Megan Shepherd

Megan Shepherd
Megan Shepherd is the program director of Notre Dame Vision and a certified Spiritual Director in the Ignatian tradition.

Recent Posts

Becoming Christ's Mercy: Renewal in Eucharistic Ministry, Part 2

Posted by Megan Shepherd on Jul 14, 2020 10:40:53 AM

During the Year of Mercy, I sought to deepen my own practice of mercy through my service as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. That summer during Notre Dame Vision, I encountered a young man profoundly moved by his reception of the Eucharist. As I prayed with this encounter, I experienced a profound renewal of my call to serve as an Extraordinary Minister, and I committed to serving regularly at my parish’s Sunday Mass.

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Topics: Holy Communion, Pastoral Care for the Sick, Corporal Works of Mercy, Year of Mercy, ministry, liturgical ministry

Becoming Christ's Mercy: Renewal in Eucharistic Ministry, Part 1

Posted by Megan Shepherd on Jul 9, 2020 7:04:00 AM

I glanced up as the young man approached, next in line for Communion. He lifted his face, his eyes brimming with emotion as I held up the host and said, “The Body of Christ.” Looking into his eyes as I placed the host on his outstretched hand, he held my gaze with an intensity that took my breath away. He breathed out a soft “Amen” as he closed his hand around the host and lifted his clenched fist up to his chest. Grasping the Bread of Life, clinging to the source of love, he took a deep breath and with every fiber of his being uttered “Thank you!” as tears filled his eyes and flowed freely down his face. His response evoked something deep within me and I could only watch in awe as he consumed the host, a smile breaking across his face as he turned to make his way back to his seat. An encounter of no more than a few seconds, yet one in which God’s abundant mercy and love touched both his heart and mine.

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Topics: Eucharist, Holy Communion, Mass, mercy, Notre Dame Vision, Year of Mercy, ministry, liturgical ministry

Free Toolkit for Ministers and Parents: Helping Students Discern Their Gifts

Posted by Megan Shepherd on Apr 15, 2020 2:31:31 PM

To engage young people in reflection on their own gifts, the McGrath Institute developed Discerning Your Spiritual Gifts: A Toolkit for Faith Formation as an activity for the McGrath presence at the National Catholic Youth Conference in 2017. Through an interactive questionnaire, young people name the qualities that they identify with, then learn more about twelve saints who embodied these qualities. The resource also provides directions for a keychain activity where young people can create a tangible reminder of the insights gained through participating in this activity. 

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Topics: discipleship, discernment, youth ministry, COVID-19 Resources

Formation for Mature Discipleship

Posted by Megan Shepherd on Feb 20, 2020 7:05:00 AM

What does spiritual maturity look like? Instead of laying forth specific criteria, let us enter into an imaginative contemplation of the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11–32) as inspiration for creative consideration of the call to grow in authenticity and intimacy with Christ. 

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Topics: discipleship, adult faith formation, Henri Nouwen

Stories of Grace: Plunging into the depths of grace

Posted by Megan Shepherd on Apr 10, 2019 7:00:00 AM

28 days ago, I pulled on my cap, adjusted my goggles and plunged once again into the depths of grace. On that day, grace took the form of the pool at the Rockne Memorial Gym for my first swimming workout in many, many years.

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Topics: stories of grace

Living and Handing on the Faith

The McGrath Institute Blog helps Catholics live and hand on their faith in Jesus Christ, especially in the family, home and parish, and cultivates and inspires everyday leaders to live out the fullness and richness of their faith in the simple, little ways that make up Church life.

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