About Good Shepherd Catholic Parish · Garland, Texas
Good Shepherd Catholic Parish is a large bilingual Roman Catholic community in Garland, Texas, part of the Diocese of Dallas. The parish — a self-described 'Roman Catholic community since 1944' — serves a thriving English- and Spanish-speaking congregation with seven Sunday Masses (the 8:00, 10:00, 12:00 and 2:00pm are livestreamed), a daily Mass schedule in both languages, Tuesday–Saturday confessions, daily Eucharistic Adoration, and a Friday Holy Hour. It is home to the Neocatechumenal Way, Good Shepherd Catholic School (PK3–8th grade, founded 1954), and a St. Vincent de Paul food pantry that feeds the surrounding neighborhood every Friday morning.
- Established
- 1944
- Patron
- The Good Shepherd (Jesus Christ as Good Shepherd)
- Rector
- Rev. Israel Gonzalez, F.N.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Dallas
Why belong here
Good Shepherd is one of the most pastorally active bilingual parishes in the Garland area, with seven Sunday Masses (four livestreamed), a daily morning and evening Mass, and a robust Spanish-language liturgical life. It runs an on-site Catholic school (PK3–8th grade) and offers Sacramental Faith Formation for First Communion, Confirmation, and children's RCIA in both English and Spanish. Add a daily Eucharistic Adoration chapel, a Friday Holy Hour, an active Society of St. Vincent de Paul food pantry that distributes groceries every Friday morning, the Neocatechumenal Way, and a wide array of choirs and ministries — and you have a parish that meets families wherever they are in faith and language.
Mass times at Good Shepherd Catholic Parish
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Wednesday 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Thursday 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Friday 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Saturday 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Adoration times
- Monday – Friday 8:30 AM – 7:00 PM (Eucharistic Adoration in the chapel)
- Friday 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM (Holy Hour and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, after the 7:00 PM Spanish Mass)
Parish History
Good Shepherd Catholic Parish has served Garland's Catholics since 1944, when a small community remodeled a house at Avenue B and South Garland Avenue into a chapel. The parish grew rapidly, paid off its early debt under Father John Morse (pastor from 1949), and under Father Charles W. Smid opened its school in 1954 and built the original church.
- 1923: Only three Catholics in Garland, traveling to Rowlett or Wylie for Mass.
- 1943: Father John Lavin arranges for Mass in a local theater.
- 1944: House at Avenue B & South Garland Ave. remodeled into a chapel — parish's founding year.
- July 1949: Father John Morse appointed pastor.
- September 1954: Parochial school opens under Father Charles W. Smid.
- June 30, 1954: First Parents-Teachers Organization meeting (62 parents).
- February 11, 2017: New $7.9 million, 21,712-sq-ft church dedicated by Auxiliary Bishop Greg Kelly.
Faith Formation & Sacraments
Faith Formation at Good Shepherd is a two-year Sacramental program for First Communion, Confirmation, and the children's RCIA (for children 7+ who need Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation). Classes are held in both English and Spanish at multiple times each week, with registration by appointment and a per-child fee ($110 first child, $90 each additional).
- First Communion and Confirmation preparation (English & Spanish)
- RCIA adapted for children ages 7–16
- English classes: Sundays 12:00 PM; Mondays 7:00 PM (Confirmation only)
- Spanish classes: Sundays 10:00 AM, 11:30 AM, 1:30 PM; Mondays 7:00 PM; Tuesdays 7:00 PM (First Communion only); Wednesdays 7:00 PM
- Family must be a registered, active member of the parish to enroll
- Weddings, Quinceañeras, Funerals, Anointing of the Sick coordinated through Family Life Ministry
Good Shepherd Catholic School
Good Shepherd Catholic School, located at 214 S. Garland Ave., has offered a fully accredited Catholic education since 1954. It serves PK3 through 8th grade and emphasizes developing the whole person — academic excellence alongside Christian values, charity, peace, and justice. The school day runs 7:55 AM to 3:15 PM (PK–3rd) or 3:30 PM (4th–8th), with after-school care available until 6:00 PM.
- Founded 1954, originally with six grades taught by Holy Ghost Sisters and lay teachers
- Grades served: PK3 – 8th grade
- Classes 7:55 AM – 3:15/3:30 PM; after-school care to 6:00 PM
- Located at 214 S. Garland Ave., Garland, TX 75040
- Website: goodshepherdcatholicschool.org
- Drama, after-care, and full academic program; current principal Ben R. Compton (per 2024 bulletin)
Outreach & Charity — St. Vincent de Paul
The parish's Society of St. Vincent de Paul runs a weekly food pantry and a Blessing Bag program for neighbors in financial distress — helping with rent threats, utility shut-offs, food, and gas. The food pantry is open every Friday morning, and a Catholic Charities of Dallas Mobile Community Pantry sets up in the parish parking lot one Tuesday a month.
- SVDP Food Pantry: Fridays 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Catholic Charities of Dallas Mobile Pantry: 2nd Tuesday of each month, 9:30 – 11:00 AM, parish parking lot
- Blessing Bag program for those in need
- 5th-Sunday SVDP collection at all Masses
- Charity Hotline: (972) 299-7331
Music & Liturgical Ministries
Music Ministry at Good Shepherd supports the parish's bilingual liturgical life through a number of choirs serving the various English and Spanish Masses. A special 'Misa con Niños' (Children's Mass) and ongoing formation activities for children round out the liturgical programming.
- Music Ministry and multiple parish Choirs (English & Spanish)
- Misa con Niños
- Weekly Gospel Activities for children
- Livestream team for the 8:00, 10:00, 12:00, and 2:00 PM Sunday Masses
Parish Staff & Offices
The parish office is staffed Tuesday through Friday, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 2:00 – 5:00 PM, with extended Saturday/Sunday coverage around Masses. The team is bilingual and supports Sacramental preparation, registration, family life, contributions, and facilities.
- Alexander Sandoval — Pastoral Associate (ext. 301)
- Patricia Rodriguez — Catechetical Leader (ext. 401)
- Olivia Cruz — Family Life Ministry (Weddings, Quinceañeras, Funerals, Young Adult Ministry; ext. 501)
- Vilma Castaneda — Secretary, Parish Records (ext. 103)
- Aidan Salzman — Contributions Bookkeeping (ext. 303)
- Gloria Banda & Noelia Jimenez — Faith Formation Assistants (Spanish)
- Receptionists: Eva Rosales, Maribel Cruz, Rosemary Olvera, Lorena Valdez
- Maintenance and custodial: Jesus Rivas, Benito Estrada, Marina Gutierrez, Manuel Lopez, Josefina Raya, Alejandra Lopez, Catalina Montoya
Visit, Giving & Communications
The parish welcomes visitors, accepts online giving through OSV Online Giving, and publishes a weekly bulletin available by email subscription through Discover Mass. Live Masses, bulletins, and parish news are all available on the parish website, Facebook, and Vimeo channels.
- Online giving: OSV Online Giving via the parish website
- Weekly bulletin by email: subscribe via Discover Mass at discovermass.com/church/good-shepherd-garland-tx
- Live stream: vimeo.com/goodshepherdgarland
- Facebook: GoodShepherdGarland (English) and BuenPastorGarland (Spanish)
- Parish Office Hours: Tuesday–Friday 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (with a 12–2 PM lunch closure noted on staff page); Sundays 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father John Lavin1943 (precursor)
Arranged for Mass to be celebrated in a local theater for the growing Catholic community.
- Father John Morse1949–
Appointed pastor in July 1949; paid off the debt on the church property within a few years and by 1953 was helping plan the school and auditorium.
- Father Charles W. Smid1954–
Came to the parish in 1954; oversaw the opening of the parochial school in September 1954 with six grades, the building of the auditorium, and the founding of the Parents-Teachers Organization.
- Rev. José Luis Esparza, F.N.through 2017 (as pastor)
Pastor at the time of the new church dedication on Feb. 11, 2017; currently listed as Parochial Vicar on the parish staff page.
- Rev. Israel Gonzalez, F.N.present
Listed as current Pastor on the parish staff page.