Our Mission
The People of Good Shepherd are dedicated to Preaching the Word of the Kingdom of God by Service to the Community and Sanctifying the One Family of Faith.
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Pastor
Father Arul Yagappan, MSFS Address
5050 Oak Street Hope Mills, NC 28348 (910) 425-1590 
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History of Good Shepherd Parish
In 1981, Bishop Joseph Gossman, responding to requests from many parishioners in Southwest Cumberland County, appointed Father Thomas Sanford to begin a new parish in Hope Mills. It started as a mission church in January 1981. Father Thomas Sanford began the process of gathering families. We started with 45 families, which grew to 370 families in just ten years. Father Sanford was the “dreamer”- the one with the dream of how our parish would begin and what it would become.
Parishioner Winnie Golden showed Father Sanford around Hope Mills, in the search for a suitable site. Pastors from Christ Episcopal and Hope Mills Presbyterian Churches allowed use of their churches for celebration of Mass and other activities, such as Faith Formation and meetings for the Catholic Youth Organization before our church building was completed.
In November 1981, Good Shepherd was established as a church and there was still no building onsite. The first Mass celebration was held January 26, 1981, at the Presbyterian church, with 150 people in attendance, including Bishop Gossman. Winnie Golden and Roxie Vendetti made the first altar cloth, and Winnie transported the fold-up altar in the back of her car. Sunday Masses were held at Reeves Funeral Home and the Hope Mills Civic Center. The first Christmas Eve Mass was held at South View Senior High School.
The first social activity was the Mardi Gras, which was held in the Social Hall at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Fayetteville, NC. For the first Lenten season for Good Shepherd, parishioners used purple cloth to fashion a new altar cloth appropriate for the liturgical season. The first Stations of the Cross were also handmade by parishioners. Even the name of the new parish, Good Shepherd, was suggested by parishioners.
Father John Carcich became pastor in July 1983. Father Carcich was the “implementer”. He was a member of the Pallottine Order (Society of the Catholic Apostolate). The charism of the Pallottines is to promote the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to call the clergy, religious and laity to work as partners to renew the Faith and re-enkindle love. This infant parish was already being borne of a beautiful partnership of clergy and laity, and so the parishioners welcomed Father. His fundraising work for Good Shepherd proved successful. The Pallottine Fathers donated $200,000 towards the building of the church and the parishioners donated the remaining $70,000 needed.
All of the stained-glass windows were donated by parishioners, as well as the Tabernacle and Sanctuary Light. You can learn the names of many of our founding families by walking around the church and reading the plaques on these donated items. Parishioner Chester Burnog built all the furniture, including the Altar. The finishing work in the entire church, including painting and staining, was done by the parishioners. The Altar Servers held a turkey raffle to raise money used to buy the Processional Cross. Their names are engraved on the back of this cross.
The church building was dedicated in October 1984. The cooperation, hard work, sacrifice and passion of the parishioners and pastors truly made this a family parish of love.
Father Joseph Bumann served as our pastor from July 1987 until his death in May 1989. He was a soft- spoken man and a very spiritual person. He died in a car accident returning from a meeting in Newton Grove, just a few days after we had celebrated his 30th anniversary of ordination. He had a devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and our beautiful Mary Grotto was built and dedicated to Father Bumann.
Father Phillip Leach served from July 1989 to May 1992. He had very special liturgies and was a gifted teacher. During his tenure, after only eight years paying the debt, the parish mortgage was paid off.
Father Gerald Lewis served from May 1992 to April 1993. During his tenure, the parish completed a Habitat for Humanity home. We were also blessed during this time with the service of Deacon Trent Watt. During his time with us, he was ordained a priest in January 1993. Two busloads of Good Shepherd parishioners joined the celebration.
Father Thomas J. Gaul became our pastor in April 1993. He instituted the Half-A-Can donation, which asks each parishioner to donate half the cost of a can of soda per day to the parish for upkeep and maintenance and future new construction. The original building was expanded in 1995 to meet the growing needs of the parish. Also, a large social hall/classroom building was constructed. In December 2002 Father Gaul went into semi-retirement due to health issues.
Father Thanh Nguyen served as pastor from December 2002 to June 2010. Father Thanh was much loved by his parishioners, who enjoyed his homilies that included memories of his childhood. Parishioners visit Father Thanh from time to time when he comes to St. Patrick to celebrate the Mass in Vietnamese the last Sunday of each month.
Father Thomas R. Davis served from August 2010 to July 2012, and Father Douglas J. Smiley served from December 2012 to October 2013. In October 2013, Father Gaul agreed to Bishop Michael Burbidge’s request to come out of retirement and serve our parish as Reverend Emeritus. Father Gaul became the heart of the parish as we walked his path with him in his personal sacrifices he made to serve our needs. Due to his health, in 2021, Father Gaul was no longer able to serve as pastor, although he continues to pray for us every day.
July 2021, Father Arul Yagappan began serving us as Parish Administrator. In January 2022, Bishop Luis Zarama installed Father Arul as pastor of Good Shepherd. Father Arul is a member of the Congregation of the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales. With the true heart of a missionary in service to Christ and His Church, Father Arul left his home in India years ago and has now found a new home on the other side of the world in Hope Mills, NC. Father Arul came to us in the middle of the Covid pandemic, and together, “we weathered the storm.” Now, we are working together to strengthen and grow.
The history of Good Shepherd Catholic Church continues. It is a parish larger than the buildings and grounds, for it is made up of the hearts and souls of those past and present, who work together to make it what it is- the Mystical Body of Christ.
Our Good Shepherd Body of Christ is made up of many “organs”- our parish ministries. We hope you find a home in one!
Liturgical Ministries: Sacristans, Lectors, Hospitality, EXOs, Sick and Homebound (Meetings and Trainings are as needed/requested); Altar Servers (meet and train every other month, third Sunday, 9:30am)
Music Ministry: Meets each Friday at 6pm
Catechetical Ministries: Faith Formation, Bible Study, OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation), Youth Group (Middle/High School) (meetings/trainings as announced)
Pastoral Ministries: Parish Council (second Tuesday each month, 6:30pm), Finance Council (as announced), Parish Social Life Committee (as announced), Welcoming Committee (as announced)
Service Ministries: Pro-Life (as announced), Widows’ Watch (second Friday each month, 11am), Women of Charity (first Wednesday each month, 7pm), Holy Stitchers (every Thursday, 10am)
Catholic Lay Societies: Knights of Columbus #8857 (first and third Thursday of the month, 7pm), Knights of Columbus 4th Degree (second Sunday of the month, 3pm), Legion of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist (every Monday, 6pm)
Parishioner Winnie Golden showed Father Sanford around Hope Mills, in the search for a suitable site. Pastors from Christ Episcopal and Hope Mills Presbyterian Churches allowed use of their churches for celebration of Mass and other activities, such as Faith Formation and meetings for the Catholic Youth Organization before our church building was completed.
In November 1981, Good Shepherd was established as a church and there was still no building onsite. The first Mass celebration was held January 26, 1981, at the Presbyterian church, with 150 people in attendance, including Bishop Gossman. Winnie Golden and Roxie Vendetti made the first altar cloth, and Winnie transported the fold-up altar in the back of her car. Sunday Masses were held at Reeves Funeral Home and the Hope Mills Civic Center. The first Christmas Eve Mass was held at South View Senior High School.
The first social activity was the Mardi Gras, which was held in the Social Hall at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Fayetteville, NC. For the first Lenten season for Good Shepherd, parishioners used purple cloth to fashion a new altar cloth appropriate for the liturgical season. The first Stations of the Cross were also handmade by parishioners. Even the name of the new parish, Good Shepherd, was suggested by parishioners.
Father John Carcich became pastor in July 1983. Father Carcich was the “implementer”. He was a member of the Pallottine Order (Society of the Catholic Apostolate). The charism of the Pallottines is to promote the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to call the clergy, religious and laity to work as partners to renew the Faith and re-enkindle love. This infant parish was already being borne of a beautiful partnership of clergy and laity, and so the parishioners welcomed Father. His fundraising work for Good Shepherd proved successful. The Pallottine Fathers donated $200,000 towards the building of the church and the parishioners donated the remaining $70,000 needed.
All of the stained-glass windows were donated by parishioners, as well as the Tabernacle and Sanctuary Light. You can learn the names of many of our founding families by walking around the church and reading the plaques on these donated items. Parishioner Chester Burnog built all the furniture, including the Altar. The finishing work in the entire church, including painting and staining, was done by the parishioners. The Altar Servers held a turkey raffle to raise money used to buy the Processional Cross. Their names are engraved on the back of this cross.
The church building was dedicated in October 1984. The cooperation, hard work, sacrifice and passion of the parishioners and pastors truly made this a family parish of love.
Father Joseph Bumann served as our pastor from July 1987 until his death in May 1989. He was a soft- spoken man and a very spiritual person. He died in a car accident returning from a meeting in Newton Grove, just a few days after we had celebrated his 30th anniversary of ordination. He had a devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and our beautiful Mary Grotto was built and dedicated to Father Bumann.
Father Phillip Leach served from July 1989 to May 1992. He had very special liturgies and was a gifted teacher. During his tenure, after only eight years paying the debt, the parish mortgage was paid off.
Father Gerald Lewis served from May 1992 to April 1993. During his tenure, the parish completed a Habitat for Humanity home. We were also blessed during this time with the service of Deacon Trent Watt. During his time with us, he was ordained a priest in January 1993. Two busloads of Good Shepherd parishioners joined the celebration.
Father Thomas J. Gaul became our pastor in April 1993. He instituted the Half-A-Can donation, which asks each parishioner to donate half the cost of a can of soda per day to the parish for upkeep and maintenance and future new construction. The original building was expanded in 1995 to meet the growing needs of the parish. Also, a large social hall/classroom building was constructed. In December 2002 Father Gaul went into semi-retirement due to health issues.
Father Thanh Nguyen served as pastor from December 2002 to June 2010. Father Thanh was much loved by his parishioners, who enjoyed his homilies that included memories of his childhood. Parishioners visit Father Thanh from time to time when he comes to St. Patrick to celebrate the Mass in Vietnamese the last Sunday of each month.
Father Thomas R. Davis served from August 2010 to July 2012, and Father Douglas J. Smiley served from December 2012 to October 2013. In October 2013, Father Gaul agreed to Bishop Michael Burbidge’s request to come out of retirement and serve our parish as Reverend Emeritus. Father Gaul became the heart of the parish as we walked his path with him in his personal sacrifices he made to serve our needs. Due to his health, in 2021, Father Gaul was no longer able to serve as pastor, although he continues to pray for us every day.
July 2021, Father Arul Yagappan began serving us as Parish Administrator. In January 2022, Bishop Luis Zarama installed Father Arul as pastor of Good Shepherd. Father Arul is a member of the Congregation of the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales. With the true heart of a missionary in service to Christ and His Church, Father Arul left his home in India years ago and has now found a new home on the other side of the world in Hope Mills, NC. Father Arul came to us in the middle of the Covid pandemic, and together, “we weathered the storm.” Now, we are working together to strengthen and grow.
The history of Good Shepherd Catholic Church continues. It is a parish larger than the buildings and grounds, for it is made up of the hearts and souls of those past and present, who work together to make it what it is- the Mystical Body of Christ.
Our Good Shepherd Body of Christ is made up of many “organs”- our parish ministries. We hope you find a home in one!
Liturgical Ministries: Sacristans, Lectors, Hospitality, EXOs, Sick and Homebound (Meetings and Trainings are as needed/requested); Altar Servers (meet and train every other month, third Sunday, 9:30am)
Music Ministry: Meets each Friday at 6pm
Catechetical Ministries: Faith Formation, Bible Study, OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation), Youth Group (Middle/High School) (meetings/trainings as announced)
Pastoral Ministries: Parish Council (second Tuesday each month, 6:30pm), Finance Council (as announced), Parish Social Life Committee (as announced), Welcoming Committee (as announced)
Service Ministries: Pro-Life (as announced), Widows’ Watch (second Friday each month, 11am), Women of Charity (first Wednesday each month, 7pm), Holy Stitchers (every Thursday, 10am)
Catholic Lay Societies: Knights of Columbus #8857 (first and third Thursday of the month, 7pm), Knights of Columbus 4th Degree (second Sunday of the month, 3pm), Legion of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist (every Monday, 6pm)
Good Shepherd Catholic Church Inclement Weather Policy
In order to help ensure the safety of our Parishioners, the Church and other facilities will be closed and religious education, groups, committees and clubs will not meet or use Parish facilities and grounds under the following conditions:
In order to help ensure the safety of our Parishioners, the Church and other facilities will be closed and religious education, groups, committees and clubs will not meet or use Parish facilities and grounds under the following conditions:
- When Cumberland County is under eminent threat of a Tropical Storm or Hurricane.
- The most common cause of death in our area from these storms is from people trying to drive through flooded areas. As the rain is falling, please stay home. When it clears, stay out of the flooded areas on roads and bridges! We want to see you safe!
- If there is a threat of ice on the roads or roads are covered with ice and/or snow.
- Cumberland County lacks the ability to clear snow and ice from secondary roads and neighborhood streets. Please stay home until it melts. It usually won’t last more than 48 hours.
- Electricity is out at the Church
- We will notify you if there is a power outage at the Church through Social Media, the Parish app and Flocknote.
- The governor declares a state of emergency asking people to stay home in Cumberland County.
Email Scams / Text Message Scams
If you receive an email or text message stating it is from Father Arul Yagappan, IGNORE IT!!! No one from the parish will contact you asking for money over email or texting. These are scam emails and texts!!!! With all emails, check the actual email address it comes from, not the one in the body of the email. Never send money or information over these emails or text messages. It is best not to open any attachments or website links in the messages as well. JUST IGNORE THEM!!!!!
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Examples of Scam Email
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Special Needs: Handicapped accessible doors are located on the left side of the Gathering Area. Wheelchair seating is available in the front row of the chairs in the Church. Cars must display a valid handicap sticker or placard to park in the reserved handicap spaces in the Church parking lot.