Welcome to Good Shepherd Church – Drums, Pennsylvania


A Passion Sunday Message from Father Mike…

We often refer to Palm Sunday as the Passion. We can easily hear with our ears and imagine with our minds what Jesus went through…the trial…“crucify him”…the falls…the women…Veronica…Simon…his mother…his death. All combined these images emotionally touch our hearts for Jesus. Imagine how hurt he was!

The other word we focus on is: the Cross. Jesus physically carried his death bed. Imagine the weight of the wood, splinters digging into his shoulder and the sheer size. These images give of a glimpse of the physical pain Jesus went through. Imagine how hurt he was!

Enter Spiritually and emotionally into the events of this Holy Week.

The Sacred Paschal Triduum

Women of Good Shepherd Scholarship

The Women of Good Shepherd award a scholarship yearly to a Good Shepherd graduating high school senior. A printer-friendly (PDF) application form (with instructions) is available to download from the “Downloads” page of our website. Please return the completed application by May 31, 2024.

Washing of Feet Participants Needed

We are looking for members of the Congregation to participate in the Washing of the Feet ceremony during the Holy Thursday Mass on March 28 at 7:00 PM. If you are interested in participating, please write your name on the sign-up sheet in the vestibule.



Let’s Ride the Rails and Sail the Seven Seas

Later this year we will be running two parish trips: One to the Grand Canyon which will include 3 days via train. The other a seven-day cruise to the Caribbean.

Father Mike and Friends Travel with Boscov’s

For more information, about the Cruise to Florida and the Bahamas or the Great Trains and the Grand Canyon trips, contact Ruth at Bosch's in Scranton at (570) 342-7860.

For more information, go to the “Downloads” page of our website.

2023 Contributions

If you would like a statement of your 2023 contributions, please contact the office.

Parish Records Update

We are asking each parishioner / family to complete the following updated form EVEN IF NOTHING IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD HAS CHANGED. You can drop the form in the collection basket with your envelopes. Please help us maintain accurate records.

Name ______________________________________

Address ____________________________________

Phone ______________________________________

Email ______________________________________

~ A printer-friendly (PDF) version of the form is available on the “Downloads” page of our website.

Sacred Heart of Jesus Purgatorial Society

~ For the latest information and for a printer-friendly (PDF) version go to the “Downloads” page of our website.

Online Giving

We are pleased to announce that parishioners of Good Shepherd may now make their donations to the parish using Online Giving. To learn more about Online Giving and to get started with Online Giving, click “Online Giving” in the sidebar to the left or simply click here.

Volunteers for 2024 Parish Festival

If you were at the Good Shepherd Festival, we thank you for joining us! We are compiling a list of volunteers for next year. If you’d like to join us, please fill out the slip below and put it in the collection basket.

Name:________________________________  Phone#________________________

  • Cook/serve food
  • Prepare halupki/huskily
  • Work at kids’ games
  • Sell tickets
  • Parking lot patrol
  • Work in the beer tent
  • Serve as a supply runner
  • Be a part of the festival planning committee
  • Help set up
  • Help break down/clean up
~ A printer-friendly (PDF) version may be found on the “Downloads” page of our website.

Parish Financial Report and Trend Analysis - January, 2024

The latest “Parish Financial Report and Trend Analysis” and “Understanding Your Parish Financial Report” are available on the “Downloads” page of our website.

Parish Demographic Information, Sacramental Information, and Faith Formation Participation

The Diocesan “Vision 2030” Good Shepherd parish demographic information, sacramental information, and faith formation document is available on the “Downloads” page of our website.

Parish Council Members

Congratulations to the newest member of the combined Pastoral Council, Mary Prose. The Pastoral Council, consisting of six members from Good Shepherd and six members from Immaculate Conception, meets monthly. If you have any suggestions, questions, or concerns, please reach out to any member or contact the parish office.

 Immaculate Conception Good Shepherd
Jason Terri (chairperson) Kelly Kostanesky (vice-chairperson)
Jim Eisenhart (secretary) Mark Gorski
Deb Carr John Grandzol
Gene DellaCroce Bob Penkala
Cal Herring Mary Proske
Simon Kazinetz Katie Ventra

Dear Deacon Jim

Read the latest installment of Dear Deacon Jim from the Faith Formation Students:

Deacon Jim’s answer is on the “Downloads” page of our website.

Good Shepherd Pastoral Council Update

The last year-and-a-half has been a challenge for everyone due to the pandemic. We have used this time to review and evaluate the current goals of our Parish Pastoral Council. This included the formation of two committees: Word and Worship and Community and Service, as defined in our Pastoral Plan. Our lady of the Immaculate Conception Parish has also completed the same work and is moving forward with their Pastoral Plan as well. A few years ago, our parish was linked with Our lady of the Immaculate Conception and during the process, we found that both parishes share many of the same strengths and challenges. Both groups agreed that a Joint Parish Pastoral Council would be more practical to accomplish our goals. What does this mean for our parish? Nothing changes – no churches are going to be closed, finances will continue to be separate, and both parishes will continue to operate independently. So why the change? This will eliminate duplicate tasks, share resources, coordinate communications, promote spiritual development, build a deeper appreciation of the liturgy, encourage increased parishioner participation, and nurture a more robust community outreach in both parishes. We are truly blessed to have a great group of talented people in both churches and together, we can accomplish our goals, grow our faith, and carry out God’s work in our communities.

Message from Bishop Bambera Regarding Corona Virus Vaccines

Parishioners should have received via email a copy of the letter from Bishop Bambera sent by our parish office regarding the coronavirus vaccines. If not, a copy is available on the "Downloads" page of our website.

All Masses Online

Our new camera system will allow you to watch ALL MASSES in both churches. This includes weekday, weekend, holy days, and Friday Benediction at 3:00 PM and Stations of the Cross at 4:00 PM. Try one of the following links for these masses:

Act of Spiritual Communion

One of the hardest parts of social distancing is not being able to receive the Holy Eucharist during Mass. For those of you who are participating in the Mass on television or with Father Kloton or Father Toppo on YouTube, the following is the Prayer for Spiritual Communion. It can be said when you would normally receive the Host. We hope this gives you some small comfort until we can be together at Mass again.

Parking Lot Masses

The parking lot masses are still ongoing: All weekend masses at Good Shepherd Church are available over your car radio. We ask that you park in the lower lot and tune your radio to FM 98.3. You will be able to listen to the Mass over your radio in the comfort of your car. For anyone unable to attend mass inside church, whether physically, socially, or for any reason, these masses are available to you. At the end of Mass, an Extraordinary Minister will come to the parking lot to distribute Holy Communion. If you bring your envelopes, those can be collected as well. All are welcome.

Parish Council - Parish Reinvigoration

To learn about the Parish Council’s Reinvigoration Plan, go to the “Downloads” page of our website. There are 2 documents there (PDF format): the first describes the areas of Community and Service; the second describes the areas of Word and Worship.

Confessions

Confessions are on Saturdays from 5:00 to 5:30 PM.

Cry Room

The Cry Room is reserved for those who need it.

Baptism Preparation

All parents who wish to have their child baptized are required to attend the mandatory Baptism Preparation class held quarterly by Deacon Jim.  Even if you have attended a Baptism Preparation class within the past three years, it is necessary for you to attend the class with Deacon Jim each time you wish to have a child baptized.

Know Your Parish Council

Go to the Pastoral Council section of our website (use navigation bar on the left side of this page) to learn about this ministry and to see a list of Council members.

You will also find a nomination form there which you may submit Online if you are interested in serving on the Good Shepherd Parish Council.

Interested in joining the Good Shepherd Parish Family?

We welcome you and are happy you’re here!

Good Shepherd Church is a warm and welcoming family of faith that offers many opportunities to enrich spiritual life, reach out to those in need, liturgical education and to belong to the family of Christ. Regardless of where you are in your journey of faith, you are welcomed and embraced in Good Shepherd Parish family.

How to get started…

  • Contact the Good Shepherd Parish office to register
  • Contact Good Shepherd Church via parish email at gsch@ptd.net
  • Bookmark our parish website: www.goodshepherd-drums.org
  • Take and read a copy of our weekly parish bulletin

Please take time to discover this warm and energetic parish community!

Attention: High School and College Students – Caregiver Scholarships Available

Caring.com is an organization that has made available scholarships for high school and college students who function as caregivers for aging loved ones. To learn more about Caring.com and their scholarship program go to the “Community” page of our website. Click here to go directly to that page and the information.

Valuable Resources for Pennsylvania Senior Citizens

Assisted Living Research Institute is a research organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of older adults. To learn more about Assisted Living Research Institute go the the “Community” page of our website. New 12/8/19: Another link has been added pointing to a resource that can help seniors and their families understand all the program that can help pay for senior care.

Click here to go directly to that page and the information.

Quick Links: Good Shepherd Events – Sunday, March 24 to Sunday, March 31

Ministry Schedules

The following ministry schedules are available on the “Downloads” page of our website:

Music Ministry

Have a song in your heart??? We need you in our choir. No experience necessary.



The choir practices on Thursdays from 3:30 – 4:30 PM. All are welcome to join in this music ministry of praising God. Please contact the office if you are interested.



Immaculate Conception Has a New Website

This website is very user-friendly. The URL is: https://sites.google.com/view/olichome-freeland-pa/home.