Good Shepherd Gathers - LEARN & LIVE (Teens)
June 2020


Reflect this month upon God's command to keep Sunday - the Lord's Day - holy. How can you devote yourself to worship, rest, prayer, and connection to family and friends?

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As we begin our Summer Social Justice Series, this week we pray in a special way for all people to honor the first Pillar of Catholic Social Teaching: the Life and Dignity of the Human Person.

Sunday, July 5
14th Sunday in Ordinary Time
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​Read the Sunday readings, focusing on the Gospel reading
Dig deeper: Loyola Press Sunday Connection
  • Gospel Theme: Jesus helps us bear our burdens and to find rest.
  • Reflection Question: What burdens are you bearing this week that you can ask Jesus to help you carry?

​Meet this week's saint: ​St. Benedict (July 11). Patron saint of Europe, schoolchildren, monks, people with high fevers, people with inflammatory disease, poison, agricultural workers, civil engineers, cave explorers. Learn more HERE
​​​​​Sunday, July 12 
15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

​Read the Sunday readings, focusing on the Gospel reading
Dig deeper: Loyola Press Sunday Connection
  • Gospel Theme: Jesus' teachings need good soil to to take root and bear fruit.
  • Reflection Question: What things can you do to open your heart to Jesus' ​
​​​​​Sunday, July 19
16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

​Read the Sunday readings, focusing on the Gospel reading
Dig deeper: Loyola Press Sunday Connection
  • Gospel Theme: God can produce amazing abundance from the smallest seeds.
  • Reflection Question: ​What small act can you do this week to make a positive difference in someone's life?​
​​​​​Sunday, July 19
17th Sunday in Ordinary Time

​Read the Sunday readings, focusing on the Gospel reading
Dig deeper: Loyola Press Sunday Connection
  • Gospel Theme: Loving connection with God and others is more valuable than material things.  
  • Reflection Question: ​What things do you value that are maybe not as important as you think? What do you think Jesus invites you to value in your life?
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​​Summer Social Justice Series
Join us each week for the next 7 weeks as we explore the 7 Pillars of Catholic Social Teaching. We invite you each week to listen to Father Tom's introduction to the Pillar of the Week,
​learn more from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, and put your faith in action.
Week of July 5: 
​LIFE AND DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON
Watch Father Tom introduce the first Pillar of Catholic Social Teaching.
​Learn more from Catholic Relief Services about God's call to affirm human life and dignity. 
​​FAITH IN ACTION:  Advocacy and Service
Advocacy
​Justice for Immigrants (JFI) Action Alert to the U.S. Senate: Please Protect DACA Recipients

Service

Ways to Serve During COVID-19. 
Check out this LifeTeen blog post that lists ideas for how you can serve others safely during this time of pandemic.
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Middle and High School WorkCamp at Good Shepherd
July 27-31 our annual WorkCamp will be extended and modified to safely allow for middle school and high school youth to participate in the faith and service activities we have grown accustomed to in the summer.