THE CALL
We promote the Kingdom of God by living as disciples of Jesus.
IN THIS ISSUE
IN THIS ISSUE
WHO YA GONNA CALL?
ANotefrom OurPastor
Every year I both look forward to and dread Lent.
MINISTRY UPDATES AROUND THE PARISH
SCHOOL UPDATES
I look forward to Lent, because it is a time for me to get more serious about the things that I should be doing. I should be better about my prayer, have more discipline in the way that I consume
consume things (food, media, entertainment, etc), and be more generous with my time, talent, and treasure I look forward to the impetus that Lent gives me each year
I suppose I dread Lent for the same reasons. Being lazy, undisciplined, and selfish is far easier. Abandoning those things that come so easily comes with a certain amount of “dread”.
The traditional practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving help to make us better people. We are more connected with God and with one another and less turned in on ourselves.
As we begin this Lenten journey, let us be faithful to the Call. Let us once again listen to the voice of our Good Shepherd that calls us always to a more abundant life. It is something that we should look forward to each year, without any dread.
AROUND THE PARISH
Caring Ministries: A Tender Presence, Peaceful Hearts
The Caring Ministries team is a devoted group serving our parish family and residents at Garden Terrace and Homestead of Lenexa. Their ministry brings comfort, connection, and faith to those in need.
Each week, the team leads Communion services, shares the Word of God, and prays the rosary with residents. Monthly, Fr. Kent celebrates Mass at both facilities, a cherished event that lifts spirits with his joyful presence while Matthew’s music enhances these gatherings.
Beyond facility visits, some team members bring the Holy Eucharist to homebound parishioners, offering prayer, companionship, and parish news. They are a loving extension of our community, ensuring no one feels forgotten.
At its heart, the Caring Ministries team is about love and presence. They listen, offer a comforting hand, and bring smiles to those facing challenges. Their compassionate service reflects the heart of the Good Shepherd parish.
For more information or to get involved, contact Martha at mtady@gsshawnee.org.
Women Sharing Faith: The Power of Gathering
In the midst of our busy lives balancing work, family, and personal growth taking time to gather allows us to deepen our faith and support one another. As women, we understand the joys and challenges of our many roles, and together, we encourage each other on our faith journeys.
Our discussions go beyond Scripture; they are real conversations about applying God’s word in our daily lives. In past studies, we’ve learned to give and receive grace and find joy in every season. Now, as we continue, we will explore hope in our Lenten Journey.
We offer two groups: Tuesday evenings (7-8 PM) and Thursday mornings (9-10 AM). Women of all ages are welcome, and you can participate with either group as your schedule allows.
More than a Bible study, this is a community of faith, prayer, and encouragement. Wherever you are on your journey, you are welcome here. Let’s walk this season of reflection and renewal together.
For more information, contact Mary Mueller at mmueller@gsshawnee.org.
AROUND THE PARISH
WELCOME NEW FRIENDS AND PARISHIONERS!
Ann Hayter
Ron & Sandy Rollheiser
William & Mary Hays
Sean & Natalie Keating
Andrew & Kennedy Muehlberger
Martin & Mary Kraus
Elizabeth Dutton
Matthew & Danielle Fulks
Tyler & Bailey Jo Reed
Christopher & Aitana Lopez
Colin & Kellie Cummings
Lauren Divine Thiele & Casiel Thiele
Scott & Denise Gambill
Chelsey & Michael Harvey
IN MEMORY AND WITH LOVE
Robert S.J. Bayer
Claire Carter
Maria del Carmen Rodriguez-Calzada
Miriam Cristofani
James Finlen
On Sunday, January 12, youth and adults from Good Shepherd gathered for a chili supper and presentation on “The Middle East: Living and Believing. What Should I Know? Why Should I Care?” led by Destiny Magnett from Churches for Middle East Peace. Read more about this inspiring evening in The Leaven: https://theleaven.org/speaker-lays-out-the-historyand-complexity-of-the-middle-east/
AROUND THE PARISH
GOOD SHEPHERD COMMUNITY GARDEN 2025!
Did you know Good Shepherd has a community garden? The garden is located in the courtyard outside the north side of the Social Hall, and last summer it produced over 1,000 pounds of fresh produce that was shared with Shawnee Community Center, Catholic Charities and Rosewood Senior Living.
You know that produce did not just appear without plenty of work from parish volunteers. This year, in addition to the garden group, many teens and young people, the Boy Scouts and other parish groups were involved in the care and tending of the garden.
There is already plenty of work going on for this year’s garden The soil is being prepped, the potatoes will go in the ground on March 26, and our “beautification crew” is hard at work. They have already painted birdhouses and are gearing up for the next project: stepping stones!
None of this could happen without the coordination of parishioner Donna Cornett Donna and a host of volunteers make sure this garden will be around, continuing to feed the hungry in our community. Inspired to help? Contact Donna at dkcornett50@gmail.com
Emerald Season: A Time to Give Back
and Celebrate Our Community
Emerald Season is here at Good Shepherd Church and School, inviting our parish and school family to unite during Lent in support of our mission. This fundraising period aims to bridge the gap between offertory income and essential expenses, with a goal of $330,500. We encourage everyone to participate in some way to help reach this important target.
As we move through Lent, we ask you to consider contributing to Good Shepherd's success, ensuring we can continue offering outstanding educational programs and ministries Here are ways you can help:
Donate: Any amount helps. Send in a check that fits your budget.
Sponsor: Support through business or family sponsorships.
Raffle: Buy a $25 ticket for a chance to win $2,000, or a $100 Golden Ticket for a chance to win a trip for two plus a $1,000 Visa gift card.
Bid in the silent auction: Exciting items will be up for bidding online.
Attend An Emerald Evening: Join us on April 25th at 5:30pm for our gala event, featuring dinner, auctions, and dancing.
Expect to receive emails and texts with links to participate in these opportunities. Your involvement will help us continue to provide exceptional education and ministry at Good Shepherd.
HISPANIC MINISTRY
Noche Romantica: A Romantic Evening
This year, one of the key priorities at Good Shepherd is to deepen family evangelization, and a beautiful example of this effort was the "Romantic Night" event for couples. The evening offered couples a chance to reflect on their relationship, placing Jesus at the center of their lives. They enjoyed a delightful dinner, dancing, and a talk focusing on the importance of communication within a relationship
After the event, couples were invited to join the monthly meetings held every second Tuesday of the month at Good Shepherd, from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm. The next meeting is scheduled for March 13, where couples can continue their journey of faith together and gain valuable tools for educating their children in the faith.
Tomas Martinez, a long-time attendee of these events, expressed his gratitude: "My wife and I have participated in these events since they were first held. Year after year, we have enjoyed the food, dancing,
and the themes presented. I hope this celebration becomes a parish tradition, as we really need a place to enjoy ourselves in a healthy, Christian way. Again: THANK YOU!!"
Couples like Rosalba González and Jorge also shared their experience: "We attended the Romantic Night on February 8th, and it was a very nice experience What we loved as a couple was the chance to remember moments we've shared together The atmosphere was perfect, and we felt the presence of Jesus among us. We felt loved and protected by the event organizers, whose simplicity and humility reflected the blessed community of Good Shepherd. Thank you for making our time an unforgettable memory."
A special thank you goes to the Parish of Good Shepherd for their support in making the Love Day event a memorable experience for all involved.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
It Takes a Village: Recognizing Our Missionary Disciples
At Good Shepherd, we are called to share our faith and spread God’s love, and this mission is brought to life each day through the dedication of our Religious Education volunteers. It is with immense gratitude that we acknowledge the hardworking volunteers who make our program possible and help our students grow in their faith.
We are thrilled to see our students engaging in Religious Education classes and experiencing the beauty of sacramental preparation. This year, we will celebrate the Confirmation of 85 students and the First Communion of nearly 100 students. These milestones are a testament to the incredible work happening within our community, and we are truly blessed to witness the faith journey of our young people.
The success of this program would not be possible without the support of our wonderful volunteers. These missionary disciples generously share their time and talents to ensure that our students receive a strong foundation in their Catholic faith. Their dedication to evangelizing, teaching, and nurturing our children’s spiritual growth is a true reflection of the love and mission of Christ
We also extend our appreciation to the school community for sharing their spaces with us, allowing us to come together as one community to evangelize and grow in faith. Together, we create a supportive environment where both children and adults can deepen their relationship with God.
YOUTH MINISTRY
On a bitter cold weekend in February, the Oasis Youth Group hosted a memorable lock-in event for current 8th graders, offering a chance to build lasting friendships and experience the heart of our high school youth group. Approximately 40 students gathered for an action-packed night of games, Bible discussions, and team-building activities, all aimed at introducing the 8th graders to what Oasis is all about.
The evening featured a variety of team-based activities such as dodgeball and relay races, where high school leaders teamed up with the 8th graders. These games were designed not only for fun but also to help the students break out of their comfort zones and start building connections. As the night progressed, the group shifted to small group Bible discussions, centered on passages that highlighted God’s limitless love, grace, and mercy. One powerful moment came when the group reflected on 1 Timothy 4:12, discovering that through God’s grace, even young people are empowered to share His love with the world
“The most memorable part of the night was watching relationships form naturally,” said one of the high school leaders. “They were laughing, praying, and really connecting with each other, which was amazing to see.”
The night wasn’t just about fun and faith; it also served as a bridge for the 8th graders to step into the next chapter of their youth group journey. Many left feeling excited and less nervous about transitioning to the high school youth group, thanks to the bonds they’d already started to form with the high schoolers.
To help ensure the connections continue, each 8th grader was given a flyer with details about upcoming events, along with a personal invitation from a high schooler to join the group for future gatherings The next event will focus on fostering even deeper connections, with activities designed to encourage students to mingle outside of their usual cliques and build new friendships. Oasis is excited to welcome these rising high schoolers into our community.
ANIGHTOFFUN, FAITH ANDFRIENDSHIP
GOOD SHEPHERD SCHOOL NEWS
Teachers
Serve
Those in Need
Instead of resting on a day off, the teachers and staff of Good Shepherd School volunteered with Uplift, an organization supporting the homeless. Uplift provides essential needs and care, focusing on those who may not receive help elsewhere. The teachers spent the day sorting donations and preparing supplies, showing kindness and compassion.
Staci Reuter, a teacher who helped organize the event, noted that, "Our time volunteering was a humbling experience and a meaningful way to give back. As Catholic school educators, we teach our students about the Corporal Works of Mercy. This opportunity at Uplift allowed us to live out those works to help our neighbors with their physical needs We can take this experience back to our classrooms by sharing it with our students and being role models to actively serve others as Jesus calls us to do Not only did our work sorting donations make a difference to the Uplift clients, but it also strengthened our bond as a staff. It was refreshing to see the camaraderie of our staff working side by side to accomplish a goal. We all left with a little more joy in our hearts."
Through their efforts, the Good Shepherd staff demonstrated that one of the best ways to express gratitude is by giving back, reminding others that faith in action can make a meaningful impact, especially during the Lenten season.
A Time for Prayer
At Good Shepherd, students in grades 6-8 participate in monthly Eucharistic Adoration, where they spend time in prayer and reflection before the Blessed Sacrament. Each Adoration has a unique theme to guide students' prayers, helping them focus on different aspects of their faith. Sarah Swearngin, a Religion teacher, emphasizes how these moments allow students to quiet their hearts and grow closer to Christ.
Additionally, students in grades 4-6 pray the Rosary weekly, meditating on the life of Christ through the intercession of the Virgin Mary. This practice deepens their faith and promotes peace, devotion, and contemplation
Parents are invited to join their children in prayer, whether at the Rosary or Adoration, fostering unity within the school community. Through these practices, Good Shepherd nurtures reverence and a lasting appreciation for prayer and the Eucharist.
Lenten Offerings
Ash Wednesday--March 5
Masses at 7 and 8:30 am (school mass)
Liturgy of the Word and Ash
Distribution
Noon
6 pm and 7:30 pm (Spanish)
Reconciliation During Lent
Wednesday 6-7 pm
Thursday 5-6 pm
Saturday 3:30-4:30 pm
Adoration
Thursday 6 am-10 pm
Friday Noon-8 pm
Stations of the Cross
Fridays 5:30 pm (English)
7:00 pm (Spanish)
Rosary Workshop
Sunday, March 9 9 am-3:30 pm
Parish Reconciliation Service
Monday, April 7 7:00 pm
Donut Sunday Sunday, March 16
Knights of Columbus Fish Fry Fridays
March 7-April 12
5-7 PM
Emerald Evening Friday, April 25
5:30 pm
Holy Week and Easter Schedule
Palm Sunday April 13
Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper
April 17 7 pm Bilingual
Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion
April 18
Church office closed Via Crucis 5 pm (living Stations of the Cross in Spanish)
Good Friday Service 7 pm Bilingual
Easter Vigil April 19
8 pm Biligual
Easter Sunday Masses April 20
7, 9 and 11 am (English) 1 pm (Spanish) 4 pm (Bilingual)
Monday, April 21
Church Office Closed