Sacraments

We at Good Shepherd are delighted to accompany you in the administration of the sacraments in English! Below please find more information about each sacrament.

- BAPTISM

We perform Baptism in English, warmly welcoming new members to our parish as God’s beloved daughters and sons. For more information about Baptism, please contact Shannon Poltera at shannon.poltera@kath-zug.ch or the Parish Office at 041 728 80 20.

- FIRST COMMUNION

Good Shepherd offers an engaging, comprehensive program for preparing children to recieve their First Communion. Beginning during the first week of September, classes are held on Wednesday afternoons from 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. for nine months. If you are interested, please complete the registration form and return it to Shannon Poltera at shannon.poltera@kath-zug.ch. Please note that we must have a readable copy of your child’s baptism certificate. It does not need to be newly issued and can be submitted electronically, by post, or hand delivery.

- RECONCILIATION (also known as Confession)

Often the sacrament of Reconciliation can be heard without an appointment before the Saturday evening German Mass from 16:45 to 17:15. Alternatively, you may call the Parish Office at 041 728 80 20 to arrange an appointment. Consulting our guide can help you prepare. The Sacrament of Reconciliation offers us a chance to come clean with God in honesty and trust. When we show God the places in our hearts where we have stopped loving Him, others, and ourselves, God draws near in gentleness and truth. Jesus says in Luke 15 that the Father is overjoyed to welcome us back, forgive our sins, and heal our wounds. In Reconciliation, we can ask both for forgiveness of our sins and the graces to love and do better. God knows we can't do it alone; He delights in accompanying and strengthening us to be and love better...to become the person he created us to be. This is a sacrament we can receive often, each time opening our hearts to the healing power of God’s forgiveness and companionship.

- CONFIRMATION

Confirmation deepens the grace we received at baptism and strengthens us through the gift of the Holy Spirit. Good Shepherd offers a thorough course of ten sessions which we call Training. Based on the YouCatseries which is anchored in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Training sessions usually meet on Sunday afternoons with the requirement that candidates attend Mass afterwards (Sundays at 5:00 p.m.) Please fill out the registration form and send it to Shannon Poltera at shannon.poltera@kath-zug.ch.

- ANOINTING OF THE SICK

Illness can leave us feeling weak, afraid, and alone. Through the Anointing of the Sick, Jesus draws near with tenderness and strength. In addition to being administered at the final moments of life, Anointing of the Sick is a sacrament of healing, peace, and spiritual courage for anyone facing serious illness, surgery, or the burdens of age. For requests, please contact Father Kurt Schaller at 041 728 80 20 or pfarramt.gut-hirt@kath-zug.ch.

- MATRIMONY

We are happy to accompany and support couples as they prepare for marriage and throughout their journey. Please note that in order to be married at Good Shepherd, couples must fulfill certain requirements including: a meeting with the pastor, completion of a Catholic marriage preparation course as well as having ready their baptismal certificates and other administrative documents. We recommend allowing at least six months for preparation. For more information, please contact Father Kurt Schaller at 041 728 80 20 or pfarramt.gut-hirt@kath-zug.ch.

- ORDINATION

Just like he called the Apostles to serve and witness to the Gospel, God continues to call men to serve his flock. In Ordination, men are consecrated to serve as deacons, priests, or bishops. Through the laying on of hands and the prayer of the Church, they are entrusted with the mission to serve, sanctify, evangelize, and lead in the name of Jesus Christ. This sacrament is a gift both to the one ordained as well as to the entire Church, strengthening the Body of Christ through a life of service, prayer, and pastoral care. If you are interested in learning more, please contact the Parish Office at pfarramt.gut-hirt@kath-zug.ch; alternatively, Father Kurt Schaller would be delighted to hear from you after Mass.