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PARISH PROFILE
G ood Shepherd, Smithfield: ‘A place for everyone to get involved’
By Barbara Hughes
Special to The Catholic Virginian
Church of the Good Shepherd in Smithfield is among the growing number of parishes around the country that does not have a priest serving as pastor.
“We could be a model for the strategic pastoral planning committees to let people know that it works,” said Lorraine Dinga, Pastoral Council chairwoman and long standing parishioner at Good Shepherd.
In June of 2000 Bishop Walter F. Sullivan appointed Joanne Gordon Pastoral Coordinator for the parish and she continues to serve the people of Good Shepherd in this capacity.
“As a laywoman, Joanne has been entrusted with the pastoral care and spiritual and organizational leadership of the parish,” explained Father Robert Cummins, pastor at St. Therese in Chesapeake, who serves as the canonical pastor of Good Shepherd.
“From my years at St. Therese, I appreciate the importance of becoming close to my parishioners,” he said. “It is something that is difficult to quantify but easy to see. Joanne has been that person for Good Shepherd. Not being able to be priest for her people, she has certainly been a good shepherd for them.”
 “Not having a priest for a pastor makes us kind of like the weird aunt in the family,” laughed Joan Nagy. “But with fewer priests, more parishes will look like us in the future.”
“After Father Tom Nee left, we were always hoping that we’d get a priest and then we realized it’s not going to happen. And that’s okay,” said Ms. Nagy. “Parishioners are really what make a parish and even though we don’t have a priest, we can still be a good parish and a good community.”
Lorraine Dinga agreed.
“I don’t know how Joanne does it, but she knows everyone and things always work out,” she said. “And I feel like we get the cream of the crop in priests for Mass on the weekends.”
 With the help of Msgr. Thomas J. Caroluzza, Msgr. William L. Pitt and an occasional military chaplain, there is almost always a priest for weekend liturgies.
But as Joanne pointed out, “There have been times when we didn’t have one and when that happens, the people here know what to do.”
She recalled the time Father Brian Rafferty, pastor of Christ the King in Norfolk, consecrated extra hosts at Mass and a parishioner brought them to Good Shepherd so the people could receive communion during the Liturgy.
“I always have to have a few thoughts ready to use in a homily as sometimes it happens that at the last minute, the priest may not be able to come. I keep explaining what’s different about a priestless liturgy and so people are getting educated in the process,” said Ms. Gordon.
Until 1984, Catholics from Isle of Wight County traveled to Suffolk, Portsmouth, Hampton or Newport News to attend Mass. But as the population grew, it was decided that Smithfield could sustain a parish.
In March of 1984, Father Christian Haydinger of St. Mary’s in Suffolk added the 50 families that formed the Catholic community in Smithfield to his responsibilities as pastor. Liturgies and meetings for the new community were held at Christ Episcopal Church in Smithfield and a relationship with the Christ Church community continues today.
In 1989, Father Nee was appointed pastor and the community was designated a parish. Under the name Church of the Good Shepherd, the community of believers began planning for the construction of a church building.
John and Mary Patrick look back on those early years and recall the excitement.
 “Every step was exciting, that first meeting, looking for land and the gracious people at Christ Episcopal who didn’t even charge us rent in the beginning,” said Mrs. Patrick.
In February of 1992, phase one of the construction process began and seven months later, Isle of Wight had its first Catholic church. On September 27, 1992 Church of the Good Shepherd was consecrated with a Mass celebrated by Bishop Sullivan.
As the parish grew, plans and fundraising were underway for phase two. The $1.7 million project was implemented and in June of 2005, the sanctuary and Blessed Sacrament chapel were dedicated.
According to Ms. Gordon, “The remaining debt has been reduced to $445,500. Eighty-seven percent of the 300 households that make up the parish support the parish financially and at least 62 percent give of their time and talent.”
 She pointed out that in some cases two, three or more family members in the same household are involved which makes that number even higher.
“We are God’s people together, caring for one another, welcoming all, reaching out to those in need and living the Gospel where we go,” said Joanne.
Bill Boothe, one of the founding members of the parish, is one example of the welcoming presence which defines Good Shepherd. Bill can be seen every Sunday morning stationed at the front door, greeting people as they arrive.
 But Bill’s hands not only greet and welcome. They built many of the wooden items for the first phase of the building – the cross on top of the outside front entrance, the first tabernacle, coat racks, book cases and cabinets.
Lisa Seals, and Margaret and Bob Hickman created the stained glass windows and tabernacle light and Joanne’s husband, Lars, along with Bruce Taylor and the Hickmans constructed the present tabernacle.
Joanne Gordon points to the intergenerational choir where children, teens and adults combine musical and vocal talents under the direction of Andy Pencola.
The Stambaughs have made the music ministry a family affair. Jodi, who serves as coordinator of religious education and her husband Wayne sing in the choir, their son Logan plays guitar and Rachael plays the flute.
“This is not a watered down Catholicism but a place for everyone and a way for all to get involved,” Joanne explained.
Weekday Mass is not an option at Good Shepherd but the community has regularly scheduled times to gather for the Liturgy of the Word, the rosary, evening prayers, and Stations of the Cross during Lent.
 At 7 on Tuesday mornings, some parishioners meet at Christ Church for centering prayer. Joan Nagy, who is the coordinator of the group, said that although the majority of participants are Catholic, gathering at the Episcopal church is a way to continue an important relationship.
The ecumenical footprint also runs through social ministry at Good Shepherd. Kathy Dashiell, Social Outreach Chairperson, coordinates parish efforts with those of other area churches. The ministry includes home repairs, temporary housing, household goods, dental care, prescription assistance and much more.
Last April Good Shepherd parish gathered local churches to form the Isle of Wight Mission for Hope which houses the homeless during the winter months.
According to Joe Zimmerman, who organized the effort and serves as current chair, Mission of Hope turned out to be the best program for churches to work together.
“I take no credit” he said. “A bigger hand than mine was in it and people were very happy to lend a hand.”
And as a result, next year Good Shepherd is planning to house the homeless for two weeks.
 In 2001, a Good Samaritan Fund was established in memory of Barron Dempsey, a beloved parishioner since 1984 who was always helping others. The fund was created as a tribute to her good works and about $25,000 has been donated and distributed for emergency assistance to people within the county.
Relationships are valued at Good Shepherd and signs of community life are visible on Sundays after Mass. Children fill every available space for religious education while a group of about 25 adults meet to study the gifts of the Holy Spirit facilitated by Mary Ellen Bebermeyer.
As a home school mom she believes “the best way to teach children about our faith is to let them see us live it.”
One of the practices that contributes to the family-like atmosphere at the parish is calling on members to share birthdays, anniversaries and good news with the community at the end of the weekend liturgies.
It means people stay in church a bit longer but according to Joe Zimmerman, “When the question came up at the pastoral council meeting about the practice, everyone agreed that designating that time each week contributes to the sense of community. And that’s what makes Good Shepherd special.”
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Copyright © 2008 The Catholic Virginian Press. Articles from Catholic News Services, including Fr. Dietzen’s column, may not be reproduced due to copyright considerations.
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