Good Shepherd Parish MV

09/04/2026

Join us for the Holy Mass this Labor Day weekend. Dr. Scott Hahn says, "Today’s readings are more than a lesson in Church order. They also suggest how we’re to deal with those who trespass against us ... Notice that both the Gospel and the First Reading presume that believers have a duty to correct sinners in our midst (a spiritual work of mercy) ... This is the love that Paul in today’s Epistle says we owe to our neighbors. To love our neighbors as ourselves is to be vitally concerned for their salvation. We must make every effort, as Jesus says, to win our brothers and sisters back, to turn them from the false paths," spoken always with love!

St. Augustine's Church, Vineyard Haven:
Saturday Confession--3:00 pm
Vigil Mass--4:00 pm; 7:00 pm (in Portuguese)
Sunday Mass--8:00 am

St. Elizabeth's Church, Edgartown:
Vigil Mass--5:30 pm
Sunday Mass--9:00 am and 11:00 am

Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, Oak Bluffs:
Sunday Mass--9:30 am

Live-streaming for the homebound continues on our website www.goodshepherdmv.com click the livestream button for corresponding Church.

09/01/2026

The month of September is dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows.

The feast of Our Lady of Sorrows (Sept. 15th) dates back to the twelfth century. Since at least that time, Catholics have recognized seven events in the life of Mary that caused her great sorrow. That is why the image of Mary as Our Lady of Sorrows often shows her with seven swords piercing her Immaculate Heart. She’s also sometimes represented by a winged heart pierced with seven swords. The swords represent her grievous sorrows. Known as the Seven Dolors of Mary, these sorrows are:

1) The prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:25-35)
2) The flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13-15)
3) Loss of the Child Jesus for three days (Luke 2:41-50)
4) Mary meets Jesus on his way to Calvary (Luke 23:27-31; John 19:17)
5) Crucifixion and Death of Jesus (John 19:25-30)
6) The body of Jesus being taken from the Cross (Psalm 130; Luke 23:50-54; John 19:31-37)
7) The burial of Jesus (Isaiah 53:8; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:38-42; Mark 15:40-47)

That’s a lot for one woman to endure in a lifetime! Yet, Mary wasn’t just another woman; she was the woman chosen by God to bear his Son. With that great joy and responsibility also came great sorrow.

Along with her great joy and sorrow came great love — for each one of us as her children. This is what our Lord asked of her ask he hung dying on the Cross — to become Mother to all humankind. Love is what gave her the courage to accept Simeon’s prophecy. Love is what gave her the strength to embrace each sword as it pierced her heart. Love is what urged here to accept her Son’s dying request. Love is what compels her to continue caring for us tenderly, limitlessly, and faithfully. https://www.ncregister.com/blog/what-are-the-seven-sorrows-of-mary

08/31/2026

Gentle reminder, First Friday/Saturday Masses are this week at St. Augustine's Church at 8:00 am, followed by the Sacrament of Confession and the Rosary. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament begins immediately following the Mass until 8:00 am Saturday.
Signup sheets for a Holy Hour are at St. Augustine's or St. Elizabeth's Church main entrances. Join us!

08/31/2026

An Invitation That Never Ends!

Have you been worshiping with us, but never officially taken the step to become Catholic? Have you been away from the Church, and have now returned, but want to know more? Have you been a Catholic all your life, but never celebrated all the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist)? Have you joined us from a different background and would like to find out more about the Catholic Church?

If you (“or someone you know”) answers YES to any of these questions, you are invited to find out more through the process called the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA). It is a journey that begins with your questions. On behalf of the Catholic faith community of the Good Shepherd Parish, we look forward to welcoming you.

Sessions will begin soon. Please contact a member of our OCIA team Regina Amarins [email protected] for Brazilian community; or Esther Deming [email protected], and Sergio Racigh [email protected].

08/28/2026

Join us for the Holy Mass this weekend as Jesus tells us the cost of discipleship. Dr. Scott Hahn says, "What Jeremiah learns (in the First Reading) is what Jesus states explicitly in today’s Gospel from Matthew. To follow Him is to take up a cross, to deny yourself—your priorities, preferences, and comforts. It is to be willing to give it all up, even life itself, for the sake of His Gospel. We are called to the renewal of our minds—to think as God thinks, to will what He wills."

St. Augustine's Church, Vineyard Haven:
Saturday Confession--3:00 pm
Vigil Mass--4:00 pm; 7:00 pm (in Portuguese)
Sunday Mass--8:00 am

St. Elizabeth's Church, Edgartown:
Vigil Mass--5:30 pm
Sunday Mass--9:00 am and 11:00 am

Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, Oak Bluffs:
Sunday Mass--9:30 am

Live-streaming for the homebound continues on our website www.goodshepherdmv.com click the livestream button for corresponding Church.

08/27/2026

The article just published in the diocesan newspaper, The Anchor.

Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha greets a parishioner at St. Elizabeth’s Church in Edgartown after the Mass celebrating its centennial on Sunday, August 16.

08/25/2026

So grateful to have had Bishop da Cunha be with us!

Bishop da Cunha reflects on a week filled with moments of faith, gratitude, and renewal, from celebrating the generosity that makes Catholic education accessible through the FACE Summer Gala, to gathering with his brother bishops for prayer and reflection, to marking 100 years of faith at St. Elizabeth’s Church on Martha’s Vineyard. Through each experience, Bishop da Cunha shares a message of enduring faith, the importance of community, and the call to inspire future generations. You can read the blog at https://www.fallriverdiocese.org/bishops-blog/faith-that-endures-faith-that-inspires/

08/21/2026

Join us for the Holy Mass this 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time as we hear Jesus ask the question of His disciples, "Who do you say I am?" Bishop Robert Barron helps us to understand that Peter knows who Jesus is, saying, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." And that is the Truth the Catholic Church keeps proclaiming through the centuries. Jesus built it on Peter/Rock and she embodies who Jesus is in the sacraments and the lives of the saints.

St. Augustine's Church, Vineyard Haven:
Saturday Confession--3:00 pm
Vigil Mass--4:00 pm; 7:00 pm (in Portuguese)
Sunday Mass--8:00 am

St. Elizabeth's Church, Edgartown:
Vigil Mass--5:30 pm
Sunday Mass--9:00 am and 11:00 am

Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, Oak Bluffs:
Sunday Mass--9:30 am

Live-streaming for the homebound continues on our website www.goodshepherdmv.com click the livestream button for corresponding Church.

08/19/2026

2026-27 Faith Formation Registration begins Monday, August 24, 2026 using the parish website www.goodshepherdmv.com nothing to print, just fill out and submit!

Please use the drop down menu under Faith Formation to fill out a family registration form, a student release form, and an electronic release form for students in 7th grade or older. Calendars are also available there.

For high schoolers preparing for Confirmation: We are again using the Chosen (newly revised) program over 24 weeks for the 2026-27 year. Sessions will be offered weekly to be completed at home, with a monthly Sunday morning gathering at the parish center from 10:30 am - noon.

Our 7th/8th grade group: New this year, we will study the Youth Catechism, YouCat over 20 weeks. It aims to educate participants in knowledge of the Catholic faith, but also to encourage them to be witnesses to Christ. We also will meet one Sunday morning per month at the parish center 10:30 am - noon.

For children aged 3 through 6th grade, CGS/the atrium is offered.
Weekly sessions* to be offered for 28 weeks during the school year:
MONDAY: Level II (1-3 grade) and Level III (4-6 gr) 3:30-5:30 pm
TUESDAY: Level III (4-6 gr) 3:30-5:30 pm
WEDNESDAY: Level I (ages 3-K) 3:30-5 pm (starting w/1-hr sessions)
THURSDAY: Level II (1-3 grade) 3:30-5:30 pm
Parents are encouraged to come in and observe a session throughout the year; and must participate in additional sacramental preparation with their child.
*2026-27 adjustments may be made based on the number of students registering and available catechists.

Any questions or concerns, contact Sue Pagliccia, director of faith formation 508-693-0342 or [email protected]

Sessions begin the week of September 20th.

08/14/2026

Join us this weekend for the Holy Mass as we hear another miracle healing in Matthew's Gospel. The Canaanite women boldly comes to meet Jesus, interceding for her daughter. Hear how she speaks, "Have pity on me, Lord; Lord, help me; and please, Lord ..." With her humility, prayerful persistence and great faith--Jesus listened to and granted her prayer. May we model this faith and trust in Christ too.

St. Augustine's Church, Vineyard Haven:
Saturday Confession--3:00 pm
Vigil Masses both w/Bishop da Cunha--4:00 pm; 7:00 pm (in Portuguese)
Sunday Mass--8:00 am

St. Elizabeth's Church, Edgartown:
Vigil Mass--5:30 pm
Sunday Mass--9:00 am and 11:00 am w/Bishop da Cunha

Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, Oak Bluffs:
Sunday Mass w/Bishop da Cunha--9:30 am

Live-streaming for the homebound continues on our website www.goodshepherdmv.com click the livestream button for corresponding Church.