A Novena for Guidance and Discernment

Christmas this past year has been more sorrowful than it usually is. We, the parish of Good Shepherd Catholic Church, unexpectedly lost our pastor, Fr. Louis Giardino. He collapsed from a heart attack the afternoon of December 18, and then passed away the morning of December 23. The Diocese of Birmingham generously assigned Bishop Emeritus Foley to offer the Christmas Eve Masses for us, and Fr. Bazzel (who came from assignment in Rome for Fr. Louis' funeral,) to offer the Christmas morning Mass.  Both are wonderful homilists and of a heart that I would gladly point to them as examples of men of God. Much like our Fr. Louis.

For January & February, we will have local Salvatorian and Benedictine priests offer Sunday & one weekday Mass; Deacon Paul will be available for our parishioners, as always; many members, as well, have spiritual relationships with other Diocesan priests in the deanery. We carry on.

We begin a novena today for Bishop Baker and his assistants, that the Holy Spirit guides them to discernment for our Administrator Priest who will shepherd us until the summer assignments; and for future guidance and discernment for selecting our new pastor.


"Jesus, our Good Shepherd, we call upon You for the continued well-being of our Parish. Help us in this our time of need. Make our parish a family of one heart and mind towards you. Grant that our common life and work may be an example to all about us. Guide our Bishop and his assistants in their discernment. Hear us now, in this our time of special need; send Your continued graces upon us and bring to a happy solution the situation that confronts us.  Dearest Mother Mary, we ask you to assist us and to be our advocate for the continued spiritual and physical growth and well-being of our Parish. We make our prayer in the name of Jesus, Our Lord and Savior.   Amen."

(Follow this prayer with 3 Hail Marys; 1 Our Father)

"Hail! Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.  Amen."

"Hail! Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.  Amen."

"Hail! Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.  Amen."

"Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  Amen."