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The Catholic Community of St. John the Evangelist

1061 S. Ellington Parkway, Lewisburg, TN 37091

Sixth Sunday of Easter

May 10, 2026 • Week 44

“I will ask the Father, and he will give you . . . the Spirit of truth.” — John 14:16–17

People of Hope

Throughout this Easter season the readings have drawn us into the experience of the early church. We have tasted the excitement and zeal of the first Christians. Now, with them, we listen to the words of Saint Peter, who reminds us that when people notice that we are people of hope, we should be ready to explain why. This challenges us. Do others even notice that we are people of hope? In a world often marked by cynicism and hopelessness, do we stand out as people who offer hope and reassurance to others? In today’s Gospel Jesus promises that when he leaves the earth he will not leave us orphaned. Today he promises to send his Advocate, the Spirit of truth who will be with us always. Let us acknowledge the presence of the Holy Spirit and ask the Spirit to make us people of hope.

— Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co., Inc.

Mass Schedule

Announcements

Parish Events & Notices

CCD Classes — CCD classes will meet at 10:15 today. The last class for the year will be May 17.

First Communion — First Communion will be on Saturday, May 16, at 5:30 PM for those children in grades 2–4. For those children in grade 5 and older, First Communion will be on Sunday, May 17, at 12:00 PM.

Women’s Group — The Women’s Group will meet on Wednesday, May 13, at 10:00 AM. All ladies of the parish are welcome.

Mother’s Guild Baby Bottle Campaign — The Mother’s Guild has partnered with In His Image Pregnancy Resource Center for their Baby Bottle Campaign. Please collect a baby bottle found at the entrance of the church or in the parish hall to fill with “Change for Life.” Your donation provides compassionate care and support to women and families facing unplanned pregnancies. Online donations can be made at givebutter.com/babybottle2026. Please return filled bottles by June 14.

Parish Yard Sale — The Mother’s Guild will be hosting a Parish Yard Sale on Saturday, June 13, from 7:00 AM–1:00 PM. A 10’x10’ space is available for purchase by parishioners for $15. A 10’x10’ booth space with an 8’ table will be $20 (while supplies last). Please see a member of the Mother’s Guild at the end of Mass to register for this event!

High School Graduates — If you are graduating from high school this year, please contact the office.

Online Giving — Use the parish QR code to make your donation online.

Extremes

“If you wish to go to extremes, let it be in sweetness, patience, humility, and charity.” — St. Philip Neri

Today’s Readings

First Reading — The people of Samaria accepted the word of God preached by Philip; they received the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:5–8, 14–17).

Psalm — Let all the earth cry out to God with joy (Psalm 66).

Second Reading — Act with gentleness and reverence toward all, so that when you are maligned those who defame you will be the ones put to shame (1 Peter 3:15–18).

Gospel — I will not leave you orphans, but will come to you (John 14:15–21).

Readings for the Week

Monday: Acts 16:11–15; Ps 149:1b–6a, 9b; Jn 15:26 — 16:4a

Tuesday: Acts 16:22–34; Ps 138:1–3, 7c–8; Jn 16:5–11

Wednesday: Acts 17:15, 22 — 18:1; Ps 148:1–2, 11–14; Jn 16:12–15

Thursday: Acts 18:1–8; Ps 98:1–4; Jn 16:16–20

Friday: Acts 18:9–18; Ps 47:2–7; Jn 16:20–23

Saturday: Acts 18:23–28; Ps 47:2–3, 8–10; Jn 16:23b–28

Next Sunday: Acts 1:1–11; Ps 47:2–3, 6–9; Eph 1:17–23; Mt 28:16–20

Reflecting on the Word

Edith Stein was born into a Jewish family in the German Empire of the late nineteenth century. She lost her faith in God as a young adult but remained committed to seeking truth. As she studied under the philosopher Edmund Husserl, she met other philosophers who were devout Christians. Two such friends were Adolf Reinach and his wife, Anna Reinach, at whose home she completed her dissertation. Adolf Reinach was killed in World War I, and Edith saw Anna’s grief at the loss of her husband. She also saw in Anna a steadfastness and peacefulness despite the terrible grief and realized that Anna was sustained in strength only by her relationship with Jesus. When Edith became a Roman Catholic, and later a Carmelite nun, she wrote about this, and said, “[T]hat was the moment my unbelief collapsed and Christ shone forth.”

I imagine conversations between Edith and Anna, and I can see Anna giving an “explanation” for her hope as Peter encourages us to do. But that hope can only be if we are in an enduring relationship with Jesus. In the Gospel, Jesus promises that he is with us always and that the Advocate—the Holy Spirit—will be with us always. These two promises are the foundation of our hope. When we are in love, we are sustained in the relationship by that love. Through that love, we find hope, and we can pass on that hope with gentle kindness to those around us.

Edith became Teresa Benedicta of the Cross when she took her vows as a Carmelite nun. She gave hope with gentle kindness to the prisoners at Auschwitz. She did not fear even as she was led to her death, for there is no fear in love.

— Excerpted from Living the Word

Mission Statement

We, the members of Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church, recognize and respect our diverse and multicultural character. By the grace of God, we will nurture our spiritual community through prayer, service, and example to become one family in Christ.