Fourth Sunday of Easter

26 April 2026

Collect Prayer

Almighty ever-living God, lead us to a share in the joys of heaven, so that the humble flock may reach where the brave Shepherd has gone before. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

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Readings

 Acts 2:14a, 36-41   Psalm 23    1 Peter 2:20b-25

John 10:1-10

At that time, Jesus said: ‘I tell you most solemnly, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold through the gate but gets in some other way is a thief and a brigand. The one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the flock; the gatekeeper lets him in, the sheep hear his voice, one by one he calls his own sheep and leads them out. When he has brought out his flock, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow because they know his voice.

They never follow a stranger but run away from him: they do not recognise the voice of strangers.’ Jesus told them this parable, but they failed to understand what he meant by telling it to them.

So, Jesus spoke to them again: ‘I tell you most solemnly, I am the gate of the sheepfold. All others who have come are thieves and brigands; but the sheep took no notice of them. I am the gate. Anyone who enters through me will be safe: he will go freely in and out and be sure of finding pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it to the full.’

Readings Next Sunday (Fifth Sunday of Easter)

 Acts 6:1-7    Psalm 33    1 Peter 2:4-9   John 14:1-12  

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Saints Of The Week

Tue 28 - St Louis Grignion de Montfort

Wed 29 - St Catherine of Siena, Doctor of the Church

Thu 30 - St Pius V, Pope

Fri 1/5 - St Joseph the Worker

Sat 2 - St Athanasius, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

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''I am the Good Shepherd''

(Letter to Pope Gregory XI, 1375)

ʽWe have heard the Lord Jesus setting forth to us the office of a good shepherd. [...] But he that is a hireling, and not the shepherd, sees the wolf coming, and flees; because he cares not for the sheep, for he is a hireling. Christ then is the good Shepherd.

What was Peter? Was he not a good shepherd? Did not he too lay down his life for the sheep? What was Paul? What the rest of the Apostles? What the blessed Bishops, Martyrs, who followed close upon their times? […] Were they not all good shepherds, not hirelings, of whom it is said ‘Verily I say unto you, they have received their reward?’

All these then were good shepherds, not simply for that they shed their blood, but that they shed it for the sheep. For not in pride, but in charity they shed it. (St Augustine, Sermon 88)

St Catherine of Siena wrote numerous letters to the popes and prelates of her time, with truly supernatural charity, urging them not to disobey the directives of the Supreme Shepherd, Jesus Christ. These messages are applicable to ‘every generation’ especially ours. Here’s some extracts:

‘Let it not seem hard to you if I pierce you with the words which the love of your salvation has made me write [...] His will be done. […] so full is my soul of grief and sorrow to see such blindness in those who were placed for a light: no lambs they, who feed on the food of the honour of God and the salvation of souls, and the reform of Holy Church; but as thieves they steal the honour which they ought to give to God, and give it to themselves, and as wolves they devour the sheep, so that I have great bitterness. I beg you by love of that precious Blood shed with such fiery love for you, that you give refreshment to my soul, which seeks your salvation. […] bathe you in the Blood of the Spotless Lamb, where you shall lose all servile fear [...]’

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Weekly News

Study Group: Compendium of the Catechism

Next encounters: 8 & 22 May. To join, please, contact fr. Alessandro.

Mens Rosary

Saturday 2 May at 6.30am at the priest house.

Youth Group ''Sacred Heart of Jesus''

Next encounter: 1 May. 7-9pm at the shop. To join, please, contact fr. Ismael.

World Day Of Prayer For Vocations (2-3 May)

Will be held in Larnaca. Check the program on the board. To participate, please, contact fr. Ismael.

Liturgical Retreat (Friday, 1st May)

For all those who help with the liturgy. Will be held in Perivolia (Larnaca). €30. Check the program on the board. To participate, please, contact fr. Ismael.

Caritas St. Paul's

Thank you for your prayers, contributions, food and clothes donations … we can also reuse your shopping bags. If you wish to volunteer, please, contact fr. Alessandro.

Pray For Vocations

The Latin Vicariate of Cyprus is dedicating a Year of Prayer for Vocations to the priesthood, religious, married or consecrated lives. Join us! For more information contact Sister Elizabeth (95983631 / pastoralcareofvocationscyprus@gmail.com)

Parish Community Shop

Refreshments, coffee and tea. Check our religious section for rosaries, Christmas Cards, scapulars, devotionals, etc. Check also our books sections. Don’t miss the opportunity to meet other parishioners and grow as community. All funds will go to the building of the new Church. If you’d like to volunteer, please talk to Fr. Ismael.

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Mass Schedule

27 April - 05 May

Mon: No Mass;

Tue & Thu: Mass at 9:00am in Agia Kyriaki

Wed: Mass at 12:00pm in Agia Kyriaki

Fri: Mass at 9:00am in Agia Kyriaki

Saturday: 4:30pm (AK); 6:15pm (Town of Polis)

Sunday: Masses at 10am, 11am & 12pm (AK)

Eucharistic Adoration: Wed at 10:50am in AK; Thu at 8pm in AK

Holy Rosary: Sat at 4pm in AK

Filipino Mass on last Sunday of the month at 12pm.

Sri-Lankan Mass on 3rd Sunday of the month, 12pm (Presbitery chapel)

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Prayer for Vocation to Priesthood

Almighty and eternal God, in your unfailing love you provide ministers for your Church. We pray for those whom you call to serve the Church of Cyprus as priest and deacon. Inspire in them a generous response. Grant them courage and vision to serve your people.

May their lives and service inspire your people to recognize the presence of your Spirit among us and to answer his call. May they, faithful to the Gospel and with hope in Jesus Christ, announce glad tidings to the poor, proclaim liberty to captives, set prisoners free, and renew the face of the earth.

Amen.