Welcome to our Lost Sheep Blog. I’m so glad you found us here. I am Fr. Greg, a former lost sheep, who is now the shepherd (pastor) of the flock at Our Lady of the Visitation Parish in Darnestown, MD. This is a site for those who have been away from the Church or our parish, or who just feel lost in the world. It’s good to connect even if it’s just virtually here, and to know you are not alone.

National Prayer Vigil
Fr. Gregory Shaffer Fr. Gregory Shaffer

National Prayer Vigil

It was a super serious and scary situation that people everywhere had only place to go: God.

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Hearing God
Fr. Gregory Shaffer Fr. Gregory Shaffer

Hearing God

It is in silence that God speaks to us the loudest.

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Rectory living
Fr. Gregory Shaffer Fr. Gregory Shaffer

Rectory living

Priests like me live in a house called a rectory. There is a rectory at or near every Catholic church.

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Thanksgiving
Fr. Gregory Shaffer Fr. Gregory Shaffer

Thanksgiving

If we are grateful to God habitually, then we appreciate each day and everything good that comes to us each day.

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What is truth? Part 2
Fr. Gregory Shaffer Fr. Gregory Shaffer

What is truth? Part 2

The fact that the Church has a long history and tradition with Truth is itself objective evidence that it is the true Church of Christ.

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What is truth? Part 1
Fr. Gregory Shaffer Fr. Gregory Shaffer

What is truth? Part 1

The best working definition is that truth is what exists, it's what is real.

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Adoration & youth
Fr. Gregory Shaffer Fr. Gregory Shaffer

Adoration & youth

It's an awesome thing to see young people showing reverence on their knees in front of Jesus!

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What are you looking for?
Fr. Gregory Shaffer Fr. Gregory Shaffer

What are you looking for?

A weekend away with Him tackling the question of what we’re looking for is so beneficial for a few reasons.

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Mercy
Fr. Gregory Shaffer Fr. Gregory Shaffer

Mercy

"God's greatest attribute is mercy" (St. Faustina)

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Pet Peeves
Fr. Gregory Shaffer Fr. Gregory Shaffer

Pet Peeves

One night at Youth Group last year, the ice breaker was about pet peeves.

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Miracles
Fr. Gregory Shaffer Fr. Gregory Shaffer

Miracles

All of the sacraments contain the Power and Grace of Christ and are real.

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Infallibility
Fr. Gregory Shaffer Fr. Gregory Shaffer

Infallibility

The Pope, as a Successor of St. Peter, is infallible, and Scripture reveals it.

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Respect for the Eucharist
Fr. Gregory Shaffer Fr. Gregory Shaffer

Respect for the Eucharist

If someone is not Catholic and wants to receive Communion, I am happy to pursue this with him or her.

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Got questions?
Fr. Gregory Shaffer Fr. Gregory Shaffer

Got questions?

I would like to address your questions in my posts. Others probably have the same questions as you so it will help more than just you if you ask. We have all Catholic questions but might struggle with where to start.

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