MINISTRY + FELLOWSHIP

The heart of a parish is the Eucharist, but the parish family is the body that makes it a unique and vibrant community with an exciting parish life. Our parish offers a variety of ways to be part of that communal family in addition to the celebration of the sacraments.

Parish Ministries are a great way to participate in our parish life. Ministries and Fellowship opportunities include liturgical ministries, such as choir members, lectors, altar servers, and Liturgy Committee and others such as men's and women's groups, religious education, and Teen Shepherds to name just a few. God calls us to use our gifts and talents to glorify Him and make life better for other people. Please prayerfully consider these opportunities for getting involved in ministry.

Adult RCIA

This is the normal process that adults participate in to become full, participating and active members of the Catholic Church. Lots of people today are searching for ways to meet their spiritual needs and become affiliated with a parish family. This is the way we accomplish that at Good Shepherd.

Altar Rosary Society

The Altar Rosary Society is open to all the women of the parish. The society promotes the rosary, the spiritual life of the women of the parish and oversees the needs of the altar. They sponsor fundraisers and support parish and community functions and contribute to community needs.

Altar Servers

Following the reception of First Communion, interested students are trained to be altar servers for weekend liturgies, offering an opportunity to take an active role in the community and teaching them about Mass.

Blessed Christmas Tradition

Each year on the Third Sunday of Advent our religious education students and teen shepherds participate in the Blessed Christmas tradition. Grades one through six put on a Christmas play.

Building + Grounds

We value keeping our church and grounds looking good. Putting our parishioners in the best environment for prayer and worship will always be our main goal.

Contemporary Music Group

A Contemporary Music Group has recently been formed made up of young adults to lead the music at the 11:30 AM Sunday Mass on a rotating basis.

Eucharistic Minister

This ministry was opened up following the Second Vatican Council to train and enrich members of the assembly to serve the parish family by bringing the Eucharist to the sick, and assisting in the distribution of communion during the celebrations of the Eucharist.

Finance Council

Appointed members advise the pastor on the annual budget, investment strategies, disbursements for projects and, by Diocesan law, must review and approve the annual report.

Lectors

The Word of the Lord is meant to be shared with others and our Lectors fill that role at the liturgies at Good Shepherd. Training sessions are conducted at various times in the year in advance of the creation of the seasonal liturgical ministry schedules.

Liturgy Committee

The Liturgy Committee plans, prepares, implements, evaluates and educates about all aspects of the Church’s liturgy so that the parish family can fully, actively and consciously worship.

Men's Club

The Men's Club is a fraternal organization for the men of Good Shepherd Parish. It promotes the spiritual welfare of the members and provides fellowship and service to the parish.

Music Ministry

The Choir and Cantors are trained by our Music Minister and support the weekly prayer of the community

Pastoral Council

Elected and appointed members provide leadership, inspiration and direction for the spiritual and temporal affairs of the larger parish family. The Council assists the pastor by advice and actions in management, supervision and promotion of the parish and its development.

Planning Committee

Members are appointed from various parish committees and boards to take the recommendations of the Pastoral Planning Team of the Diocese of Erie and apply them to the parameters of the life of our parish in such a way that we maintain our vitality while preparing for future ministry needs.

Pre-Cana

Pre-Cana is a necessary class for all engaged couples that wish to be married in the Catholic Church.

Teen Shepherds

This is a service group made up of junior and senior high students. Under adult supervision, they provide occasional assistance for parish programs, service projects to the elderly and needy, and are available for other activities.

Ushers + Greeters

For the weekend liturgies, there are teams of people who welcome the assembly, pass our music aids and facilitate the collection and the procession of gifts. They also secure the church at the end of services.

Vacation Bible School

The West Middlesex area churches collaborate to offer vacation bible school each summer. The program is held a a different local church each summer the dates and times change each summer.

Youth Religious Education

The religious education curriculum for the Diocese of Erie is organized first by grade level, and then within each grade level there are several sections which outline important parts of the whole.