Dear Friends,
 
With sadness, but with faith in our Lord’s Death and Resurrection, I write to inform you that Father Gerard Creedon, Pastor of Holy Family Church, Dale City, and Pastor of Good Shepherd Church from 1979-1991, died Thursday afternoon, November 16.  Father Creedon had undergone heart surgery last Friday.  Unfortunately, he experienced significant complications after the surgery from which he could not recover. 

Please pray for the repose of his soul and the consolation of his family. 
 
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord.
And let perpetual light shine upon him.
May he rest in peace.
 
Sincerely yours in the Lord,
Father Tom

FATHER CREEDON OBITUARY in ARLINGTON CATHOLIC HERALD
 
FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS:
The body of Father Gerard Creedon will be received at noon on Monday, November 20, at Holy Family Catholic Church, 14160 Ferndale Road, Dale City, VA 22193.
A Vigil will continue until the Prayers of the Vigil Service are offered at 7 p.m.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, November 21, at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 8710 Mount Vernon Highway, Alexandria, VA 22309. There will be a reception following the Mass in Father Gerry Creedon Hall.
Father Creedon will be buried at a later date in Ireland.

Recipients of Shepherd's Gate Grants:

Net proceeds from the 2016 International Festival went to award grants totaling $25,000 to nine amazing community-based organizations. Congratulations to our 2017 winners!
​

• Alice's Kids - to assist children in poverty with minor but important needs that can make such an impact on a child’s life, such as a pair of soccer cleats, glasses or summer camp fees.  
• Britepaths (formerly Our Daily Bread) - to support the Naomi Project, which matches high-risk pregnant women with trained volunteers who are committed to promoting health pregnancies and healthy babies.
• Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington: Hogar Immigrant Services  - to help fund legal immigration services workshops for members of our immigrant community.  The program would help to screen at least 105 individuals living in the Mount Vernon area for eligible forms of immigration relief under the law.
• Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington: St. Lucy Project - to provide fresh eggs and milk to the hungry in the Diocese of Arlington.
• Catholics for Housing - to assist families and individuals transitioning into permanent housing with security deposit payments.
• Guadalupe Free Clinic of Colonial Beach  - to help provide free health and dental care to the indigent and working poor residents of Westmoreland County (Northern Neck of Virginia). The clinic serves nearly 1,300 residents and is largely volunteer-operated and donor-supported.  The grant will help upgrade the HVAC system in the clinic’s 90 year old building on the grounds of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church.
• Hopkins House  - to provide college tuition and other financial aid to low-income, first generation college bound teens and young adults enrolled in the Hopkins House Early Childhood Learning Institute.  
• Mount Vernon at Home (MVAH)  - to provide two low-income residents of the Mount Vernon area a no-cost membership in MVAH.  MVAH exists to help seniors to “age in place.”  Members receive guaranteed, reliable transportation to medical appointments, retailers, grocery, and social events, as well as access to personalized aging-related information and discounted referrals for vetted professional service providers.  ​
• Sanctity of Life Ministries - to expand their ultrasound program at a faith-based non-profit whose aim is to support women in unplanned pregnancies.    

Good Shepherd's traditional Summer Letter to parishioners is released in a new format this year!  Enjoy this video and check out what's happening at GS in the coming months!

Make this a special Holy Week - You're invited for Holy Week and Easter!
​
We were happy to welcome so many people to Good Shepherd yesterday for Palm Sunday - thank you for joining us! Unfortunately, we ran out of bulletins! We apologize to those of you who did not receive a copy!

If you would like to read the bulletin, it's posted online HERE.

If you are looking for the schedule for Holy Week and Easter,
please see below or click HERE.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.
We look forward to seeing you for Holy Week and Easter!

Stations of the Cross

• Good Friday, April 14, 12pm
• Good Friday, April 14, 6pm (Live Via Crucis, Spanish and English, meet in parking lot in front of the church)

Sacrament of Confession and Reconciliation

• Wednesday, April 12, 6:30 - 8pm
• Good Friday, April 14, 9:30 - 10:30am
• Good Friday, April 14, 12:30 -  1:30pm
• Holy Saturday, April 15, 8 - 9am and 9:30 - 10:30am*Last opportunity before Easter

Mass and Liturgies

• Daily Mass:  Monday - Wednesday, 9am, plus Wednesday, 6pm
• Morning Prayer Service: Thursday, Friday, Saturday 9am
• Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord's Supper:  7:30pm(bilingual, 1+ hour) followed by all-night Eucharistic Adoration in Creedon Hall.
• Good Friday Celebration of the Lord's Passion: Friday, 3pm

 Additional Activities

• Donate white flowers for Holy Thursday Adoration: Bring flowers to the office on Wednesday, April 12 before 7pm.
• Collection for the Holy Land: at the Good FridayLiturgy, Celebration of the Lord's Passion. Thank you for your generosity. (Information)
• Blessing of Easter Food:  Bring baskets of Easter baked goods and other food to Morning Prayer Service 9am Holy Saturday.
• Help Decorate Church for Easter:  9:30am -  noon on Saturday. Many hands make light labor!

SCHEDULE NOTE:
The Parish Office will be CLOSED on Good Friday.


EASTER MASS SCHEDULE
Saturday, April 15
Easter Vigil, 8:30pm (bilingual, 2+ hours long)
Includes the Service of Light; Liturgy of the Word; Liturgy of Baptism; and Liturgy of the Eucharist. Liturgy begins on the field in front of the church.

Sunday, April 16
7:30am, 9am*, 10:30am*, 12 Noon
2pm* in Spanish

*Mass in the church and in Creedon Hall

Note changes to our regular schedule:
No 5pm Vigil Mass Saturday, April 15. (No 6:30pm Vigil Mass in Spanish)
No 4pm Confessions Saturday, April 15. (No 6pm Confessions in Spanish)
No 6:30pm Mass on Easter Sunday, April 16.

 
 
We hope you will join us as we celebrate the Passion and Resurrection of our Lord!
 
                    

​Holy Week Begins Palm Sunday, April 9 

For opportunities for prayer, Confession, Stations of the Cross and more during Holy Week, please see:

Holy Week Schedule (day-by-day schedule of events)
Holy Week Events (by type of event)

Final week for the Cross of Mercy. Take a prayer request home with you and make it your own. We are growing in faith as we pray for one another.
______________________________________
 
First Friday Adoration, April 7
Join us for Eucharistic Adoration after the 9am Mass.
(Adoration and Mass in Spanish at 7:30pm and 8pm) 
Also this Friday: Stations of the Cross: 6:45pm (7:30pm in Spanish) 
All are welcome!
 ______________________________________
This Weekend at Good Shepherd

• Parish Model Seder - Saturday, April 8, 3 - 5pm Experience the traditional Passover meal as Rabbi Rain Zohav and Father Tom walk us through the prayers and blessings of the night Jesus instituted the Eucharist. Please RSVP HERE
• Sharing Sunday - Bring donations of non-perishable groceries to share with the UCM food pantry and Catholic Charities' St. Lucy Project.
• Prayers for the RCIA: Return your cards by Sunday, April 9. If you picked up a Lenten Prayer card and have been praying for one of our parish RCIA Catechumens or Candidates, please return the card to the basket at the Information Counter.

 ______________________________________
Bishop's Lenten Appeal 
Become the hands and heart of our Lord Jesus! It's not too late to participate and help ministries around the Diocese!  Thank you to all who have contributed! PLEDGE TODAY
 ______________________________________
Potomac River Cleanup
Saturday, April 8, 9am - 12pm Dyke Marsh and Belle Haven Picnic Area 
Meet at GS at 8:30am to carpool or meet at Dyke Marsh at 9am. Bags and gloves provided. Wear old clothes and waterproof shoes. Please RSVP HERE
 ______________________________________
 
Divorce Ministry
Wednesday, April 12, 6pm Holy Hour (in the church);
7pm Discussion and fellowship (in classroom 5)
Join fellow Catholics as we gather to pray, hear each other’s stories and draw on the riches of our Church for help and healing. Come for part or all of the evening. Contact Susan Grunder.
 _____________________________________
Donate Meals for Christ House
GS teens feed our hungry and homeless brothers and sisters the first Thursday of each month at Christ House. You can help by providing prepared foods! Sign up HERE or contact Sheila Keyes, or Susan Grunder. 
 _____________________________________
Final Wednesday of Lent, April 12

• Mass 9am and 6pm
• Eucharistic Adoration 6:30 - 8pm (in the church)
• The Light is On for You  6:30 - 8pm (in the church) The Sacrament of Reconciliation is available at all parishes. Experience God's mercy and love!
• Donate White Flowers - for the overnight Adoration on Holy Thursday, please bring them to the office all day on Wednesday, before 7pm.

 
 ______________________________________
 
2017-18 Faith Formation Registration:
Elementary, Middle and High School
General registration opens May 4, 6 and 7. For important information, please check the Faith Formation webpage.
 ______________________________________
 
Parish Mission Now on YouTube

If you missed Father Don Heet's presentation
Christ Jesus: Living Water, Light of Life
check out the videos on YouTube.
 
 ______________________________________
 
For Teens: Youth Groups and More! 

• High School Nights - Sundays, 7:30 - 9pm 
• Middle School Youth Group - Thursdays, 6:30 - 7:30pm
• High School WorkCamp - A few spots left! Contact: youthministry@gs-cc.org
• Spring Break Movie Field Trip - Tuesday, April 11. Join other young people from the parish for service, lunch and a movie! Permission form HERE
• Volunteer Opportunities for Teens:
  • Veneration of the Cross - Good Friday, April 14, 3pm. Help carry the cross during veneration. Contact: youthministry@gs-cc.org
  • Live Stations of the Cross - Good Friday, April 14, 6pm. Participate in the presentation of the Live Stations of the Cross. Contact: youthministry@gs-cc.org
  • Christ House Shelter in Old Town Alexandria - Feed the hungry every first Thursday of the month. Donations of prepared foods needed! To donate food, sign up HERE For information, contact: Sheila Keyes or Susan Grunder

 ______________________________________
 Another Way to Give ...When you switch from envelopes to electronic giving with Faith Direct you help our parish and the environment:

• reduce the use and waste of paper envelopes,
• reduce the need for staff and volunteer time processing donations,
• provide consistent giving to help the parish budget efficiently.

​Switch from paper envelopes to electronic giving today! Sign up for Faith Direct

​Make Lent Meaningful
For opportunities for PRAYER, FASTING and ALMSGIVING, visit our Lent Website! 

Palm Sunday, April 9 and Holy Week, April 9-15. For Mass Schedule and more, CLICK HERE

This week - stop by the Cross of Mercy to take a prayer request home with you. Grow in faith as a community as we pray for one another.
 
______________________________________
 
 This Weekend at Good Shepherd

• Coffee and Donuts - Join us after all morning and noon Masses on Sunday!
• Sharing Sunday - Bring donations of non-perishable groceries to share with the UCM food pantry and Catholic Charities' St. Lucy Project.

 ______________________________________
Bishop's Lenten Appeal 
Become the hands and heart of our Lord Jesus! It's not too late to participate and help ministries around the Diocese!  Thank you to all who have contributed! PLEDGE TODAY
 
 ______________________________________
Couples' Group Meeting
Tuesday April 4, 7:30pm
Are you interested in meeting other couples to share your faith journey as husbands and wives, mothers and fathers? The Good Shepherd Couples Group is the place for you! Contact: Joan Sheppard if you are interested.
 ______________________________________

Donate Meals for Christ House
GS teens feed our hungry and homeless brothers and sisters the first Thursday of each month at Christ House. You can help by providing prepared foods! Sign up HERE  or contact Sheila Keyes, or Susan Grunder. 
 
 _____________________________________
Wednesday Evenings in Lent 

• Mass 6pm
• Eucharistic Adoration 6:30 - 8pm (in the church)
• The Light is On for You  6:30 - 8pm (in the church) The Sacrament of Reconciliation is available at all parishes. Experience God's mercy and love!
• Soup and Stations 6:30 - 8pm (in Creedon Hall) Join us for a light soup supper and a presentation of the Stations of the Cross. Volunteers welcome! CLICK HERE.

 ______________________________________
For Teens: Youth Groups and More! 

• High School Nights - Sundays, 7:30 - 9pm 
• Middle School Youth Group - Thursdays, 6:30 - 7:30pm
• High School WorkCamp - A few spots left! Contact: youthministry@gs-cc.org
• Volunteer Opportunities for Teens:
  • Live Stations of the Cross - Good Friday, April 14, 6pm. Participate in the presentation of the Live Stations of the Cross.
  • Christ House Shelter in Old Town Alexandria - Feed the hungry every first Thursday of the month. Donations of prepared foods needed! To donate food, sign up HERE For information, contact: Sheila Keyes or Susan Grunder

 ______________________________________
 
2017-18 Faith Formation Registration:
Elementary, Middle and High School
General registration opens May 4, 6 and 7. For important information, please check the Faith Formation webpage.
 
 ______________________________________
 Another Way to Give ...When you switch from envelopes to electronic giving with Faith Direct you help our parish and the environment:

• reduce the use and waste of paper envelopes,
• reduce the need for staff and volunteer time processing donations,
• provide consistent giving to help the parish budget efficiently.

​Switch from paper envelopes to electronic giving today! Sign up for Faith Direct


______________________________________

"Loving as Christ loves, serving as Christ serves."

 
  
 

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Copyright © 2017 Good Shepherd Catholic Church, All rights reserved.

Lent 'Cross of Mercy'
Visit the Cross in the Commons to take a prayer request home or leave your own request.
Grow in faith as a parish family
as we pray for one another.
For opportunities for PRAYER, FASTING and
ALMSGIVING, visit our Lent Website! 

Coming Soon! Palm Sunday and Holy Week. For Mass Schedule and more, CLICK HERE
 
______________________________________
 
 This weekend at Good Shepherd ...

• Spaghetti Dinner! Saturday, 5 - 8pm. Join fellow parishioners for a delicious pasta dinner and fellowship! Cost: $5/adult; $10/couple; and $20 for family of four or more.
• Sharing Sunday Every Weekend During Lent. Bring donations of non-perishable groceries to share with the UCM food pantry and Catholic Charities' St. Lucy Project.
• WorkCamp Nail Sale after all Masses. Stop by the Information Counter to get a nail and prayer card. Contact: youthministry@gs-cc.org.
• Bishops's Lenten Appeal BLA. Become the hands and heart of our Lord Jesus! If you haven't already pledged, envelopes are available in the parish office.Thank you to all those who have contributed!
• Catholic Relief Services. Support the CRS collection and help those in need around the world!

 ______________________________________
 
Evening of Reconciliation 
Monday, March 27
4:30 - 5:30pm and 6:30 - 8pm 
Two sessions with priests in English and Spanish.
 ______________________________________
Wednesday Evenings in Lent 

• Mass 6pm
• Eucharistic Adoration 6:30 - 8pm (in the church)
• The Light is On for You  6:30 - 8pm (in the church) The Sacrament of Reconciliation is available at all parishes. Experience God's mercy and love!
• Soup and Stations 6:30 - 8pm (in Creedon Hall) Join us for a light soup supper and a presentation of the Stations of the Cross. Volunteers welcome! CLICK HERE.

 
 ______________________________________
For Teens: Youth Groups and More! 

• High School Nights - Sundays, 7:30 - 9pm 
• Middle School Youth Group - Thursdays, 6:30 - 7:30pm
• High School WorkCamp - A few spots left! Contact: youthministry@gs-cc.org
• Volunteer Opportunities for Teens:
  • Spaghetti Dinner - Saturday, March 25. Help serve and clean-up. Contact:Bob Schwenk
  • Shadow Stations of the Cross - Wednesday, March 29, 6:30-8pm. Present the Stations of the Cross during Soup and Stations.
  • Live Stations of the Cross - Good Friday, April 14, 6pm. Participate in the presentation of the Live Stations of the Cross.
  • Christ House Shelter in Old Town Alexandria - Help feed the hungry every first Thursday of the month! For information, contact: youthministry@gs-cc.org or sign up HERE

 ______________________________________
 
2017-18 Faith Formation Registration:
Elementary, Middle and High School
General registration opens May 4, 6 and 7. For important information, please check the Faith Formation webpage.
 ______________________________________
 Another Way to Give ...When you switch from envelopes to electronic giving with Faith Direct you help our parish and the environment:

• reduce the use and waste of paper envelopes,
• reduce the need for staff and volunteer time processing donations,
• provide consistent giving to help the parish budget efficiently.

​Switch from paper envelopes to electronic giving today! Sign up for Faith Direct
​