Holy Mass Schedule
St. Augustine’s Church
Saturday 4:00 pm
7:00 pm (in Portuguese)
Sunday 9:00 am
St. Elizabeth’s Church
Sunday 11:00 am
Our Lady Star of the Sea Church
closed for season
Daily Mass
Monday – Friday
8:00 am St. Elizabeth’s Church, EDG
First Fridays/Saturdays
8:00 am Masses St. Augustine’s Church, VH; followed by the Rosary and Confession 8:30-9:00 am
After First Friday Mass, 24 Hour Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, in the Chapel 9:00 am – 9:00 am
First Fridays: 7:00 pm Mass (Portuguese) at St. Augustine’s Church
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Mon-Fri 8:30-9:00 am (St. Elizabeth Church); Saturday 3:00 pm (St. Augustine Church); First Fridays/Saturdays 8:30-9:00 am (St. Augustine’s)
2024 Catholic Appeal
The theme for 2024 is “Renew the Face of the Earth.” Since 1942, the Appeal has helped people in all phases of life – from children, to youth, to parents, to the elderly. Your support sustains the numerous agencies, programs, and ministries providing food and shelter, educating children and adults, and meeting the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of thousands. We encourage you to support the Appeal as generously as you can.
The 2024 annual (83rd) Catholic Appeal letter has been sent to all families. It runs from May 1- June 30, 2024. Online donations can be made at the link below; or all monies are to be sent directly to The Catholic Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts, 450 Highland Avenue, Fall River, MA 02720. https://www.catholicfoundationsema.org/catholic-appeal-2024/
All are invited and encouraged to take part in the Fall River Diocesan Day of Eucharistic Encounter on Saturday, September 7, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Bishop Connolly High School in Fall River. The day is a key event in the diocesan observance of the National Eucharistic Revival now underway across the country. International author and speaker Chris Stefanick, who heads up Real Life Catholic, and Boston Archdiocesan Auxiliary Bishop Cristiano G. Borro Barbosa will be among featured speakers.
This Day of Eucharistic Encounter will include sessions in multiple languages, Mass, Adoration, Eucharistic exhibits, vendors, and more. Families are welcome with activities available for children. As the Diocese celebrates its 120th anniversary year, join Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., in prayer for its renewal, turning to the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus.
The early bird price is just $30 per person by June 7th. After June 7th, the price will increase to $40 per person. There is a group rate of $25 per person for groups of 10 or more. To register a group of 10 or more persons, please email dcarvalho2@dioc-fr.org
Clergy, Religious, and Kids in Grade 5 and under are Free.
Sign up: https://www.fallriverdiocese.org/…/diocesan-day-of…/ (available in English, Portuguese and Spanish)
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In year two of the USCCB’s National Eucharistic Revival, parishes throughout our diocese are offering Eucharistic formations. Good Shepherd Parish will be offering the suggested Jesus and the Eucharist series soon.
The seven-part series is already available on FORMED for those families and friends who might like to begin now in the comfort of their homes; available also in Spanish. https://watch.formed.org/jesus-and-the-eucharist-a-small… [Go to formed.org to create an account. First search out the parish by name. We are listed as Good Shepherd Church, it gives a dropdown menu to choose from, we of course are 56 Franklin St., Vineyard Haven MA. There is no parish code to enter. Once the Church is selected correctly, enter your name and email. That’s it!]
The Wednesday Scripture study group on Zoom will go through the series together sometime this Spring; contact Fiona for more information f_finneran@hotmail.com
We will also offer an in-person gathering this summer, dates and times to be determined, in either the parish center or St. A’s hall.
Bishop da Cunha tells us, “The Eucharist needs to be at the center of all our lives. We are living in a world that is facing so many challenges and troubles. Only through Jesus’ help, especially through the grace of the Eucharist, can we find the guidance, assistance, and strength to navigate ourselves and our families through the ups and downs of life.”
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Financial Support for the Passionist Sisters of St. Paul of the Cross and the O’Connell House
Collegia–The O’Connell House PO Box 9568 Lowell MA 01853
Checks can be made out to Collegia Catholic Boston and mailed to:
Please keep them and all victims of human trafficking in your daily prayers!
Prayer for Priests – St. Thérèse of Lisieux
Join us every Thursday in praying for priests.
Jesus, I pray for your faithful and fervent priests;
for your unfaithful and tepid priests;
for your priests laboring at home or abroad in distant mission fields;
for your tempted priests;
for your lonely and desolate priests;
for your young priests;
for your dying priests;
for the souls of your priests in Purgatory.
But above all, I recommend to you the priests dearest to me:
the priest who baptized me;
the priests who’ve absolved me from my sins;
the priests at whose Masses I’ve assisted and who’ve given me Your Body and Blood in Holy Communion;
the priests who’ve taught and instructed me;
all the priests to whom I am indebted in any other way, especially our pastor Fr. Paul, Fr. Edivar, & all priests who have served on Martha’s Vineyard.
O Jesus, keep them all close to your heart, and bless them abundantly in time and in eternity.
Amen.
Mission Statement
Knowing that all things in this world are gifts of God, presented to us so that we can know God more easily and make a return of love more readily; recognizing God as the Origin of Life, the giver of freedom and the source of all that we have and are and will be; knowing ourselves to be recipients and caretakers of God’s many gifts; grateful for all that we have received; eager to cultivate our gifts out of love for God and one another. The Mission of the Good Shepherd Parish is to give witness and to celebrate the Risen Christ’s Presence in the life of each person.
Parish Prayer
God, our Father, bless our Parish of the Good Shepherd. Help us to welcome all who come to worship, adore and praise You, the One true God and Father of us all.
Jesus, be with us, as we celebrate your life, death and resurrection in Word and Sacrament. Holy Spirit, fill our parish family with your love. Help us to love one another in our parish and in our family. Guide us in your holy will for the present and the future of our Parish of the Good Shepherd. AMEN.
Vision Statement
We have a fruitful past, a challenging present and a hopeful future.
We invite all our island parishioners, year round and summer, to recommit themselves to being disciples of Jesus Christ.
We see our future as offering a stronger community presence, closer unity, and greater strength and dynamic growth in a living faith.
Our Presence will be in vibrant lay participation joining with the service of our pastor and support staff.
Our Unity will be celebrated in our communal gatherings in settings appropriate to our diverse liturgical, educational and social needs.
Our Strength will come from the sharing of time, talent and treasure of parishioners of varied age, residence and background.
Our Growth will come through embracing change and through participation in our challenging ministries.
As a Parish, we will prayerfully and joyously serve our island community, following the example and command of Jesus, The Good Shepherd.
