About Us

Good Shepherd Parish is dedicated to Christ, the Good Shepherd.

St. John's Gospel, Chapter 10, records the account so familiar to all Catholics. "I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock and one shepherd."

The spirit of oneness and unity continues to prevail within our parish community.

The Parish was founded on July 17, 1976 at which time; Father Benoit T. Jobin was appointed pastor by His Grace, Archbishop Philip Pocock who gave him the task of forming the parish and building a Church. With our boundaries determined by the overcrowded conditions of our two closest neighbors, the new parish was comprised of 135 families from St. Timothy's to the South and 130 families from St. Luke's to the Northwest. Today, the parish remains an intimate community with a membership of approximately 1,200 families.

Following the establishment of the parish, Father Jobin began celebrating Sunday Mass at the now decommissioned Holy Redeemer School, and the search commenced for a site suitable for a parish church. The parcel of land adjacent to St. Michael's School was found to be the most suitable site. On October 10, 1978, this piece of land was purchased by the Chancery Office for the Church building, and an appropriate sign was installed.

A nearby house was purchased and initially used as a rectory, meeting place and chapel. This home continues to serve as the living quarters for the pastor. Weekday morning Mass was celebrated at this location only steps from St. Michael's School.

In January, 1977, Sunday Mass began to be celebrated at St. Michael's School. At that time there were 293 families registered with an average Sunday attendance of between 700 and 800 parishioners. Also, Good Shepherd Parish now had a Parish Council, a C.W.L. Ladies Guild and Committees of Liturgy, Social, Education, Finance and Building in place. These were made up of some 105 parishioners all of whom were actively involved. The Constitution and By Laws of the Parish Council were approved by the Parish Assembly on November 22, 1976. This Council was motivated by ideals represented by the Parish name, Good Shepherd, to promote and foster the Christian way of life for the individual and collective betterment of its members.

In May 1981 the new Church was completed and the Good Shepherd Parich began celebrating masses in the current building. 

Priests who have been appointed and served as pastors to Good Shepherd Parish include Father Benoit Jobin, founder 1976 – 1985; Father Thomas Harding 1985 – 1986, Father Neil Varley 1986 – 1990, Father John Weber, 1990 to 2012 and Father Anthony Iacobelli, 2012 to present.