Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Peace and blessings to you all! It is with great joy that I welcome you to the October issue of our parish newsletter, Good Shepherd’s Voice. This month, we are excited to launch a new series that will spotlight the many wonderful ministries within our parish community. Through these features, we hope to offer a deeper appreciation of the people and ministries that embody the spirit of service and fellowship here at Good Shepherd Catholic Parish.
For our inaugural feature, we are shining the light on a ministry that often goes unnoticed but is absolutely vital to the welcoming atmosphere of our parish: the Usher Ministry. Our ushers are truly the hands and feet of Christ, greeting each person who walks through our doors, ensuring the smooth flow of the liturgy, and assisting with a gentle and compassionate heart. Their dedication and hospitality reflect the love of God to all who enter our church, making them a key pillar of our worship experience.
I invite you to read this beautiful narrative about our ushers and to see their work as not just a logistical task but as an act of worship and love. I am deeply grateful for their service and pray that this spotlight encourages us all to recognize and appreciate the many unseen roles that make our liturgical celebrations possible.
As we celebrate the gift of this ministry, let us offer a prayer for all our ushers, whose kindness and generosity bless our community each Sunday.
Prayer for Ushers
“Lord Jesus, You welcomed all who came to You with open arms and a heart full of love. We thank You for the gift of our ushers, who reflect Your welcome to all who enter our church. May the Eucharist strengthen their service and Your Holy Spirit lead them. Bless them with patience, understanding, the spirit of hospitality, and a deep sense of Your presence as they greet, guide, and care for the congregation. Let their ministry be a light that draws others closer to You, and may they continue to serve with humility and joy. Amen.”
I look forward to seeing you all at Mass and pray that this series enriches your understanding and appreciation of our Parish life. May we continue to grow as a community of faith, always striving to live, love, and learn together as disciples of Christ.
In Christ,
Fr. Alex Chavez
Pastor, Good Shepherd Catholic Parish
Usher Ministry: Serving with a Heart of Hospitality
At Good Shepherd Catholic Parish, the usher ministry is more than just a volunteer role—it's a calling to serve the community with love, respect, and reverence. Our ushers are often the first faces that parishioners and visitors encounter as they walk through our church doors. They set the tone for the liturgical celebration by creating an atmosphere of hospitality and grace, reflecting our parish mission: “To live love, learn the faith, and grow as disciples of Christ.”
Before the Mass even begins, our dedicated ushers arrive 20-30 minutes early to prepare the worship space. They check for any special instructions, like baptisms or second collections, and ensure that the gifts of bread and wine are in place. With a warm smile and a friendly “Good Morning,” they greet each person who enters, making everyone feel welcome and cared for. Whether it’s helping families find a seat, providing assistance to those with mobility issues, or simply offering a kind word, ushers set the stage for a prayerful and meaningful experience.
During Mass, ushers are visible but unobtrusive, performing their duties with quiet dignity. They guide the congregation to their seats, taking special care to help those with disabilities. When it comes time for the collection, they manage it with efficiency, ensuring it flows smoothly so as not to interrupt the solemnity of the service. Ushers also assist in the Offertory Procession, inviting members of the congregation to present the gifts.
Perhaps one of their most important responsibilities is during Holy Communion. Ushers facilitate the procession in a manner that ensures everyone can participate without confusion or hesitation. They provide gentle guidance to those who need help, but always with a sensitivity that respects each person’s individual choice to receive or abstain from the Eucharist.
After Mass, our ushers open the church doors and offer a parish bulletin to everyone as they exit, along with a warm farewell and best wishes for the week ahead. Their work doesn’t end there, though. Once the congregation has departed, ushers help tidy up the worship space, collect any lost items, and return scattered bulletins to their designated areas. Their attention to these important details ensures that our church remains a welcoming and organized environment for all.
In addition to these regular duties, ushers are prepared to respond to emergencies and assist with any disruptions that might occur during Mass. They are familiar with the locations of fire extinguishers, first aid kits, and emergency exits, and they can quickly call for medical assistance if needed. Ushers keep an eye out for the needs of the celebrant and offer support during special liturgical celebrations.
What truly sets our ushers apart, however, is their deep commitment to service and prayer. Their involvement in this ministry is a reflection of their own faith, in which they receive nourishment from the Holy Eucharist and the Word of God. This inner spiritual life is what shines through in their interactions with everyone they meet. It’s not just about fulfilling a role—it’s about embodying Christ’s love and compassion in every smile, every act of kindness, and every word of encouragement.
We are immensely grateful for our ushers’ dedication and hard work. They remind us that even the smallest acts of service can make a big difference in creating a space where all can come together to worship as one family in Christ.
If you feel called to serve in this meaningful way, consider joining our usher ministry. It’s a wonderful opportunity to grow in faith, meet new people, and be a vital part of our parish community. For more information, please reach out to the parish office or speak to one of our current ushers after Mass. Together, let’s continue to make Good Shepherd Catholic Parish a place of love, worship, and welcome!
Celebrating Our Deacons' Anniversaries
This October, we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of three of our dedicated deacons who continue to serve our parish community with faith and commitment.
Deacon Russ Bassett and Deacon Gary Hunt both mark their 5-year ordination anniversaries, having been ordained on October 5, 2019. Over the past five years, they have faithfully supported our parish through their service in liturgy, ministry, and pastoral care, helping to guide and inspire our faith community.
We also recognize Deacon Paul Marquez, who celebrates his 2-year anniversary. Ordained on October 1, 2022, Deacon Paul has already made a meaningful impact through his passion and dedication to serving God and His people.
Please join us in thanking and praying for our deacons as they continue their journey of service, enriching our parish life and bringing the love of Christ to all they encounter.
Innovating Catechesis & Evangelization with New Technology
We are thrilled to enhance our Catechesis & Evangelization programs through the use of modern technology. In our classrooms, new 60-inch TVs have been installed, allowing students to view lessons and videos clearly from their desks. This improvement ensures that every student can stay engaged with the materials presented.
Our Catechists have also been provided with iPads, giving them easy access to lesson plans, digital resources, and other tools that help streamline teaching and engage students in interactive ways. This technology allows our Catechists to adapt lessons to the needs of their students and use multimedia elements to enrich the faith formation experience.
We are also utilizing resources from Ascension Press, including the "Renewed" program for First Communion Year 1, "Received" for Year 2, and "Chosen" for our High School Confirmation program. These programs provide comprehensive and faith-filled content that aligns with our mission of nurturing a deeper connection with Christ in the hearts of our students.
With these technological advancements, we are creating a more dynamic and accessible learning environment for our students, helping them grow in their faith and understanding of the Catholic Church. We are excited to see how these changes will continue to inspire and enrich their spiritual journeys!
In Christ,
Dr. Clarita Lilia Encomio
Director of Catechesis & Evangelization
Good Shepherd Catholic Parish
Faith in Action: Meet Stefanie Kane
Stefanie Kane’s journey of faith and service has been a true blessing to our parish. After attending a Youth Recollection Retreat during her high school years in 1984, Stefanie became deeply involved in the Church, participating in youth and adult retreats and volunteering in various Catholic parishes. She is a wife, mother of seven, and grandmother of five, and recently retired after 24 years with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
Her path to becoming a Catechist began six years ago when her son was preparing for Confirmation. Initially, Stefanie planned to volunteer in the office, but when a need for Catechists arose, she answered the call. Now in her fourth year as the Confirmation Coordinator, she finds great reward in watching her students receive the Sacrament of Confirmation and seeing the joy on their faces as they grow deeper in their faith.
Like many Catechists, Stefanie has faced challenges, such as managing large classes without assistance. But her faith and creativity have helped her overcome these obstacles. A particularly memorable experience for Stefanie occurred during a retreat when she encountered a difficult situation with a disengaged student. After attempting to connect with the student, Stefanie felt discouraged and stepped away to pray in the Adoration Chapel, where she poured her heart out to Jesus. By the end of the weekend, she witnessed a remarkable transformation—the same girl who had been resistant was now filled with joy, a reminder to Stefanie of the power of Christ’s love. It was a moment that reinforced her trust in God’s timing and grace.
Stefanie hopes that her students will come to experience the love and mercy of Jesus Christ and carry their Catholic faith with them throughout their lives. Her advice to those considering becoming a Catechist is to trust in the Holy Spirit and allow Him to guide you through the process.
We are so grateful for Stefanie’s dedication and the impact she has on our parish family. She continues to be a source of inspiration, teaching and living out her love for the Lord each day.
Forming Saints by the Way of Classical Edu: Dr. Dale Ahlquist
October 14
7:00 pm
St. Charles Borromeo Church
Visalia Community Chorus: Illuminare
October 27
2:30 pm
St. Mary's Church
Pious Learning Opportunity: Indulgences - A Path to Holiness
October 26
10:00 am - 3:15 pm
St. Mary’s Parish Center
Catholic Daughters of America: Autumn Tea Party Fundraiser
November 10
12:30 am
St. Mary's Parish Hall
Share Your Stories: Celebrating Our Parish Community
At Good Shepherd Catholic Parish, every parishioner and ministry plays a vital role in building our vibrant, faith-filled community. Each of you brings unique experiences, talents, and contributions that make our parish a place of worship, service, and fellowship. Now, we invite you to share your stories with us!
Whether you’re part of a ministry, have participated in a parish event, or have a personal story of faith and service, your experiences matter. By sharing them in The Good Shepherd’s Voice, you can inspire others, strengthen our community, and highlight the incredible work happening across our parish.
Ministries, too, are encouraged to submit updates, events, and stories that showcase the positive impact you are making. These stories are a way to recognize the hard work and dedication that often happens behind the scenes and to inspire even greater involvement.
If you have a story or event to share, please submit it using the Communications Request Form. Together, we can continue to celebrate the many ways God is working through each of us in our parish community. Let’s keep building a parish where every voice is heard, and every story of faith is celebrated!
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