Evangelization & Discipleship

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Formation in faith is not primarily a subject to be taught, but a person to know—the person of our Lord Jesus Christ. While knowledge of the teachings of the Church is very important, formation must begin as an encounter with Jesus himself. The Christian witness of who Jesus is and what he means to us is passed on from person to person through relationships—each person witnessing to others what God has done for us in Jesus Christ. Because of this, we at Christ the Good Shepherd have gone from a provider-centered and content-based faith formation to an approach that focuses first on family and relationship building.  The entire parish is the school of learning what it means to be a practicing Catholic Christian. Becoming Catholic is an apprenticeship. Together, we form a community of believers who are coming to know and love Jesus Christ.

Under the leadership of our pastor, Fr. James Burkart, we have come to understand that family is the most important community by which God forms his people and acts in the world. Whether there are many people in your family, or you live in a household of one, our greatest hope and prayer is one that is very close to Fr. James’ heart: “ We pray that families grow closer together, and together, closer to God." 

There is a growing awareness in the Church that parents are the most significant influence in shaping the religious and spiritual lives of their children. What parents do matters more than anything that can be done in the parish alone. There is no substitute for the role of the family in forming a lifelong faith in God. This is a fact that has been highly supported by much research in recent years. St. Pope John Paul II said, "As the family goes, so goes the nation and so goes the whole world in which we live."

The Church desires that families build faith practices so that Christian life is lived both in the home and in the world. When parents bring their children for baptism, they take on the important role of being the first formers of their children in the ways of faith. This does not mean we expect parents to do this alone or figure it out for themselves. Our staff helps parents and other caregivers to grow in their own spirituality and model that to their children.  We invite them to partner with us to receive the help and support they need to become better Christian parents and better disciples in their own domestic church.

We know that becoming a disciple of Jesus is a lifelong journey. Together, we are helping ALL adults become more connected, more knowledgeable, and more capable, forming generations of people who love the Lord and are living a faith that will sustain them during difficult times and prepare them for everlasting life with God.