This weekend’s Gospel reminds us of one of the most powerful truths of our faith: “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27). As we continue our Easter journey, we are invited to tune our hearts once more to the voice of the Good Shepherd, Jesus, who calls each of us by name and invites us to follow Him with trust and courage. His voice doesn’t shout over the noise of our busy lives—it whispers quietly, gently, persistently, waiting for us to stop and truly listen.
Listening to God’s voice amidst the clamor of our world can be a challenge. Imagine walking through a crowded airport terminal—announcements blaring, conversations buzzing, music playing from shops—and suddenly you hear your name called. Somehow, even through the noise, you turn instinctively toward the voice that calls you. It’s a friend who knows you well and you recognize his voice even though it was faint.
That’s what the voice of God is like: familiar, personal, rooted in love. But we must be attentive to hear it. In our digital age, with a thousand voices shouting for our attention—from social media influencers to political pundits to advertising algorithms—we must make space for stillness. God’s voice may not be the loudest, but it is always the truest. Learning to recognize it comes through prayer, Scripture, the sacraments, and the wisdom of those who walk in faith beside us. We need to spend time with the Lord to know his voice.
This call to listen has taken on a global significance with the election of Pope Leo XIV, formerly American Cardinal Robert Prevost. We rejoice with the Universal Church at this historic moment. Cardinal Prevost, after years of faithful service and discernment, listened to the voice of God guiding him through the Holy Spirit and now humbly accepts the responsibility of shepherding the Church. His “yes” is a reminder to us all: listening to God’s voice can lead us where we never imagined—but always exactly where we’re needed most.
This weekend, we also celebrate Mother’s Day, and what better reminder than to listen not only to the voice of God but also to the voices of the women who first taught us how to listen. For many of us, the first voice we truly heard was that of our mother—comforting, instructing, encouraging, and loving. And for many, that voice was also the first way we came to know God’s love. On this day, may we express our deep gratitude to our mothers—those living and those now with God—for the love they poured into us. And as they grow older, may we return that love with patience, tenderness, and joy, just as they gave to us in our early years. May we also extend that loving response to all who are mothers to us now.
We also offer a joyful word of congratulations to our First Communion children, who received the Eucharist for the first time last weekend! What beautiful celebrations they were to witness these little ones receive the Body of Christ, wide-eyed with wonder and joy. Their presence lit up the Masses with the vibrancy of faith and community. A heartfelt thank you to Clare D’Agostino and her dedicated team for guiding our children through the year of preparation, and to our talented musicians and cantors who made the liturgies so beautiful. What a gift we have in this community of St. Simon!
Last Friday, our school hosted an extraordinary Art Show, showcasing over 1,500 pieces of student artwork—a truly breathtaking display of creativity and imagination. A huge thank you to Angela Schaufler and her entire team who teach and inspire our students with such passion and skill. On Wednesday, we also gathered as a school for the May Crowning of Mary—a touching and joyful tribute to Our Blessed Mother. Seeing our children, our little saints, in reverent celebration was a beautiful reminder of the purity and joy of faith. And speaking of beautiful traditions, we want to express our sincere gratitude to Cookie Tarantino, Suzanne O’Brien, and their faithful team for organizing monthly senior lunches throughout the year. What a gift they have been! Our seniors have truly felt loved and spoiled by these wonderful meals and heartfelt hospitality.
This weekend also marks our annual second collection for our retired priests. These are the men who, for decades, have baptized our children, anointed our sick, married our loved ones, and walked with us in moments of joy and sorrow. Now in their later years, they need our support. Please consider giving generously to help provide for their care and well-being. You can click on the link below to donate now and show your gratitude for their lifetime of service.
As we look ahead in this Easter season, may we continue to listen for the voice of the Good Shepherd in our lives. In a world full of competing messages, may His be the voice we follow—calling us to deeper faith, courageous love, and generous service. May we, like Pope Leo XIV, like our mothers, and like our children, respond with open hearts and a resounding yes.
God bless,
Fr. Brendan