Good Shepherd

About Good Shepherd

Roman Catholic Church of the Good Shepherd is a welcoming, diverse Catholic community in Smithfield, Virginia, part of the Catholic Diocese of Richmond. The parish describes itself as a community 'joyfully living our Catholic faith' and invites everyone with the words 'Our Door is Open, Our Table is Set — There is a Place for You Here!' Its vision is 'To know and love God and grow in the Kingdom of God together.' Parishioners come together to celebrate God in the Eucharist and the Word, help one another grow in faith, share their gifts, and welcome everyone.

History of Good Shepherd

The parish traces its roots to a March 1984 meeting of area priests, a bishop's representative, and about eighty potential parishioners. The Catholic community of Smithfield was formed as a mission of St. Mary's Catholic Church of Suffolk, with Fr. Christian Haydinger taking pastoral responsibility. The first Mass was celebrated on July 21, 1984, in borrowed space at Christ Episcopal Church. By 1989, the community — under its second pastor, Rev. Thomas B. Nee — asked Bishop Sullivan to be named a diocesan parish; the bishop chose the name 'Good Shepherd' from a parishioner-submitted list. A Kirk-family land gift near Benns Church proved unbuildable under new regulations, and the parish purchased its current Smithfield Boulevard site. Ground was broken in February 1992 for the first building. A 2004 groundbreaking expanded the campus with a new sanctuary and classrooms, and Bishop Sullivan dedicated the new sanctuary on June 26, 2005.

• March 1984 – Community formed as a mission of St. Mary's, Suffolk
• July 21, 1984 – First Mass celebrated at Christ Episcopal Church
• 1989 – Became a diocesan parish under Bishop Sullivan
• February 1992 – Ground broken for first church building
• July 18, 2004 – Groundbreaking for sanctuary/classroom expansion
• June 26, 2005 – New sanctuary dedicated by Bishop Sullivan

Parish Staff

The parish is currently administered by Rev. Andrews K. Mensah ('Fr. Andy'). He is supported by a small lay staff responsible for religious education, music, youth ministry, and parish administration. The parish office is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

• Fr. Andrews K. Mensah — Administrator
• Mrs. Lara Detrich — Coordinator of Religious Education
• Mr. Caiden Zakaras — Lead Liturgical Musician
• Mr. Scott Watterson — Youth Ministry Leader
• Mrs. Celia Campbell — Administrative Assistant
• Office hours: Monday–Friday, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Faith Formation and Religious Education

Religious education at Good Shepherd runs from kindergarten through high school and is designed to support parents as the first educators of their children in the faith. Sacramental preparation for First Eucharist and Confirmation is coordinated through the parish office.

• Grades K–8 Religious Education: Sundays after Mass, 10:10 AM – 11:10 AM, September through May
• First Eucharist preparation (2nd grade, not older than 7)
• Confirmation preparation (10th grade, not younger than 15)
• Sacrament registration forms available from the parish office or Coordinator of Religious Education
• All children must be registered parishioners before enrolling

Youth Ministry

The Youth Ministry at Good Shepherd is open to teens in grades 8 through 12 and meets on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 PM. The group is led by Youth Ministry Leader Scott Watterson and is intended to help teens develop a personal relationship with Jesus through peer support, spiritual development, community service, fundraising, and fellowship. Adult volunteers (who must complete VIRTUS training and a background check through the Diocese of Richmond) are always needed as role models and decision-makers. The Confirmation registration form for 10th-graders is available through this ministry.

• Open to grades 8–12
• Meets Wednesdays at 7:00 PM
• Activities include community service, fundraising, and fellowship
• Adult volunteers must complete VIRTUS training and a background check
• Confirmation preparation for 10th-graders

Adult Faith Formation

Adult Faith Formation at Good Shepherd seeks to help parishioners grow in the life of Christ through prayer, Liturgy, community life, missionary opportunities, moral instruction, and faith sharing. Opportunities are offered throughout the year, including occasional pilgrimages. Information is shared via the electronic bulletin board in the parish commons, by emailing the office, or by calling the church office at (757) 365-0579.

• Year-round adult faith opportunities
• Pilgrimages offered periodically
• Info shared via parish commons bulletin board

OCIA – Order of Christian Initiation for Adults

OCIA (formerly RCIA) is the parish's extended process of formation and conversion for adults seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church. Participants receive the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. The process is also appropriate for unbaptized children of catechetical age and for baptized adults seeking Confirmation and Eucharist. Sessions usually meet on Tuesday evenings at 6:00 PM, beginning in September and running through the Easter season.

• Tuesday evenings at 6:00 PM, September through Easter
• For unbaptized adults, catechetical-age children, and baptized adults seeking Confirmation/Eucharist
• Contact Coordinator of Religious Education to enroll

Knights of Columbus Council #17335

The parish's Knights of Columbus council is named in honor of SK Gerald F. Shaw. Brother Knights serve in many parish roles — as Sacristans, Extraordinary Ministers, Lectors, Ushers, Choir Members, and Catechists — and partner with the Men's Group and Ladies' Guild to support parish ministries. Council meetings are typically held on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 PM. The council is a member of the broader Knights of Columbus fraternal organization, founded in 1882 by Blessed Father Michael J. McGivney.

• Council named in honor of SK Gerald F. Shaw
• Knights serve as Sacristans, EMHCs, Lectors, Ushers, Choir, and Catechists
• Meetings: 2nd Tuesday of each month at 7:00 PM
• Membership open to practicing Catholic men 18 and older

Sacraments

Good Shepherd prepares parishioners for the seven Catholic sacraments, including Baptism (for children under 7), First Eucharist, Confirmation, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick, and Funeral services. Parents preparing for a child's Baptism must attend a preparation class (required for first-time parents and those whose previous class was more than 5 years ago) and meet personally with Fr. Andy to schedule the date. Funeral services can be scheduled by calling the parish office.

• Baptism — preparation class and meeting with Fr. Andy required
• First Eucharist — for 2nd graders not older than 7
• Confirmation — for 10th graders not younger than 15
• Marriage preparation — contact parish office
• Funeral services — call parish office to schedule

Parish Outreach

Beyond its walls, Good Shepherd serves the wider community through Walking with Moms in Need and visits to parishioners who are hospitalized or in care facilities. The parish specifically names Obici Hospital in Suffolk and Riverside Convalescent Center in Smithfield as places where special ministry takes place.

• Walking with Moms in Need
• Hospital ministry at Obici Hospital (Suffolk)
• Visits to Riverside Convalescent Center (Smithfield)

Visiting and Contact

The parish is located at 300 Smithfield Blvd, Smithfield, Virginia 23430. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The parish can be reached by phone at (757) 365-0579, by fax at (757) 365-0994, and by email at [email protected]. The Diocese of Richmond also lists a Rectory line and an Office Cell number for after-hours needs.

• Address: 300 Smithfield Blvd, Smithfield, VA 23430
• Office: (757) 365-0579
• Fax: (757) 365-0994
• Email: [email protected]
• Office hours: Monday–Friday, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM