Date Night

What an amazing ministry and so much needed in our world today!  The Marriage Enrichment “Date Night” is for all couples married from 1 month to 99 years!  We've not missed a date yet, not because of obligation, but we can't wait until the next one!  The experience of this ministry has brought my husband,  and I closer than I imagined we would be after 17 years of marriage.  The study book "Happy Together" is amazing.  We've become more sensitive to each other's needs.  Our daily morning prayers together before we get up out of bed in the morning are stronger than before.  We find each other writing little post it notes to each other or thinking of other small ways to say "I love you" since our budget is tight.  You don't have to "buy or earn" your spouse's love with material things.  The “Happy Together Date Night” is a great reminder to take time for your marriage, it's a lifelong INVESTMENT.  If you don't put time in for each other, you won't get much out of it.  Marriage Enrichment is a great thing to have on your calendar and commit to be there for each other. The upcoming Date Nights are October 4, November 8, February 14 and March 7.  See the bulletin or Good Shepherd’s website www.gscc.net for more details and to register.

"Marriage is to be held in honor among all . . ."  Hebrews 13:4

 

Evangelization Prayer

We pray for a church where no one feels alone

We pray for a church that loves

God and each other

We pray for a church that values

each person’s strengths

We pray for a church that is guided by

the Holy Spirit to rediscover itself

We pray for a church that continues to embrace the vision of Vatican II

We pray for a church that is fully engaged

We pray for a church that focuses on

love, peace, justice and compassion

We pray for a church in which

everyone is welcoming

We pray for a church that proclaims

the good news of Jesus Christ

in word and action

We pray that we will be that church!

Amen

Sharron and I have made nine major moves during our 45 years together. Happily, we have been able to sink taproots into the special ‘family’ community of Good Shepherd. Having been in the multi-line insurance business for 31 years, we have seen the family trauma when there has been little or no end-of-life planning. We have foregone burial in a National Cemetery though my ten years in the Air Force make that an option. Instead, we purchased a niche in the GSCC Columbarium having fallen in love with its unique setting. We visualize Christ on the crucifix in the main sanctuary wrapping His arms around the Community of Saints – the congregation and those inurned in the Columbarium. Moreover, when, during the Eucharistic Prayer, the Presider remembers those who have died in the peace of Christ, he will be able to look at those of us in the Columbarium. Further, Sharron and I will be remembered during services in the Marian Garden honoring the Blessed Mother. Thus, we will remain members of the Good Shepherd ‘family’ for eternity.

Good Shepherd Columbarium

Good Shepherd celebrated 10 years in our sanctuary with an Old-Fashioned Church Picnic that was so popular Father Richard says it will become an annual event! With free fried chicken, delicious sides and desserts, an opportunity for fellowship and a front row seat to view the GSCC documentary WE ARE we drew a monster crowd of over 800 people! What a blessing that we had a beautiful day and enough food for all! The hall was transformed into the Texas countryside with flying kites, hay bales and sunflowers galore! So many people made this event a success.  We encourage to watch We Are. If you have been a parishioner for 2 years or 20, you will have an emotional response to this film. If you missed the event this year, you will want to mark your calendars for next year.

 

This summer at The Pines has been such a beautiful experience.  It is such a blessing to watch the Holy Spirit reach out to each and every camper and staff member, and bestow God’s overwhelming grace on their hearts.  The heat, long hours, and lack of sleep meet no match to the spiritual satisfaction staff members receive to having the amazing opportunity to spend our summers winning souls over to God’s love.  I encourage each and every parent to allow their kids to spend a week at The Pines, so that the might have the opportunity to make great Catholic friends, have an amazing week of fun, and grow ever deeper in their faith.  Thanks and Gig ‘Em.  Johnny D. 

 

As a counselor at The Pines, you never know the exact thought process of your campers. You minister to such a wide variety of kids depending on what cabin you are put in for the week. I will never forget the experience of being with the youngest group, 7-8 year olds. I had one of the toughest, yet sweetest campers; her name is Vivien. Throughout the whole week I never knew if she was having a good time regardless of how hard I tried, but on Saturday morning when her parents came to pick her up she cried into my shirt saying how much she didn’t want to leave and how much she LOVED The Pines. The Holy Spirit works through our staff in so many different ways. Two weeks after Vivien left I received a letter in the mail saying, “I miss you so much. I’m crying right now. The Pines was the best time I’ve ever had in my whole life.” Who knew the words of an 8 year old could be so affirming. Vivien’s letter is proof that The Pines’ ministry is changing lives of our children even when they go home.

Sally

 

Good Shepherd participated in GRACE’s Feed Our Kids program as part of the Teen Service Week.   With donations from the Women’s Group, The Van Noy family, CRHP groups, the parish staff, the Rosary and Donut group and VBS families, we were able to provide and serve 120 lunches each day.  These donations made it possible to serve these children fun meals like spaghetti and meatballs, chicken nuggets and sno cones without any cost to the church!  Many thanks to all of you who supported this effort.  We look forward to next year and know that we can count on your generosity to make sure the needy children in our area receive a home cooked lunch and love and support from GSCC.

 

Men of the Rosary and Donut Group, Thank you so much for your donations for the Teen Service Week.  Your donations were used to rent a Sno Cone truck to come out to the GRACE:  Feed Our Kids program site at the end of the week.  You can just imagine the excitement on the children's faces when the truck rolled up!  This week was such a success on so many levels and it would not have run so smoothly without your help.  Thank you, again, for your generosity!

His Hands and Feet Teen Service Team

 

 What an exciting ending to such a wonderful week!  The teens were so helpful and we loved having the chance to spend the week with the kids.  I am so impressed with the way Good Shepherd came together to make it all happen……from the Men of R&D, Women’s Group, various CRHP groups, several single families, the parish staff and the huge donation from VBS, along with the service from our devoted teen volunteers!  This was truly a community at work!  So proud to be just a small part of it all!  Your generosity brought much joy!!!  Blessings to you all!

Dog Days of Summer: Heating up for CRHP

Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

 

As the heat has increased, so has my love for CHRIST! Being a member of Christ Renews His Parish has been amazing! CRHP 7 is currently preparing for the women and men of CRHP 8. Praying for these people is something we all take very seriously. Praying each man and woman be filled with the Holy Spirit and see how Christ has been and continues to work in all of our lives.

 

The experience of CRHP has been so fulfilling. It’s something you can’t get at any other type of event or service you partake in. It’s like an extension of the Eucharist for me. The Eucharist is the fuel I need to feed my body and keep going spiritually. The acts through CRHP and the focus on our individual Christian Catholic lives is what fuels me to do service for our Church and for others as a Christian witness. The women’s retreat is just 4 weeks away, and the men’s is 6 weeks away. It’s no mistake that the main color of CRHP is red! Yes, it is definitely appropriate for the heat of the summer. But it’s also so representative of our passion for Christ.

 

In the bible, it tells us to be ministers to others. Colossians 3:16 says “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”

 

Be a witness to others. Let Christ’s light shine in you so that you may be the example God intended for us all to be. Sign up for CRHP! I can almost promise you it’ll be a decision you’ll never regret.

 

Philippians 4:8-9 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me. Then the God of peace will be with you.