Good Shepherd Sunday is a special day set aside to honor the spiritual shepherds in our lives: priests. It’s a day to reflect upon and affirm the role of the priests as shepherds who care and guide their flocks. It is the start of Priest Appreciation Week, a week dedicated to showing gratitude to the men who said "yes" to God's call to serve the Church.
There are many ways to celebrate with the whole parish. Here are some ideas:
• School/Religious Education essay or poster contest;
• Banner in front of the church;
• Photo on cover of parish bulletin with priest biography and “Thank You;”
• Cards for school and RE classes;
• Gift cards;
• Drive-by parade;
• Prayers;
• Have a Mass said for your pastor;
• Pray a holy hour for your pastor, priests of the archdiocese and vocations;
• Send a letter to pastor thanking him for his service;
• Send a letter to pastor that you prayed a rosary for him with a thank you note.
Serra International is an organization of lay men and women whose mission is to foster and affirm vocations to the ministerial priesthood and vowed religious life. More than 7,000 Serrans in over 200 clubs nationwide collaborate with their bishop’s, parishes, and vocations directors to fulfill its mission.
“O Jesus, our great High Priest, hear my humble prayers on behalf of your priests. Give them a deep faith, a bright and firm hope and a burning love that will ever increase in the course of their priestly life.”