APPENDICES

LITURGICAL AND HOMILETIC INTERACTION

THEMES

• Since it is a possible reading from the votive mass of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, one could preach on the Sacred Heart of Jesus as merciful and compassionate.
• Since it is a possible reading from a mass for the Church, one could preach on everyone together as a flock being lead and tended by the shepherd.  How can we as a flock help tend to each other?
• Since it is a possible reading from a mass for the pastors, one could peach on the qualities of a leader and what does it take to lead.
• Since it is a possible reading from a mass for St. Sylvester I, pope, and Saint Norbert, bishop, one could preach on their lives or teach on the papacy or the episcopacy.
• Since it is a possible reading from a regular, one could correlate with the gospel and talk about generosity and caring for others.

GOSPELS

• Matthew 26: 30-32 "Strike the shepherd and the sheep will scatter."  A possible theme would be to focus on the fact that the Catholic Church has a shepherd in the person of the Supreme Pontiff.  It is his role as shepherd and head of the Universal Church to be the person of Christ to the Church of the world.  When the People of God (sheep) descent from the guidance of the Holy Father and the College of Bishops, the sheep are scattered and "go where they will." 
• John 10:11-18 Jesus saying "I am the good shepherd.  A good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep."  This gospel passage would tie in very nicely with an explanation of the sheep/shepherd imagery.  It will also emphasize the sacrifice which God and Christ went through in order that we may not die.
• John 21:15-17 Jesus asking Peter, "Do you love me more than these?  Then feed and tend my sheep."  A good scripture to emphasize the origin of the Church and her authority.  To be a Roman Catholic means to follow the teachings of the Church even in those areas where we may not always agree.  We can't always have things exactly how we would like them to be, but this is the cost of being a disciple of Christ.

INTEGRATION WITH CHURCH TEACHING AND THE CURRICULUM

LITURGICAL DOCUMENTS

• Catechism of The Catholic Church - (1558, 1561, 1564, 1574, & 1586). These are in the section on Holy Orders.  These selections draw attention to Christ as shepherd and how that same imagery plays out in those who receive Holy Orders.

• Pastores Dabo Vobis -("I Will Give You Shepherds.")  This is straight to the point, John Paul II held high priority on the formation o priests. Writing this encyclical laid a foundation for good formation of men to the priesthood.  This encyclical is a tool to make sure that priest come out of the programs well formed in all aspects of life.

• Presbytororum Ordinis -   ("Decree On The Ministry And Life Of Priests.")   This Encyclical by Pope Paul VI is an excellent resource to spell out the ministry and life of the priest.  It has many references to the image of shepherd within it.

CLASSES

• Holy Orders - It helps seminarians learn the expectation and role of a priest.

• Celibacy - It helps seminarians learn the value of celibacy.

• Ecclesiology - It helps seminarians learn the roles and offices of the Church

• Synoptic Gospels - It helps seminarians learn the imagery and role of Christ

• Prophetic Literature - It helps seminarians learn the life of people in the ANE.

 ONGOING EDUCATION

The study of Ezekiel 34 will contribute to my ministerial and personal formation by further teaching me to what God exspects of me as a priest.  Also, it teaches me the dependence that I  need to have in him.  It has taught me to look closely at scripture in order to see the New Testament connects to Christ.

ASSESSMENT OF PROGRAM GOALS

• A) Be configured in their very being to Jesus Christ, head, shepherd, and spouse of the Church:  This parable of the Shepherds talks about bad shepherds and the coming good shepherd which is Christ.  I must work hard in order not become the bad shepherd that God will punish and bring down.  I must work to configure myself to Christ so that I may give people hope.

• B)  Be placed both within the Church and in the forefront of the Church:  In the role of priest, one is definitely within and at the forefront of the Church:   As we see in the role of a shepherd, a priest is always leading and gathering the flock together.  Even though priests are shepherds for the Church, priests must remember that we are part of the flock that Christ the Good Shepherd leads.

• E)  Bring the faithful together in a unified family and coordinate all the gifts and charisms which the spirit inspires in the community:  As a shepherd, one of the responsibilities is to gather the flock together so that the flock is going in the same direction.  It is important to unify the flock in a single goal while all have their special gifts, so to be unified in giving glory to God.