Serving Those Who SERVE

Sunday, March 17, 2019: The Sisters of the Good Shepherd were honored at the 10:30 a.m. Mass at Ascension Catholic Church, in Halethorpe, MD, celebrated by Bishop Adam J. Parker, an Auxiliary Bishop of Baltimore. Our Lady of the Angels Province Secretary ~ Fr. Richard-Jacob Forcier, OFM Conv. (pictured far left in both photos) was invited to attend. The Mass was highlighted by the work of the Good Shepherd Sisters who left the Archdiocese of Baltimore last year, after 153 years of service (specifically in Halethorpe for over 50 of those years). The Sisters from the Baltimore area now reside with the Sisters of Cyril and Methodius in Danville, PA.
Through the years, our friars living and serving in the area, provided spiritual care (Mass, Confessions, and Spiritual Direction) for the sisters of St. Joseph’s Residence as well as the residents of Good Shepherd Services. Due to their move to Danville, the Sisters serving in the Archdiocese of Baltimore have gifted several of the beloved statues and other artwork to parishes and other sites and organizations with whom they served; including a beautiful portrait and landscape gifted to our friars. To the parishioners of The Catholic Community of Ascension and St. Augustine, they gifted their statue of Our Lady of the Good Shepherd.
After the Mass, Bishop Parker blessed the outdoor statue of Our Lady of Good Shepherd, which was on the property of the Sisters, in Halethorpe. A reception was held in the church hall for the Sisters and their invited guests, many of whom had been on the staff at their facility.

Friar Richard-Jacob (far left), Most Reverend Adam J. Parker (top center) and Fr. John A. Williamson (far right) – Pastor of Ascension Catholic Church [Vicar Forane for The Catholic Community of Ascension and St. Augustine], along with Sr. Jude Ellen Golumbieski, RGS (middle standing) [US Contemplative Councilor] and the other Sisters of the Good Shepherd who were on hand for the Mass and Reception for the Blessing of the Our Lady of the Good Shepherd outdoor statue.