Good Shepherd Celebrates 65 Years of Care During Mission Week

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Mission Week 2026

March 9 – March 13, 2026

Good Shepherd, a ministry of the Hospitaller Order of St. John of God, proudly celebrates Mission Week from March 9–13, 2026.

Mission Week is a time to reflect on who we are, where we came from, and the spirit of hospitality that continues to guide our work every day.

Please take a couple minutes to see how our Mission impacts vulnerable people around the world.

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The 5 Days of Hospitality

During Mission Week, we celebrate the 5 Days of Hospitality, a reflection of Good Shepherd’s deep and ongoing commitment to serving others with compassion, dignity, and respect. Throughout the week, our coworkers bring the 5 Days of Hospitality to life by celebrating in creative and meaningful ways, from team reflections and shared meals to acts of kindness, storytelling, and unique initiatives that highlight the spirit of hospitality in action.

Hospitality is more than a value — it is the heart of our mission.

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Honouring Our History

This year, we celebrate two important milestones:

• The 11th Anniversary of the Fusion with the Hospitaller Order of St. John of God

• The 65th Anniversary of the founding of Good Shepherd Centres

In 1961, the Brothers of the Good Shepherd arrived in Hamilton at the request of Bishop Joseph Ryan. They opened a men’s hostel in an old building at the corner of MacNab and Vine Streets, offering food and shelter to men experiencing homelessness and poverty.

Watch the video of the Opening of the Good Shepherd Men’s Hostel in 1961.

As the needs of the community grew, so did the services provided by the Brothers.

Today, Good Shepherd provides:

• Emergency food and clothing

• Daily hot meals

• Emergency shelters for individuals and families

• Primary healthcare services

• Transitional housing and education for homeless and street-involved youth

• Hospice palliative care

• Community mental health programs

• Supportive housing programs across Hamilton, Toronto, and Niagara

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A Fusion of Hospitality

In 2015, the Little Brothers of the Good Shepherd fused with the Hospitaller Order of St. John of God to become the Hospitaller Order of St. John of God – Province of the Good Shepherd in North America.

This fusion strengthened our mission by connecting us to a larger international religious order, while maintaining the programs, services, and Good Shepherd name that our communities know and trust.

To learn more, watch the video Mathias and John: A Fusion of Hospitality.

Learn more about St. John of God.