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. Students in 7th grade through high school 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
Ended May 3, 2026 and will resume in the fall! Coffee & Donuts gatherings were 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 a variety of food and drink, excluding the summer season.
If you’d like to get involved by bringing something (or helping another way), please call Sue Clements at 508-509-9075 or put your name on the sign up sheet in the entry at St. Augustine’s.
Festa Junina/June Festival of Joy (Fundraiser)
It was a perfect day for the 2026 Festa Junina, held Sunday, June 14th from 12:30 – 6:00 pm! This is a Brazilian Country Festival & parish fundraiser held at St. Augustine’s Parking Lot. All parishioners are 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.
Special thanks to all who made this event a huge success in 2026 raising $11,555 for our parish! This is an increase of 65% from 2024 at $7,022. It was cancelled in 2025.
4th of July Lobster Roll Sale (Fundraiser)
This year we were under a heat advisory with temps reaching 90 degrees for our 27th July 4th, fundraiser held on the lawn at St. Elizabeth’s Church. The crowds seemed lighter for our country’s 250th Celebration festivities in Edgartown.
We had a 19% decrease in sales at $9,336 compared to 2025, even with the addition of hot dogs this year. Expenses of $6196 were $60 less. And many thanks for the additional donations of $32,081 (up 69%!!!) for funding this event and our June capital improvement campaign letter for work needed at Our Lady Star of the Sea and St. Augustine’s Churches.
Held annually during the Fourth of July festivities in Edgartown. Stop by St. Elizabeth’s Church and purchase our famous lobster rolls!
To volunteer next year, text Steve Angelilli, parish council member, at 914-262-6215.
Tisbury Street Fair (Fundraiser)
Our homemade Malasadas were available again Wed., July 8th, 2026!
We were there again the whole night in 2026! We had a 25% increase in sales from last year at $3,580 selling almost 500 Malasadas. (Expenses were down 20% at $606.) 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 40+ 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 will be available inside all the church entrances a few weeks beforehand. (Photo by Ray Ewing)
From our organizer, Sue Clements: THANK YOU to all who helped! This event is a tremendous amount of work, but this year we had more help than ever! Many hands make light work! From the behind-the-scenes helpers, to workers at the event, to the clean-up people and everyone in between—thank you for making this fundraiser a success for our Parish. You are all appreciated!
For more information. and to volunteer next year call the Parish Office 508-693-0342 or Sue Clements 508-509-9075.
Diocesan Catholic Youth Day
We hosted the first diocesan Catholic Youth Day on MV at St. Augustine’s Church August 7, 2018! Over 200 participants walked the 4.2 mile pilgrimage with Bishop da Cunha from the OB ferry terminal to St. Augustine’s Church for the day with Mass, Confession, Adoration, speakers, music, fun and food. It returned in 2021 with Bishop da Cunha 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. https://www.fallriverdiocese.org/photo-gallery/catholic-youth-day-marthas-vineyard-august-7-2018/
In 2026 it will take place Saturday, October 17th from 9:30am-5:30pm on the grounds of the former Bishop Connolly High School. From Mass to concert, fun activities to lunch and dinner to go, this is the kick-off for those in Grades 6-12 in diocesan parishes. The day is free, with transportation being arranged for those whom need it. For more information, email orivera@dioc-fr.org
Halloween Celebration/”Hot Dog Safari”
Another terrific turnout for All Hallows Eve, Friday, October 31st from 4 to 7 pm. Good Shepherd Parish hosted its annual Halloween Celebration at St. Augustine’s Hall. There were 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
previous highlights:
Christmas Tea & Raffle (Fundraiser)
Our 2025 event was another huge success! Thank you to all our joyful volunteers and staff who helped with this annual community fundraising event along with all those donating items for the 40 gift 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 100 people in attendance enjoying clam chowder, chicken tenders, finger sandwiches and rollups, chips and popcorn; along with holiday punch, coffee, tea, bottled water, and dessert.
Congratulations to our 2025 big raffle winner! Lucy Matos won the Duraflame Freestanding Infrared Electric Fireplace and basket of items (Total retail value: $393.87)
We raised $7,646 for the parish (not including expenses), an increase of 6% 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
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 too.) 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
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.