September 6, 2026 • Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear Parish Family,
This weekend marks the end of a remarkable chapter in the life of Good Shepherd Parish. After months of worshiping together in our parish hall, we celebrate our final weekend in what we have affectionately called our “Summer Church.” When we began this journey, we knew it would require flexibility, patience, and a good sense of humor. We knew there would be inconveniences and adjustments. What we may not have anticipated were the many blessings we would discover along the way.
Our Summer Church reminded us of something very important: the Church is first a people before it is a building. We prayed together. We sang together. We celebrated the Eucharist together. We welcomed visitors, baptized children, married couples, mourned our dead, and gathered Sunday after Sunday around the altar of the Lord. In a simpler and more intimate setting, we were reminded that wherever Christ gathers His people, the Church is truly at home.
I am deeply grateful to everyone who made these months possible—to our parish staff, liturgical ministers, musicians, ushers, maintenance staff, volunteers, and all those who set up, cleaned up, solved problems, and quietly did countless things behind the scenes. I am grateful to you, the parishioners of Good Shepherd, for your patience, enthusiasm, and generosity. But now it is time to go home.
Next Saturday will be one of the most significant days in the history of our parish. We will return to our renewed church and celebrate the Dedication of our new Altar. We will inaugurate our new tabernacle location at the center of the sanctuary—a beautiful and visible reminder that Christ, truly present in the Most Holy Eucharist, remains at the center of our parish life. These are not simply architectural changes or the completion of a renovation project. They speak about who we are and what we believe. The altar tells us that Christ is our sacrifice and our feast. The tabernacle tells us that Christ remains with His people. The renewed church reminds us that we, too, are continually being renewed in Him. But the blessings of next Saturday do not end there.
Earlier that same day, Mike Nowakowski will be ordained to the Diaconate. This is a moment of tremendous joy for Mike, Cathy, their family, and our entire parish. After years of formation, prayer, study, discernment, and preparation, the Church calls him forward, lays hands upon him, and entrusts to him a new ministry of Word, Altar, and Charity. How fitting that these events should come together on the same day. A new altar will be dedicated for the service of God. The place of Eucharistic reservation will be at the center of our sanctuary. And one of our own will be ordained for a life of service to Christ and His Church. Altar. Eucharist. Service. They belong together.
This weekend, let us simply give thanks for all that has been and for all that will be. Next weekend, we will cross the threshold together. We will come home—not simply to a renewed building, but, I pray, as a renewed parish family. May we remember what these months have taught us: Christ has been with us all along. Now, with grateful hearts, we go home.
Grace and peace!
Father Neil Sullivan