Did You Know

What you might not know is that St. Andrew’s/Good Shepherd Parish is something of a trend-setter for Parish-giving across the Diocese. Each year for the past 30+ years we have met and surpassed our Parish Goal and have inspired (challenged?) other Parishes in supporting the Annual Catholic Appeal. Diocesan officials, including all of our Bishops, have attended our “kick-off” Dinners and then watched as we have given toward our goal and then surpassed it. The collaboration of the Knights of Columbus with the Parish in providing this “kick-off” has been imitated but never equaled – now for over 36 years! A BIG thanks again to our Knights, the Columbian Association, our Confirmation students who served the meals, the ACA Committee who have worked so hard to make this a success, to Tanya and her catering crew from the “Taste of Sicily” – and ALL of you, who attended, gave, and encouraged us in this great Community effort!

AND a BIG week for our Youth is coming up! Next weekend will be the Confirmation Retreat at Our Lady of the Sierras Retreat Center in Hereford, with over 70 of our Youth in attendance, who will be joined by Confirmation students from Our Lady of the Mountains! Our Priests, 30 Adults, and our Knights of Columbus will be assisting Deacon Bill Polakowski and Genevieve Rivera in making this the best Confirmation Retreat – so far! The Retreat actually concludes at the Life Teen Mass next Sunday evening at 5:00 – with Deacon Carlos Nagore preaching at the Mass!

Three of our Youth Leaders will be honored this Friday at the Diocesan Youth Award Ceremony at the Cathedral! Aiden Fitzpatrick will be recognized as a Youth Liturgical Leader (Aiden heads up our Altar Servers Program, as well as assisting at Youth Liturgical events in our Parish and at the Diocese!) Jandee Howton will be recognized as a “Missionary of Mercy” for her generosity of service in reaching out to other Youth and encouraging others by her example! Gabe Sloan will receive the “Missionary Disciple” Award for his energetic leadership within and beyond our Youth Ministry and encouraging others to follow Christ! The Award Ceremony will take place at a special Mass with Bishop Kicanas this Friday at 5:00 PM! We are certainly proud of all of our Youth and are delighted that the ‘spotlight’ is shown on any of them! Congratulations Jandee, Gabe and Aiden!!!

AND our Secular Carmelite Order will be on Retreat this coming weekend at Holy Trinity Monastery in St. David, with Fr. Bob Gonzales serving as the Retreat Director!

ALL OF THESE ACTIVITIES NEED YOUR PRAYERS FOR THEIR SPIRITUAL SUCCESS!