Stewardship 2024: Saints of Good Shepherd
In our kickoff of Stewardship 2024, we focus on the big “S” Saints of Good Shepherd. St. Francis, St. Martin de Porres, St. Mary of Magdala, Servant of God Dorothy Day, Martyr Ignacio Ellacuria, Blessed Carlo Acutis and Blessed Chiara Badano have been Saints who we emulate as the culture of Good Shepherd.
St. Francis Of Assisi: Good Shepherd has been influenced by the life of St. Francis in many ways. Our founding father, Francis, was guided by his care for all people, especially the poor and disenfranchised. Our parish became known for it’s social justice initiatives and Christian Family Movement. Good Shepherd is a place where all are welcome and accepted. We care for the sick and elderly among the community and honor their lives.
Born in Italy in 1181 to a wealthy family, he spent a year in prison during war, and began receiving images of God. He heard the voice of Christ telling him to repair the Christian church, which at first, he took to mean the small “c” church. As he devoted his life to God more, he began to understand that God was asking him to help fix the human part of the church, and literally lived out the Gospel the best he could. He gave up all his processions and money to follow God. In giving sermons he began to draw many followers realizing his purpose was to spread God’s word. His followers became known as Franciscans. He is well known for many miracles involving animals and birds and healing critically ill and injured people. Known for compassion for all creatures, his noteworthy accomplishments include caring for lepers, and even trying to negotiate peace between Christians and Muslims during the 5th Crusade. The latter demonstrates Francis’ love for all people, even ones with different faiths. He is also known for establishing the Christmas Nativity scene so all could experience the wonder of the birth of Christ. He died on October 26th from illness at the age of 45. His Feast Day is observed on October 4th. He is the founder of all Franciscan orders and the Patron saint of ecologists and merchants .
St. Martin de Porres: Good Shepherd started a twinning relationship with St. Martin de Porres church in Milwaukee, in October 2021. Like St. Martin, we are to be in solidarity with all people of color and different backgrounds. We do that by getting to know one another, worship together, and learn about each other’s lives. We work side by side to work for justice, and to make sure all people are accepted and treated with dignity and respect.
St. Martin was born in Lima Peru on December 9, 1579 and was abandoned by his father leaving Martin to grow up in deep poverty. He was placed in the care of a barber/surgeon where he would learn to cut hair and medical arts. He experienced much ridicule growing up because of his mixed race, and by law descendants of Africa or Indians were not allowed to become full members of religious orders, so he was denied. After years as a servant/volunteer, he was eventually allowed to take his vows as a member of the Third Order of Saint Dominic by an open-minded priest. Ten years after he had been presented with the religious habit of a lay brother, Martin was assigned to the infirmary until his death. During his life he was praised for his unconditional care of all people regardless of race or wealth. He welcomed everyone into his home no matter if they were sick or dirty. He started an orphanage for abandoned children and slaves and is known for raising a dowry for young girls in short amounts of time. Talks of his miracles in medicine and caring for the sick are well known. After a year of illness, Martin passed away on November 3, 1639. Patron Saint of: Mixed Race People, innkeepers, barbers, public health workers. His feast day is November 3rd.
St. Mary of Magdala: Good Shepherd’s Chapel was named after her in 2015. Our parish has a history of many strong women who have looked to Mary for guidance. They are Acolytes, ministry leaders, trustees, catechists, Communion ministers, musicians, proclaimers of the Word, and staff. The list goes on, but we are blessed by the women of Good Shepherd.
Mary of Magdala was often confused with other women named Mary in the Gospels. She was called “of Magdala” or Magdalene because she came from a fishing village called Magdala in Galilee. She is mentioned in all four Gospels, and it’s known that she traveled with Jesus as one his followers throughout His life. She was a witness to Jesus’ crucifixion and the first person to witness His resurrection. She was called the “Apostle to the Apostles” by Thomas Aquinas because she was the first to proclaim the Good News. She is mentioned more than most of the Apostles and more than any other woman in the Gospels. Mary Magdalene is a foundation for women’s leadership in the church. She is a role model for her faith and fidelity to Jesus, never abandoning Him even after death. Her feast day is July 22nd.
Servant of God Dorothy Day: Good Shepherd has followed the example of Dorothy Day by welcoming all people. We have also been involved in ministries that help the poor and immigrants of our community. St. Bens meal program, Matthew 25, Repairers of the Breach, House of Peace Toy Drive, Sleeping Bags for the homeless, and more. We are a prayerful community that has discerned our calling to worship and to live the Gospel.
Dorothy Day was born in Brooklyn NY on November 8, 1897, to a journalist’s protestant (anti-Catholic) family. When her family moved to Chicago, she was an avid reader which taught her to pay attention to her surroundings. She started taking walks in the poor areas and it greatly shaped her view of the world. Back in New York she worked as a reporter and covered rallies and demonstrations, and was even arrested herself for protesting the exclusion of women to the electorate. Her spiritual growth developed slowly, but she was drawn to the Catholic church and admired it’s spirituality. She called it the church of the immigrants and the poor. She became Catholic shortly after her daughter was born and had her baptized. From then on, her faith and prayer guided her life. She started a paper called the Catholic Worker which cost a penny and challenged people to respond to injustice. It was radical and religious. Soon, people that didn’t have enough food or a place to live came to Dorothy for help. Her apartment became a place where people could stay when they had nowhere to go. She was living Jesus’ words: “I was a stranger, and you took me in.” She began to lease apartments and houses that are called Catholic Worker houses, even to this day. She believed in equal rights for persons of all colors and backgrounds and took part in Civil Rights demonstrations in the late 1950’s. She was in danger at times and was even shot at in Georgia. Pope Francis said, “In these times when social concerns are so important, I cannot fail to mention the Servant of God Dorothy Day, who founded the Catholic Worker Movement. Her social activism, her passion for justice and for the cause of the oppressed, were inspired by the Gospel, her faith, and the example of the saints.” Dorothy passed away on November 29, 1980. She is quoted as saying, “If I have achieved anything in my life, it is because I have not been embarrassed to talk about God.”
Good Shepherd has followed the example of Dorothy Day by welcoming all people. We have also been involved in ministries that help the poor and immigrants of our community. Good Shepherd has financially supported and volunteered at Casa Maria in Milwaukee, a Catholic Worker house, who help women and children, and refugees and asylum seekers. Check their web-site for more information and ways to get involved: http://casamariacatholicworker.weebly.com/who-we-are.html St. Bens meal program, Matthew 25, Repairers of the Breach, House of Peace Toy Drive, Sleeping Bags for the homeless and more are other organizations we support. We are a prayerful community that has discerned our calling to worship and to live the Gospel.
Blessed Chiara Badano: Good Shepherd has young parishioners who have physical, cognitive, and mental health struggles. They carry on and are an inspiration to us all. Children can look to Chiara as an example of trusting God no matter what the circumstances may be. God can sustain us as in our pain and turn it into a way to help others see the love and goodness of God.
Chiara was born in Italy on October 29, 1971 after her parents prayed and hoped for a baby for 10 years. At age 4, Chiara seemed aware of the needs of others, and would sort through her toys to give to the poor. She would visit the elderly and sick children and loved going to church and listening to the Gospel stories. She was very popular and had a lot of friends. She loved to play tennis, and she loved to sing and dance. She said she didn’t bring Jesus to her friends with words, but with the way she lived her life. At age 17 she was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive bone cancer called Osteosarcoma. Despite suffering, she was courageous and unwavering in her trust in God. She was an inspiration to others and in her suffering, felt closer to Jesus. Amid her suffering and uncertainty, she said, “Jesus if you want it, I want it too” Treatments were painful and unsuccessful. She became paralyzed and died on October 7th, 1990. Blessed Chiara continues to be an inspiration and intercession for young people, cancer patients, and anyone facing difficult circumstances. It reminds us, God’s grace can transform suffering into a powerful witness of hope and love. Chiara’s feast day is October 29th.
Blessed Carlo Acutis: Good Shepherd has a beautiful history of celebrating the Eucharist. For many years parishioners made the bread used in church. Our children have participated in making the bread for first Holy Communion prep. This has certainly brought them closer to the miracle of the Eucharist. The kids also have many gifts in the technology area like Blessed Carlo. Watching the kids in church live stream the Mass helps us see their talent, dedication, and willingness to serve. God is working through all the youth at Good Shepherd, and we are blessed by their gifts.
Carlos was born on May 3, 1991 to wealthy parents who weren’t particularly religious. Upon receiving his communion at age 7, Carlos became a frequent communicant making a point of praying before the tabernacle before or after Mass. Carlos’ love, appreciation, and reverence for the Eucharist were exceptional. “The Eucharist is my highway to Heaven!”, he would say. And, “If we get in front of the sun we get sun tans, but when we get in front of the Eucharist we get in front of Jesus in the Eucharist–we become Saints.” At school he tried to comfort friends whose parents were undergoing divorce, as well as defending disabled students from bullies. After school he volunteered his time with the city’s homeless. Having a gift for operating computers, he spent 4 years creating a website dedicated to cataloguing every reported Eucharistic miracle around the world. He also enjoyed films, comics, soccer, and playing popular video games. In 2006, at age 14, he was diagnosed with leukemia and offered his sufferings to God. He passed away on October 12th, 2006. Carlos is an example of how young people can use technology to the spread the Gospel. His feast day is celebrated on October 12.
Martyr Ignacio Ellacuria: Good Shepherd has had a twinning relationship with the community named after Ignacio Ellacuria since 1990. Father Paul Daniels encouraged a response after the killing of Ellacuria and others in El Salvador, and a group formed to study the issues of Central America. The first delegates (Rich Harter and Loretta Grow) went to El Salvador in 1990 while the country was still in a civil war. As part of our relationship, we assist our brothers and sisters financially and spiritually. We have also been enriched by their support and prayers. May Ignacio Ellacuria continue to inspire our work for the poor and oppressed.
Ignacio Ellacuria was born in 1930 in the Spanish Basque country. After a Jesuit high school education, he entered the novitiate of the Society of Jesus at age 17. He took his vows and was missioned to El Salvador where he lived and worked for the next 42 years. Ellacuria made significant contributions to “Liberation Philosophy” which focuses on liberating the oppressed to reach the fulness of humanity. Ellacuria did not simply comment on the situation from an academic standpoint, he became directly involved with the lives of the poor in Central America through his pastoral work. Outspoken in his criticism of El Salvador’s military and the ongoing Civil War, he was viewed by some as dangerous to social cohesion. On November 16th 1989, he was gunned down by a US trained members of the El Salvadorian army at his residence at the university, along with five other Jesuit priests and the housekeeper and her daughter. They became part of the more than 75,000 killed during El Salvador’s armed conflict during the 1970’s and 1980’s. “Do everything possible so that liberty is victorious over oppression, justice over injustice, love over hate.” -Ignacio Ellacuria
We tell the story of our parish through the lives of these Saints, the Good Shepherd saints who have gone before us as our parish leaders and the Good Shepherd saints who are present today in our Masses, ministries, faith sharing groups, activities and events. All of us tell the story of the “Saints of Good Shepherd.”