What's Happening at Good Shepherd? Whether it's a recurring event in the parish or one of the other fun and uplifting singular events throughout the year, we hope you find something that will enhance being a part of the Good Shepherd community.

CURRENT EVENTS

FAITH FORMATION COORDINATOR POSITION AT GOOD SHEPHERD - Faith Formation Coordinator is a full time position now vacant at Good Shepherd Parish. The person would be responsible for the overall organization of our grade and high school Faith Formation program and its integration into the wider life of the parish, with a view toward lifelong spiritual and faith formation. We intend to position ourselves to interface with the diocesan efforts developing under the direction of the Pastoral Planning Process. Applications are due June 22, 2018 and are to be mailed to Mary Pat Hanssen at the rectory office (POB 226, West Middlesex, PA 16159). Click here for a full job description.

GOOD SHEPHERD EDUCATION AWARD APPLICATION - for students in Kennedy Catholic High School & Middle School; St. John Paul II Elementary School and those entering or already in college will be available on this site and also at the parish office (Mon. - Fri., 9am - 4 pm) beginning Wednesday, May 30. Applications should be printed off and must be returned no later than July 6th. Please note the separate one page application for elementary & middle school students.

Return the application to our email address: goodshepherd55@roadrunner.com or drop it off at the parish office on the days and times mentioned above.

For the high school and/or college student to be eligible certain criteria must be met: 1) The student must be registered and an active member of this parish for at least the past two years. 2) Students enrolled in college should be actively involved in a parish near their college or in its campus ministry. 3) This award is not based on financial need, but on active participation by the student in his/her faith. 4) Write a 200 word essay based on the student's present involvement in the parish or college campus ministry during the past school year.

CLICK HERE for a copy of the application.

SEMINARIAN-IN-RESIDENCE - Once again, Bishop Persico has assigned one of our diocesan seminarians to live at Good Shepherd. Mr. John Hepinger, from St. Andrew Parish in Erie and currently enrolled at St. Vincent Seminary in Latrobe will be moving in just after Memorial Day for a summer “tour of duty” here in the valley. Seminarians don’t bite, so please just walk up to him and introduce yourselves. Hopefully. He’ll be back next summer and for the time leading up to possible ordination to priesthood.

SHIPWRECKED! - What a name for Vacation Bible School, but don’t be fooled by the title. We’re so happy to join with our neighbors from West Middlesex Methodist and West Middlesex Presbyterian churches for this summer event for all our kids, Pre-K thru 6th grade.

July 16 – July 20 Monday - Friday 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
At the Presbyterian Church of West Middlesex
Registration begins May 5 – 6 after Masses

PARISH GRADUATION PARTY - All high school seniors and their families are invited to a luncheon on Sunday June 10 after the 11:30 AM Mass. This is an opportunity for the parish family to honor their achievements. We’re inviting them to attend the Mass in their caps and gowns and bring their families over to the social hall for a reception and lunch. Graduates and their families should RSVP the parish so we can prepare adequate food for the occasion.

PARISH PICNIC - The Parish Council has set the date for the annual picnic for Sunday, September 9, beginning with the 11:30 AM Mass in church. Food and refreshments will be served outside (weather permitting) or in the Social Hall. Recreation and games will be held on the church/rectory lawn. This event will be combined with our celebration of a BLUE MASS, which honors our police, fire and emergency responders. Available members of those services, accompanied by a color guard will be part of the procession at Mass, be recognized and honored during the Mass, and join us as our guests for lunch.

The custom of Blue Masses began in the USA in the 1930s it seems, as a practice of the Catholic parishes in large cities to honor their parishioners who served the communities in that capacity. Called “Blue” because the police generally wore uniforms of that color, it was extended to honor all who served. For whatever reasons, it wasn’t celebrated with any regularity until 9/11, when it regained popular support.

Our own Chief Jason Newton got the word out to the other chiefs that we would like to host such an event, and local fire personnel are being notified by Joe Varga. With the addition of emergency rescue personnel from the local ambulance companies, we should have quite a crowd here to join us on September 9. Perhaps they might take some of our kids to check out the trucks, ambulances and squad cars that will be parked out front for the affair.

Come join us for the Eucharist at 11:30, the food to follow, and for the opportunity to say thank you to those men and women who put themselves on the line for us when threatened. Oh, and given the nature of the occasion, please wear red, white and blue.

DO YOU SING IN THE SHOWER? - How about coming to sing with us in church? We’re looking for additional voices in both our choir and the contemporary music group as well as a couple more leaders of song. Please call the rectory office if you’re interested.

MENS CLUB RAFFLE - The Mens Club members will be selling tickets on their August Lottery Raffle which will benefit the activities/charities of the club. If the number of your ticket matches the daily number in the PA Lottery on the days of August, you can win $50.00 Monday thru Saturday, or $100.00 on Sundays. They will be on sale thru July.

THE ANNUAL STEAK FRY will take place Monday, July 16 at 6:00 PM in the Social Hall. Tickets will be sold on the weekends after Masses.

ANNUAL CATHOLIC SERVICES APPEAL - Our combined diocesan and parish goals amount to $106,000 this year, our parish goal being the technological upgrades we need in our classrooms, youth room, social hall, church and rectory, while our diocesan goal of $49,400 is for our share of the combined diocesan subsidies ($186,000) for Prince of Peace Center in Farrell and Catholic Charities Counseling and Adoption Services in Sharon. If you haven’t had a chance to pledge, please call the office at 724.528.3539.

Please click here to see the photo page of some of the projects we were able to accomplish last year because of your generosity. Your sense of stewardship amazes me.

You can view this year's video from the the Bishop by clicking here.

RECURRING EVENTS

PARISH COUNCIL MEETING - The council meetings are held every other month at 7:00PM in the Social Hall. For specific dates and time changes please refer to the bulletin.

BAPTISMAL CLASS - Classes are scheduled by appointment with the pastor.

RCIA SESSIONS - Sessions are on Thursdays at 6:30PM at the Rectory through Easter.

MENS CLUB - Meetings are held on the third Monday of each month at 7:00PM in the Social Hall.

ALTAR ROSARY SOCIETY - Meetings are held on the first Thursday of each month at 6:30PM in the Social Hall.