PLEASE NOTE: All persons aged 18 and older must complete the “Essential Three” as outlined in the Diocesan Policy for the Protection of the Faithful in order to minister, work or volunteer in the Diocese of Fall River. Find all the training info and requirements to be met on our website SET Training and Documents and printed copies are also available at the parish office, or at the main entrances to all 3 island Churches. If helping one-time only, you can fill out the One-Day Form provided by the supervisor, and give a copy of your driver’s license/ID. Volunteers are CORI’d annually. High School students aged 18 or younger will read and sign the Youth Code of Conduct, along with a parent or guardian. Contact Sue Pagliccia, CORI coordinator 508-693-0342 during our regular office hours.
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Coffee & Donuts
Coffee & Donuts gatherings are a great success following the 9:00 am Sunday Mass at St. Augustine’s Church; held in the side room. Join our parish family for conversation and delicious coffee and donuts. Usually held the 2nd Sunday of the month, excluding the summer season. Sunday, June 8th, Pentecost Sunday is the last one until Fall.
Community Breakfasts/Potluck Suppers
We hope to gather again soon! Our first 2023 Community Potluck Supper in St. A’s Hall was held Sat., June 17th following the 5 pm Mass. All parish families were invited to attend. Sign up sheets were at the main entrances to all our Churches. Contact Donna Gazaille, parish council member at 508-627-5095 for more info.
(Hope to resume breakfasts in 2024.) We have served a delicious breakfast of scrambled eggs, pancakes or French toast, sausage, bacon, potatoes, fruit salad, Danish, toast, bagels, muffins, and beverages in the hall at St. Augustine’s Church, VH.
For more information call the Parish Office 508-693-0342; to help cook, serve or cleanup, contact the office 508-693-0342
Festa Junina/June Festival (Fundraiser)
Festa Junina is a Brazilian Country Festival & parish fundraiser that was held at St. Augustine’s Parking Lot, Sunday, June 23rd from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm. All Parishioners were invited – bring the whole family for Games, Great Food & Square Dancing.
This is the Catholic traditional harvest festival in Brazil. In the Southern Hemisphere, winter is approaching and June is equivalent to November in the Northern Hemisphere.
Although the origins are different, this has the same place in the calendar as Thanksgiving in the United States. It is celebrated around the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, which is June 24th.
CANCELLED FOR 2025. Special thanks to all who made this event a huge success in 2024 raising $7,022 for our parish! An increase of 73% from 2023.
4th of July Lobster Roll Sale (Fundraiser)
We look forward to July 4, 2025! Fundraising letters will go out June 4th to registered families to raise money for upcoming capital improvements within our parish while meeting the expenses of this annual event.
It was a perfect weather day for the 2024 event! Our 25th year in Edgartown had a 44% increase in sales at $12,341, coinciding with the annual 4th of July festivities! (Expenses were $5,436.) And many thanks for the additional donations of $18,741 for this event and our capital improvements needed at St. Elizabeth and St. Augustine Churches.
Held annually during the Fourth of July festivities in Edgartown. Stop by St. Elizabeth’s Church and purchase our famous lobster rolls! Sales begin at 12 noon on the lawn through the parade at 5:00 pm.
To volunteer, text Steve Angelilli, parish council member, at 914-262-6215.
Tisbury Street Fair (Fundraiser)
We look forward to the 2025 Street Fair! We were there the whole night in 2024! We had a 32% increase in sales at $3,849 and we sold out at the end, over 500 pieces of fried dough. (Deduct the expenses of $711.) Thanks to the more than 20 selfless volunteers who helped with administration, setup, transport, breakdown & cleanup, weighing and stretching dough, cooking or sugaring, and selling the Malasadas. Of course, thanks to all those who made the 50+ buckets/batches of dough!
Held annually July 8th on Main Street, Vineyard Haven. Malasadas (fried dough) are sold from 6:30-9:30 pm. The recipe and buckets were available inside all the church entrances a few weeks beforehand. (Photo by Ray Ewing)
For more information. and to volunteer call the Parish Office 508-693-0342 or Sue Clements 508-509-9075.
Diocesan Catholic Youth Day returned for 2021
With Bishop da Cunha this was held on Saturday, August 14th at the Tabernacle, OB 11 am – 7 pm. Open to high school students who arrived by ferry for shopping and activities, lunch, live music and speakers, Mass, Adoration and Confession.
In 2024, this event was held at the Cathedral Camp, East Freetown
Halloween Celebration/”Hot Dog Safari”
For 2024. We had a great gathering for All Hallows Eve, Thursday, October 31st from 4 to 7 pm. Good Shepherd Parish hosted its annual Halloween Celebration at St. Augustine’s Hall. There was snacks and a light supper of over 200 hot dogs, chowder and chicken noodle soup, as well as other refreshments for revelers of all ages. The new popcorn machine is always big hit! This celebration provides a safe and warm environment for all the Trick or Treaters and an opportunity for their accompanying adults to take a break from their rounds. Glow sticks were provided. The decorations brought smiles and the hot soups, beverages and hot dogs were enjoyed by all those out for an evening of trick or treating. Many comments of appreciation for the hospitality and community spirit provided were shared throughout the night.
Thank you to all the parishioners who helped to set up, serve and clean up. Until next year!!
To volunteer or donate, contact the office, 508-693-0342
2024 highlights:
Christmas Tea & Raffle (Fundraiser)
Sunday, December 8, 2024 was our annual Christmas Tea & Raffle at St. A’s hall from 1-4 pm. Thank you to Fr. Paul Fedak, our joyful volunteers and staff who helped with this annual community fundraising event along with all those donating items for the 51 baskets, gift cards, delicious desserts and more. Special thanks to Nancy Nevin and Bernice Lopes, co-chairs. Catholic stewardship at its finest! We had a wonderful afternoon with all in attendance enjoying clam chowder, chicken tenders, finger sandwiches and rollups, hot dogs, chips and popcorn; along with holiday punch, coffee, tea, bottled water, and dessert.
Congratulations to our 2024 big raffle winner! Misty Araujo won For the Love of Cooking: KitchenAid Classic Series 4.5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer (White) w/many accessories valued at $480.
We raised $7,191 for the parish, and increase of 10% from last year.
Take a chance on the Grand Prize, 50/50 Cash Prize, Gift Cards, Table Centerpieces, or various Theme Baskets for men, women, children and pets. (Gift Certificates, Hand-made items, Crafts, and Non-perishable food items) Theme Basket Offerings: Fisherman’s Find – Let’s Bake Cookies – Games Galore – Photo/Scrap Book Memories – Mighty Fine – Car Detail – New Year’s Eve Party Bucket – Movie Madness – Sports Buff – Nautical – Chocolate Everything! Grand Prize tix are $5 each or book of six for $25; raffle tix are $2 each; admission $10 includes chance at door prize; children under 5 are free.
The donations that we receive help to make this Annual Social and Fundraising event possible along with our many joyful volunteers and staff. It’s a fun way to support our parish.
For more information contact Bernice Lopes in the Parish Office 508-693-0342, bernicelopes@goodshepherdmv.com
Martha’s Vineyard Neighborhood Convention
Tuesday, March 7, 2023 at 11:00 am, Good Shepherd Parish last hosted the gathering at St. Augustine’s hall, featuring the MV Garden Club.
An interfaith gathering of laity and clergy committed to fellowship and service on Martha’s Vineyard. Meetings are held in a variety of houses of worship for inspirational and informative programs on the first Tuesday of each month, beginning at 11:00 am from October to June. Each person brings a bag lunch and the host church serves beverages and dessert. The entire offering received each month is directed to Island charities. It is the oldest interdenominational group on the Island, founded November 13, 1894 as a “neighborly meeting” to promote better relationships among all the congregations. Good Shepherd Parish previously hosted the May event at the Parish Center.
For more information contact our new Member at Large, Susie Wallo 508-776-6050.
Parish Missions/Retreats
Various parish missions and retreats are held throughout the year. Check the parish bulletin and Facebook page (Good Shepherd Parish MV) for scheduled dates and times.
Some previous summer favorites were:
Deb O’Hara Rusckowski with Passionist Sisters of St. Paul of the Cross, summer 2023
Presentation on Human Trafficking; and previously with the Sisters of Life.
Immaculée Ilibagiza
Pilgrimages
There are no pilgrimages planned for 2022 or beyond. Previous Marian Pilgrimages offered through Good Shepherd Parish ventured to Medjugorie Sept. 2019; the Holy Land, Sept. 2018; Mexico, October 2017; Italy, September 2016, and Europe, April 2015.
Father Edivar was delighted to take part in the Medjugorje pilgrimage May 9-16, 2024 with Fr. Edward Murphy’s group from St. Andrew the Apostle Church, Taunton. He was grateful to pray the Mass while there, offer Confession during the pilgrimage, and returned with a beautiful Marian chasuble.