“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” – Ephesians 1:3
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AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE
FROM OUR PASTOR,
Father Alex Chavez
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
First and foremost, thank you for your generous donations, gifts, support, and sponsorship — both in 2025 and throughout the years leading up to today.
Our words are powerful. As Catholics, when we make a promise to someone — or to God — we are called to keep those promises. I believe you would agree that it is better not to make a promise at all than to make one and fail to keep it.
The journey of building Good Shepherd Catholic Parish has taken some remarkable and faith-filled turns. One of the earliest and boldest was uniting three parishes and a mission church into one: Holy Family, St. Mary’s, and St. Thomas — once separate communities — were joined together with St. Charles, which began as a mission, to form Good Shepherd Catholic Parish.
There were several reasons behind this union. First, to better serve the Catholic faithful of the greater Visalia area. Second, to ensure financial efficiency and sustainability for our shared ministries. As Ezra 10:4 reminds us:“Arise, for it is your task, and we are with you; be strong and do it.”
When I was called to be your pastor just a few years ago, we were breaking ground on Saint Charles Church — a joyous and courageous moment for us all. What began as a vision from Bishop Steinbach, carried forward by Bishop Ochoa, and completed under Bishop Brennan, now stands as a landmark of faith — not only for Catholics but for all who visit, pray, and feel the living presence of the Holy Spirit within its walls.
Each Sunday, we welcome nearly 10,000 people to participate in Mass. The support for the building of our church has been overwhelming, with much of the original cost covered through the generosity of individuals, families, and local businesses.
When this project was first launched by Fr. Eric on May 12, 2017, the anticipated cost was $16 million. However, as time passed — and as we faced global challenges such as the COVID pandemic — construction costs rose significantly. Even so, we pressed forward, making careful decisions to economize without sacrificing quality or sacred beauty.
The final cost, including furnishings, came to $28 million. If the same church were built today, it would cost approximately $45 million.
To complete the project, a loan was taken out for Good Shepherd Parish. We now make monthly payments to cover this debt, along with insurance and utilities, operating expenses, totals approximately $368,000 per month, approximately $85,000 each week. Our current contributions cover able half of this expense.
Like many households and organizations, we are also facing an increase in health insurance premiums and rising costs in electricity and gas. Our staffing level is already operating at the minimum necessary to sustain parish life.
In November, I placed a freeze on new hires and non-essential spending. Any planned projects not yet started have been placed on hold. These measures are not easy, but they are necessary to ensure that we remain faithful stewards of God’s resources and the trust you have placed in us.
As St. Paul writes in Romans 15:30: “I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.”
Please pray for our parish, our finances, our ministries, and for one another.
In addition to your prayers, I humbly ask that 100 parishioners consider increasing their monthly giving by $1,000. I understand this may not be possible for everyone, but I ask each of you to prayerfully consider increasing your weekly gift — even by a small amount.
Of each parishioners, I challenge you with the following:
If you currently give $20 per week, please consider $40.
If you give $5, consider $10.
And if you have not yet begun giving, please consider starting this Sunday with $10 per week.
Your offerings will sustain our ministries, outreach, and the work of God through our parish. I promise that any funds received in excess of our immediate needs will go directly toward paying down the note on the new church.
You can make your contribution online by clicking here, or include it each time you participate in mass.
I pray that the Lord bless you and keep you; that He makes His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; and that God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.
With gratitude and faith,
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Fr. Alex Chavez
Pastor, Good Shepherd Catholic Parish
Amen.
