A Message from the Pastor

July 2007

To you, the Good Shepherd family of faith,

     Whether it is summertime vacations, holiday celebrations, or birthdays and anniversaries, we love to tell stories when we gather together!  A childhood story that I still remember and treasure was titled:  Mr. Murdle’s Large Heart! (by Margery Bianco). The most remarkable thing about Mr. Murdle, a store owner, is his Large Heart.  Of course it’s wonderful for the customers, but that Large Heart kept getting in the way.  As the story continues, Mr. Murdle’s aunt comes to help and winds up throwing out that Large Heart.  Then things change for the worse!  Before the story ends, however, the children in town find the crumpled, torn and discarded Heart and put it back.  With the Large Heart in place, Mr. Murdle becomes just the same – so generous and kind!

     During this coming year, the Gospel writer Matthew will tell us of Jesus and his Heart of Love.  Then in Matthew 13:15, Jesus invites us:  Turn to me with all your heart!  The life-long challenge for each of us is to learn of the large loving heart of Jesus and then to put this heart of the Good Shepherd into our daily words and works.

     This Directory introduces, informs, and invites us into the large loving heart of our Good Shepherd parish. 

• Here we are introduced by name to the young and the young-at-heart, to the long time parishioner and to those newly welcomed.  The Good Shepherd calls each of us Beloved children of God.  May this resource enable us to call our sisters and brothers by name.

• Here we are informed of the many programs and people who enable us to lead and learn, to worship and celebrate, to serve others and to build together our Good Shepherd parish.  Information allows us to turn to the Lord with all our heart.

• Here we are invited to live as stewardship people, sharing generously our talents, time, and treasure.  The invitation enclosed in these pages is to participate in these parish ministries with your large loving hearts!

     The Good Shepherd guides and teaches us, forgives and feeds us, listens and loves us always.  Turn to me with all your heart!  May the story of our life identify us as disciples with large loving hearts!

Fr. Francis Hund
Pastor