Good Shepherd Parish Minstries

Ministries
"The divine Trinity is present in the heart of each believer: loving, leading and drawing us deeply into relationship. Every baptised person is endowed with indispensable gifts for the service of the Church and the world. Each one of us has a right to contribute and everyone has a responsibility to contribute" - Archbishop James Weisgerber, Archbishop of Winnipeg, October 2005

Parish Pastoral Council
Finance
Liturgy
Catechism
Catholic Women's League
Prairie Welcome House
Maintenance Team
Youth Ministry
Liturgical Ministries
Stewardship
Communion Ministers of the Sick & Homebound

Parish Pastoral Council

The Parish Pastoral Council is a consultative body comprised of members of the parish representing the demographics and cultures of our community. We are engaged in common pastoral visioning and planning, and in the fostering of pastoral action in the threefold ministry of the Church: its teaching ministry; its prayer and worship; and its shepherding ministry.

Finance

The Finance Council is a consultative body of members of our parish responsible for the temporal aspects of our community. We have the responsibility of ensuring the finances of the parish are utilized in a manner of faithful stewardship.

Liturgy

Good liturgy that is well organized and planned strengthens faith. However, poor liturgy with no organization or planning can weaken faith. A reverent celebration is one of noble simplicity, we don't have to be spectacular, we just have to do what we do well. Liturgy is always a communal action, never an individual one. At the same time, it is never passive. Vatican II calls for "full, conscious and active participation" of all the faithful in the celebration of the Eucharist. The Liturgy Committee ensures that our celebrations of the liturgical seasons and the Eucharist are reverent, joyful, and full of hope for our worshipping community.

Catechism

Through religious instruction, preparation for the sacraments of initiation, animation of prayer and other works of charity, the catechist nurtures the children of the parish in understanding and growing in their relationship with Christ and to grow in the fervour of the Christian life. The children of our parish, under the direction and supervision of our catechists, meet weekly during the fall and winter to share and grow in faith and love of God.

Catechism Registration Form - 2021-22

Catholic Women's League

The Catholic Women's League of Canada is the largest national organization of Catholic women in Canada. Membership begins at the Parish Level and extends to Diocesan, Provincial and National Executive Committees with strong connections to international social action groups. The CWL is the united voice of Catholic women expressing their values and promoting dignity and justice. Standing Committees include Parish Activities, Spiritual Development, Christian Family Life, Funeral Lunches, Community Life, Health & Education, Resolutions and Legislation. Locally, we are visible in many activities, meeting about six times a year and gathering for social events as well. Members experience personal and spiritual growth as well as friendship and fun, sharing their gifts and making a difference in our community and beyond. Rooted in gospel values, we call our members to holiness through service to all.

Prairie Welcome House

"For ... I was a stranger and you made me welcome. … In truth I tell you, in so far as you did this to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it to me". (Matthew 25:36,40)
In order to reach out to the community of Portage in a new way, our parish opened Prairie Welcome House in 2007. This drop-in centre is located at 139 Saskatchewan Ave. E. and is open to all. It is supported by our parish through prayer, ministry, donations of snacks and beverages, as well as financial donations.
Our mission statement is: "To provide a safe and caring drop-in place for those who wish to come; to welcome all with respect, compassion and an awareness of each one's dignity as a beloved child of God; to extend the hand of friendship and foster an atmosphere of trust; to be willing to listen; to develop activities and programs according to the needs and interests shown." If you are interested in learning more about this ministry, drop in anytime. Our hours are Monday & Thursday evenings 7-9, Tuesdays 9:30-11:30 a.m. & 1:30-4:30 p.m., Thursdays 9:30-11:30 a.m., Saturdays 1:30-4:30 p.m.

Maintenance Team

The Good Shepherd Maintenance Team has the responsibility of maintaining our Church building, Offices and Rectory. We seek to ensure that the physical structures of our parish are well maintained and repaired, to positively reflect the symbol of Christ in our community of Portage la Prairie.

Youth Ministry

Youth ministry is the response of the Christian community to the needs of young people and the sharing of the unique gifts of youth with the larger community. Working closely with the Director of Youth Ministry of the Archdiocese of Winnipeg, our Youth Ministry team seeks to empower young people to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in our world today; to draw young people to responsible participation in the life, mission, and work of the Catholic faith community; and to foster the total personal and spiritual growth of each young person. In gatherings of both spiritual and social themes, the youth experience their importance and their belonging to our parish community.

Liturgical Ministries

In liturgical celebrations each person, minister or layperson, who has an office to perform, should do all of, but only, those parts which pertain to their office by the nature of the rite and the principles of liturgy. Servers, lectors, and members of the choir also exercise a genuine liturgical function. They ought, therefore, to discharge their office with the sincere piety and decorum demanded by so exalted a ministry and rightly expected of them by God's people. (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, Vatican II, 28 - 29). These liturgical ministries are vital for the celebration of the Eucharist in our parish and for the worship of God.

Extra Ordinary Ministers of the Eucharistic

Assisting with the distribution of Communion during Mass, these ministers offer the Body & Blood of Christ to the parishioners. These ministers are commissioned by the Archbishop of Winnipeg to fulfill their ministry.

Lectors

These ministers are called upon to proclaim the Scriptures before the Gospel and also lead in the General Intercessions.

Hospitality

"Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing so, some have entertained angels without knowing it" (Hebrews 13:2). Our Ministers of Hospitality ensure that each parishioner and guest are greeted when arriving for our liturgical celebrations, provide assistance for those who require it, and are the first responders in case of an emergency.

Altar Servers

Altar servers serve at the altar. They process with candles and the processional cross at the beginning of Mass, help with the vessels for Communion at the preparation of the gifts, and also hold the Sacramentary for the presiding priest.

Liturgical Environment

This ministry enhances our liturgical celebrations with decorations and greenery in accordance with our liturgical seasons and feasts in the Church.

Lay Leaders

In the absence of the priest on certain weekends, Lay Leaders have been formally trained to lead the parish in Sunday Celebrations of the Word with Communion. Our Deacon proclaims the Gospel and provides the homily and the Lay Leader leads the worshipping community in prayers and praise during the celebration.

Music Ministry

"When we sing, we pray twice." St. Augustine Vital to our celebrations of the Eucharist, music ministry leads the gathered faithful in hymns and psalms which draw us deeper into the mystery we are celebrating and to strengthen our unity of one voice to the praise of God.

Stewardship

Stewardship is an expression of discipleship, with the power to change how we understand and live out our lives. Disciples who practice stewardship recognize God as the origin of life, the giver of freedom, the source of all they have and are and will be. They are deeply aware of the truth that "The Lord's are the earth and its fullness; the world and those who dwell in it" (Ps 24:1). They know themselves to be recipients and caretakers of God's many gifts. They are grateful for what they have received (Stewardship: A Disciples Response, USCCB). The Stewardship Team of Good Shepherd seeks to enhance, promote, and encourage others to the fullness of stewardship in our parish.

Communion Ministers to the Sick and Homebound

The face of each person who suffers is a face of Christ. One of the deepest causes of suffering experienced by those whom sickness or aging afflicts is a sense of isolation from the faith community. Because we are members of the Body of Christ, it is Christ who is present to us in our suffering, particularly through our ministers who bring the Eucharist to those in their homes, hospitals, and care homes. These Ministers are commissioned as Extra-Ordinary ministers of the Eucharist and act on behalf of the parish and the Church in bringing comfort, hope, and Christ's presence sacramentally to those who are unable to join the community at worship.

1125 Saskatchewan Avenue East
Portage la Prairie, Manitoba
Ph: (204) 857-5172 | Fax: (204) 857-6704
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