Good Shepherd's Voice: April 2025

Dear Good Shepherd Parish Family,

April has been a deeply meaningful month for our parish community—a time filled with the joy of sacramental celebrations, the generous spirit of Easter, and the solemn mourning of our beloved Holy Father, Pope Francis.

This season, over 400 children, teens, and adults received the sacraments of Baptism, First Eucharist, and Confirmation. Each celebration was a powerful witness to God’s presence among us and a reminder of our shared journey of faith. We congratulate our students and their families and continue to hold them in prayer as they grow in the love of Christ.

We also give heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported our Easter Basket Drive. Your generosity brought over 150 baskets of joy to children from struggling families. The smiles on their faces were a beautiful reflection of the hope and love of the Resurrection.

Amid these joyful moments, we also pause in sorrow at the passing of Pope Francis, who faithfully led our Church with humility, compassion, and courage. As we mourn his loss, we give thanks for his example and lift our prayers in gratitude for his life of service.

In all things—celebration, generosity, and remembrance—may we continue to walk together as a parish family, united in faith and love.

In Memory of Pope Francis

With deep sorrow and profound gratitude, we join the global Church in mourning the passing of Pope Francis, our beloved Holy Father, who returned to the house of the Father in April 2025.

Pope Francis faithfully shepherded the Church with humility, compassion, and a tireless commitment to the poor and marginalized. His papacy was marked by a call to mercy, dialogue, and a Church that goes out to the peripheries. His message of hope, love, and care for creation touched countless lives and will continue to echo for generations.

We give thanks for his life, witness, and service to God’s people. May he now rest in the eternal peace of Christ, whom he served with devotion.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.

May he rest in peace. Amen.

Easter Basket Drive Brings Smiles to Over 150 Children

Thanks to the incredible generosity of our parish family, this year’s Easter Basket Donation Drive was a heartwarming success. We received over 150 beautifully filled Easter baskets, each one a bundle of joy for a child in need. These baskets—filled with toys, treats, and love—were delivered to children from struggling families throughout our community, reminding them that they are seen, cared for, and cherished.

The smiles on their faces said it all. We’ve included a collage of joyful moments captured as the children received their baskets—each smile a testament to your compassion.

Thank you to everyone who contributed. Your kindness made this Easter a season of hope and renewal.

Water Drive for the Bethlehem Center

As temperatures begin to climb, the Bethlehem Center has launched a vital Water Donation Drive to help our community stay hydrated throughout the summer. With forecasts predicting triple-digit heat, access to clean drinking water becomes a critical need—especially for those experiencing homelessness and hardship.

Parishioners are invited to support this effort by donating cases of bottled water. These donations will be distributed during the Center’s daily breakfast and lunch services, directly benefiting our most vulnerable neighbors.

Drop-off Location:

Good Shepherd Catholic Parish Office

506 N. Garden St, Visalia, CA

Drop-off Hours:

Monday – Friday

8:00 AM – 12:00 PM & 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM

This is an ongoing drive that will continue all summer long. Every case of water you give is a blessing of hope and health. Thank you for your continued generosity.

Sacramental Celebrations in Religious Education

This Easter season has been filled with grace and joy as many of our students and adults took important steps in their faith journey.

We joyfully celebrated First Communion with 360 children and youth from both our English and Spanish programs, including 20 students from our High School Confirmation program. Their reverence and excitement were a beautiful testament to the Spirit at work in our community.

In a powerful witness to faith and transformation, 42 students received the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and First Eucharist through our C-CAT program. This complete initiation into the Catholic Church was a moment of profound renewal for them and a blessing to witness.

Our High School and Adult Confirmation candidates continue to prepare with dedication as they approach their sacramental celebrations. Their commitment to their faith and the support of their families and sponsors are truly inspiring.

We also give thanks for our OCIA participants, who received their sacraments at the Easter Vigil and continue their journey through mystagogy each Sunday. Their presence among us is a reminder of the ongoing call to grow deeper in our understanding of the faith.

Please continue to keep all of our sacramental candidates and newly initiated members in your prayers.

Share Your Stories: Celebrating Our Parish Community

At Good Shepherd Catholic Parish, every parishioner and ministry plays a vital role in building our vibrant, faith-filled community. Each of you brings unique experiences, talents, and contributions that make our parish a place of worship, service, and fellowship. Now, we invite you to share your stories with us!

Whether you’re part of a ministry, have participated in a parish event, or have a personal story of faith and service, your experiences matter. By sharing them in The Good Shepherd’s Voice, you can inspire others, strengthen our community, and highlight the incredible work happening across our parish.

Ministries, too, are encouraged to submit updates, events, and stories that showcase the positive impact you are making. These stories are a way to recognize the hard work and dedication that often happens behind the scenes and to inspire even greater involvement.

If you have a story or event to share, please submit it using the Communications Request Form. Together, we can continue to celebrate the many ways God is working through each of us in our parish community. Let’s keep building a parish where every voice is heard, and every story of faith is celebrated!