About Good Shepherd · Hope Mills, North Carolina
Good Shepherd Catholic Church is a parish of the Diocese of Raleigh located at 5050 Oak Street in Hope Mills, North Carolina, a small town in Cumberland County just south of Fayetteville. The parish was founded in 1981 as a mission church at the request of Catholics in southwest Cumberland County and grew from an original 45 families to roughly 370 families in its first decade. Today it is led by Father Arul Yagappan, MSFS — a member of the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales from India — assisted by Deacon Juan Henriquez, and serves its community through daily and weekend Masses, formation for children and adults, charitable outreach, and a strong network of lay ministries and societies.
- Established
- 1981
- Patron
- The Good Shepherd (Jesus Christ)
- Rector
- Rev. Arul Yagappan, MSFS
- Diocese
- Diocese of Raleigh
Why belong here
Good Shepherd is a parish rooted in 45 years of clergy-and-laity partnership — most of its stained glass, furniture, and even the altar were donated and built by founding families. Today it offers daily and weekend Mass in English, a robust Faith Formation program with classes for K-5 through high school, the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA), adult faith education, a Wednesday Holy Hour, First Friday adoration, and a full circle of lay ministries — Knights of Columbus, Legion of Mary, Women of Charity, Holy Stitchers, Widows' Watch, Pro-Life, music, and a welcoming committee. Its outdoor prayer spaces — a Mary Grotto, a Rosary Garden, and a Stations of the Cross Walking Path — make it a peaceful place to pray, and parishioners are invited to find 'a home in one' of its many ministries.
Mass times at Good Shepherd
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM
- Wednesday: 5:30 PM – 6:20 PM
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Wednesday: 5:30 PM – 6:25 PM (Holy Hour, preceding the 6:30 PM Mass)
- First Fridays of the month: 1:00 PM – 8:00 PM
History of Good Shepherd Parish
Good Shepherd was founded in January 1981 as a mission church at Bishop Joseph Gossman's request, after which Father Thomas Sanford began gathering the first 45 families in southwest Cumberland County. The community worshipped in borrowed spaces — the Hope Mills Presbyterian Church, Christ Episcopal Church, Reeves Funeral Home, the Hope Mills Civic Center, and even South View Senior High School — until the current church building was dedicated in October 1984. Almost every element of that building, from the stained glass to the altar, was donated or hand-made by parishioners. A succession of pastors — Fathers Sanford, John Carcich (Pallottine), Joseph Bumann, Phillip Leach, Gerald Lewis, Thomas J. Gaul, Thanh Nguyen, Thomas R. Davis, Douglas J. Smiley, and now Arul Yagappan, MSFS — has shaped the parish over more than four decades, with Father Gaul notably returning from retirement in 2013 to serve as Reverend Emeritus.
- Founded January 1981 by Father Thomas Sanford; first Mass January 26, 1981 at Hope Mills Presbyterian Church
- Church building dedicated October 1984
- Original 45 families grew to ~370 in first decade
- Mary Grotto dedicated to Father Joseph Bumann (d. May 1989)
- Mortgage paid off in 8 years under Father Phillip Leach
- Habitat for Humanity home built under Father Gerald Lewis
- Father Thomas J. Gaul returned as Reverend Emeritus in October 2013
- Father Arul Yagappan, MSFS arrived July 2021; installed as pastor January 2022
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is led by Father Arul Yagappan, MSFS, a Missionary of St. Francis de Sales from India who arrived during the COVID-19 pandemic and was installed as pastor in January 2022 by Bishop Luis Zarama. He is assisted by Deacon Juan Henriquez, Director of Religious Education Jan Carnahan, Office Manager Maria Rosario, and Office Assistant Barbara Chapman. The Plant Manager position is currently open. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
- Pastor — Rev. Arul Yagappan, MSFS (ext. main line)
- Deacon — Juan Henriquez
- Director of Faith Formation — Jan Carnahan (910) 425-5617
- Office Manager — Maria Rosario (ext. 203)
- Office Assistant — Barbara Chapman (ext. 202)
- Plant Manager — position currently open (ext. 201)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish's Office of Faith Formation, led by Director Jan Carnahan, provides catechesis for children and adults year-round. Two full years of formation are required before a child may receive First Holy Communion and Confirmation. Classes follow the Sunday schedule: K–5 grades meet Sunday mornings 9:45–11:15 AM, while Middle and High School grades, including Confirmation preparation, meet Sunday afternoons 1:00–2:30 PM after the 11:30 Mass. Registration forms and fees can be submitted online, in the offertory basket, or directly to the Faith Formation Office. The parish is actively recruiting catechists and offers training for those who feel called to the ministry.
- K–5 Faith Formation: Sundays 9:45–11:15 AM
- Middle/High School Faith Formation & Confirmation prep: Sundays 1:00–2:30 PM (after 11:30 Mass)
- Two years of formation required before First Communion and Confirmation
- Catechist recruitment and training available — contact Jan Carnahan
- Rite of Christian Initiation for Children (for unbaptized children of age of discernment)
Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA)
Good Shepherd offers an ongoing OCIA (formerly RCIA) process for adults attracted to the Catholic faith — including those unbaptized and those already baptized Catholics seeking Communion and/or Confirmation. The Inquiry Period meets in the parish library from 9:45 to 11:15 AM and answers typical questions about Catholic belief (confession, Mary, the Mass, the Eucharist, the papacy, etc.) in a no-pressure environment before participants enter the Catechumenate. The parish also offers Adult Education sessions tailored to the sacraments still needed and meeting on a schedule convenient for attendees.
- Inquiry sessions Sunday mornings in the parish library
- Welcomes unbaptized adults and baptized adults needing Eucharist/Confirmation
- Adult Education for baptized Catholics completing Initiation
- Contact: Jan Carnahan, (910) 425-5617
Sacraments
Good Shepherd celebrates all seven sacraments and provides clear preparation paths for each. Baptism requires parents to attend both baptismal-preparation sessions (parents must attend both; godparents are asked to attend theirs, either at Good Shepherd or their home parish) with arrangements made at least three months in advance. First Communion and Confirmation each require two full years of Faith Formation. Marriage preparation begins with an initial meeting with the pastor — couples are asked not to set a date before that meeting and must allow the diocesan minimum six-month preparation period. The Anointing of the Sick is available for those facing surgery, recent diagnosis, or extended illness — call the parish office during the week or the after-hours number provided.
- Baptism — 3-month advance; required preparation classes for parents and godparents
- First Holy Communion — 2 years of Faith Formation required
- Confirmation — 2 years of Faith Formation required
- Marriage — initial meeting with pastor required; 6-month diocesan preparation minimum
- Anointing of the Sick — by request; office (910) 425-1590 or after-hours (862) 283-0194
- Reconciliation — Sat 4:00–4:45 PM, Wed 5:30–6:20 PM, or by appointment
Liturgical & Music Ministries
Liturgical ministries at Good Shepherd are organized into Sacristans, Lectors, Hospitality (greeters/ushers), Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (listed on the parish site as 'EXOs'), and a Sick and Homebound Ministry that brings Communion to those unable to attend Mass. The Music Ministry rehearses each Friday at 6:00 PM and provides music at weekend and Holy Day liturgies. The Altar Servers meet and train every other month on the third Sunday at 9:30 AM, and the parish also maintains a Knights of Columbus 4th Degree Assembly for honor-guard and liturgical support.
- Sacristans
- Lectors
- Hospitality
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHCs)
- Altar Servers
- Music Ministry (Friday rehearsals 6:00 PM)
- Sick and Homebound Ministry
Service & Outreach Ministries
Outreach is woven throughout parish life. Pro-Life ministry advocates for the unborn and supports expectant parents. Widows' Watch gathers widows for fellowship and mutual support on the second Friday of each month at 11:00 AM. Women of Charity meets the first Wednesday of each month at 7:00 PM, and Holy Stitchers — a crafts-and-prayer group that sews items for those in need — meets every Thursday at 10:00 AM. Under Father Gerald Lewis in 1992–93 the parish as a whole built a Habitat for Humanity home, a tradition of hands-on service that continues today.
- Pro-Life Ministry
- Widows' Watch (2nd Fri/month, 11:00 AM)
- Women of Charity (1st Wed/month, 7:00 PM)
- Holy Stitchers (every Thu, 10:00 AM)
- Habitat for Humanity partnership (legacy)
Catholic Lay Societies
Good Shepherd hosts two local branches of the Knights of Columbus — Council #8857, which meets the first and third Thursday of the month at 7:00 PM, and a 4th Degree Assembly that meets the second Sunday of the month at 3:00 PM. The Legion of Mary praesidium, Mother of the Eucharist, meets every Monday at 6:00 PM and supports the parish's Marian devotion through home visits and active works. Together these societies form much of the parish's public-witness backbone.
- Knights of Columbus Council #8857 (1st & 3rd Thu, 7:00 PM)
- Knights of Columbus 4th Degree Assembly (2nd Sun, 3:00 PM)
- Legion of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist (every Mon, 6:00 PM)
Parish Pastoral Councils
Pastoral decision-making at Good Shepherd is shared between clergy and laity through the Parish Council, which meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 6:30 PM, and the Finance Council, which convenes as announced. A Welcoming Committee helps new parishioners feel at home, and a Parish Social Life / Bereavement Committee coordinates fellowship events and parish support at times of loss. Buildings and Grounds volunteers — along with a dedicated Garden Committee — care for the parish's physical plant, including the Rosary Garden and the Stations of the Cross Walking Path.
- Parish Council (2nd Tue/month, 6:30 PM)
- Finance Council (as announced)
- Parish Social Life / Bereavement Committee
- Welcoming Committee
- Buildings and Grounds
- Garden Committee
Outdoor Prayer Spaces & Devotions
The parish grounds are designed for prayer. The Rosary Garden — created and maintained by Good Shepherd's Confirmation II classes since 2017 — lines the approach to the church and can be prayed as a walk-rosary. The Mary Grotto, just outside the parking lot, was built and dedicated in memory of Father Joseph Bumann and offers two benches for quiet prayer. Behind the gazebo is a Stations of the Cross Walking Path, and the parish encourages use of all these spaces as 'somewhere new to pray the Rosary.'
- Rosary Garden (built and maintained by Confirmation II class since 2017)
- Mary Grotto — dedicated to the memory of Father Joseph Bumann
- Stations of the Cross Walking Path (behind the gazebo)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Thomas Sanford1981 – July 1983
Founded the parish as a mission church; described as the 'dreamer.'
- Rev. John CarcichJuly 1983 – July 1987
Pallottine (Society of the Catholic Apostolate); the 'implementer' who drove the fundraising and construction of the church building, dedicated October 1984.
- Rev. Joseph BumannJuly 1987 – May 1989
Died in a car accident in May 1989 returning from a meeting in Newton Grove, just days after his 30th anniversary of ordination; the Mary Grotto is dedicated to him.
- Rev. Phillip LeachJuly 1989 – May 1992
Known for special liturgies and gifted teaching; oversaw payment of the parish mortgage in just eight years.
- Rev. Gerald LewisMay 1992 – April 1993
Oversaw completion of a Habitat for Humanity home during his tenure.
- Rev. Thomas J. GaulApril 1993 – December 2002
Longest-serving pastor; instituted the 'Half-A-Can' donation and led the 1995 building expansion.
- Rev. Thanh NguyenDecember 2002 – June 2010
Much loved for homilies recalling memories of his childhood.
- Rev. Thomas R. DavisAugust 2010 – July 2012
- Rev. Douglas J. SmileyDecember 2012 – October 2013
- Rev. Thomas J. Gaul (Reverend Emeritus)October 2013 – 2021
Returned from retirement at Bishop Michael Burbidge's request to serve as Reverend Emeritus; stepped back in 2021 due to health.
- Rev. Arul Yagappan, MSFSJuly 2021 – present
Came as Parish Administrator during COVID-19, installed as pastor by Bishop Luis Zarama in January 2022; member of the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales, originally from India.