The most important assets of our Parish are our people! Without our people, Good Shepherd Parish, as we know it today, would never have come into existence. Our parishioners help everything move and happen throughout the years. It is through Stewardship, the sharing of Time, Talent, and Treasure, that helps keep our community strong and vibrant. There are always opportunities to get involved!
Time
In this non-stop, busy world we live in, one of the best gifts we can give is the gift of our time. At Good Shepherd, you have the opportunity to give your time to help our Parish thrive while also enjoying social interaction with fellow parishioners. Participation in community liturgical celebrations can not only enhance your spiritual life, but help to build a community within our Parish. Social and charity events, such as the Walk for Orphans or Hospitality Sundays, can also be great alternative ways for you to get to know other parishioners. For more on events that you can be a part of, visit our Charitable Outreach and Parish Activities page and watch for upcoming events and news on our Homepage.
Talent
God has blessed each one of us with unique gifts and talents that we can use for the betterment of the world around us. We hope that you will be open to sharing your talents with our community. Our Music Ministry organizes our Adult Choir, Bell Choir, and Children's Choir and perform at weekend masses during most of the year. Our Religious Education program relies heavily on the teaching talent and passion of our catechists who are responsible for helping to pass on on faith to the younger generation. Our Committees include Bible Study, Book Club, Giving Tree, Hospitality and so many more.
We are always opening to learning what talents you may have if there is a way that you want to get involved and serve our Parish in some way. Please see Father Martin after one of our Masses or contact the Parish Office to learn more.
Treasure
We are so blessed with generous financial contributions to our Parish and greater Diocese - Thank You to all parishioners for your on-going contributions to our Parish from our beginnings to today and toward our future. There are many options to provide financial support to our parish:
On-Line Giving
On-Line Giving is a secure way to support our Parish on an on-going or one-time basis. Visit our new Online Giving Page set up through Our Sunday Visitor, the same company that provides our weekly envelopes.
Bank Monthly Checks
Contact your Bank to determine if Bank Monthly Checks are available (similar to setting up recurring payments to Home Utility providers).
Your Bank should be able to automatically send a check from your account with the offering amount you want each month to:
Good Shepherd RC Church - Attn: Bookkeeper
PO Box 464, Andover, NJ 07821.
If your Bank can indicate a payee account number, please use your Church Envelope Number to help us credit your offering.for your annual offerings statement.
Please note - Electronic Funds Transfers (EFT) are not supported at this time.
Offertory Envelopes
Offertory Envelopes are an integral part of Stewardship, enabling us to better budget for our Parish. Parishioners not using online giving or bank monthly checks are encouraged to use Offertory Envelopes on a weekly basis and if traveling, bring your envelopes the next time you attend Mass at our Parish.
Please contact the Parish Office to begin receiving Offertory Envelopes or use the Welcome envelopes available in the Atrium to get started.
Note that parishioners participating in recurring monthly online giving or bank monthly checking will not receive envelops to help save parish expenses, unless they request envelopes to be sent.
Annual Offerings Statement
Note that Income Tax Deductions require receipts to show proof of Charitable contributions - we will provide you with an Annual Offerings Statement for the prior year early in the tax preparation season to all parishioners using their Offertory Envelopes, online giving and/or Bank monthly checks.
Special Gift and Estate Offerings
Please contact our Pastor to discuss Special Gift and Estate offerings you are prayerfully considering for our Parish.
Your Offerings are appreciated!
Annual Parish Financial Statement
An Annual Parish Financial Statement is provided to our parishioners in the Fall of each year.
Parish Finance Council - as of September 2016
L-R: Larry Deuschle, Pat Reardon, Dan Holdt, Kathy Kantenwein, Fr. Tim, Mary Bobbe, Joe Gilligan, Christine Berg, Jack Vreeland, Fred Finnan,
Tom Diffley (Chairperson). Not pictured: Kathy Pope, John Ursin