AT GOOD SHEPHERD, WE RECOGNIZE
THE LIVING PRESENCE OF JESUS WITHIN US.
WE SEEK TO LOVE AND SERVE ONE ANOTHER
LEAVING NO DOUBT THAT WE ARE HIS DISCIPLES.
One particular prayer, which we sing at every Mass, aptly describes how we aspire to practice our faith, and it also speaks to the special love we have for St. Francis and his Franciscan theology. Here are the inspiring words of that beautiful hymn, “The Prayer of St. Francis”:
Make me a channel of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me bring your love.
Where there is injury, your pardon, Lord.
And where there's doubt, true faith in you.
Make me a channel of your peace.
Where there's despair in life, let me bring hope.
Where there is darkness, only light,
And where there's sadness, ever joy.
Oh, Master, grant that I may never seek
So much to be consoled as to console,
To be understood as to understand,
To be loved as to love with all my soul.
Make me a channel of your peace.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
In giving of ourselves that t we receive.
And in dying that we're born to eternal life.
What We Believe: Good Shepherd is an independent Catholic Church seeking to express the Gospel of Jesus Christ in ways that lead to personal transformation. Our liturgy and our parish life are based on the belief that God is an indwelling Presence in everyone and that we can access that Presence by opening our hearts and minds to Him.
We believe that faith comes alive when we focus on the Presence of the living God within us. To that end, we believe in the importance of making our liturgical experience meaningful and thoughtful.
We believe that all human beings long for spiritual connection and naturally seek a relationship with the Divine, just as the Divine yearns for a relationship with us.
We believe that Jesus died, not to pay for our sins, but as a freely chosen revelation of his unconditional Love. We believe we are called to love one another as Jesus loves us.
What Makes Us “Independent?” While Good Shepherd is not in communion with the Roman Catholic Church, we respect Catholic tradition—the celebration of Mass, the consecration of the Eucharist, the Sacraments, the liturgical readings of the Church year, the communion of saints, and the Church seasons.
We are “independent” inasmuch as our church is self-governing and self-supporting. The prayers and liturgy of the Mass are thoughtfully adapted to reflect our belief in a God of love and the Presence of the risen Christ within us.
That same focus on love empowers us to replace rules and regulations with love-in-action. Recognizing that God’s love is within all of us, we reach out with Gospel values, practice social justice without judgment, and strive—as in the early Church—to be true followers of Jesus Christ.
We invite you to experience Good Shepherd for yourself. We are confident you will feel at home and get a sense of belonging. Reawaken your faith! Join us!