About Good Shepherd · Camp Hill, Pennsylvania
Good Shepherd Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, on the West Shore of the Harrisburg metropolitan area, belonging to the Diocese of Harrisburg. Founded in 1951 and celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2026, the parish serves families across Camp Hill and the surrounding communities from its campus on Trindle Road. Under the leadership of Pastor Father Neil S. Sullivan (installed June 30, 2019), Good Shepherd offers daily and weekend Masses, year-round Eucharistic Adoration, an extensive PREP religious-education program, RCIA/OCIA, sacramental preparation, and a wide network of parish ministries including the Knights of Columbus, Council of Catholic Women, Helping Hands, Heart of Mary, Girl Scouts, and youth sports.
- Established
- 1951
- Patron
- Good Shepherd (Jesus Christ as the Good Shepherd)
- Rector
- Reverend Neil S. Sullivan
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg
Why belong here
Good Shepherd is a large, multigenerational parish with deep roots on the West Shore—celebrating 75 years of faith in 2026—and a pastor with diocesan-wide liturgical expertise. Daily Mass, year-round Eucharistic Adoration on Thursdays, and Saturday confessions give parishioners many opportunities for worship. The parish runs a structured PREP program for grades PreK–8, RCIA/OCIA for adults, a sacrament-preparation process for Baptism, Confirmation, and Marriage, and more than a dozen ministries including Knights of Columbus, Council of Catholic Women, Heart of Mary, Prayer Shawl, Helping Hands funeral luncheons, Girl Scouts, and parish youth basketball. Outreach like the Thanksgiving Grocery Card Drive and monthly diaper drive for Healthy Steps Diaper Bank ties faith to service.
Mass times at Good Shepherd
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:15 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. (in the Chapel)
Adoration times
- Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. (in the Chapel)
Our Parish – Identity & Campus
Good Shepherd Parish serves the Catholic community of Camp Hill and the West Shore of the Harrisburg area from its main campus at 3435 Trindle Road, with an associated Good Shepherd Parish Education Center located at 3400 Market Street, Camp Hill, PA 17011. The parish belongs to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg and is led by Pastor Father Neil S. Sullivan, who is supported by an in-residence Monsignor, a diaconal candidate, a pastoral associate, a parish manager, a director of parish services, an office manager, stewardship and discipleship assistants, a communications staffer, a music director, and the parish's PREP religious education coordinator. Receptionists Jane Appleton and Susan Santini and Maintenance Technician William Toth round out the day-to-day team. Office hours are Monday through Thursday 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. and Friday 9:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m., with phone line 717-761-1167.
- 3435 Trindle Road, Camp Hill, PA 17011 (main church)
- 3400 Market Street, Camp Hill, PA 17011 (Education Center)
- Office Manager: Helen Kantes, [email protected]
History of Good Shepherd Parish
Good Shepherd Parish was founded on May 28, 1951, by Bishop George L. Leech, who appointed Father Thomas J. Simpson as its first pastor. Within three days, Father Simpson celebrated the parish's inaugural Mass in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Crowley on Chestnut Street, before relocating Sunday worship to the Camp Hill Theatre. The current Trindle Road church was dedicated on November 5, 1978 by Bishop Daley, and the parish marked its 75th anniversary in 2026. The full succession of pastors—from Father Simpson through Father Sullivan—is documented on the parish history page, alongside the construction of the school, the withdrawal of the IHM sisters in 1992, and the growth of the parish through the 1960s and 70s.
- Founded May 28, 1951 by Bishop George L. Leech
- First Mass May 31, 1951 at the Crowley home, 3120 Chestnut Street
- Original church and school blessed and dedicated September 13, 1953
- New church on Trindle Road dedicated November 5, 1978
- 75th Anniversary celebrated in 2026
Pastor & Pastoral Staff
Father Neil S. Sullivan was installed as pastor on June 30, 2019, returning to Good Shepherd after serving as parochial vicar here in 2000–2001. A native of Harrisburg and 1986 graduate of Bishop McDevitt High School, he was ordained in 1997 after formation at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary. He holds degrees in Communications, Philosophy, a Master of Divinity, and a Master of Arts in Pastoral Theology, and did advanced liturgical studies at the University of Notre Dame. He also serves as Director of Spiritual Formation for the Permanent Diaconate Formation Program of the Diocese of Harrisburg, sits on the College of Consultors and Presbyteral Council, and is a member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre and a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus.
- Pastor: Rev. Neil S. Sullivan — [email protected], 717.761.1167 x3608
- In-residence: Rev. Msgr. Edward J. Quinlan, VG
- Diaconal Candidate: Michael Nowakowski
- Pastoral Associate: Sister Donna Marie Kemberling, SCC
Sacraments
The parish prepares members for all seven sacraments. Baptism is celebrated on the first Saturday of each month, with a pre-registration form on the website. Children preparing for Penance, First Eucharist, and Confirmation follow a two-year PREP process. Adult inquirers are welcomed through the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA, formerly RCIA). Couples preparing for marriage enter a 10–12 month program with mentor couples and meetings with a priest or deacon, and a separate path is offered for convalidation of civil marriages. The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is available after Mass, by appointment, or for the homebound by calling the parish office.
- Baptism – first Saturday of the month
- Confirmation – two-year PREP preparation
- First Eucharist – two-year PREP preparation
- Anointing of the Sick – at Mass, by appointment, or for the homebound
- Marriage – 10–12 month Marriage Preparation Program
- Convalidation – process for civil marriages to be recognized by the Church
- RCIA / OCIA – adult initiation and reception into full communion
Faith Formation – PREP for Children
The Parish Religious Education Program (PREP) at Good Shepherd serves children in public and private schools from PreK through grade 8, with two-year tracks for the sacraments of Penance, Eucharist, and Confirmation. Parents are recognized as the primary catechists and attend meetings during sacramental years. Classes for PreK and Kindergarten meet Sunday mornings from 9:30–10:30 a.m. in Parish Halls A and B; grades 1–4 meet Monday evenings 6:00–7:00 p.m.; grades 5–8 meet Monday evenings 7:15–8:15 p.m. All adult volunteers working with youth must complete Pennsylvania and diocesan Youth Protection clearances before serving.
- PREP Director: Maria Speca – [email protected], 717.980.3621
- PreK–K: Sundays 9:30–10:30 a.m.
- Grades 1–4: Mondays 6:00–7:00 p.m.
- Grades 5–8: Mondays 7:15–8:15 p.m.
- Youth Protection contact: Kimberly Scanish, [email protected], 717.980.3617
Adult Formation – OCIA, Bible Studies & Book Club
Adults seeking initiation or full communion enter the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA), a gradual process of prayer, study, and fellowship beginning with an inquiry period. Good Shepherd also offers a Parish Bible Study, a Women's Bible Study, and a parish Book Club, providing ongoing formation for adults who want to deepen their knowledge of Scripture and the Catholic tradition.
- OCIA / RCIA for unbaptized adults, Christians entering full communion, and Catholics completing initiation
- Parish Bible Study
- Women's Bible Study
- Parish Book Club
Parish Organizations & Community Life
Good Shepherd hosts an unusually broad slate of parish organizations that meet spiritual, social, and service needs. The Knights of Columbus Good Shepherd Council 10685 brings together Catholic men 18 and older for parish dinners, the Easter Egg Hunt, and free-throw competitions. The Council of Catholic Women (CCW), open to all women of the parish 18 and older, supports spirituality, leadership, and service. Heart of Mary is a small women's devotion focused on Marian prayer and the rosary; Helping Hands provides funeral luncheons for grieving families; the Prayer Shawl Ministry crochets shawls at no charge for those in need of comfort.
- Knights of Columbus Council 10685 – kofc10685.org
- Council of Catholic Women – hdccw.webs.com
- Heart of Mary (women's Marian devotion)
- Helping Hands funeral luncheon ministry
- Prayer Shawl Ministry
- Bereavement Support / Arimatheans
- Senior Luncheon Committee
- Young Adult Ministry
- Parish Retreat (annual one-day retreats for women and for men, 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.)
Youth & Family Programs
Children, teens, and young adults find a home in Good Shepherd's youth-focused ministries. Girl Scouting programs from Daisies through Ambassadors are sponsored by the CCW and coordinated through the parish office. The parish also runs Boys Basketball and Girls Basketball programs. Both require Youth Protection clearances for adult volunteers.
- Girl Scout Troops: Daisies, Brownies, Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors, Ambassadors
- Parish Boys Basketball
- Parish Girls Basketball
- Contact: Helen Kantes, [email protected], 717-980-3606
Community Outreach & Works of Mercy
Outreach is woven into parish life at Good Shepherd. Each fall and spring the parish and the Knights of Columbus collect non-perishable food for New Hope Ministries. The Thanksgiving Grocery Card Drive helps families in need purchase a holiday meal, and the monthly Diaper Drive collects diapers for Healthy Steps Diaper Bank (since SNAP and WIC cannot be used to purchase diapers). A Respect Life Committee carries forward the Church's pro-life mission.
- Food collections for New Hope Ministries (fall and spring)
- Thanksgiving Grocery Card Drive
- Monthly Diaper Drive for Healthy Steps Diaper Bank
- Pack the Pickup
- Respect Life Committee
Music & Liturgical Ministries
The parish Music Director, Joreen Kelly, leads liturgical music at Mass. Good Shepherd's pastor, Father Sullivan, brings more than a decade of diocesan experience as former Director of the Diocesan Office of Worship and Liturgical Master of Ceremonies for the Bishop, with advanced liturgical studies from the University of Notre Dame.
- Music Director: Joreen Kelly
- Pastoral oversight: Father Neil S. Sullivan
Renew & Restore – Capital Campaign
Good Shepherd is currently engaged in a 'Renew & Restore' Church Renewal and Asset Restoration capital campaign to maintain and renew its campus for the next generation of parishioners. The campaign is featured on the parish homepage alongside the 75th Anniversary celebration.
- Campaign name: Renew • Restore
- Featured on parish homepage alongside 75th Anniversary
Getting Involved – Time & Talent
The parish maintains a Time & Talent survey that maps volunteer opportunities to four mission areas. Pastoral Ministry covers Bereavement Support, Arimatheans, Helping Hands, Senior Luncheon, Young Adult Ministry, Prayer Shawl, CCW, Knights of Columbus, Youth Sports, and Girl Scouting. Education and Faith Formation includes Bible Study, Women's Bible Study, Book Club, Mentor Couple Marriage Prep, Respect Life, and OCIA. Stewardship and Worship involve liturgical and administrative roles.
- Mission of Community: Bereavement, Helping Hands, Senior Luncheon, Young Adults, Prayer Shawl, CCW, Knights of Columbus, Youth Sports, Girl Scouts
- Mission of Pastoral Ministry: Bible Study, Women's Bible Study, Book Club, Mentor Couple Marriage Prep, Respect Life
- Mission of Education: OCIA/RCIA
- Mission of Stewardship/Worship: Liturgical and parish-office support
Visiting Good Shepherd
Parishioners and visitors can find Good Shepherd at 3435 Trindle Road, Camp Hill, PA 17011, with the Education Center at 3400 Market Street, Camp Hill. The Diocesan accessibility listing notes the church campus provides parking, accessible restrooms, a social hall, and an assistive listening system. The parish office is open Monday–Thursday 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. and Friday 9:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. and can be reached at 717-761-1167.
- Parking available on campus
- Accessible restrooms
- Social hall
- Assistive listening system
- Office: Mon–Thu 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m., Fri 9:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Thomas J. Simpson1951–1966
Founding pastor appointed by Bishop George L. Leech; celebrated first Mass May 31, 1951; oversaw building and opening of the original church and school in 1953.
- Rev. Frederick Bradel1966–1973
Purchased 6 South 34th St. as a convent and 3315 Market St. as rectory/parish office; worked to reduce the parish debt.
- Rev. Vincent J. Smith (later Monsignor)1973–January 1999
Paid off the parish debt; purchased the 7.6-acre Trindle Road site and led the building campaign that produced the current church, dedicated November 5, 1978.
- Rev. Paul HelwigJanuary 1999 – June 2015
Closed out the 20th century as pastor; reassigned to St. Margaret Mary Parish in June 2015.
- Rev. Neil S. SullivanJune 30, 2019 – present
Returned to Good Shepherd after a prior 2000–2001 stint as parochial vicar; also serves the Diocese as Director of Spiritual Formation for the Permanent Diaconate Formation Program.