We have two fun opportunities over the Christmas break to keep our teens involved and remind them of Christ's presence during this Christmas holiday season.

On Thursday, December 17 join us as we help decorate the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Located at 400 Michigan Ave NE, Washington, DC 20017.  This is a great opportunity to see up close and personal the beauty of the Basilica. A national treasure right in our backyard. Decorating is from 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm. We will carpool from Good Shepherd, meet at 4:45 pm. Complete permission form. Contact Miguel to RSVP miguel@gs-cc.org. 

On Tuesday, December 29 our Parish is taking a Pilgrimage to the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America located at 1400 Quincy St NE, Washington, DC 20017.  We will attend a private tour beginning at 11:00 am and then Father Tom will celebrate Mass at 12:30 pm in the Monastery. Please arrive by 10:30 am.

​If you have ever wanted to journey to the Holy Land but can't make the travel, this is a great alternative. The Monastery is referred to as an Oasis of Peace with its beautiful gardens and iconic architecture. Their Mission began over 800 years ago when the "Roman Catholic Church entrusted the guardianship of the Holy Land and other shrines of the Christian religion to the Order of St. Francis." Complete the permission form.  RSVP and questions to Miguel miguel@gs-cc.org.  

We have two great events this weekend for Youth Group.

Join us Saturday, December 12 beginning at 11:00 am for a Star Wars mini-marathon viewing of the original trilogy. Invite a friend and bring a snack to share, along with money to order pizza. We will finish about 6:00 pm in time for the Virgen de Guadalupe celebration.

Also, make sure you attend Youth Group on Sunday, December 13. We are introducing our Year of Mercy with an information session on summer WorkCamp. The WorkCamp information packet and covenant is available on the website. We will also go over the many other plans we have to recognize the Year of Mercy.  Dinner will be provided by Margi Wood.

The Youth Ministry team has started a new program this year of "breaking bread" at the beginning of each HS and MS Youth Group meeting. This sharing of food is a communal act to remind us of Jesus and his many works. We have some parish groups signed up to provide food, but we are relying on parents and families for the bulk of the work.

​Please visit the SignUpGenius links to select a date:
Middle School Youth Group Snack, Thursdays 6:30: ​http://www.SignUpGenius.com/go/4090C45ABAB2B0-msyouth
High School Youth Group Dinner, Sundays 7:30: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0b48abad229-sunday

Our first event of the New Year is the 10th Annual Dodgeball Tournament on Monday, January 18. We will again be playing at the St. Louis gym. This event is open to 4th through 12th graders. Cost is $10 per person and includes a pizza lunch. Permission forms and team registration form are on the website. Please pre-register to help us with planning. The play can get competitive with other local Youth Groups, let's go Good Shepherd! 

Life is Very Good events are later that week on January 21 and 22. First, join us on Thursday, January 21 for the Evening of Prayer at George Mason's Patriot Center. The doors open at 6:30 pm and the event runs until 10:00 pm. There are a limited number of tickets available, the cost is $17 per person. If you want to carpool we will meet at Good Shepherd at 5:30 pm and should arrive back by 11:00 pm. Visit the website to see the full program of speakers and performers. Also, visit our forms page to complete a permission form.

On Friday, January 22 we will join with the Knights of Columbus to attend the March for Life in Washington, DC. The day will begin with breakfast and Mass at the Knights of Columbus on Route 1. We will then take a bus to downtown DC for the March and will complete the day with dinner at the Knights of Columbus. Permission forms are online. There is no cost for this event.

Ski Trip is on a Saturday this year! Show us your skiing/snowboarding skills at Whitetail on January 30. Cost is $83/pp and includes equipment rental, lift ticket and a beginner lesson. There are also meal plans available or you can bring a lunch. We will likely carpool from Good Shepherd, leaving at 6:00 am and returning by 8:00 pm. If we get enough signups, we will rent a bus. Signup early by completing a permission form online. Questions? Contact Lisa McCrumb lisamccrumb@verizon.net.