Welcome to the first edition of the Good Shepherd’s Voice!
My name is Gabriel Tayagua Abarca, and as your media coordinator, I am thrilled to launch this new newsletter, which is designed to keep you connected with all the wonderful things happening within our parish community. Our goal with this newsletter is to bring the Good Shepherd Catholic Parish closer together by highlighting the ministries, events, and opportunities that make our parish life so vibrant.
The Good Shepherd’s Voice will serve as a central source of information, where you can discover what’s happening in our parish, from ministry highlights and upcoming events to stories of faith and service. We will also shine a light on the incredible contributions of parishioners who work tirelessly behind the scenes, ensuring that the spirit of faith and fellowship continues to grow.
Each issue is a collaborative effort, relying on the voices and experiences of our ministries and parishioners. If you are inspired by something you read or are involved in an event or ministry that you think should be featured, we encourage you to share your story with us. Together, we can foster a deeper sense of connection and inspire others to become more involved in parish life.
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
It is with great joy that I introduce The Good Shepherd’s Voice, our new monthly newsletter. This publication marks an exciting new chapter in our parish life, providing a space where we can come together as a community to celebrate our faith, share our stories, and keep each other informed about the many wonderful things happening here at Good Shepherd Catholic Parish.
In each issue, you’ll find inspiring stories from our ministries, updates on parish events, and opportunities to deepen your faith. Our hope is that this newsletter becomes a vital resource for you to stay connected and engaged, whether through attending an upcoming event, volunteering with one of our ministries, or simply reflecting on the spiritual guidance offered within its pages.
The heartbeat of our parish is the love and dedication of our parishioners, and through The Good Shepherd’s Voice, we aim to highlight and celebrate the good works being done in our community. I encourage you all to participate—whether by submitting your own stories or simply engaging with the content we share. Together, we can continue to build a strong, faith-filled community.
Thank you for being a part of the Good Shepherd family. May God bless each of you as we embark on this new journey together.
In Christ,
Fr. Alex Chavez
Pastor, Good Shepherd Catholic Parish
Spotlight on St. Charles Borromeo: A Story of Growth and Faith
We are blessed to share that our newest church, St. Charles Borromeo, has recently been featured on both CBS Evening News and Univision. These prominent media outlets highlighted the remarkable growth of our parish and the challenges the Church faces, particularly with the nationwide shortage of Catholic priests. St. Charles Borromeo, located right here in California, is a testament to how our community continues to thrive and adapt despite these challenges.
The CBS Evening News feature shone a light on the unique character of St. Charles Borromeo as one of the few "megachurches" in the Catholic faith, designed to accommodate the spiritual needs of an ever-growing parish. The piece focused on the innovative ways we are meeting the needs of a large and diverse congregation, providing a welcoming home for thousands of families.
Univision echoed this story, highlighting the cultural diversity within our parish community and how we are creating spaces that foster unity and belonging for parishioners from all walks of life. This media attention affirms the dedication of our parish staff, volunteers, and, most importantly, our parishioners, whose faith and commitment continue to inspire.
The coverage from both CBS and Univision is a humbling recognition of the work being done at St. Charles Borromeo, not just as a place of worship, but as a beacon of faith, community, and service. We are grateful for this moment in the spotlight and hope it encourages others to visit and experience the vibrant life of our parish.
Catechesis & Evangelization: Launching Our New Catechetical School Year
Dear Good Shepherd Parish Family,
It is with great excitement and joy that I announce the start of our new catechetical school year. As the new Director of Catechesis & Evangelization, I am truly humbled by the incredible response from our parish.
With over 1,200 students registered across various programs, we are embarking on a year filled with opportunities for growth in faith, knowledge, and service.
Our First Communion program has welcomed 691 children, with 381 in Year 1 and 310 in Year 2. For High School Confirmation, we are blessed with 351 students—177 in Year 1 and 174 in Year 2. In addition, our C-CAT program has 87 students—48 in Year 1 and 39 in Year 2—while our RCIA program is guiding 18 individuals on their journey to become full members of the Catholic Church. We have a total of 103 adults preparing for Confirmation, with 80 attending in English and 23 in Spanish, showing the diversity of our faith community.
These numbers reflect not only the size of our program but also the deep hunger for spiritual formation and growth within our parish. As we begin this new year, our focus will be on fostering an environment where students and their families can deepen their relationship with Christ, build a strong foundation in the teachings of the Church, and become active disciples in their daily lives.
Thank you to all the catechists, volunteers, and families who make this program possible. Your dedication and commitment are what allow us to guide so many hearts toward a deeper faith. I look forward to a fruitful and blessed year ahead as we journey together in faith.
In Christ,
Dr. Clarita Lilia Encomio
Director of Catechesis & Evangelization
Good Shepherd Catholic Parish
Catechesis & Evangelization: Catechist Retreat
Over Labor Day weekend, we gathered for our annual catechist retreat, and what a blessing it was! With 60 catechists in attendance, the retreat offered a beautiful opportunity for renewal, reflection, and spiritual growth as we embark on another catechetical year. The retreat was focused on deepening our understanding of the catechetical mission and strengthening our commitment to serving God’s people.
Key moments of the retreat included:
Group Sharing: Catechists had the chance to share their personal journeys of faith and teaching. These heartfelt exchanges not only built strong connections but also reaffirmed our shared calling to guide others in their walk with Christ.
Personal Prayer Time: Throughout the retreat, moments of quiet prayer and reflection gave each of us the space to connect more deeply with the Holy Spirit, grounding us in our mission as catechists.
Talks from Fr. Alex Chavez and Dr. Clarita Encomio: Fr. Alex Chavez gave a powerful talk on the importance of the sacraments in the life of a catechist, reminding us that our teaching is rooted in the sacramental life of the Church. Dr. Clarita shared an inspiring message on integrating a deeper spirituality into our teaching, encouraging us to bring our own spiritual growth into the classroom and beyond.
The weekend was a time of grace, as each catechist left feeling spiritually renewed and ready to take on the joyful task of sharing the faith with our students. We give thanks to God for this enriching retreat and look forward to all that lies ahead in this catechetical year!
Chant Mass: September 15 Sunday Mass
September 15
7:00 pm
St. Mary's Church
George McCann's Memorial School: Fatima Celebration
September 16–22
St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church & St. Mary’s Church
Prayer Vigil: Countering Darkness with Faith
September 29
11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Holy Family Church
Altar & Rosary Society: Rosary for America
October 7
Holy Family Church, following the 12:15 pm Mass
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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