Heeding the words of Our Lord Jesus Christ to St. Peter, “Feed my sheep,” the Hearts of Jesus and Mary Prayer Community (HJMPC) has institutionalized the practice of shepherding.  Each ministry and each prayer group are shepherded by a member of the Board of Servant Leaders, and graduates of particular seminars are likewise assigned a class shepherd.  More than this, as soon as a couple or an individual member is ready to take the Life in the Spirit Seminar, they are assigned a so-called “lifetime Shepherd” who will lead and guide them in their spiritual journey until they become covenanted members. 

 

It is to the great credit of the Counseling and Shepherding Ministry that HJMPC has been able to develop a pool of spiritually matured, loving, competent and responsible Shepherds. The Ministry may indeed be considered the backbone of the Community because it is through the loving guidance and encouragement of the trained Shepherds that members choose to remain and grow in the Community, attend regularly their prayer meetings and actively participate in all activities of the Community and their prayer groups.

 

The Counseling and Shepherding Ministry continues to regularly conduct the LSS Shepherding Seminar Workshop to train new shepherds.  The Ministry likewise holds an annual Shepherds’ Summit to serve as a recollection activity for the Shepherds as well as to recognize the services and sacrifices of the Shepherds.