Good Shepherd Mission
Good Shepherd Mission, located in Whetstone, AZ is a mission of St. Andrew the Apostle Parish. The mission is served by the priests and deacons of St. Andrew's.
For a number of years, St. Andrew's parishioners living in the Huachuca City and Whetstone areas met for Mass in different locations, including the Community Center, the Antioch Baptist Church, and Faith Baptist Church in lower Huachuca City. Sharing worship space with the Baptists (we had Mass on Saturday evenings) was a real ecumenical adventure - and we are grateful for these sisters and brothers in Christ who welcomed our little mission community.
In 1971, Fr. Richard Calmus began gathering the Catholics living in the Huachuca City and Whetstone areas for Mass at the Huachuca City Community Center. Fr. Tom Millane continued to minister to the Catholics of the area, with Mass at the Antioch Baptist Church in Huachuca City. Faith Baptist Church in lower Huachuca City hosted our faith community until 1991.
It was clear that the growing Catholic population needed to have a permanent chapel of their own. In the late 1980's, Fr. Richard Voigt, Fr. Bill Parenteau, and Deacon Bob Sadorf worked hard to help gather funds and direct the energetic efforts of these parishioners. With the donation of 10 acres of land by George and Ilene King, the new Pastor, Fr. Harry Ledwith, was able to complete the negotiations for the erection of a Weatherguard steel building, beautifully modified to make the present chapel in 1992. Bishop Francis Quinn, the retired Bishop of Sacramento, dedicated the chapel on October 21, 1995, with a festive potluck barbecue following! Parishioner George Blier designed a large "four-sided" Cross, clearly visible from State Hwy 82, to mark our chapel site. A sacristy was added in 2001.
A small but dedicated group of faithful parishioners take excellent care of the Mission's ministries - which include the Divine Mercy Chaplet, outreach to the needy through the Huachuca City Food Bank, home visitation of the sick, and welcoming visitors from the nearby RV parks.
Deacon George Gaun has given great pastoral care to these parishioners and a Pastoral Council, whose members include Jeannie Hayhurst and Charles Muscato, provides leadership to the mission community. As the Whetstone area continues to grow, we anticipate more and more activity through this small but vibrant faith community!
Mass: Saturday Evenings at 630pm
Sacrament of Reconcilation (Confession): Before Mass
The Divine Mercy Chaplet is prayed every Tuesday evening at 6pm
Directions: Take Route 90 and turn west at the Route 82 intersection north of Huachuca City. Travel 9/10 of a mile. Located on the north side of the road just past the westbound Mile 51 marker.