The CMA funds six ministries: Pastoral Education (seminarians, deacons, and lay pastoral ministers), Catholic Social Services, St. Rita School for the Deaf, Chaplains for hospitals and prisons, retired archdiocesan priests and college campus ministries. One hundred percent of your contribution goes to these six ministries. The Archdiocese annually spends over $7 million on these ministries, and about $3.5 million of that was funded by the 2007 Archbishop's Annual Fund Drive. Our goal this year is to fund $4 million for these ministries from the CMA. Those freewill offerings from parishioners will greatly reduce our dependence on assessments and investment income. To date, we have reached 26.9% of our goal.

Please pledge your support for six of our very important regional church ministries, through the Catholic Ministries Appeal. No monies are retained by the Archdiocese of Cincinnati for administrative expenses, or for any other purpose. In addition, our parish retains 10% of all donations that exceed our goal of $77,000.00. You can make a pledge and/or a donation by using the envelope you received in the mail, or by writing a check made payable to Good Shepherd with a notation for CMA. If you need a pledge card please stop by the parish office. For more information about CMA, you can log onto their website. Thank you for your generous response.

If you enjoy working in the yard, then you will want to join The Green Thumbs volunteer group here at Good Shepherd. This group is underway in maintaining our beautiful landscape here at Good Shepherd, and could use your help. You can volunteer just a few hours each month during warm weather to help with weeding, planting, and watering. To be part of this group, contact Dan Parker at 489-8815 ext. 793.

Vacation Bible School will take place June 16-20 with morning and afternoon sessions for youth ages four through fourth grade. We hope that you will join us on this spiritual adventure as we set sail with St. Patrick and the Holy Trinity. Registration is still taking place for this jam packed week of fun. Teen and adult volunteers are still needed, so if you would like to join this exciting crew jump aboard and stop by the parish office to pick up your registration form, or volunteer form, TODAY! Questions regarding volunteering, or registration, contact the parish office and ask for Sharon Mattfeld (ext. 715) or Deacon Jim Jones (ext 714). Don't miss out on the adventure.

On Sunday, June 1 at the 12 noon Mass, Good Shepherd is planning a special Liturgy for all couples of the parish who are celebrating their 25th, 50th, 60th, 70th, or 75th Wedding Anniversary this year. Please call the parish office at 489-8815 if you plan on attending. All couples who attend will receive a special scroll recognizing their anniversary. Deadline to register is Sunday, May 18.

Young adults (up to those in their 30 "somethings") and the young at heart adults who are interested in Good Shepherd's Young Adult Group, are invited to sign up to be a member of "The Young Adult Flock" on Yahoo Groups. Young Adults of the Community of the Good Shepherd in their 20's and 30's gather together for faith sharing, social service activities, great fun, and wonderful dining. If you sign up, you will get in the loop with the latest information on our young adult ministry activities and postings from group members. You can register to receive each individual message sent to the group, receive a daily digest of messages sent that day, receive important notices only, or to receive no e-mail at all. All you need to sign up is have an e-mail address (does not have to be yahoo), select a password, and request to become a member. Let us know that you are out there by signing up today! For more information contact our Coordinator of Young Adult Ministy, Jeffrey Davis at 489-8815 ext. 724.