History for Good Shepherd Parish and Holy Family Parish

GOOD SHEPHERD PARISH

     In February of 1999 the Berlin Catholic Community Strategic Planning Task Force was established, made up of members of each of the four parishes of Berlin.  The four parishes were St. Anne Parish, Guardian Angel Parish, St. Joseph Parish and St. Kieran Parish.  The Task Force conducted surveys, parish listening sessions, studied engineering reports of all parish properties, evaluated parish spiritual and financial reports and inserted periodic newsletters "Renewal 2000" in all parish bulletins.  After eight months of study, the Task Force made recommendations to Bishop John B. McCormack in November 1999 and published its recommendations for the entire Berlin Catholic Community.  After review and consultation, the Bishop accepted the majority of the recommendations in the spring of 2000 and announced that a new parish would be established in November.  
     On  November 1, 2000, a new parish was established in Berlin under the name Good Shepherd. On Sunday, November 5 at 9:00am, Bishop John B. McCormack was the main celebrant at the official Opening Liturgy of the new parish.  The Official Decree, establishing the new parish, was read by the Pastor, Rev. Richard A. Roberge.  Sacramental Registers from the former parishes were brought forth along with special items of devotions from each community.  Holy water was also brought forth that had been blessed in each parish church and was combined together for a special blessing of all gathered.  As a combined parish choir sang "Shepherd of My Heart" tears could be seen in the eyes of many, tears of sadness of past memories and tears of joy and hope for what would lie ahead.
     In June of 2002, Good Shepherd Parish was twinned with Holy Family Parish in Gorham.    The two sister parishes have since worked together to provide faith formation and outreach to Berlin, Gorham and the surrounding communities of Shelburne, Randolph, Milan and Dummer.

St. Anne Parish 1885 - 2000
Guardian Angel Parish 1917 - 2000
St. Joseph Parish 1941 - 2000
St. Kieran Parish 1894 - 2000
 

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HOLY FAMILY PARISH

     Holy Family Parish began its history in 1870 as a mission of Lancaster.  Father Noiseaux supervised the construction of the first Catholic Church in Gorham.  Little is known of the original church, since there are no existing photographs.  However, the cost of the building is known from the parish financial records. The cost of the original church was $1,104.30.  Construction of the church began in 1870.  The first Mass was said in Gorham's new church by Reverend John Sullivan in 1876.  In the same year,  Bishop James A. Healy appointed Fr. Narcisse Charland Pastor and Holy Family Parish was formed.  Father Charland completed the interior of the church and soon built a rectory.
    By 1895, the rectory was in need of repair and a new church needed to be constructed.  In April 1895, a new church was built under the direction of Fr. J.E. Emerson.  
     Unfortunately after only five years, on December 21, 1900, at 5:30am, Holy Family Church was destroyed by fire.  Within a few minutes three alarms were sounded.  By the time the fire companies had arrived there was no chance of saving the building.  All that was saved was the bell tower.  The original bell now sits in the front yard of Holy Family.  
     Undaunted by their misfortune, Fr. Emerson and the parishioners immediately made plans to rebuild.  The new church was almost identical to the old one.  The third church endured until 1973 when it was deemed unsafe and beyond repair.  
     In April 1973, ground was broken between the old church and the rectory for the construction of the new church.  This is the building that still stands today serving the people of Berlin, Gorham and the surrounding communities.
     In June of 2002, Holy Family Parish was twinned with Good Shepherd Parish in Berlin.  Since June of 2002, the sister parishes continue to work together to serve and assist the Catholic families and the greater communities of Berlin, Gorham, Shelburne, Randolph, Milan and Dummer.  

Currently our parishes are under the leadership of:
     Rev. Kyle F. Stanton, Pastor
     Rev. Stephen Savarimuthu, HGN, Parochial Vicar
     Rev. Isaac Honsan, Parochial Vicar