The Good Shepherd image is one of the abiding pictures of Christ in the early Christian Church, and imagination. Words like “pastor” and “pasto-ral care” draw their meaning and power from the image of Jesus as the kind, generous, and caring shepherd of the flock.

What this image of Jesus is suggesting is that he is the gate of the sheep-fold. It is implying that he will prevent our destruction by laying down his life. He has come to us that we may have life and have it abundantly.

The continuation of the passage in today’s reading is important. “I am the good shepherd, the one that lays down his life for the sheep.” It is for this reason, we are assured, that God’s love is portrayed in Christ. So the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus the Christ, continues to protect and direct our lives. This is a good thing.

Not everyone is able to remain on the journey. Jesus the Christ, and the Paschal Mystery, is a sign of what God does for us, rather than something we create as a requirement to meet God. We who have encountered the Christ, who have professed faith, are guided and guarded by an eternal shepherd. As God continues to give his unconditional “Yes” for us, it is time we invoke our “Yes” for God, in his son, Jesus the Christ.

So we engage in a holy way of life, taking responsibility for our faith, living in the midst of a Church community, guided by the Good Shepherd. We can be faithful in our own loving be-cause God is faithful in loving us.

Father Ken

MONDAY . April 26DAILY MASS . LIVE-STREAMED

• Church . 8amTUESDAY . April 27DAILY MASS . LIVE-STREAMED

• Church . 8amFAITH UPDATE• O’Neill . 9amBOOK CLUB . IN-PERSON

• O’Neill . 7pmWEDNESDAY . April 28DAILY MASS . LIVE-STREAMED

• Church . 8amCONFESSION . Cana Room• 8:30-9amBOOK CLUB . IN-PERSON

• O’Neill . 7pm THURSDAY . April 29DAILY MASS . LIVE-STREAMED

• Church . 8amBOOK CLUB . IN-PERSON

• O’Neill . 3pmFRIDAY . April 30DAILY MASS . LIVE-STREAMED

• Church . 8amSATURDAY . May 1DAILY MASS . LIVE-STREAMED

• Church . 8amFIRST COMMUNION PRACTICE• Church . 10amCONFESSION . Cana Room• 8:30-9am and 3:30-4:15pmWEEKEND MASS• Church . 4:30pmSUNDAY . May 2WEEKEND MASS• Church . 8am LIVE-STREAMED

FIRST COMMUNION MASS

• Church . 9:30am LIVE-STREAMED

MONDAY . May 3WORD AND COMMUNION• Church . 8amTUESDAY . May 4DAILY MASS . LIVE-STREAMED

• Church . 8amFAITH UPDATE• O’Neill . 9amBOOK CLUB . IN-PERSON

• O’Neill . 7pmWEDNESDAY . May 5DAILY MASS . LIVE-STREAMED

• Church . 8am CONFESSION . Cana Room• 8:30-9amBOOK CLUB . IN-PERSON

• O’Neill . 7pm

PHONE 815-232-3225

WEB www.stthomasfreeport.org

FACEBOOK EMAIL

sta@stthomasfreeport.org

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD

2 WEEKSP L A N N I N G from the pen of father ken

THURSDAY . May 6DAILY MASS . LIVE-STREAMED

• Church . 8amBOOK CLUB . IN-PERSON

• O’Neill . 3pmFRIDAY . May 7DAILY MASS . LIVE-STREAMED

• Church . 8amSATURDAY . May 8DAILY MASS . LIVE-STREAMED

• Church . 8amCONFESSION . Cana Room• 8:30-9am and 3:30-4:15pmWEEKEND MASS• Church . 4:30pmSUNDAY . May 9HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!WEEKEND MASSES• Church . 8am LIVE-STREAMED

. 9:30am-May Crowning

LOW GLUTEN HOSTSPersons with Celiac disease are oftentimes unable to con-sume communion hosts used at Mass because of an intol-erance to gluten. A host has been developed that has been given Vatican approval. It has a miniscule amount of gluten to make it valid matter for the Eucharist. Most people with Celiac disease or a gluten intolerance are able to consume these hosts.

St. Thomas is looking into offering these hosts at our week-end Masses, but we would like to know how many people we can expect to receive this special host.

Stop in, call the office at 815-232-3225 or email sta@sttho-masfreeport.org to get your name on the list today!

View this bulletin online at www.DiscoverMass.com

WEBSITEwww.stthomasfreeport.org FAITH FORMATION & CENTENNIAL

1

2

3

To register, go to: stthomasfreeport.formed.org

THE BEST CATHOLIC CONTENT. ALL IN ONE PLACE.

1000s of FREE Catholic Movies, Bible Studies, Blogs and So Much More!

go to www.stthomasfreeport.org, scroll down to the ‘FORMED’ box and click on ‘here’.

click on ‘Next’ in the blue box.

enter your name and email and hit ‘Next’

Enjoy!

On future visits, use Step 1, but on Step 2, click ‘Sign In’ in the upper right corner of your screen.

View this bulletin online at www.DiscoverMass.com

ST. THOMAS AQUINAS1400 Kiwanis Drive Freeport, IL 61032STEWARDSHIP

5K/1 Mile Fun Run/WalkSaturday . May 8, 2021 . 9:30am

(9am Registration)St. Rita’s Catholic Church

6254 Valley Knoll DriveRockford, IL 61109

$40 Registration Fee - Race Day T-Shirt Included

All participants are asked to help raise money for renovations

the Blue Nuns are completing at the Madonna Renewal Center, which houses

pregnant women and moms in need.

Register at www.madonnarenewalcenter.org

and click2021 Blue Nun Fun Run Registration.

LORD, POUR OUT YOUR

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is Liberty.” (2 Corinthians 3:17)

NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYERMay 6, 2021

LOVE, LIFE AND

2021 Stephenson County National Day of Prayer

STOP AND PRAY7am-7pm

Stephenson County Farm Bureau

Masks will be required according to Stephenson County Farm Bureau’s Covid-19 policy. Attendees will receive prayer guides, patriotic cross pins, special books and

treats to go. 50-person capacity per room.

ONLINE WEEKEND MASS REGISTRATION

Pre-registration is available on our Facebook page, webpage and Floc-knotes for Masses through Sunday, May 30--and you can edit and view your registration at any time!

Set-up an account with SignUp Genius, or use it as a guest each time. Just provide an email address with SignUp Genius when you register--only so they can email you a confirmation of your registration. Nothing else.

If you have any difficulty with our new system, do not hesitate to contact our offices for assistance at 815-232-3225.

Access SignUp Genius by scanning the code or visiting www.qrgo.page.link/tD7FC

NOTE: When registering, list only 1 name per line. You can register mul-tiple names with 1 email, but names must be listed separately.

HELP WANTED!As we are now moving into our 2nd year of COVID-19 protocols, we are in need of more weekend volun-teers to help us all stay safe when we come to pray in God’s house. Roles range from check-in to usher to cleaners. You can do one job-or all three jobs-any time you come to Mass. At most, you might need to arrive 20 minutes before Mass, and/or stay 10 minutes after Mass. Training can be done in a few minutes the first time you help.

You decide your availability. Help when you can, don’t when you can’t. It is very easy and a great way to meet your fellow parishioners--all while serving the Lord!

Stop in, call the office at 815-232-3225 or email la-hayes@stthomasfreeport.org to get your name on the list today!

View this bulletin online at www.DiscoverMass.com

FAITH FORMATIONWEBSITEwww.stthomasfreeport.org

Are you looking for a school where academics, athletics, and faith are nurtured?

Aquin Catholic Schools offer innovative academics and a thriving sports program in a welcoming Catholic community.

Our Preschool to 12th-grade college-preparatory school will help your child develop creativity, critical thinking skills,

and respect for self and others.

Enroll your children in Aquin Catholic Schools TODAYand watch them not only grow but FLOURISH!(Photo taken

pre-Covid)

PLANT A ‘MARY GARDEN’Bringing your faith to your backyard!

While you are at the garden center over the next few weeks, consider creating a ‘Mary Garden’ this year!

Virgin Mary Garden Flowers • Marigold means Mary’s gold. • Clematis is called Virgin’s Bower. • Lavender is known as Mary’s Drying Plant. • Lady’s mantle goes by Mary’s Mantle. • Columbine is sometimes called Our Lady’s Shoes. • Daisy has an alternative common name of Mary’s Star. • Any blue flowers (the color of Our Lady . . . use morning glories or bachelor buttons) • Roses • Rosemary (has her name in there) • Lilies, a symbol of the annunciation--day lilies are a good one that bloom for a long time and aren’t too finicky to upkeep

And the finishing touch would be to add a statue of Mary to watch over your beautiful garden.

Happy Planting!

2021-22 Registration is opening soon. Call 815-235-3154 x 224 to schedule your Visit Day or speak to Admission Services. www.aquinschools.org . Serving our Community since 1923 . www.facebook.com/aquinschools1923

From LouAnn Hayes, St. Thomas Director of Faith Formation . . . This past year has been exhausting--although it has brought families together more. Something good comes out of a difficult time.

I have received requests from parents about ways to teach their children more about their Catholic Faith at a pre-school age.

I have put together some resources that anyone can use to grow your child’s faith. They are all linked in an online flier at www.smore.com/kbjm9 or you can access it by scanning the code below.

\

One of the resources for preschoolers is ‘Brother Francis’ which introduces the Catholic Faith to your childen in an engaging and entertaining way. ‘Broth-er Francis’ is available in Formed. St. Thomas offers our parishioners a complimentary subscription to Formed.org. Use the access information found on page 2 of this bulletin. Once you have logged into Formed.org, just type the words “Brother Francis” in the search bar.

Please reach out to me if I can answer any questions or help in any way.

Many blessings,Lou Ann

View this bulletin online at www.DiscoverMass.com

PASTOR Very Reverend Kenneth J. Anderson, V.F. 815-232-3225

PAROCHIAL VICAR Reverend Joel Lopez, OFS 815-232-3225DEACONS Kim Hemesath 815-541-6760 Steve Pospischil 815-233-2422

OFFICE MANAGEMENT BUSINESS MANAGER Karen Sopcic 815-232-3225 SECRETARY Sandy Roser 815-232-3225 PARISH HALL COORDINATOR & SACRISTAN Norma Langarica 815-232-3225

PARISH COMMISSIONS PASTORAL COUNCIL Dick Drogosz 815-238-9068 Cathy Finch 815-975-7621 Barb Hemesath 815-541-6761 Deacon Kim Hemesath 815-541-6760 Dan Moeller 815-235-9428 Deacon Steve Pospischil 815-233-2422 Lloyd Redington 815-858-4751 FINANCE COUNCIL Jim Brannick 815-232-6675 SPIRITUAL LIFE COMMISSION OPEN FAITH FORMATION COMMISSION OPEN PASTORAL CARE MINISTRIES Jan Moss 815-232-2259

FAITH FORMATION AQUIN CATHOLIC SCHOOLS Aquin Administration: Elizabeth Heitkamp 815-235-3154 School Board Rep: Greg Guilliams 815-291-5839 FAITH FORMATION COORDINATOR Lou Ann Hayes 847-373-5745 YOUTH MINISTRY Lou Ann Hayes 847-373-5745

LITURGICAL MINISTRIES EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF COMMUNION Deacon Steve Pospischil 815-233-2422 LECTORS Deacon Steve Pospischil 815-233-2422 USHERS 4:30 pm OPEN 8:00 am Tom Kornfeind 815-233-4519 10:30 am Roland Caruso 815-291-4253 MASS SERVERS Diane Fiedler 815-369-4158 MUSIC COORDINATOR Laura Diemer 815-541-2596

GROUPS ST. THOMAS KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS Meetings 2nd Wednesday of each month Nick Thompson 815-745-2477 EUCHARISTIC ADORATION OPEN Please contact the Office 815-232-3225 SERVANTS OF MARY Mary Blair 815-235-3225 PARISH PRAYER TREE Please contact the Office 815-232-3225

MASS TIMES &INFORMATION

APRIL 26-MAY 2, 2021Watch daily Mass LIVE at 8am

and Weekend Mass LIVE at 8am on Sunday on

our Facebook page, website or through the

‘My Parish’ app!

DAILY MASS SERVICES(to be held in the church) MON 8am MASS • for Sherry Bell TUE 8am MASS • for the Deceased Loved Ones of St. Thomas Aquinas Parishioners WED 8am MASS • for the Deceased Loved Ones of St. Thomas Aquinas Parishioners THU . 8am MASS •for the Deceased Loved Ones of St. Thomas Aquinas Parishioners FRI . 8am MASS • for Ozzie Stambaugh SAT . 8am MASS • for the Deceased Loved Ones of St. Thomas Aquinas Parishioners

WEEKEND MASSES SAT . 4:30pm MASS • for the Deceased Loved Ones of St. Thomas Aquinas Parishioners SUN 8am MASS • for Joe Pospischil SUN 9:30am MASS • for the People of the Parish

OFFICE HOURS MON-FRI 8am-4:00pm SUN 9am-10:30am

PARISH REGISTRATION Registration forms are available in the office or www.stthomasfreeport.org.

BAPTISM Second Sunday of the month during a weekend Mass; preparation classes required. RECONCILIATION SAT 3:30-4:15pm WED & SAT 8:30-9am or by appointment CONFIRMATION Held every 2 years for 8th & 9th grade students. MARRIAGE Please contact church office to make an appointment with Father. ANOINTING OF THE SICK (formerly, LAST RITES) Please contact church office to arrange for anointing for some- one who is seriously ill or pre- paring for surgery. If ill, home bound or hospitalized, we can visit upon request. Anointing of the Sick will hopefully be available again on the first Friday of the Month following the 8am Mass in the chapel.

SACRAMENTSAPRIL 17-18C O L L E C T I O N S

Envelopes $5,110.00Loose Offering 381.00Total $5,491.00Online Giving $2,312.34- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Sunday Envelopes • Please drop your envelopes in one of the three offertory recep-tacles in the church, in the church office or in the mail.Online Giving• Please let us know if you’d like to start giving online today!

Our tithe for April will be sent to Hope for Haitians.

Their goal is provide a sustainable improvement in the lives of those they serve. Housing, reliable

food sources, clean water, medical care, education and economic opportunity are all

part of their approach.

OUR PARISHTITHE

Please pray for the repose of the souls of Marilyn Evans,

sister of Tom Giuffre, Marilyn Gibbs; and

Annie Graves, grandmother of Matthew Graves

of our parish.

REPOSE OF THE SOUL

HOLY FAMILY LIGHTS

are burning in loving memory of Mr. and Mrs.

Harold Keleher.

All Are WelcomeAll of our events, meetings and celebra-

tions are open to everyone so please

mark them on your calendar and join us! (available in Google Play & The App Store) www.stthomasfreeport.orgConnect with Us!

815-232-3225

sta@stthomasfreeport.org

April’s Prayer Intention:Say one Hail Mary a day that that the joy

of the Resurrection be part of our daily lives.

is a faith community under the

guidance of the Holy Spirit dedicated

to proclaiming the Gospel of

Jesus through Word, Sacrament,

and Service both to its

parishioners and the broader community

through worship, prayer

and evangelization.

View this bulletin online at www.DiscoverMass.com

Greg Pope

gpope

IllinoisCatholicMatch.com/goIL

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