| CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS March 20–31: NO CLASSES (Easter Vacation) April 2: 2nd Year Confirmation Retreat (Middle School Only) April 10 &14: 2nd Year Confirmation Forms Due (Middle & High School) April 16: Junior High Bash (watch the promo video on the left) |
FAITH FORMATION NEWS
1st YEAR STUDENTS
Bilingual Student Mass
Sunday, June 4 at 4:00pm
Mark your calendars for the 1st Annual Bilingual Student Mass for First Year students and their families. First Year Middle and High School students are invited to serve as ushers, lectors, altar servers, singers, and musicians. Sign ups for the various roles and rehearsal date are forthcoming.
2nd YEAR STUDENTS
Middle School Confirmation Retreat
Saturday, April 2, 11am – 6pm (arrive no later than 10:45am for check-in)
Our Confirmation Retreat will be facilitated by NET Ministries, a group of dynamic young adults who travel around the country giving youth retreats with the mission of challenging teens to love Christ and embrace the life of the Church. Learn more about NET HERE.
We will need volunteers to help with check-in, lunch, and snacks. Stay tuned for a Sign-Up Genius to sign up.
**Hosting NET Team Members
NET team members stay with host families wherever they go. We need parish families who live close to Good Shepherd to host 2 (or more, if possible) NET young adults. They will arrive at around 11pm on Friday, April 1st. Host families provide a place to sleep on Friday night (they have sleeping bags), breakfast on Saturday morning, and dinner Saturday after the retreat (host families can coordinate to contribute dinner items we can serve in the Youth Center). In turn your NET guests share the joyful witness of young people sharing the love of Christ. Please contact Rosie if you can host a few of our guests, or if you are interested but have questions. This is a really great opportunity!
1st YEAR STUDENTS
Bilingual Student Mass
Sunday, June 4 at 4:00pm
Mark your calendars for the 1st Annual Bilingual Student Mass for First Year students and their families. First Year Middle and High School students are invited to serve as ushers, lectors, altar servers, singers, and musicians. Sign ups for the various roles and rehearsal date are forthcoming.
2nd YEAR STUDENTS
Middle School Confirmation Retreat
Saturday, April 2, 11am – 6pm (arrive no later than 10:45am for check-in)
Our Confirmation Retreat will be facilitated by NET Ministries, a group of dynamic young adults who travel around the country giving youth retreats with the mission of challenging teens to love Christ and embrace the life of the Church. Learn more about NET HERE.
- $20 due at check-in table
- Dress comfortably and appropriately
- Lunch and snacks provided
- Parents are invited to join us at the 5pm Mass
We will need volunteers to help with check-in, lunch, and snacks. Stay tuned for a Sign-Up Genius to sign up.
**Hosting NET Team Members
NET team members stay with host families wherever they go. We need parish families who live close to Good Shepherd to host 2 (or more, if possible) NET young adults. They will arrive at around 11pm on Friday, April 1st. Host families provide a place to sleep on Friday night (they have sleeping bags), breakfast on Saturday morning, and dinner Saturday after the retreat (host families can coordinate to contribute dinner items we can serve in the Youth Center). In turn your NET guests share the joyful witness of young people sharing the love of Christ. Please contact Rosie if you can host a few of our guests, or if you are interested but have questions. This is a really great opportunity!
Confirmation Forms Due
April 10 (Sunday classes) & April 14 (Thursday classes):
As Candidates go to class, we ask parents to stop at the table in the Commons to submit:
ALL STUDENTS
Parish Seder – Saturday, March 19, 3:00 – 4:30pm
Youth Ministry is partnering with Rabbi Rain Vohay of the Interfaith Families Project to host a parish seder, a celebration of the Jewish Passover meal that Jesus shared with his disciples on the eve of his crucifixion. RSVP HERE
Encuentro Juvenil – April 1, 2 & 3
The Arlington Diocese Office of Youth Ministry is sponsoring a 3-day retreat for high school-age Hispanic youth at Hunting Ridge Retreat Center in Winchester, VA. Contact Miguel.
Pilgrimage to the National Shrine – Saturday, April 9
Join fellow parishioners for an intimate tour and mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in D.C. Choose a tour at 9am or 11am. Father Tom will celebrate Mass at 10am. RSVP HERE.
Junior High Bash – Saturday, April 16, 3:30 - 9:00pm
This fun and inspirational annual event for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders includes food, music, games, speakers, confession, and Mass. Watch the promo video above and contact Miguel to sign up.
RE REGISTRATION
Registration for 2016-17 RE classes opens on Friday, April 8 from 6 - 8pm, and after Masses April 9 and 10. Please mark your calendars.
**Note: Current 2nd Year Confirmation Candidates do not need to register for their Fall pre-Confirmation sessions.
VOLUNTEER NEWS
Journey to the Cross – Saturday, March 5, 5:30 – 8:00pm
Teens are invited to help set up and serve food at this family event that reenacts Jesus’ journey to the cross. Contact Christina or Stacy at RE@gs-cc.org
Coffee and Donuts – Sunday, March 6
Youth Ministry sponsors this hospitality event on the 1st Sunday of the Month. Sign up HERE
Good Friday Liturgy - March 25 (Rehearsal at 12:00pm, Liturgy at 3:00pm)
Youth Ministry is looking for teens to carry the cross during the Good Friday liturgy. Contact Miguel
Live Stations of the Cross – March 25 at 6:00pm
There are many ways to get involved in this Good Shepherd tradition, including acting or helping behind the scenes. Contact Miguel
Middle School Confirmation Retreat - April 2
High School volunteers are invited to help serve lunch and snacks at the Middle School Retreat. Contact Rosie
April 10 (Sunday classes) & April 14 (Thursday classes):
As Candidates go to class, we ask parents to stop at the table in the Commons to submit:
- Confirmation Name Form (completed by Candidate)
- Confirmation Sponsor Interview (completed by Candidate)
- Confirmation Sponsor Affidavit (completed by Sponsor)
ALL STUDENTS
Parish Seder – Saturday, March 19, 3:00 – 4:30pm
Youth Ministry is partnering with Rabbi Rain Vohay of the Interfaith Families Project to host a parish seder, a celebration of the Jewish Passover meal that Jesus shared with his disciples on the eve of his crucifixion. RSVP HERE
Encuentro Juvenil – April 1, 2 & 3
The Arlington Diocese Office of Youth Ministry is sponsoring a 3-day retreat for high school-age Hispanic youth at Hunting Ridge Retreat Center in Winchester, VA. Contact Miguel.
Pilgrimage to the National Shrine – Saturday, April 9
Join fellow parishioners for an intimate tour and mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in D.C. Choose a tour at 9am or 11am. Father Tom will celebrate Mass at 10am. RSVP HERE.
Junior High Bash – Saturday, April 16, 3:30 - 9:00pm
This fun and inspirational annual event for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders includes food, music, games, speakers, confession, and Mass. Watch the promo video above and contact Miguel to sign up.
RE REGISTRATION
Registration for 2016-17 RE classes opens on Friday, April 8 from 6 - 8pm, and after Masses April 9 and 10. Please mark your calendars.
**Note: Current 2nd Year Confirmation Candidates do not need to register for their Fall pre-Confirmation sessions.
VOLUNTEER NEWS
Journey to the Cross – Saturday, March 5, 5:30 – 8:00pm
Teens are invited to help set up and serve food at this family event that reenacts Jesus’ journey to the cross. Contact Christina or Stacy at RE@gs-cc.org
Coffee and Donuts – Sunday, March 6
Youth Ministry sponsors this hospitality event on the 1st Sunday of the Month. Sign up HERE
Good Friday Liturgy - March 25 (Rehearsal at 12:00pm, Liturgy at 3:00pm)
Youth Ministry is looking for teens to carry the cross during the Good Friday liturgy. Contact Miguel
Live Stations of the Cross – March 25 at 6:00pm
There are many ways to get involved in this Good Shepherd tradition, including acting or helping behind the scenes. Contact Miguel
Middle School Confirmation Retreat - April 2
High School volunteers are invited to help serve lunch and snacks at the Middle School Retreat. Contact Rosie