. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .			Fr. Charles Puthota
	From the Pastor's Desktop
	A Message from Father Charles Puthota
	April 21, 2024
Dear Parishioners of St. Elizabeth,

Easter Seasonal Musings: We are in the fourth week of Easter. By allowing the mystery of Easter to become part of our lives, we could begin to enjoy its power and beauty. The Risen Christ has shown us the way that, despite all sorts of odds in our life, hope springs eternal for new life. We are to come away from the tombs to places where life with Christ abounds. We can leave our tombs of sin and guilt, selfishness and self-centeredness, greed and self-gratification, bias and prejudice, grudges and resentment, hatred and bitterness, anger and indifference, anguish and anxiety, complacency and hopelessness. We can walk triumphant with the Risen Lord into the light of life. We are an Easter people! We are a Resurrection people! We are a people of hope and peace and joy! Let's come away from the mood of Lent and the sadness of Good Friday and rejoice with the Lord. He's risen from the dead, alleluia! Because of Jesus' resurrection, we can experience transcendence in our daily lives---and help heal, comfort, console, and transform the world, one person at a time, one day at a time, one situation at a time, one relationship at a time, one issue at a time. May the Risen Christ energize us as he did 2000 years ago --- for love and service.

Easter Quotes: Gordon B. Hinckley: "There would be no Christmas if there was no Easter." Charles M. Crowe: "Easter tells us that life is to be interpreted not simply in terms of things but in terms of ideals." Kate McGahan: "The very first Easter taught us this: that life never ends and love never dies." Pope Francis: "We proclaim the resurrection of Christ when his light illuminates the dark moments of our existence." S.D. Gordon: "Easter spells out beauty, the rare beauty of new life."." Basil Hume: "The great gift of Easter is hope."

Archdiocesan Annual Appeal (AAA) 2024: Archdiocesan Annual Appeal (AAA)---We've Reached the Goal of $32,089. Congratulations and Thanks! Please see the names of donors on the last page of the bulletin. Those who are still considering, please give; the surplus gets returned to our parish for our own parish ministries and services. In the time span of six weeks, we reached the goal. We started the 2024 AAA campaign on February 4 and arrived at our goal by March 17. Again, my deep gratitude to everyone who participated in AAA. I would like to thank specially all those who donated generously 1.5% ($500 and more) so thoughtfully and kindly, which made it easier for us to reach our goal swiftly.

Good Shepherd Sunday: The Fourth Sunday of Easter is traditionally known as the Good Shepherd Sunday. In the gospel from John 10 Jesus says: "I'm the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." Having laid down his life for us, this good shepherd shepherds us through all sorts of situations and circumstances to green pastures. He protects us from danger. He feeds us. He guides us. He carries us in his arms. He knows us and wants us to know him. In our love for this good shepherd, we are called to help shepherd one another toward Christ.

World Day of Prayer for Vocations: This Sunday April 21, 2024 marks the 61st anniversary of the World Day of Prayer for vocations. It's a day to pray publicly for and promote vocations to the priesthood, religious life, and diaconate. It's an invitation and challenge to those who might consider saying yes to the call of the Good Shepherd to collaborate with him in tending and feeding the "sheep," the people of God. As Jesus said: "The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few…"

A Prayer for Vocations: God, our Father, in your love and providence, you call each of us to a holy life. We pray for young people in the Archdiocese of San Francisco. Open their hearts and minds to know the vocation You have planned for them for all eternity. If they are being invited to follow You as a priest, brother or sister, give them a generous heart to respond to your challenging call and the strength to follow wherever You lead them. May families desire to please You by encouraging and supporting vocations within their homes. We ask this through Jesus Christ, Our Good Shepherd. Amen.

News from the Vatican: Pope Francis' Apostolic Visit: The Holy Father will be visiting four countries---Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, and Singapore---from September 2 through 13, 2024. This will be his 43rd Apostolic Journey abroad. Indonesia is world's largest Muslim-majority country with 8 million Catholics (3.1% of the population). Papua New Guinea has 2 million Catholics (32%). Timor-Leste is 96% Catholic, numbering over 1 million people. In Singapore, 395,000 Catholics live, representing 3% of the population.

A Story to Ponder: Give Your Best to Others: A farmer, whose corn always took the first prize at the State Fair, had the habit of sharing his best corn seed with all the farmers in the neighborhood. When asked why, he said, "It is really a matter of self-interest. The wind picks up the pollen and carries it from field to field. So, if my neighbors grow inferior corn the cross-pollination brings down the quality of my own corn. That is why I am concerned that they plant only the very best." All that you give to others you are giving to yourself.

Catholic Joke --- The Lord is My Shepherd: A Faith Formation teacher decided to have her 2nd grade class memorize Psalm 23, one of the most quoted passages in the Bible. She gave the children a month to learn the chapter. One little boy was excited about the task, but he just couldn't memorize the Psalm. Although he practiced and practiced, he could hardly get past the first line. The day came for the children to recite Psalm 23 before the congregation. The little boy was nervous. When his turn came, he stepped up to the microphone and proudly said, "The Lord is my Shepherd, and that's all I need to know!"

May the Risen Christ this Easter Season fill you with his deep, abiding gift of peace which no one can take away from you,

Your Friend and Pastor,

Father Charles Puthota.