This is CATHOLIC MINISTRIES APPEAL COMMITMENT WEEKEND. Please join with Catholics in every parish who do their part for the Church throughout the 19 counties of our Archdiocese. God calls us to share what we have to help others. The Appeal brochure tells more about who benefits and where the money goes. Please review the brochure. A gift is important, not for its amount, but because of what we become through the act of giving it. Please decide on your CMA gift in this spirit. Learn more about CMA.

Information packets can be found in the plexiglas stands located at one of the three main entrances to the church. Thank you for your support.

In August of 2007, Good Shepherd embarked on an effort of empowering an African village out of extreme poverty into self sufficiency. At Masses on a weekend in August, 2007 a goal of raising half a million dollars over five years to support the Mbola village cluster through the Millennium Promise organization was announced to parishioners. In about half the time, Good Shepherd parishioners met the $500,000 goal! In October, 2009 parishioners were given the opportunity to submit proposals for a possible next parish project using the following criteria:

• That our contributions have a chance to change people’s lives
• Preference is association with the Catholic Church
• The receiving ministry commit to educating our community about their work and the impact of the contribution
• There is a possibility for face-to-face interaction between our parishioners and people involved in the receiving ministry
• The ministry is outside the greater Cincinnati area or beyond our shores
• The ministry is rooted with intentions to improve lives over the long-term (3-5 years).

Nine projects were brought forward with presentations made to the Psalm 23 committee. The Psalm 23 committee chose the following three projects to be considered by the parish as a possible next project:

ARCHDIOCESE OF TABORA Parishioners provided great support to the people of the Mbola Cluster village located in the Archdiocese of Tabora in Tanzania through Millennium Promise. We now have the opportunity to support their educational and spiritual needs to empower the people to help themselves for generations to come. We have received a formal request from the Archdiocese of Tabora, for financial assistance to start a Teachers’ Training College. Archbishop Paul Ruzoka of the Tabora Archdiocese writes, “The University would offer a chance to young people to be creatively nurturing their minds and souls in a tranquil and peaceful atmosphere of the Good Shepherd Buhozu University College, Tabora (GOSBUCOTA). The proposal also includes training for catechists in the region.

CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES Catholic Relief Services Tanzania, in partnership with the Catholic Diocese of Mbulu, (not to be confused with the Mbola Cluster Village) is embarking on an Integrated Water Resource Management project to improve the water supply, sanitation and watershed management of poor rural communities in northern Tanzania as part of a larger effort toward poverty alleviation and development. Through this project CRS will reach approximately 38,000 people over the next 5 years. The project will focus on: Water for domestic use – Water for productive use – Water for environment protection.

SHOULDER TO SHOULDER “Shoulder to Shoulder” is a non-governmental organization that has been working in rural Honduras for the past 15 years with the University Of Cincinnati Department Of Family Medicine. A number of projects are needed in the community, including a feeding program, water filters, a girls’ empowerment program and a bilingual school. Lack of quality educational opportunities impedes the development of the area. A bilingual school will provide access to a quality education for local students, thereby providing a means to climb out of poverty. Good Shepherd parishioner, Christy O’Dea, lived and worked in Honduras with Shoulder to Shoulder, and returns regularly, leading brigades with UC students and residents.

A presentation about the three projects will be made at each Mass the weekend of March 6-7 with parishioners given the opportunity to give their preference. Contact Mark Westendorf at 489-8815, ext. 718 with questions.

You won't want to miss our final Fish "Fry-Day" this Friday, March 12 in the Community Room from 5:00-8:00 p.m. We have some new menu items this year! Tickets may be purchased from the parish office or at the door. Takeout is available! The proceeds from the Fish "Fry-Days" will benefit our Youth Ministry mission trip to Galveston, TX.

Want to have some fun and meet some new people? Then sign-up to help with one, or all, of our upcoming fish frys. Or, maybe you enjoy baking? Why not donate a sweet treat to share! Learn more how you can volunteer or donate a dessert today.

Get ready for our annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 27, 2010 with the day beginning at 10:00 a.m. You're not going to want to miss this jam-packed day filled with games, a wide variety of activities, hunting for eggs, and a juggler! The cost is $2.00 per child. Hotdogs, chips and drinks will be for sale. Mark your calendar and complete your registration form today. This is a day you won't want to miss!

For Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT), or credit card donations, please click here. This is a secured website. If you do not wish to use this link, an EFT and Charge Card form can be picked up in the parish office. If you have any questions please contact Kathy Shaut, Bookkeeper, at 489-8815 x 717.