Good Shepherd Shines - Good Shepherd Catholic Church

Spring 2009 • Issue No. 6
Good Shepherd Catholic Church
loving as Christ loves, serving as Christ serves
Good Shepherd Shines
Father Chuck McCoart
Each parish has its own charisma. Some parishes have
outstanding schools, others excel at reaching out to
form communities of minority groups such as Korean
or Vietnamese parishes. Good Shepherd, too, has its
own unique charisma – diverse and far reaching.
Inclusivity. Most importantly we are passionate about
diversity, inclusion and participation. We value the input
and leadership of our parish in two languages, Spanish and
English. Over thirty years ago we were set apart by the
clergy and parishioners who made a conscious decision to
welcome Spanish speaking people into our midst, encouraging
them to worship in our church, enjoy and celebrate
the liturgy in their own culture, and join with us as a part
of a unified community. Our blended English and Spanish
liturgies are a special blessing to our parish.
Leadership. Throughout the history of our parish, we
have been blessed by individual men and women and families
who came forward to serve the parish in multiple ways,
through liturgy, education, facilities, financial and administrative
activities to list just a few of their accomplishments.
We still have leaders stepping forward, perhaps a different
generation, but still filled with the love of God and an energetic
willingness to serve.
I encourage even greater participation. I dream of the
day when each parishioner serves one day a week and gives
one week of service every year so that the parish advances
toward achieving our mission, “loving as Christ loves, serving
as Christ serves.”
Outreach. Good Shepherd has a long history of serving
others, the homeless, the hungry and the poor. We support
Good Shepherd Housing, United Christian Ministries and
other community agencies who support individuals in difficult
times with money, food and clothing.
Our youth have led the
way in recent times, reaching
out to local communities
as well as areas in other
parts of the world, helping
them build churches, parishes
and homes. Half the
parishes in our diocese have
no affiliation with the Work
Camp movement, but Good
Shepherd has four Work
Camp groups. I envision
a time when each youth in
our parish participates in parish activities and is passionate
about giving service to others.
Future Planning. Good Shepherd is among a small
minority of parishes who have thoughtfully gathered input
from parishioners, analyzed their contributions and developed
a Parish Pastoral Plan that identifies and prioritizes
future activities and programs. It was a parish effort, led by
the Parish Pastoral Council that is now seeing the beginning
of implementation.
Programs. Our programs have grown exponentially –
we have over 100 service, educational and prayer groups
that add to the vibrancy of Good Shepherd. I dream of the
day when we have over 200 groups, all directed at achieving
our mission.
Good Shepherd shines, but let’s all work together so our
light becomes even brighter!

Spiritual Helpers: Visiting Clergy
Good Shepherd is blessed by the numbers and quality
of visiting clergy who come to minister to us, providing assistance
to Fr. Chuck. We will present short biographies of
these generous priests and clergy so that we can all know
something about their interesting histories.
A Gift from
Newfoundland:
Father Mike Hann
When we hear at the beginning
of Mass that “our
presider is Father Mike
Hann,” we know we will leave
church that day with better knowledge
and understanding of Scripture
from Father Mike’s gift for putting
each reading in its historical context and its current day application.
Father Mike, who has served the Church and the Missionhurst
Congregation for many years, says Mass frequently at Good
Shepherd.
Early Faith Formation.The son of a fisherman, Father Mike
grew up on Port Royal, an island off the coast of Newfoundland,
where his community saw a priest only twice a year. Daily recitation
of the Rosary served as his faith formation in his youth.
When he attended college in New York, he discovered his calling
when he read a pamphlet entitled Invitation to Greatness, a
series of letters between the vocation director of Missionhurst and
a young man discerning his future.
Formation as a Priest. In 1973, he was ordained a Missionhurst
priest and served for the next 20 years in Haiti, with brief
assignments in Mexico and Rome. From 1993-2000, Father Mike
served in Rome on a team that directed the Missionhurst Congregation.
This assignment gave him the opportunity to visit missions
in Africa. From Rome, Father Mike returned to Haiti before
being named Rector at Missionhurst in Arlington, VA.
The Shepherd’s Watch
Publisher: Rev. Charles C. McCoart, Jr.
Editor: Peg Mastal
Editorial Staff: Mary Ciske, Alice Outerbridge,
Joan Peterschmidt, Rosalie Targonski
Translators: Ana Pilato, Jennifer Miller, Clara Campos,
Rosie Driscoll, Mauricio Hernandez,
Maria Isabel Diaz Restrepo,
Essy O’Connor, Sarah Grubb
Design/Layout: Sue De Angel
E-mail: newsletter@gs-cc.org
Go o d Sh e p h e r d Cat h o l i c Ch u r c h
8710 Mount Vernon Highway • Alexandria, VA 22309
Telephone: (703) 780-4055 • Fax: (703) 360-5385
E-mail: office@gs-cc.org • Internet: www.gs-cc.org
Enjoying Good Shepherd. Father Mike enjoys serving at
Good Shepherd and particularly likes the way Father Chuck successfully
delegates authority and responsibility to the staff and
parishioners for the well-being and growth of the parish. He considers
it a blessing to be part of the community at Good Shepherd.
We, in turn, are blessed by his services and educational talents.
Anticipating Ordination:
Deacon Tony Mazurkiewicz
For the past year, Good Shepherd has been blessed with the
services of Deacon Tony Mazurkiewicz,
who has shared
his faith and talents with our parish
during his final year of preparation
for ordination as a priest of the Carmelite
Order.
Early Faith Formation. Deacon
Tony was born in Chicago. He
has a married sister who has three
children; Tony is godfather to all of
them. He attended Mount Carmel
High School where his mother now
serves as Administrative Assistant
and where he first became interested in the Carmelite community.
His father is a Vietnam Veteran and co-owner of a storage
company. Deacon Tony graduated from Yale University, where he
played football for four years, acting as captain in his senior year.
After graduation, he worked for four years in Boston and Chicago
as a teacher and consultant with Edison Schools.
Formation in the Carmelite Order. When Deacon Tony returned
to Chicago, he lived in a Carmelite community for a year, after
which he joined the Carmelite formation program. He has lived and
ministered in Carmelite communities in several US cities – Houston,
Phoenix, and Washington, DC to name a few. Deacon Tony’s
hobbies include sports, hiking, reading, skiing, and quilting.
Enjoying Good Shepherd. During his time at Good Shepherd,
Deacon Tony especially appreciated the warm welcome he
received from all he met and enjoyed the parishioners’ active participation
in our parish’s diverse ministries. He will be ordained
a Carmelite priest in Chicago on May 30, 2009 and is thankful to
serve God and His people. All who have come to know Deacon
Tony wish him blessings and success in his future life.
Spring
is here!
2 The Shepherd’s Watch

Martin Luther King Concert
Barbara Cotter
If you missed the 14th Annual Martin Luther King Choir Festival,
an ecumenical event sponsored by Ventures in Community
(VIC) and held at Good Shepherd on Sunday, January
18, mark your calendar right now for the 15th Annual Concert on
Sunday, January 17, 2010 at Bethlehem Baptist Church. These two
churches alternate hosting the event because they have the only
sanctuaries large enough to hold the combined choirs that come together
at the end of the evening. This year’s event was one of song,
dance, bell ringing, prayer, hand clapping, and joyful praise.
Thirteen churches combined to honor Dr. King’s peaceful efforts
to advance the cause of equal rights for all. Rev. Jeri Fields,
pastor of Mt. Vernon Presbyterian Church and coordinator of the
evening’s program, welcomed all by sharing important events in
Dr. King’s life. Then, Rev. Ketlen Solak, St. Luke’s Episcopal
Church and cofacilitator of VIC, spoke of VIC’s mission to unite
local faith communities and to advocate for and serve those in
need. Father Charles McCoart welcomed the choirs and attendees
to Good Shepherd Church, read a quote from Coretta Scott King,
and lead us in prayer.
The Trinity Handbell Choir and Brass from Bethany Lutheran
Church provided prelude music as well as a beautiful and moving
arrangement of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.” The Mount
Vernon Sacred Dance Choir performed “Down to the River to
Pray” followed by the Bethlehem Baptist Church Daughters of
Judah, Dance Ministry who presented a dance interpretation of
“Sincerity.”
Each of the choirs that provided song for the evening was
warmly received. Good Shepherd Catholic, Mt. Vernon Unitarian,
St. Mark’s Episcopal, and St. James’ Episcopal choirs; Mt. Vernon
Presbyterian, Heritage Presbyterian, and Groveton Baptist Combined
Choirs; Rising Hope United Methodist Mission Church
Choir, Baha’I Faith of Metropolitan Washington Chorale; and
Woodlawn United Methodist Church Mass Choir each presented
a tribute to Dr. King. Then, the choirs combined under the leadership
of Dr. James Criswell, Senior Choir Director, Mt. Vernon
Presbyterian Church, and ALL were invited to join in the singing
of “We Are Marching in the Light of God” while the Trinity
Handbell Choir and the dancers
performed “We Are Ringing and
Dancing in the Light of God.”
A special moment of the
evening was provided by Mr.
Willie Parker, a member of the
Woodlawn United Methodist
Choir, who recited a selection
from Dr. King’s “I Have a
Dream Speech.”
Cynthia Hull, Executive
Director of United Community
Ministries (UCM) and VIC cofacilitator,
spoke of the overwhelming
need for food, shelter, clothing,
and emergency assistance in Combined Choirs.
our area of Fairfax County and thanked all who continue to support
the various faith and community based organizations serving the
neediest among us. She asked those in attendance to share in the
work and ministry of VIC through a free will donation. This collection
netted $2,128.28 and was shared among UCM, Good Shepherd
Housing and New Hope Housing.
After the benediction, given by Rev. Jeri Fields, all were invited
to a reception in Creedon Hall.
Ventures In Community
Ventures in Community is a volunteer organization of 32
faith based communities representing 16 denominations and
14 nonprofit agencies. Its mission is to promote a diverse and
welcoming community that extends adequate resources to all
segments of the population. Clergy and lay persons from Good
Shepherd were among the founders of VIC in 1974 and many parishioners
continue to support VIC through such programs as the
Mondloch House Milk Program (Carol Kennedy), the Kennedy
Shelter Lunch Program (Eileen Reosti), the Nurturing Parent Program
(Barbara Cotter), the Route One Community Kitchen (Barbara
Cotter), and the VIC Hypothermia Program (Jerri Pogue).
The VIC Hypothermia Program (VICHOP) is a nightly shelter
for the homeless which is run from December through March at
Rising Hope United Methodist Mission Church and is supported
by volunteers from area churches. A total of 55 Good Shepherd
volunteers supported VICHOP for 3 nights in December by providing
food, drink, and overnight chaperoning. Other parishioners
have placed their names on a list to be contacted by the overall
VICHOP coordinator should a need arise.
VIC also sponsors a Good Friday “Way of the Cross,” an
Easter Sunrise Service at Woodlawn Plantation, and the CROP
Walk, which will have its 30th anniversary this year. VIC meetings
are held at 11:30 am on the first Wednesday of each month at
rotating host locations. All meetings of VIC are open to the public
and offer challenging opportunities for individuals, children, and
families to participate in ongoing projects. If you have any questions,
please contact Good Shepherd’s representative to VIC, Jerri
Pogue at gbpogue@aol.com or Joan Halford, Good Shepherd’s
social justice minister.
Spring 2009 • Issue No. 6 3

Good Shepherd in Honduras
Erin Burke
I
traveled to Honduras as part of a team from the Campus Christian
Community here at The University of Mary Washington.
This group has now been to Honduras five times, and initiated
one of the most successful student organizations in the U.S.
Students Helping Honduras, with its chairperson, Shin Fujiyama
(a UMW alum). The main goal of the Campus Christian Community
Honduras mission trips and the mission of Students Helping
Honduras is to help improve the lives of children in urban Honduras
by working to build shelter, community, safety, and livelihood
for the children and their families.
We stayed in El Progreso, which is a small urban area outside
the capital city, Tecucigalpa (don’t ask me to pronounce that!). The
bugs and the hot Honduran sun were our worst enemies. We started
our week with a visit to Siete de Abril, the village that the Campus
Christian Community and Students Helping Honduras have been
working with due to its dire needs of shelter, sanitation and employment.
We got to cook tortillas with the villagers, and were able
to learn about their history and see their excitement at moving to
the new village we would spend the week helping to build.
We worked hard for 4 grueling days in Villa Soleada (the
new village that is being built for the villagers of Siete de Abril)
making cement and filling in foundations that had been dug. They
were long days, but there was a lot going on, and making cement
actually turned out to be kind of fun! I had learned how to mix
cement in the Dominican Republic 2 years ago with my brother,
Neil, and the Good Shepherd Youth Group, so I felt like an expert
by the end of this trip. I think Patrick, and the rest of the Youth
Group would have been proud to see how much of my cementmaking
skills were retained. Overall, we did finish 3 foundations
and dug 2 more, as well as worked on the flooring for 2 houses
and the masonry for 1. This was the most that had been accomplished
by any other group that had come through Villa Soleada
in the past month! We did have some help...my group had 40
people in it from the University of Mary Washington (the Campus
Christian Community and an Economics class working on a
micro-finance project with the women of Siete de Abril) as well
Erin Burke with one of the orphans in the private orphanage.
as a few people from Western Illinois University. A large group
from Boston College and some individuals from Old Dominion
University (in Newport News, VA) and Virginia Tech. joined us.
In all, 35 houses have been completed – only 10 more to go!
Other than doing manual labor, we took some time to play
with and learn about the children of El Progreso. We visited 2
orphanages, one a private organization and one run by the government.
The 2 places were polar opposites of each other, to a
heartbreaking level. It was easy to see that the children at the
private orphanage are well cared for and are learning skills to help
them succeed in life, while the children at the state orphanage are
treated more like animals, are dirty and ill, and neglected. It was
fun to play with the kids, even if I could not really communicate
with them very well, but it was also hard to leave knowing that
they would have to stay in these places long after we got to go
home. Those visits helped put things in perspective for me about
how well off I am and how lucky we are to live in a country where
these atrocities would be prevented and punished.
My favorite experience was spending the afternoon at a nutrition
center in the heart of the city.
It is run by a Catholic Church in
Honduras and is sponsored by another
Catholic Church in Texas.
The center takes in young children
from the streets, the government
orphanage, or from impoverished
families, who are malnourished
and sick. The center feeds these
children on a strict diet and schedule
and gives them medicine and
vitamins in efforts to nurse them
back to a health. The goal for each
child in the center is to be sent to a
private orphanage, to be adopted,
or to be returned to his/her family,
Finished houses of Villa Soledad. continued on page 7
4 The Shepherd’s Watch

The Excellence in Youth Ministry Award:
“Traveling Companion of Young People”
It is the pleasure of the diocese to present Patrick Drury of Good Shepherd Catholic
Church with the Excellence in Youth Ministry Award for 2008.
Kevin Bohli, Director Youth Ministry
Catholic Diocese of Arlington
The Excellence in Youth Ministry award is given annually
by the diocese to a youth worker who has shown a
strong dedication to accompanying young people on their
pilgrimage of Christian discipleship. This person demonstrates
an ongoing commitment and availability to young people as they
grow in faith.
The diocesan award recipient this year has been involved in
youth ministry for over a decade. He began his involvement on
a volunteer level during his time as an undergraduate student at
the University of Virginia, an institution that many consider to be
“God’s greatest gift to the people of Virginia”. After college he
signed on for full-time work in campus ministry at George Mason
University before moving to South Bend, Indiana temporarily to
be with his wife while she completed her graduate work. They
returned to northern Virginia in 2004 and shortly after he became
the Coordinator of Youth Ministry at Good Shepherd Parish in
Alexandria.
His responsibilities at Good Shepherd include junior high &
high school youth ministry, confirmation preparation and many
service projects relating to the ministries. He has increased the
number of annual Workcamp trips for his parish from one to four,
including at least one local, national & international trip every
summer. This is all indicative of what his wife refers to as his
“big heart for service”. But more than this, he is particularly talented
in building relationships with others through this service,
and modeling what it means to live out your faith in daily life.
One of his former youth
groupers notes that:
I was immediately
captured by his enthusiasm
for, not only our
faith, but life in general.
It is obvious that he is
very knowledgeable
and wise but he has the
ability to present it all
at a level that a younger
audience can grasp.
While he always met me
where I was at, he also
challenged me to grow in my faith and relationship with God. …
I look at where I was entering the youth ministry program in 9th
grade and where I am now as a college student and I know for a
fact the transformation would not have occurred without Patrick.
I reflect often, and can see clearly that God used and continues to
use Patrick actively to bring people to know Him.
He also is a teacher to his peers. A coworker feels that he is
“also a mentor to adult volunteers and other youth ministers. … I
learn from him every time I see him speak or interact with teens.”
At diocesan events his lighthearted comments and sense of humor
keep us from taking ourselves too seriously. In his years of ministry,
he has certainly given much to the teens of this diocese and
the state, and will undoubtedly continue to contribute much for
many years to come.
Good Shepherd’s Second Diocesan Award Recipient
One of Good Shepherd’s youth volunteers also received a
diocesan award as Youth Ministry Adult Volunteer of the
Year. This award goes to an adult in the Youth Ministry
for contributions over the year. This year our parish selected Kelly
Fonseca to receive the award. Kelly said, “I was so surprised and
honored.”
Kelly has been an active leader in the youth ministry for
years. During high school she was a leader, receiving the Youth
Volunteer of the Year award in 2005. Now she continues her
participation in Youth activities as a young adult in the Hispanic
Youth Ministry.
Kelly currently serves as the Coordinator for Spanish young
adults, an active and committed group. They are noted for their
monthly service projects, for example the Spanish Advent festival,
helping with the Hispanic youth group meetings, and participating
in larger parish activities such as the International Festival.
The most noted project in
which the Spanish young
adults engage is coordinating
the Via Crucis. This
ceremony presents the living
stations of the cross on
Good Friday.
Kelly also introduced
the young adult group to
VOICE (Virginians Organized
for Interfaith Community),
an organization
of different faith groups in
the state focusing on social
justice activities. Kelly, the honor is Good Shepherd’s to have you
working so hard for us and for others. Congratulations!
Spring 2009 • Issue No. 6 5

Parishioners Engage Their Faith
Through Social Justice Ministry
Joan Montgomery Halford, Director of Social Justice
Several mornings a month, quietly and without fanfare, small
groups of Good Shepherd community members live out the
Gospel—in our church kitchen. By preparing and serving
meals for the homeless, these dedicated parishioners are among the
hundreds of people each month who participate in the many-faceted
programs of the Social Justice Ministry at Good Shepherd.
Through more than 50 ongoing programs and special events,
community members work within the Social Justice Ministry to
• advocate for justice, especially on behalf of the poor and vulnerable;
• serve the needy, through many direct and indirect charitable
service efforts;
• provide comfort and healing to the seriously ill and bereaved
through the integrated programs of the Circle of Caring;
• offer communities of understanding through support-group
programs;
• make the environment a priority, through the “Caring for
God’s Creation” ministry;
• provide financial assistance and empowerment; and
• educate for social justice through a variety of learning opportunities
for all ages.
The Route One Community Kitchen (ROCK) cooking team (l-r):
Carol Kennedy, Sally Batchelder, Chris Baden-Mayer, Mary Beth
Rock, Barbara Cotter, Marisa Souza (not pictured are Betty Rice
and Jerry Pogue)
At its foundation, the social justice ministry enables parishioners
to engage their faith through action. The ministry reflects
the seven core themes of Catholic social teaching, themes that
continued on page 7
The Seven Core Themes of Catholic Social Teaching
The Church’s social teaching is a rich treasure of wisdom about building
a just society and living lives of holiness amidst the challenges of modern
society. Here are the key themes that are at the heart of our Catholic
social tradition. To learn more, visit http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/projects/
socialteaching/excerpt.shtml.
Life and Dignity of the Human Person
The Catholic Church proclaims that human life is sacred and that
the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for
society. This belief is the foundation of all the principles of our social
teaching. In our society, human life is under direct attack from abortion
and euthanasia. The value of human life is being threatened by
cloning, embryonic stem cell research, and the use of the death penalty.
Catholic teaching also calls on us to work to avoid war. Nations
must protect the right to life by finding increasingly effective ways to
prevent conflicts and to resolve them by peaceful means. We believe
that every person is precious, that people are more important than
things, and that the measure of every institution is whether it threatens
or enhances the life and dignity of the human person.
Call to Family, Community,
and Participation
The person is not only sacred, but also social. How we organize
our society in economics and politics and in law and policy directly
affects human dignity and the capacity of individuals to grow in community.
Marriage and the family are the central social institutions that
must be supported and strengthened, not undermined. We believe
people have a right and a duty to participate in society, seeking together
the common good and well-being of all, especially the poor and
vulnerable.
Rights and Responsibilities
The Catholic tradition teaches that human dignity can be protected
and a healthy community can be achieved only if human rights are
protected and responsibilities are met. Therefore, every person has a
fundamental right to life and a right to those things required for human
decency. Corresponding to these rights are duties and responsibilities—to
one another, to our families, and to the larger society.
Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
A basic moral test is how our most vulnerable members are faring.
In a society marred by deepening divisions between rich and poor,
our tradition recalls the story of the Last Judgment (Mt 25:31-46) and
instructs us to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first.
The Dignity of Work and the Rights
of Workers
The economy must serve people, not the other way around. Work
is more than a way to make a living; it is a form of continuing participa-
continued on page 7
6 The Shepherd’s Watch

Parishioners Engage Their Faith...
continued from page 6
for some Catholics remain the Church’s best kept secrets. From
our advocacy efforts through Virginians Organized for Interfaith
Community Engagement (VOICE) to our Sharing Sunday food
drive to our comprehensive pro-life ministry to our JustFaith and
JustMatters groups, all that occurs within the Social Justice Ministry
is an enactment of our baptismal call to live out our social
teaching.
Social justice has a long tradition at Good Shepherd. Indeed,
in its 43 years, our parish has helped spin off three major separate
non-profit agencies that serve the needy in our community: Good
Shepherd Housing and Family Services, United Community Ministries
(UCM), and Progreso Hispano. Many traditions and programs
with our Social Justice Ministry originated decades ago,
including the Circle of Caring for the seriously ill and bereaved.
Why social “justice”? Because our gospel teaches that charity,
though important, is only part of our calling. As Saint Augustine
wisely taught, “Charity is no substitute for justice withheld.” Justice
addresses the systemic problems that perpetuate poverty and
social ills. At Good Shepherd, our advocacy efforts complement
our strong charitable legacy. Charity gives, but justice changes.
With so many opportunities in the Social Justice Ministry,
there’s something for nearly everyone. To learn more about the
many social justice programs at Good Shepherd, visit the Social
Justice section of our Web site at www.gs-cc.org or contact Joan
M. Halford, Director of Social Justice, at joan@gs-cc.org.
A Psalm ofDescriptive Praise
Peggy Hecklinger
Rejoice in daily miracles!
Red sunrise above the river fog;
Mozart on the clock radio.
Gentle wind rustles autumn leaves;
Synchronized green traffic lights.
Vee of geese soaring southward;
Redskins three and one.
Purple-orange sunset lingers;
Microwave yields Bertolli frozen dinner.
Harvest moon path lights flowing river;
Hot water and bubbles fill the tub.
Praise the Lord!
The Seven Core Themes...
continued from page 6
tion in God’s creation. If the dignity of work is to be protected, then
the basic rights of workers must be respected—the right to productive
work, to decent and fair wages, to the organization and joining
of unions, to private property, and to economic initiative.
Solidarity
We are one human family, whatever our national, racial, ethnic,
economic, and ideological differences. We are our brothers’ and
sisters’ keepers, wherever they may be. Loving our neighbor has
global dimensions in a shrinking world. At the core of the virtue of
solidarity is the pursuit of justice and peace. Pope Paul VI taught
that “if you want peace, work for justice.” The Gospel calls us to be
peacemakers. Our love for all our sisters and brothers demands that
we promote peace in a world surrounded by violence and conflict.
Care for God’s Creation
We show our respect for the Creator by our stewardship of
creation. Care for the earth is not just an Earth Day slogan; it is
also a requirement of our faith. We are called to protect people and
the planet, living our faith in relationship with all of God’s creation.
This environmental challenge has fundamental moral and ethical
dimensions that cannot be ignored.
Copyright 2005, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Washington, D.C.
continued from page 4
Good Shepherd in Honduras
who often do not know how to take care of their children.
If this is the case, parents are required to take nutrition and
parenting classes, and follow-ups are given weekly once the
child is released to their family. The kids were adorable, and
while we knew they were sick, they played and laughed just as
any other child would. I loved playing with the children and
learning their stories of how they arrived in the center’s care,
as well as learning about the center and its mission.
Overall, this was an amazing and life-altering experience.
I arrived home late at night after very little sleep, covered in
bug bites and scratches and cement burns, but otherwise very
happy. It was a quick 18 hours or so before I had to be back at
school, and a return to the daily grind of classes and activities
was definitely difficult, especially after I was so inspired to get
involved in a project much bigger than my school and myself.
I would like to thank all those who aided me on this trip, financially
or through prayers and support; I would not have had
this opportunity had it not been for your help. I miss Good
Shepherd very much, and hope you all are well. God bless.
To learn more about Students Helping Honduras, visit
http://www.studentshelpinghonduras.org.
For information about the UMW Campus Christian Community,
visit http://www.campuschristiancommunity.com/.
Spring 2009 • Issue No. 6 7

JustFaith at Good Shepherd
William Zaccagnino
For the second year, Good Shepherd Catholic Church is
sponsoring the JustFaith Program. I am 1 of 15 graduates
of the 2007-2008 cohort of the Good Shepherd JustFaith
program, and I am 1 of 3 co-facilitators of the two 2008—2009
cohorts at Good Shepherd, each with 8 participants.
What is JustFaith? JustFaith is a national program that manifests
itself in small groups in parishes and churches around the
country. JustFaith Ministries conducts the program in partnership
with the Catholic Campaign for Human
Development, Catholic Charities USA,
Catholic Relief Services (CRS), and
Bread for the World. It is a transformative,
30-week program that focuses
on poverty through the lens of Catholic
social teaching and the social mission
of the Church, which are core elements
of our faith. Through readings, videos,
prayer, speakers, Scripture reading, and
discussions, participants explore an array of social issues in some
depth. Participants are also afforded the privilege of becoming a
community with other participants and sharing a journey of faith
and compassion that is both life-giving and challenging.
Those who participated or are participating in the program
tell you that “JustFaith night” is their favorite night of the week!
These are people who are 20 to 60 years old—mothers and fathers
of young children and teens; people with day jobs and people
who stay home; people who care for their elderly parents;
people who are retired; and even priests—all busy people but all
people who want to explore their faith more deeply. JustFaith
holds them one night a week as a group but it stitches itself into
their lives throughout the week—and continues to weave itself
further into their lives.
Through JustFaith, participants
hear the voices of the poor and
oppressed and learn the inspiring
stories of people of faith who take
action to change the world.
Program activities. The program provides a lively and challenging
format to read, view, discuss, pray, experience and be
formed by the Catholic Church’s social justice tradition, which
inspires compassion, changes lives, inspires faithful witness, and
transforms the world through love and service.
Through JustFaith, participants hear the voices of the poor
and oppressed and learn the inspiring stories of people of faith
who take action to change the world. The curriculum includes
sections on poverty, immigration, racism, the global market, and
nonviolence. JustFaith Ministries identifies books, readings, and
videos each year. The facilitators identify
the speakers on the various topics
and the local border crossing organizations;
as an example, this year the
cohorts invited speakers from Good
Shepherd Housing and Family Services,
a Federal government executive
on racism, and the coordinator of Operation
Starfish from Nativity Parish in
Burke, and visited Mondloch House,
Progresso Hispano, and the Catholic Worker House.
The diocese organizes the day-long Journey to Justice, which
consists of discussions among all JustFaith participants in the diocese
and a visit to CRS-sponsored organizations. The facilitators
conduct the opening and closing retreats based on the JustFaith
curriculum.
JustFaith at Good Shepherd offers a wonderful opportunity
to explore the Church’s call to justice while becoming part of a
meaningful small faith-based group. Participants, to a person,
prayerfully enter JustFaith in the fall and emerge in the spring
transformed and profoundly changed in their faith.
For further information, you may contact Joan Halford
[joan@gs-cc.org] or Bill Zaccagnino [wzaccagnino@cox.net].
SAVE THE DATE!
International Festival
Monday, September 7, 2009
Volunteers needed – only a one-day commitment!
Come join the fun and give service to the parish!
Calling All Artists!
Poster Contest: Create a Poster for the 2009 International Festival
One winning poster will be selected as the official 2009 International Festival poster.
Flyers with entry rules available in the Parish Office.
8 The Shepherd’s Watch