Ministries

The Parish Sharing Committee's purpose is to provide assistance, in times of crisis, to individuals or families of Good Shepherd and the Rush-Henrietta community. For more information call the Parish Office at 334-3518.

Stewardship consists of the gifts of our time, talent and treasure, and is about our need to receive gratefully, cherish responsibly and share and return to others and God generously. Both the Stewardship Ministry Team and the Volunteer Coordination Team work within the parish community to encourage stewardship as a way of life since we are all followers of Christ.

• Stewardship Ministry Team
• Volunteer Coordination Team

A Small Faith Sharing group is a group of 8-12 adults, who come together on a schedule determined by the group members. They share their stories with one another and share God's story (i.e. the Sunday Scriptures). By sharing, as well as listening appreciatively to the story of another, people help each other make connections between everyday life and faith.

The primary use of our facilities is for daily and weekend liturgies, religious education programs for children and adults, and all sacramental programs such as baptisms, First Eucharist, Penance, Confirmation, weddings and funerals.

It is also used for various choir practices, Social Ministry meetings, and bereavement meetings, along with coffee hours and funeral luncheons. The Church basement is the "Youth Room" and is used for Youth meetings and Youth Core Group meetings.

The Parish Pastoral Council is a leadership body of the community, rooted in prayer, open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, committed to patient listening and study, and working to recommend the plans and directions that will enable the parish to respond most fully to what Jesus asks of us in these times. The PPC seeks to build, strengthen, and nourish faith. It serves as a model of Christian community to contribute and take ownership of the life of the parish. It is a ministry of assessing and studying our parish needs and setting directions.

Rosary Altar Society meets the second Tuesday of the month at 7:30pm in the school library. We gather together in devotion to Mary, in friendship and service to our parish needs that arise. To list a few:

• Present First Communion medals for the children (May)
• Luncheon following annual Memorial Mass (November)
• Donation to Helen Lynch Memorial Fund Scholarship
• Contributions to Isaiah House, Melita House and other causes

The Welcoming Ministry provides ideas which facilitate a safe, warm and welcoming environment for registered and potential members of our faith community, as well as those who are visiting. Your participation is always welcome. If interested please contact the Parish Office.

Welcoming Ministry

The purpose of Parish Life is to create events and environments that will encourage parishioners to come together in a social atmosphere, to form community and have fun.

The Parish Life Ministry has organized a Parish Party for the last 4 years at a local hotel (the Doubletree) with a Mardi Gras theme, St Patrick’s Day and on Feb. 2, 2008 a Blah-lleluia (Beat the Winter blahs) theme. They have also had a Sock Hop and will be hosting our second “Breakfast in Bethlehem” on Dec. 15, 2007.

Please join us for coffee and refreshment in the gym after the 9 and 11am Sunday Masses from September through June. Feel free to mix and mingle and meet new people.

If you would like to volunteer to help, contact Sue Smith at 359-9228 or e-mail bugsycat@frontiernet.net.

The Children's Faith Formation programs for the Rush Henrietta Catholic Community are designed to support and enable the community, and particularly its parents, in the mission of passing the Gospel message of Jesus, and our Catholic faith, to a new generation of believers. Through caring, activities, witness and instruction, young people are guided to a mature commitment to their baptismal gift of Catholic faith. The fundamental role of parents in the formation of their children is emphasized at all levels.