About Good Shepherd · Shawnee, Kansas
Good Shepherd is a Catholic parish of approximately 1,900–2,000 households located in Johnson County, Kansas, within the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. Canonically established on August 15, 1973 as a post-Vatican II experiment in small faith communities ('mini-parishes'), the parish has grown from its original 350 families into a large bilingual English/Spanish community that operates a parish school (preschool through 8th grade), a wide range of lifelong formation programs, and active outreach to the poor both locally and through its sister parish in El Salvador, El Buen Pastor.
- Established
- 1973
- Patron
- Good Shepherd (Jesus Christ as the Good Shepherd)
- Rector
- Father Kent O'Connor
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas
Why belong here
Good Shepherd offers a vibrant, welcoming Catholic community in Johnson County with about 2,000 families and a clear bilingual (English/Spanish) identity. Parishioners can raise their children in faith through the parish school (preschool through 8th grade), sacramental preparation, family-centered Religious Education, and youth and adult formation programs. A wide range of parish ministries provides opportunities to worship through choirs and contemporary music, serve neighbors through outreach to the poor and the parish's long-standing sister relationship with El Buen Pastor in El Salvador, and belong through mini-parish-style small faith communities, councils, and commissions that have been a hallmark of the parish since 1973.
Mass times at Good Shepherd
Weekly Mass schedule
History of Good Shepherd Parish
Good Shepherd was born in 1972 from a conversation between Archbishop Ignatius Strecker and Capuchin Provincial Fr. Brendan Malloy about how to do parish ministry in a post-Vatican II suburban context. Two Capuchin friars arrived September 6, 1972 and proposed a 'mini-parish' model in which many small communities would live within one larger parish—an idea the Archbishop approved. Apartment ministry began in December 1972, and the parish was canonically established on August 15, 1973. Capuchin priests served until July 1986, after which the Archdiocese appointed diocesan pastors.
- Canonically established: August 15, 1973
- First Mass (apartment ministry): December 3, 1972, Fox Run complex
- Capuchin service: 1972–1986
- Original multi-purpose center dedicated: June 13, 1976
- First kindergarten class: August 1997 at Holy Trinity, Lenexa
- Moved to 12800 W. 75th Street: October 1998
- Worship center dedicated: May 27, 2000
- Hispanic Ministry Center designation: 2015
- 50th anniversary celebrated: 2023
Buildings, Campus & Growth
The parish currently worships, learns, and gathers on 15 acres at 12800 W. 75th Street in Shawnee. The 60,000-square-foot main building (education center, social hall, pastoral and administrative offices) opened in 1998, the 15,000-square-foot worship center was dedicated in 2000, and a community center with gym, meeting rooms, and stage was completed in 2008. The parish has grown from 350 families in 1976 to roughly 1,900–2,000 families today, with a preschool expansion completed in 2024.
- Original 9-acre site: 71st Terrace & Bond Street (1976 multi-purpose center)
- Present 15-acre campus: 12800 W. 75th Street
- Three-phase build: Education/Social Hall (1998), Worship Center (2000), Community Center (2008)
- Family growth: 350 (1976) → 1,000 (1985) → 1,400 (1999) → 1,700 (2008) → 1,900 (2020)
Mission, Vision, and Pastoral Leadership
Good Shepherd's stated mission is 'We promote the Kingdom of God by living as disciples of Jesus.' The parish is led by Pastor Father Kent O'Connor, who was appointed in 2018, with Associate Pastors Fr. Wilson Garnica Rodriguez and Fr. Nicholas Ashmore (assisting since 2019). The parish is organized through a Parish Council, Finance Council, Facilities Council, and a Pastoral Advisory Council supported by seven pastoral commissions. A 2025 strategic plan guides the parish's path forward.
- Mission: 'We promote the Kingdom of God by living as disciples of Jesus.'
- Pastor: Father Kent O'Connor (appointed 2018; ordained 2003; KU Bachelor of Arts in Dance, 1997; Mundelein Seminary, Chicago, 1998–2003)
- Associate Pastor: Fr. Wilson Garnica Rodriguez
- Associate Pastor: Fr. Nicholas Ashmore (fluent in Spanish, assisting since 2019)
- Parish Council contact: [email protected]
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Good Shepherd's commitment to 'lifelong formation' reflects its founding conviction that parishioners should grow as disciples at every age and stage. Programs include sacramental preparation (First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation), family-centered bilingual Faith Formation for K–6, a traditional Sunday-morning Religious Education option (9–10 AM), and a two-year Confirmation preparation track for grades 7–11. The parish website directs families to Veronica Olivarez, Director of Religious Education ([email protected], 913-563-5312).
- Religious Education Office: 12800 W. 75th St, M–Th 9:00 AM–3:00 PM
- Bilingual Family Formation: K–6, 1st & 3rd Tuesday 6:00–7:30 PM
- Traditional Sunday RE: K–6, 9:00–10:00 AM in the Social Hall
- Confirmation Prep: grades 7–11, two-year program (English)
- Youth Ministry, Adult Formation / Formación de Adultos
Good Shepherd Catholic School
Good Shepherd Catholic School serves preschool through 8th grade as part of the parish's commitment to faith-centered education. The school opened for the 1998–99 school year with grades K–5, and a preschool was added in 2012. Religion is integrated across the curriculum and is supported by daily prayer, classroom prayer centers, weekly student-led liturgies, sacramental preparation, and outreach.
- Enrollment: preschool–8th grade (over 380 students)
- Faith Families: multi-age K–8 groups with teachers and parents
- Sacraments: First Reconciliation and First Eucharist (Grade 2); Confirmation (Grade 8)
- Service: Student Council events; Shepherd's Staff Service Club (Grades 6–8)
- Curriculum: Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kansas religion curriculum
Hispanic Ministry & Bilingual Community
Good Shepherd is one of three designated Hispanic Ministry centers in Johnson County, a status formalized under Archbishop Joseph Naumann to serve the area's growing Hispanic Catholic population. Since 2015, the parish has welcomed Hispanic Ministry leadership: Fr. Oswaldo Sandoval (2015–2017), Fr. Daniel Coronado (2017–2018), and since 2018, the bilingual pastorate of Fr. Kent O'Connor—assisted by the Spanish-speaking Fr. Nicholas Ashmore—that has brought the parish's English- and Spanish-speaking communities closer together.
- Spanish Mass: Sunday 12:30 PM, Monday 7:00 PM, Wednesday 7:00 PM, Thursday 6:15 PM
- Bilingual Mass: Sunday 4:00 PM
- Bilingual Family Faith Formation (K–6) on 1st & 3rd Tuesdays
Outreach, Social Justice & Sister Parish
Outreach to the poor and vulnerable is a defining characteristic of Good Shepherd, dating back to its founding Capuchin mission and its 1987 entry into a sistering relationship with the community of Tres Ceibas in El Salvador (later renamed El Buen Pastor). The parish has also historically reached out to the Kansas City urban core, combining local service with international solidarity.
- Sister parish: El Buen Pastor (Tres Ceibas), El Salvador (since 1987)
- Outreach to the Kansas City urban core
- Apartment Ministry (historical outreach begun in 1972)
Councils and Commissions
Parish life at Good Shepherd is structured around Commissions that emerge from the parish's foundational pillars of worship, formation, service, and community. The Parish Council, Finance Council, and Facilities Council serve in an advisory capacity to the pastor. Members are drawn from each Commission and may be appointed by the pastor or serve as active volunteers.
- Parish Council ([email protected])
- Finance Council
- Facilities Council
- Pastoral Advisory Council with seven pastoral councils
- School Advisory Board
Contact Information
Parish office, rectory, and school contacts are listed through the Archdiocese and the parish's own website.
- Parish Office: 12800 W. 75th St., Shawnee, KS 66216 — 913-631-7116 — Fax 913-631-3539 — [email protected]
- Rectory: 12509 W. 73rd Terr., Shawnee, KS 66216 — 913-631-5661
- School: 12800 W. 75th St., Shawnee, KS 66216 — 913-631-0400
- Religious Education: Veronica Olivarez, 913-563-5312, [email protected]
- Pastor direct line: 913-563-5300
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Capuchin Friars (1972–1986)1972–1986
Two Capuchin friars arrived September 6, 1972 to pioneer a post-Vatican II, mini-parish model. They were joined by a third Capuchin and two Benedictine Sisters. Priests included Fathers Simeon Gallagher, John Lager, Frank Grinko, and Duane Reinert. Brother James Moster, a Capuchin deacon, was ordained to the priesthood in the new center in 1976.
- Diocesan Pastors (1986–2001)1986–2001
After the Capuchins departed in July 1986, the Archdiocese appointed diocesan priests as pastors, including the pastor who oversaw the multi-phase move to the 75th Street campus in 1998 and the worship center dedication in 2000.
- Father Francis Hund2001–2009
Welcomed as pastor in July 2001; oversaw Phase Three construction, the parish community center with gym, meeting rooms, and stage, completed in August 2008.
- Father James Ludwikoski2009–2018
Appointed pastor in July 2009; opened the parish's first preschool in August 2012.
- Father Oswaldo Sandoval2015–2017
Assigned July 2015 as half-time Associate Pastor and Director of Hispanic Ministries.
- Father Daniel Coronado2017–2018
Assigned as Associate Pastor in 2017 after Fr. Oswaldo's transfer to another parish.
- Father Kenneth (Kent) O'Connor2018–present
Appointed pastor in 2018; bilingual pastor whose leadership eliminated the need for a separate Director of Hispanic Ministries.