The Adult Faith Formation Ministry builds Faith, community and spirituality through various educational activities, study groups, retreats and workshops.

They meet monthly to create opportunities that engage adults in an active and growing faith, while also building relationships in the community.

What is the Alpha Course? Alpha is an invitation to explore the meaning of Life and better understand one’s faith through the wisdom of knowing the meaning of life.

Alpha leads participants to embrace their faith with pride and realize the depth and sacredness of the faith into which one is baptized.

Alpha is a practical introduction to our Faith. It presents the core truths of the Christian faith. Alpha is Kerygma, a term when put simply, means the core message of Christian Faith which all believers are called to profess. Alpha is an invitation to the living hope that Jesus has been raised from the dead.

Good Shepherd launched its first Alpha in 2024 and continues to develop the program. Check out the Parish website for information on our next program!

It really does “take a village” to raise children in the Faith. The Children’s Catechumenate welcomes intermediate and middle-school aged children (age 9-14) who are requesting Baptism. The program is also for those who have been baptized, but need to enter into a program of Faith Formation in order to celebrate Sacraments such as First Communion and Reconciliation.

This is a very rewarding and relationship-based Ministry where caring adults help share the stories of our Faith and help children feel like part of the community. The Parish Faith Formation Office provides volunteers with training, resources and support. Children can join the program at any time and some flexibility is required.

Good Shepherd is committed to creating a safe and healthy environment for our young people. Anyone who volunteers to work with children or youth in the Parish is required to fulfill the Diocesan requirements to ensure the protection of children and youth. This includes completing an online course and agreeing to periodic background checks.

Please let us know if you'd be interested in serving as a Catechist or Catechist Aide/helper.

It really does “take a village” to raise children in the Faith. Many faithful adults are needed to share Faith with our young children in the Elementary Program at Good Shepherd (Kindergarten through Grade 5). 

An adult may serve as a Catechist, Aide, substitute or help at events/receptions. Various commitments of time are available. Catechesis of children is offered in both church-based and home-based programs. The Parish Faith Formation Office provides volunteers with training, resources and support. 

Good Shepherd is committed to creating a safe and healthy environment for our young people. Anyone who volunteers to work with children or youth in the Parish is required to fulfill the Diocesan requirements to ensure the protection of children and youth. This includes completing an online course and agreeing to periodic background checks.

Please let us know if you'd be interested in:

• Serving as a Catechist (specify grade).

• Serving as a Catechist Aide (specify grade).

• Serving as a Catechist Aide for students with special needs.

• Serving as a Lambs' Liturgy leader.

Good Shepherd offers monthly faith-sharing for women. Gathering in the Spirit is an opportunity for women to immerse themselves in prayer, reflection and fellowship, while seeking to deepen their relationship with God and one another.

Our High School Youth Ministry's goal is to empower our youth to live as disciples of Christ in the world today. Volunteers strive to help youth be examples of the Good Shepherd by reaching out, embracing and loving all.

They welcome adults who feel called to help with this Ministry (all can be done on a one-time basis… more, if you'd like!). Adults of of all ages are needed to be supportive mentors and chaperones for our youth throughout the year. 

Come join us for fellowship and fun, and as always …it's Faith-infused!!! 

Good Shepherd is committed to creating a safe and healthy environment for our young people. Anyone who volunteers to work with children or youth in the Parish is required to fulfill the Diocesan requirements to ensure the protection of children and youth. This includes completing an online course and agreeing to periodic background checks.

Please let us know if you'd be interested in:

• Serving as a Ministry Leader/Coordinator.

• Helping with Retreats (Food Coordinator).

• Helping with mailings.

This Ministry adapts the Liturgy of the Word to make it relevant to the lives and experiences of young children (ages 4-8). It offers the opportunity to understand the Gospel message and participate in the Mass celebration at their level. Children are gathered after the start of Mass and Liturgy leaders guide them to the Warehouse. Children return to Mass, to join their family, after the Prayers of the Faithful.  

Lambs’ Liturgy is a great way to introduce children to the gospel readings and parts of the Mass as well as build community and new friendships. 

Good Shepherd is committed to creating a safe and healthy environment for our young people. Anyone who volunteers to work with children or youth in the Parish is required to fulfill the Diocesan requirements to ensure the protection of children and youth. This includes completing an online course and agreeing to periodic background checks.

Parents of young children are invited to bring their little ones to actively participate in an age- appropriate “Mass experience” in the Nursery.

Mass for Minis allows children to celebrate their faith by creating a Mass experience that includes: a Processional, reading of/acting out the Gospels, learning about the Eucharist and Sending Forth. There’s also a good mix of songs, crafts, storytelling and snacks to help our youngest members connect on a level that makes sense to them, while also being fun and engaging!

The Ministry's goal is to prepare children to participate fully and actively in the Mass by becoming familiar with the parts of the Liturgy. We expect movement, laughter, distractions, interruptions, potty breaks and even a few tears and meltdowns! One parent is required to attend per family; this “frees up” the other parent to attend Mass, knowing that their youngest is having a positive experience.  

Good Shepherd is committed to creating a safe and healthy environment for our young people. Anyone who volunteers to work with children or youth in the Parish is required to fulfill the Diocesan requirements to ensure the protection of children and youth. This includes completing an online course and agreeing to periodic background checks.

On the first and third Saturdays of each month, men of the Parish meet at 8:30 AM in Classroom #2 (St. Philip) to discuss the Gospel and other Readings for the coming Sunday. The group uses Lectio Divina as the format for breaking open the Word, developing deeper understandings of our faith and building  closer relationships with each other. All are invited!

The Faith Formation of youth in grades 6-11 incorporates a balance of spiritual, social and Christian services activities, as well as catechesis (faith education). A team of volunteer catechists, facilitators and coordinators works with an entire grade level, planning and facilitating lessons and activities. Typically, most (or all) of the team advances with the students each year.

Each year, a new team forms for 6th grade and existing teams are always looking for additional volunteers to help as needed.

Good Shepherd is committed to creating a safe and healthy environment for our young people. Anyone who volunteers to work with children or youth in the Parish is required to fulfill the Diocesan requirements to ensure the protection of children and youth. This includes completing an online course and agreeing to periodic background checks.

Please let us know if you'd be interested in:

• Helping with the Middle/High Faith Formation Program.

• Helping a class as a Catechist.

• Helping a class as an Aide or Facilitator.

• Serving occasionally as an event or retreat chaperone.

Our Middle School Youth Ministry works to create fun and meaningful activities for youth in grades 6-8.  The Ministry strives to create programming in three areas: spirituality, sociability and service. Teens are encouraged to attend Junior High Youth Day and volunteer for our summer Vacation Bible School program. Parents/Adults are crucial to our Middle School program’s survival; however, you do not need to be a parent to participate.  We would love to have you join in! 

Come join in the fellowship & fun, and as always…it is faith-infused!!!

Good Shepherd is committed to creating a safe and healthy environment for our young people. Anyone who volunteers to work with children or youth in the Parish is required to fulfill the Diocesan requirements to ensure the protection of children and youth. This includes completing an online course and agreeing to periodic background checks.

Please let us know if you'd be interested in:

• Learning more about helping with the Middle School Youth Ministry.

• Helping as a chaperone for Middle School Youth Ministry events.

Good Shepherd’s Order of Christian Initiation (OCIA) supports adults seeking full membership in the Catholic Church through a process of study, faith-sharing and prayer. The Catechetical team supports the faith journey of Candidates, Catechumens and others interested in learning more about the Catholic Faith. Sessions are held September-May and cover the important aspects of our Catholic Christian faith.  

Reception of the Sacraments of Initiation -- Baptism, Confirmation and First Eucharist -- typically occurs on Holy Saturday at the Easter Vigil Mass.

Please let us know if you're:

• Interested in becoming a Catholic.

• Know someone who is interested in becoming a Catholic.

• Interested in serving as a Sponsor for a Candidate or Catechumen.

• Interested in helping with the OCIA program.

Good Shepherd has a wide variety of resources available to the congregation for educational and spiritual enrichment. Books, DVDs and CDs cover a broad spectrum of topics. There are items appropriate for children and adults.

The Resource Library Team organizes the resources in order to make them easier to use. A simple cataloguing system and check-out procedures has been implemented.

Good Shepherd’s Vacation Bible School (VBS) is a unique opportunity for our entire church community to come together in a fun, theme-based experience that spreads the message of Christ and of the Christian faith to our youth. 

The success of this program is dependent on a strong Coordinator/Director who can advertise and promote the program in ways that engage attendees and leaders.

The Church purchases a VBS program that outlines and plans the entire week’s activities for the group.

Please consider joining us for VBS – this week is loads of fun for kids and volunteers!

Good Shepherd is committed to creating a safe and healthy environment for our young people. Anyone who volunteers to work with children or youth in the Parish is required to fulfill the Diocesan requirements to ensure the protection of children and youth. This includes completing an online course and agreeing to periodic background checks.

Please let us know in which areas you'd be willing to help:

• Coordinator/Director

• Catechist Aide

• Game Leader (Adult)

• Teen Aide

• Snack Helpers

• Craft helpers

• Props & Decorating

• Setup

• Cleanup

• Office Aide

• Where most needed

• Not sure, but I'd love to help somehow!