Welcome to the Church and parish of the Good Shepherd in Churchtown, Dublin 14.

The title of the church is inspired by the biblical image of God as a Good Shepherd.

The prophet Ezekiel records the lament of God for his people who are suffering, and his criticism of their leaders who have neglected them.  Thus the Lord says, “I myself will take care of my flock and look after it.  As a shepherd looks after his flock when he is with his scattered sheep, so I look after my sheep.  I will rescue them…I shall bring them back….I shall gather them back……I shall pasture them……I shall feed them……I myself shall give them rest- declares the Lord Yahweh.  I shall look for the lost one, bring back the stray, bandage the injured one and make the sick strong.” (Ezekiel Chapter 34)

Our Lord Jesus Christ called himself the Good Shepherd.  “I am the good shepherd, the good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep.” (St John’s Gospel Chapter 10): Jesus came to lead and guide, teach, heal and unite.  Jesus challenges Gods people to live in his love and be good shepherds in the way they care for one another.

In various ways over the years people here in our parish have experienced God’s saving graces through the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and the sacraments:  Day after day people here care for their neighbours in material and spiritual ways.

At the end of his earthly mission Our Lord called on Peter, ‘feed my lambs. Feed my sheep.’

We think of the lambs as the younger members of the flock.  Our parish national school is called The Good Shepherd National School.  There children are helped to grow and mature and build on all the good nourishment, intellectual, emotional and spiritual, they receive at home from their parents.

I thank the team of parishioners who have prepared this Website and I ask you to pray for all the people of our parish, young and old, lambs and sheep who belong to the Lord’s flock here.  May Mary lead all to the heart of the Good Shepherd.  I recommend you to ponder in your heart Psalm 23 -  The Good Shepherd.

The Lord is my shepherd

I shall not want.

He makes me lie down

in green pastures,

he leads me besides still waters,

he restore my soul.

He leads me in right paths

for his names sake.

Even though I walk through the darkened valley

I fear no evil,

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff-

they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies;

You anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and mercy

shall follow me

all the days of my life,

and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord