VBS - Where Kids Stand Strong for God

What an amazing week of Vacation Bible School!

Check out more picture from the week!

Let the Children Come to Me

What a wonderful year it has been with Little Lambs. I remember bringing our son, Adrian to Little Lambs for the first time 2 years ago. A lot of excitement and anticipation as our little 2 year old began this great adventure. Reflecting on the last 2 years of this program is truly gratifying. I am so grateful for the way this program has allowed our family to grow, and most importantly, the incredible foundation of faith it has provided for our sweet Adrian.

This year in Little Lambs, I’ve noticed tremendous growth for our son. Aside from numbers, letters, listening, and physical growth, Adrian’s faith has grown in numbers. I credit it partly to the involvement of his preschool. At Little Lambs, they provide a time for religion where the children are learning about Jesus and what He does in our daily lives. Adrian spent time in the church, in the chapel and with the clergy of the church. One of the sweetest sounds would be as we drove home and to hear his little voice singing songs about God that he learned that day. Hearing “I am growing up in God’s house” always brought a warmth to my heart. I knew he was where he needed to be. 

Reflecting on this last year, I feel it was such an honor to really watch my child grow up in God’s house. To see God’s beauty in this little boy and among all the children is something that I don’t take for granted. This year seemed to actually go by even faster than the year before. At the end of each year, there is always a ceremony with awards and the very anticipated ME books. Adrian’s awards this year was the “Zookeeper Award.” Yes, he loves creepy critters, snakes, lizards, geckos, crocodiles…you name it! Little Lambs has a “sweet” gecko named Gordon which I’ve somehow agreed to take care of for 3 weeks this summer in lieu of my creepy crawler jitters. I’ve put that aside for Adrian’s love of them.

In addition to the end of the year program, the children’s yearly ME books are handed out and I love nothing more than to receive these treasured books. These are the reflections from the entire year accompanied with artwork, facts, and pictures of your child. What a treasure! I now have two of these books and hold these dear to my heart.

Little Lambs has not only allowed Adrian to grow, but myself as well. I have learned to trust and to see that our little boy is doing a great job at his school. He now loves to go there and see his friends. Every day we would leave school, I would ask him to tell me one thing about his day and it became a routine for us as we’d head home. He would tell me about his buddies, or if someone was sick, or if they prayed for someone. He truly is turning into a socially, beautiful little boy.

Last night as I finished up Adrian’s bedtime story and laid him down, we snuggled and I heard his sweet voice whisper in my ear…”Mommy, can we pray now?” What a warmth that brings me. To hear your sweet son ask to pray and then conclude with Jesus Loves Me tells me that we have definitely done something right with him. And I truly believe that Little Lambs has attributed to this. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to such wonderful teachers, mentors, and friends for taking such great care of our sweet boy and building a foundation of faith.

Congratulations Graduates!

Holy Trinity 8th Grade graduating class of 2013

God of our beginnings,

We thank you for the gifts of these graduates;

their excitement, their awesome wonder and curiosity,

their open speech and encouraging words.

Their contributions have blessed and challenged us,

and we have become a richer

and more diverse community because of them.

As they step forward into the world that awaits,

comfort their fears with the full knowledge of your divine presence.

Strengthen their resolve to walk in the footsteps of Jesus

as modern-day disciples in a world that needs their spirit.

Guide their feet as they move through life,

protecting them from the pitfalls of darkness

while they help to lead future generations

into the warmth and promise of your light.

We ask this blessing upon each of them,

AMEN!

Good Shepherd Graduating Seniors

Getting confirmed was a big deal for me. I have been wanting to fully commit myself to my Catholic faith for quite a few years now, and I was thrilled that the time had finally come. Though the process was tedious and time-consuming, it made me stronger in my faith and only made me want to get closer to God. While completing the hours of formation, service, and other requirements, I made new friends and unforgettable memories. The amazing retreat brought me even closer, and when the day came, I couldn't have been more ready! Now a confirmed Catholic, I am excited to continue with WNL and as a Reader and hopefully get involved with some new ministries!

Evening in the Marian Garden

There are moments in your life that will be forever imprinted in your memory.  This past Thursday night for our evening to honor our Blessed Mother Mary was one of them for me.  First as the chair for this event, I was amazed by the overwhelming response from our Women’s Group to assist with this event.  The evening started out with a beautiful songs led by various singers and musicians to the precious procession of little angels from our parish to Crown Mary.   We followed into the Rosary led by Daryl, then led in International, proceeded by the children of our parish, sung beautifully from Barbara & Mike and finally led by a teen, Erin.  It was just so peaceful…  Thank you to so many ladies who helped pull this event together!  A special thank you to Frankie and Kathleen who decorated Mary in the chapel as though she was positioned on a cloud with the sky under her.  Also a big thank you to Kim for sharing the reflection on Mary and who headed up decorating the narthex for our reception.  It was an evening to remember forever! 

 

Good Shepherd's Children's Choir Easter Outreach

 

The children made Easter cards for the neighboring nursing home. 

Easter Basket and Book Donation

One of the many things that Good Shepherd exists for is to reach out to others in a caring and compassionate manner.  And we reinforce this constantly.  An example is our Easter Basket donations to GRACE and the Community Enrichment Center.  This week Lisa G, Bill H, Vern and Bob E delivered Easter Baskets to GRACE and to the Community Enrichment Center.  During Holy Week, Vern, Bob and Darline delivered additional baskets received to GRACE.  All these donations gave the children supported by these organizations a much happier Easter.

 

Also, Bob and Deb will be delivering all the books that have been donated to St. George Parochial School in Ft. Worth.  (St. George is our Great-Grandmother Parish).  This annual donation of books is always greatly appreciated by the staff and students at St. George.

We are blessed to belong to such a generous parish.  To quote Winston Churchill: “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”