The visionary priest, Fr Michael Ward, then Parish Priest of Milnerton more than 50 years ago, secured a plot of land in Bothasig for a mere R2. A firm handshake between Fr. Ward and Minister of Community Development Blaar Coetzee struck the deal. In due course, the Church was built to serve the fast-growing Catholic Community of Bothasig and later Edgemead.
Before the establishment of the Church, the Catholic community of Bothasig gathered for Holy Mass in humble, makeshift settings. Initially, Mass was celebrated in the cozy lounge of the Obermeyer’s residence at 31 Tafelberg Road. As the community grew, the venue shifted to their garage and carport. Later, the community shared premises with other Christian denominations, marking a spirit of ecumenism and adaptability.
On September 30, 1973, His Eminence Owen Cardinal McCann officially opened the Church, braving a day marked by relentless rain and foul weather. A humorous anecdote from that day has become legendary. Mr. Kenny Cerfonteyn was tasked with greeting the Cardinal’s driver and escorting His Eminence into the Church.
However, in the chaos of the stormy weather, Kenny mistakenly waved the driver away, only realizing his mistake minutes later. With a mix of panic and determination, Kenny trudged through the mud, sludge, and puddles to retrieve the Cardinal’s party, ensuring a dignified, albeit slightly delayed, entrance into the Church.
Initially dedicated to St. Thomas, the Church’s name was later changed to Good Shepherd Parish, a testament to the generosity of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd. When their convent in Milnerton was closed, the sisters selflessly donated many of its furnishings and sacred vessels to our community. In gratitude for their kindness,
the Parish was renamed Good Shepherd, a name that has been cherished ever since.
Over the past 50 years, Good Shepherd Parish has been blessed with the dedicated service of numerous priests. The following clergy have played a significant role in shaping the Parish’s history and spiritual growth: Fr. Michael Ward; Fr. Mickey O’Rourke; Fr. Bernard Costello; Fr. Ronnie Fletcher; Fr. Dick O’Rourke; Fr. Gerard
Kues; Fr. Eddie Mansfield; Fr. Rodney Hall; Fr. Harrie Hovers; Fr. Bernard Brown; Fr. David Anderson; Fr. John Keough and Fr. Ivanhoe Allies. Their collective contributions have enriched the lives of parishioners and helped foster a vibrant faith community.
A new chapter in the history of Good Shepherd Parish began on August 1, 2024, when the Parish was entrusted to the care of the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales (MSFS), commonly known as the Fransalians. On this date, Fr. Baiju Mundackal MSFS was appointed as the new Parish Priest, marking the beginning of a new era of spiritual guidance and leadership.
In addition to the priests who have served Good Shepherd Parish, two dedicated deacons have also played a vital role in the Parish’s ministry: Deacon Dick Croucher and Deacon Weston Barwise. Their selfless service and commitment to the parish community have blessed all.
The original Good Shepherd Church was a humble structure comprising a simple worship space, a compact presbytery for occasional overnight stays, and a parish hall. Over time, the Parish underwent significant transformations to accommodate its growing community. The presbytery was expanded to house a resident priest, and classrooms were added for catechism instruction. A parish kitchen and office were also introduced to enhance the Parish’s administrative and social capabilities. As the Parish flourished, additional facilities, including a Conference Centre and a serene Garden of Remembrance, were developed. Eventually, the Church building itself was enlarged to accommodate the increasing number of parishioners, transforming the original simple structure into the vibrant and dynamic hub of faith it is today. Twenty-five years ago, the Chapel of Perpetual Adoration was consecrated, offering a sacred space for devotees from Good Shepherd Parish and beyond to adore the Blessed Sacrament. Since its inception, the Chapel has remained open around the clock, inviting all to spend a holy hour in contemplation and prayer. This serene sanctuary has provided comfort, solace, and spiritual refuge to countless individuals for a quarter century, except for a brief closure during the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, the Chapel continues to be a beacon of hope and devotion, nurturing the spiritual lives of all who enter.
Good Shepherd Parish has evolved into a thriving and vibrant community, faithfully serving the neighborhoods of Bothasig, Edgemead, Richwood, Monte Vista, Summer Greens, Burgundy Estate, Welgelegen, and Plattekloof Glen. Under the dedicated
leadership of our past and present Parish Priests, we are blessed to offer a robust schedule of Holy Masses, with five weekday Masses and four weekend Masses, providing ample opportunities for our parishioners to come together in worship and prayer.
We enjoy the active participation of many Ministries and Sodalities in the Parish like the Parish Pastoral Council, Parish Finance Council, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Ushers, Sacristans, Altar Servers, Flower Arrangers, Catechists, Liturgical Committee, Catholic Men’s Society, St Vincent de Paul Society, Legion of Mary, Catholic Woman’s League, Care Group, Co-ordinators of the Perpetual Adoration Chapel, Life Teen, Prayer Line, Life Line Trained Counsellor, Fund Raising Committee.
We remain deeply grateful to Almighty God and seek the continued intercession of Our Blessed Mother as we acknowledge and cherish the numerous graces and blessings bestowed upon our parish community.