Pulpit Exchange - A Reflection by Karyn S

Rev. Mike Dawson from First United Methodist Church in Colleyville surprised me this Sunday with his first comment as our visiting speaker in our pulpit exchange. Rev. Mike said he felt the need to confess when he entered Good Shepherd. Most of us joke about Catholic guilt, but I had no idea it reached beyond our denomination. When he explained he needed to repent from coveting our beautiful sanctuary, we all understood. Our worship space, or the “Superbowl” as he described it, is indeed lovely. Hopefully, before he left, he could feel that the beauty of the surroundings is due mostly to the inner beauty and warmth of those who built it and now worship in it. May we all experience some of what he described later as “radical hospitality” every time we enter Good Shepherd.

Rev. Mike continued to surprise me with his deep understanding of us as Catholics and as catholic (lowercase). He drew from a strong knowledge of Catholics such as Teresa of Avila, Ignatious of Loyola, Francis of Assisi, Alfred Delp, Archbishop Oscar Romero, and many others. Rev. Mike mentioned his powerful prayer experience at a silent retreat at Montserrat—a place where I too had listened in silence for God’s voice, just as Elijah. Rev. Mike also attended a Jewish-Christian dialog where clergy of many denominations sang: “Here I am, Lord. Is is I, Lord? I have heard you calling in the night. I will go, Lord, if you lead me. I will hold your people in my heart.” Then we sang that very song for Preparation, reminding me what an inspirational declaration it is for anyone who ministers to others.

I was pleased Rev. Mike spoke to the scripture of the day regarding Jonah, called to be a prophet to Nin’eveh. Rev. Mike reminded us that we are all called by God. He cautioned us to avoid becoming a pouting, angry prophet like Jonah who sulked because God was so merciful that he loved the wicked as well as the good. It reminded me of a friend who didn’t like the story of the Prodigal Son because she thought the brother who stayed at home was treated unfairly. But God’s ways are not our ways. Like the workers paid the same amount for working just a few hours compared to those who worked all day—God’s generosity spills over to all, beyond our ideas of fairness.

As I always hope from our pulpit exchange speakers, Rev. Mike stressed the value of how our denominations work in partnership through dialog, fellowship, mission, and service. I personally wish more faiths, cultures, and politicians could focus more on how we are similar rather than our differences. As Rev. Mike put it, “The people of God are bigger than we think.”

This Sunday, we had a glimpse of that vast people of God through the words of Rev. Mike Dawson. I am grateful that he chose today to hold God’s people at Good Shepherd in his heart.

STATE OF THE PARISH? IN A PHRASE, “STATE OF THE ART”

SO, as a member of the PAC (Parish Advisory Council), I think I have a pretty good understanding of our parish community: our mission statement, our many ministries, our amazing staff, our engaged parishioners, our programs, the list goes on…  I do my best to keep up, but honestly, it’s no easy task.  Sure, there’s the parish bulletin, and the website, and the e-newsletter, and the social media elements, and the e-blasts, and friends…yes, plenty of ways to stay informed.  Now if only we had that little commodity called “time”…

SO, last weekend Father Richard gave us one more chance to sit up and take note of all that Good Shepherd has to offer.  (Father understands the role of repetition when imparting knowledge.)  I decide to turn off all the mental filters and to listen as though I were a first-time visitor.  Father’s delivery of his annual “State of the Parish” address was straightforward, no-nonsense, and to the point, just like Father.  And to my amazement, I learned plenty.  In fact, I was awestruck by the enormity of what our parish has accomplished just in the last year.  What alchemy, that we should be gifted with so much opportunity for spiritual and personal growth.  It’s all right here. 

SO, then I thought about Deacon Clark’s homily on answering God’s call to live out our vocations, and to live in deep communion with Christ.  I thought about our clergy, our staff, and our countless volunteers, who following God’s call as Samuel did, labor tirelessly and faithfully to make what we have at Good Shepherd possible. And, I thought about our wonderful parish family members who come to partake, and to celebrate their faith, to be welcoming to others, and to give…  “Good Shepherd” is surely living up to its name and, therefore, is deserving of it.      

SO, in a recent discussion, a fellow parishioner was sharing her thoughts on the importance of “branding” and the value of generating pride in a product line.  Her point was that mega churches do the same, and so must we.  How true!  We need to build great self-esteem in who we are at Good Shepherd!  We need branding!  We are “state of the art” and we have much to offer!  Think about it.  When the following are mentioned, don’t most people nod in full awareness?

Fellowship…“ah, yes, Fellowship”

White Chapel…“ah, yes, White Chapel”

Gateway…“ah, yes, Gateway”

SO, don’t we want that too?   

GOOD SHEPHERD...“AH, YES, GOOD SHEPHERD!!”

--Cyndy      

Middle School Lock-In



Crossroads Lock-In Grades 6-8
January 7, 2012

During the CROSSROADS lock-in I had an AMAZING time.  It looked like everyone was having fun socializing and growing in their Christian faith.   We did some Q&A with Father Richard and it enlightened me to know that I knew a lot of the answers... :)  I love learning more about Jesus, Mary and our Catholic beliefs.  I thoroughly enjoyed the rhyming we did to memorize the books of the Bible.  I came home and tried to teach them to my little brother and mother.

In my opinion, we should do this more frequently.  It encourages us to grow in our faith, and as Father Richard told us that night - to ALWAYS be learning about it.  The rhyming and the songs really help us learn effortlessly.  Most teens LOVE music, so it makes it FUN! I appreciate everything from that night - I had FUN!  - Hannah 8th Grader

A Parent's Perspective:

The Lock-In left an impact on me, as an adult. As a cradle Catholic, it has been so refreshing to see how the youth program is teaching our children to grow in their faith. I think Larry West is combining our beautiful old traditions with modern progressive thinking perfectly. The question and answer session with Father Richard was riveting, I could have listened to him all night. When I picked up my son following adoration, he was so calm and loving. There was no doubt he was filled with the Holy Spirit.

Jesus is Really Everywhere! A Reflection by Abbie-Nursing Home Ministry Coordinator

Father came for Mass since it was the 2nd Friday and after Mass, we walk around and bring communion to anyone who couldn't (or didn't want to) come. Well, they play BINGO on Fridays at 10:00 so we usually catch several of them in the main dining room. (I know--they go to BINGO but not Mass. We don't ask questions.) Anyway, I was surprised to see Eleanor sitting at one of the tables. Surprised because I thought she'd gone to live with family and surprised because she was out of bed and dressed. She looked great--much better than the last time I'd seen her. So of course I went over to ask if she wanted Communion, which she did. So Father came to her and right there in the middle of the BINGO game, we were praying the Our Father and he gave her the Body of Christ and it just struck me that Jesus really is everywhere. He comes to us, no matter where we are. Even in the middle of a makeshift BINGO parlor.

What does love look like - A reflection by Audrey N.

"What does love look like? It has feet to go to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of others."   - St. Augustine

The 5 days I spent in Honduras allowed for my eyes and my heart to truly be opened to God’s beauty and simplicity.  In the small municipality of Campamento, I witnessed leaders like Nelson and his teachers, opening the minds of young children by teaching them the importance of an education and the value of acquiring a skill such as carpentry or metal working-the difference between making $3/day and $15/day. On graduation day, parents were filled with tears of pride and students gave speeches of endearment showing their appreciation to the parishioners of Good Shepherd and the sacrifices of their parents had mad by allowing them to attend school instead of working. Every child and adult we encountered in Honduras greeted us with a gentle smile and open arms; it was hard to feel anything other than love and joy when being around them.  The simplicity of God calling us to love one another is that which we so often miss in our technology filled, wireless networks today.