicing that they had been found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name." Note that the author of Acts doesn't think it necessary to expand on "the name." If you have the slightest doubt about whose name he means, read all the preceding chapters of Acts.
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Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 118
SOURCE: 2025 – Owen Alstott (OCP)
SOURCE: 2025 Spirit & Song (OCP)
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Homily
Bishop Barron | Deacon Peter McCulloch | Fr. Austin Fleming | Dominican Blackfriars | Fr. Charles E. Irvin | Fr. George Smiga | MORE
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Prayers of the Faithful
Discover a vast collection of over 100 petitions that are thoughtfully updated each week, ensuring a strong connection to the Sunday Readings.
OPENING: We pray now for the grace to carry on the work of all who are called to follow Christ.
CHURCH – Pope, Bishops, Priests | Unity | Protection
WORLD – Peace | Environment | Fiscal Stability | Nations
SPECIAL NEEDS – Pro-Life
COMMUNITY – Families | Sacraments | Religious Education
CLOSING: God who upholds us in all circumstances, we seek your support and guidance as we navigate the challenges of living our faith. We know we are called to follow Jesus day in and day out, with the same fervor as those who have gone before us. We ask for strength, courage and determination in God’s holy name. Amen.
SOURCE: CELEBRATION (May 5, 2019)
RESOURCES
General Instruction of the Roman Missal
A Simple Guide to Liturgical Enviornment (DIocese of New Ulm PDF)
Common Questions on Liturgical Norms – by Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy at the Regina Apostolorum Pontifical Athenaeum
DIRECTORY OF
POPULAR PIETY
AND THE LITURGY
Directory (Vatican)
Eastertide (PDF)
GUIDELINES AND RESOURCES
JUBILEE 2025
The Jubilee Year begins on Christmas Eve in Rome. Here are 16 pages with Resources to help you understand and celebrate the Jubilee and Holy Year of 2025!
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DIOCESE OF ST. PETERSBURG (1:51) – April 16, 2021
Papal Blessings
The Pope’s Urbi et Orbi Blessing, given twice yearly at Easter and Christmas, is directed to both the city (urbi) and world (orbi), offering a global message of reflection and hope.
This special blessing invites believers to contemplate Pope Francis’ words and discern God’s message through them, encouraging spiritual introspection on past events and future aspirations.
Pope Francis’ Easter 2025 Urbi et Orbi blessing emphasized peace, global disarmament, and the release of prisoners, highlighting the significance of Christ’s resurrection as the basis of hope. The blessing is an opportunity for Catholics worldwide to unite in prayer and reflection, seeking inspiration from the Pope’s words and striving for spiritual growth.
Pope Francis gives ‘Urbi et Orbi’ blessing on Easter Sunday 2025
Easter 2025 Urbi et Orbi Blessing
SUMMARY: Pope Francis focused on peace, global disarmament, and the release of prisoners in his Easter 2025 Urbi et Orbi blessing. He emphasized the significance of Christ's resurrection as the foundation of hope and encouraged believers to reflect on this message.
Easter 2024 Urbi et Orbi Blessing
SUMMARY: Pope Francis highlighted the importance of unity and fraternity, calling for an end to conflicts around the world. He emphasized the need for dialogue, solidarity, and the promotion of human dignity.
Easter 2023 Urbi et Orbi Blessing
SUMMARY: Pope Francis addressed the challenges posed by the ongoing pandemic. He encouraged hope and trust in God's mercy, calling for solidarity and support for those most affected by the crisis.
Easter 2022 Urbi et Orbi Blessing
SUMMARY: Pope Francis emphasized the importance of caring for the marginalized and vulnerable, calling for a more just and equitable world. He also encouraged vaccination efforts and prayed for an end to the pandemic.
Easter 2021 Urbi et Orbi Blessing
SUMMARY: Pope Francis focused on the theme of hope, addressing the challenges posed by the pandemic. He encouraged vaccination efforts and prayed for the vulnerable, emphasizing the power of the risen Christ to overcome darkness and despair.
Easter 2020 Urbi et Orbi Blessing
SUMMARY: Pope Francis offered a special Urbi et Orbi blessing in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, encouraging global unity and prayer for an end to the crisis. He called for solidarity, compassion, and renewed hope in the face of uncertainty.
RESOURCES
General Instruction of the Roman Missal
A Simple Guide to Liturgical Enviornment (DIocese of New Ulm PDF)
Common Questions on Liturgical Norms – by Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy at the Regina Apostolorum Pontifical Athenaeum
DIRECTORY OF
POPULAR PIETY
AND THE LITURGY
Directory (Vatican)
Eastertide (PDF)
GUIDELINES AND RESOURCES
JUBILEE 2025
The Jubilee Year begins on Christmas Eve in Rome. Here are 16 pages with Resources to help you understand and celebrate the Jubilee and Holy Year of 2025!
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“Tend My Sheep”
NCR Online Celebration Archive
The Gospel today suggests another message for the newly initiated. After Easter, Jesus appears to the disciples by the sea and subtly but powerfully reminds Peter (and surely the rest as well) of his betrayal. Yet he does not condemn or berate. Three times, he invites Peter to renew his love and to recommit himself to the mission entrusted to him. All of us fail too, the newly baptized included. And all of us are called repeatedly to renew our love relationship with Christ and to recommit ourselves to our mission.
As liturgical planners, we are also called to that kind of recommitment. When the risen Christ tells Peter to “Tend my sheep,” we might hear that as a mission entrusted to us as well. Our task is to help the assembly worship well and grow into deeper union with Christ. That may at times bring us opposition and emotional suffering, but it should also be a source of deep joy as we see our assemblies at worship.
Like the apostles, we are commissioned to lead people to Christ. We do that within the church walls by fostering good worship that invites people into an ever-deepening union with Christ and therefore with all our brothers and sisters. But we also need to remember that no Christian can limit his or her mission to the time and place of worship. We are all called to carry what we experience in the assembly to the streets and gathering places of people throughout society. Liturgy necessarily leads to mission beyond the church walls. Otherwise, it becomes a sterile pretense of worship, ultimately helping no one.
Find hymns and craft prayer intentions today that help the whole assembly to recognize the call to bring the Gospel to the world, no matter what suffering or opposition that mission may bring.
Jubilee Holy Year 2025
The Jubilee Year begins on Christmas Eve in Rome. Be sure to download Fr. Horning’s 16 page e-book with Resources to help you understand and celebrate the Jubilee and Holy Year of 2025!
