About Good Shepherd · Port Matilda, Pennsylvania
Church of the Good Shepherd is a Roman Catholic parish located in Port Matilda, Pennsylvania, serving the eastern edge of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown in Centre County. Established on July 14, 1989, the parish grew from a 'mobile' faith community meeting in a Knights of Columbus hall and a warehouse into a thriving congregation that today worships in a church dedicated in 1993. Good Shepherd is currently pastored by Rev. Jozef Kovacik, with Deacon Jack Orlandi assisting, and is supported by a wide range of lay ministries, faith formation programs, and a long-standing sister-parish relationship with Holy Spirit Church in Maggotty, Jamaica.
- Established
- 1989
- Patron
- The Good Shepherd (Jesus Christ)
- Rector
- Rev. Jozef Kovacik
- Diocese
- Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown
Why belong here
Good Shepherd offers daily and weekend Mass, a full faith-formation program for children and youth, an active Alpha course for those exploring the Catholic faith, and a deep bench of adult faith-sharing groups — including a men's 'Breaking Open the Word' group, a women's 'Gathering in the Spirit,' a Prayer Shawl Ministry, and a grief-support group called 'Living Through Loss.' Its Christian Service ministry reaches locally through a Food Bank Sunday, Matthew 25, Social Justice, Home Visits to the sick and homebound, and Fulton County Outreach, while the parish has sustained a sister-parish relationship with Holy Spirit Church in Maggotty, Jamaica since 1999, complete with mission trips, an academic sponsorship program, and a higher-education scholarship. For families, busy professionals, retirees, and anyone seeking a Catholic community between State College and Port Matilda, Good Shepherd is a welcoming parish grounded in service.
Mass times at Good Shepherd
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00–4:30 PM (in the Word of God Chapel), or by appointment
Parish History
Good Shepherd was officially established on July 14, 1989, with Rev. Philip M. Bender as founding pastor. The new faith community first worshipped at the Knights of Columbus Hall on Stratford Drive, then moved to a converted 'warehouse' on Old Gatesburg Road while construction of the permanent church took place. Ground was broken in June 1992, the building was completed in June 1993, and the parish moved in on July 1, 1993. Bishop Mark L. Bartchak celebrated the church's dedication on September 17, 1993. As the parish grew, additional space was needed; under Father Charles Amershek, the Father Bender Community Center was completed in April 2014 and dedicated on July 20, 2014, in memory of the founding pastor who died in 2011.
- Established July 14, 1989 — founding pastor Rev. Philip M. Bender
- Early Masses held at Knights of Columbus Hall on Stratford Drive and a warehouse on Old Gatesburg Road
- Current church built June 1992 – June 1993; dedication September 17, 1993
- Father Bender Community Center dedicated July 20, 2014
Parish Leadership and Staff
Good Shepherd is led by Pastor Rev. Jozef Kovacik, who was appointed on January 10, 2023 from Saint Matthew Parish in Tyrone. Deacon Jack Orlandi assists in ministry. The lay staff handles day-to-day operations, faith formation, and facilities.
- Rev. Jozef Kovacik — Pastor
- Deacon Jack Orlandi
- Karl Werner — Facility/Rental Manager
- Jim Maund — Financial Assistant
- Amy Steele Timan — Director of Faith Formation
- Barbara A. Henderson — Administrative Assistant
- Marcella Fickes — Administrative Assistant
Faith Formation and Religious Education
The Faith Formation program is rooted in the vision that formation is a lifelong journey which strengthens Catholic identity, connects parishioners to one another and the world, and inspires them to share the Good News as joyful disciples of Christ. The Father Bender Community Center and classrooms provide a welcoming environment for parish-based and home/family-based instruction from Pre-K through 11th grade.
- Parish-based and Home/Family-based instruction, Pre-K to 11th grade
- Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation
- Adult Faith Formation offerings
- Becoming Catholic pathway (RCIA/OCIA)
Becoming Catholic and Alpha
Inquirers are welcomed into the parish through its Becoming Catholic process and the Alpha Course, an introductory series designed to explore the Christian faith in a friendly, open setting.
- Alpha Course sessions
- Becoming Catholic / OCIA inquiry
- Adult faith formation events
Christian Service and Outreach
Good Shepherd's mission statement calls parishioners to grow spiritually through acts of service and social justice. The parish allots a percentage of its income to the Christian Service Ministry to respond to the needs of the poor and disadvantaged in the community. Specialized groups provide financial assistance for critical needs, education about poverty, care for the vulnerable, and Communion to the homebound and incarcerated.
- Jamaica Mission (sister parish with Holy Spirit Church, Maggotty)
- Matthew 25
- Social Justice
- Visiting the Sick / Home Visits
- Food Bank Sunday
- Fulton County Outreach
Jamaica Mission and Sister Parish
Shortly after the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese developed a 'twin' relationship with the Mandeville Diocese in Jamaica, Good Shepherd and Holy Spirit Church in Maggotty became sister parishes in 1999. The relationship is sustained through monthly financial support, an Advent Giving Tree, supply drives, an Academic Sponsorship Program for children, a Higher Education Scholarship Program for young people pursuing college or vocational training, and periodic Mission Trips to Maggotty.
- Sister parish since 1999: Holy Spirit Church, Maggotty, Jamaica
- Academic Sponsorship Program — contact Lynne DeLuca
- Higher Education Scholarship Program — contact Bill Zierke
- Mission Trips (most recently planning for March 2024)
- Advent Giving Tree fundraiser
Parish Organizations and Adult Groups
A rich variety of lay organizations and small groups give parishioners opportunities for fellowship, prayer, and service. The Knights of Columbus Council #18392 and the Catholic Daughters of the Americas chapter host regular meetings and parish-wide events. Smaller communities gather for music, prayer, scripture, and mutual support.
- Knights of Columbus Council #18392
- Catholic Daughters of the Americas — Good Shepherd Chapter (prays the Rosary on the first Saturday of each month)
- Prayer Shawl Ministry
- Music Ministry
- Men's Faith Sharing — 'Breaking Open the Word' (1st and 3rd Saturdays, St. Philip Room)
- Women's Faith Sharing — 'Gathering in the Spirit' (via Zoom)
- Living Through Loss — Grief Support Group
- Pastoral Council (1st Wednesday of the month)
Facilities and Campus
The Good Shepherd campus centers on the church dedicated in 1993 and the Father Bender Community Center, dedicated in 2014. The Word of God Chapel hosts Saturday reconciliation; Agape Hall is used for parish events such as Red Cross blood drives; the St. Philip Room (Classroom #2, second floor) is used for small-group meetings; and the Father Bender Community Center hosts faith-formation classrooms and parish activities.
- Main church (dedicated September 17, 1993)
- Father Bender Community Center (dedicated July 20, 2014)
- Word of God Chapel — Saturday Reconciliation
- Agape Hall — large parish events and blood drives
- St. Philip Room (Classroom #2) — small group meetings
Visiting and Contacting the Parish
The Good Shepherd parish office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Visitors and parishioners can reach the office by phone, email, or an online contact form on the parish website. The Faith Formation office can be reached at a separate line.
- Parish Office: (814) 238-2110
- Faith Formation Office: (814) 238-0649
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 867 Gray's Woods Blvd., Port Matilda, PA 16870
- Office hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Philip M. Bender1989–2010
Founding pastor; established parish July 14, 1989. Took medical retirement July 2010. Died in the parish rectory May 23, 2011 (47th anniversary of his ordination). The Father Bender Community Center was named in his honor.
- Rev. Charles M. Amershek2010–2023
Bender's successor; oversaw construction and April 2014 dedication of the Father Bender Community Center. Granted Senior Priest status effective January 10, 2023.
- Rev. Jozef Kovacik2023–present
Appointed pastor of Good Shepherd effective January 10, 2023, from Saint Matthew Parish in Tyrone (where he also administered Saint Joseph Parish in Bellwood).