Under the patronage of the Mother of Sorrow, the organization of the Women of Good Shepherd was founded to promote and develop Christian values within the family circle through education, example, prayer, and service.  It is affiliated with the Arch-Confraternity of Christian Mothers and the Council of Catholic Women of the Archdiocese of Detroit (CCW/AD).
        Through commitment to the Faith of the Catholic Church they nurture the family both their own and those of the parish of Christ the Good Shepherd by their example and service.  Some of the ways in which they serve include:

    Care and Cleaning of the Altar

    Care of the Linen used by the Church

    Purchase and Care of the Altar Service Albs

    Sponsoring the Jubilarian Celebration of Married Couples

    Hospitality Ministry

    Honor Guard/ Rosary of WGS Deceased Members of the Parish

    School Hot Lunch Program

    Youth Fund Raisers

    Support given to the Social Bingo for the Religious Sisters that is hosted by the K. of C.

    Purchase of 200 Hymn Books for the parish

    Financial gifts to the Religious Education Programs for the Youth

The Women of Good Shepherd are involved in many church ministries:

Sacristans	St. Vincent de Paul Society
Eucharistic Ministers	Religious Education
Ministers of Care	Fish Fry Dinners
Lectors	Parish Council
Music Ministry	Hospitality
Daily Mass	Christian Service

This organization of women was the first of the Downriver Catholic Churches to host funeral luncheons for the family of deceased members of the Parish community.  They, also, began the School Hot Lunch program in the early 1960’s so that once a week the school children could purchase a hot lunch.  The women used their proceeds from their fund raising efforts to purchase all the paper products and foods necessary to host any program that the Parish had.  RCIA, Confirmation, First Eucharist, Regional Lunches were all serviced by the Women in the early days of the Parish.  The organization, (originally known as Christian Mothers of Good Shepherd), along with the Men’s Club and the Ushers Club, was a vital part of the growth of Christ the Good Shepherd from the very beginning.

The Women of Good Shepherd, also, support various community projects:

St. Vincent de Paul	Harper Hospital Kidney Center
All Saints Soup Kitchen	Karanos Cancer Center
St. Dominic Soup Kitchen	St. Mary Retreat House
Capuchin Soup Kitchen	Blood Drives
IHM Retirement	Visitation Spirituality Center
Focus Hope	Guest House
Crises Pregnancy Center	Heart transplant patient
Freedom House	Neighborhood Watch

As part of the Council of Catholic Women they support many programs that aid the City of Detroit as well as International Concerns:

Operation Layette	Madonna Plan
Focus Hope	Water for Life
World Hunger	Covenant House
Catholic Social Services – Youth Luggage Program	Tsunami Relief-American Red Cross
Penny Pots	Michigan Right-to-Life

In order to support the various programs that the Women of Good Shepherd are responsible for, they participate in several fundraising efforts:

Fall Rummage Sale	Fall Card Party	50/50 Raffles
Bake Sales	Luncheon Buffet	School Hot Lunch
Baby Shower for Crises Pregnancy Center and Operation Layette	Special needs collection at each General Membership meetings	Silent Auctions and Pound Raffles held at General Meetings

           

Prayer is an integral part of the organization.  Each meeting begins and ends with prayer for the women, for families, for special requests, and for the world.  The first Sunday of each month is designated as Communion Sunday for the ladies and attendance at the 11:00 a.m. Mass is encouraged.  A special Mass each year is offered for the deceased members as well as one for all the living members of which there are over 350.  They host an evening of reflection for the women of the parish and every two years install into the Arch-Confraternity of Christian Mothers any woman who desires to join the National Prayer Group.  Masses are obtained for each deceased member and a rosary or scripture service is attended and honor guard provided for them by the women.  Retreats to the St. Mary Retreat House are attended by many of the ladies each year for personal prayer and reflection.


For additional Information, please call the parish office at 313-928-1324.