-
Welcome to Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish!
-
Our Lady of Good Counsel is a vibrant and diverse Roman Catholic community serving the West Boylston, Massachusetts area. In the name of Christ, we welcome all who gather with us in worship and prayer. Though imperfect, we strive to be a community of open hearts, enlivened by the gospel, growing in faith, hope and love. Whether you are a visitor, traveler, new to the parish or in search of a spiritual home, you are most welcome here. Your presence is a blessing to us.
If you should have a question or seek more information about the parish, please feel free to introduce yourself to the Priest, Deacon or another member of the pastoral staff after Mass. You may also contact Terri King, our parish Office Administrator, at 508.835.3606. She will be happy to assist you.
-
-
-
Pentecost: the never ending story.
Our tradition tells us that Pentecost began 50 days after Easter. Nowhere does it say that it ever ended.
Pentecost never stops.
Pentecost is the sister in Iraq teaching catechism to school children, whose young lives have been upended in a world of terror and war.
Pentecost is Father Peter Beaulieu in full PPE at St. Vincent's Hospital anointing the sick, comforting a struggling soul, completely cut off from their family.
Pentecost is the 80 year old grandmother who perseveres in praying for her adult grandchildren, who couldn't give a damn about Jesus or their Christian faith. But she prays, anyway, day in and day out.
Pentecost is the untiring work of Eve Lindquist at Visitation House who creates a safe place for mothers and their babies when family and "friends" are nowhere to be found.
Pentecost is the chorus of brave women and men who unmasked abuse in the church, in Hollywood, in athletics, in the Boy Scouts, and in the military, guided by the Spirit of truth that sets us free.
Pentecost is Mother Theresa bathing the beggar, Father Damien giving Holy Communion to lepers, Maximilian Kolbe stepping forward for the Jewish father at Auschwitz, and saying, "Take me, instead!"
Pentecost is the parent bringing their newborn to the font of Baptism and with the first splash of water, wondering, "What grace will this child bring?"
Pentecost is the thousands of young lives who are sealed with the gift of the Spirit in the sacrament of Confirmation, yearning, and struggling to live their faith as citizens of the 21st century.
Pentecost goes on every time we leave Mass carrying within ourselves, the Body of Christ, becoming the Body of Christ, to complete his work on earth.
Despite our weaknesses and our sinful history, the Spirit continues to abide with us, strengthen us and uplift us. This Spirit raises up popes and saints, missionaries and martyrs, parents and prophets, healers, and helpers.
Our tradition tells us that Pentecost began 50 days after Easter. Nowhere does it say that it ever ended...
-
-
-
Guidelines for Reopening of Our Lady of Good Counsel
On Monday, May 18th, Governor Baker announced the re-opening of houses of worship within the guidelines that have been issued. To that end, Bishop McManus is lifting the suspension of public Masses within the Diocese of Worcester, effective May 23rd.
Public Masses and other liturgical services will begin at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church on Tuesday, May 26, 2020. On that day we will resume our usual weekday and weekend schedule within the guidelines of the State and of the Diocese.
Hence, in light of the continuing danger presented by COVID-19, those who at high risk as well as those who suspect that they may have recently been exposed to the virus are enjoined to remain at home and not attend Mass.
Those attending Mass are to be aware of the following guidelines:
1. Those entering the church must wear a face mask.
2. Upon entering the church, please use a hand sanitizer.
3. Maintain a distance of approximately six (6) feet between yourself and others (family members excluded) upon entering and leaving the church. Please do the same when processing down the aisle to receive Holy Communion.
4. Please use hand sanitizer before receiving Holy Communion.
5. Seating in the church will be every-other row. Alternating rows will be taped off.
6. The Offertory Collection will not be taken up. Baskets for the offering will be located at the entrances to the church.
Be assured that the church will be sanitized after every liturgy. More information will be forthcoming as we approach the re-opening date.
The above guidelines are in effect through Phase I of the re-opening. We will keep everyone informed as to any change in the restrictions as we move forward. Please share this information with those who are not connected to Flocknote.
Let us continue to pray for one another during these extraordinary times.
Father Steven Labaire
-
-
-
Parish Communications From Fr. Steven during the health emergency
5/23/20 - Grace never locked down
5/16/20 - Passionate Heart?
5/9/20 - The changing heartbeat life and grace: 5th Sunday of Easter
5/1/20 - Lead me to your door: 4th Sunday of Easter
4/24/20 - A letter to the parish community
4/18/20 - The breath of peace
4/11/20 - Easter 2020
4/10/20 - Good Friday 2020
4/8/20 - Holy Thursday 2020
4/5/20 - A reflection for a "Palm-less" Palm Sunday
3/28/20 - A short reflection for the 5th Sunday of Lent.
3/22/20 - From the Parish Sunday bulletin.
3/21/20 - A short reflection for the 4th Sunday of Lent.
3/16/20 - A letter from Fr. Steven Labaire, Pastor.
-
-
-
Parish Life During the Covid-19 Pandemic and Beyond
+ The parish office in the rectory remains closed. Terri King is available to conduct parish business by phone or by email Monday-Thursday from 10 am-4:30 pm.
+ The parish bulletin may be accessed online on the page website at www.goodcounselma.com. This latest bulletin is posted on Fridays for the upcoming Sunday. A limited number of paper bulletins are available weekly at the entrances to the church.
+ Copies of the most current Word Among Us daily reflection guides are likewise available at the entrances to the church.
+ Please help us to reach out to individuals in our parish who are at risk of extreme isolation. We do not want these parishioners to be abandoned. Please contact the parish office if you have any concerns. Every referral will be treated confidentially.
+ Announcements and news continue to be shared on the parish website as well as by means of the parish Facebook page. We are also implementing the Flocknote communication platform to share information with our parishioners.
+ We are also mindful that at this time, sadly, there are scams that exploit the most vulnerable. Be assured that no one from the parish will ever call or email you soliciting funds or asking you to purchase gift cards. If you are contacted, do not respond.
+ The parish depends on the financial support of our parishioners. If you do not use the direct deposit method of parish support, please consider mailing in your offertory gift weekly, as you are able. Easter flower donations received will be applied to flowers in church once Mass resumes.
-
-
News of Interest to Our Lady of Good Counsel(Click BLue Headlines Below)
-
Please click on the headline above to join with others in the OLGC parish community.Read More
-
Please click on the headline above for more information about this important responsibility.Read More
-
Please click the headline above for information about this annual charity appeal.Read More
-
Please join with others in the OLGC parish community by clicking on the headline above.Read More
-
Please join with others in the OLGC parish by clicking on the headline above.Read More
-
May and June would have been that time of year when our parish would be collecting donations for the baby bottle drive and participate in their Annual Fundraiser Dinner. Please click the headline above for details.Read More
-
-
-
Periodic Flocknote Mailings to the Parish
It is important that the entire parish stay connected and informed during these challenging times. In an effort to regularly communicate by email with as many OLGC parishioners as possible, Fr. Steven is sending periodic emails with parish information through Flocknote, an email service used by many local parishes and the Worcester Diocese. The emails will display "OLGC All Parish" in the From field in the email heading.
If you have not received these emails, it may be because we do not have your most current email address. If you would like to receive these OLGC All Parish emails, please be sure to send your name and email to Terri King in the parish office at t.king@goodcounselma.com. The addresses will be added to the parish email list, and will not be used for any other purpose.
Alternatively, you can scroll to the bottom of this webpage, below the news articles, and on the left, you will find a Flocknote Signup Form. Please feel free to signup there and check off All Parish as the group you would like to join.
Thank you!
-
-
Liturgical Schedule At Our Lady Of Good CounselAs Of Tuesday, 5/26/20
-
Mass Times
- Saturday: 4:30 PM EnglishEnglishEN
- Sunday: 8:30 AM EnglishEnglishEN 10:30 AM EnglishEnglishEN
- MonThu 9:00 AM EnglishEnglishEN
-
Holy Day MassesOn the day itself: Usually 9 am and 6 pm
When traveling: click catholicmasstime.org or call 1-410-676-6000 for mass time anywhere
-
Confession Times
- Saturday: 3:30 PM to 4:00 PM and at other times upon request.
-
-
-
Rectory Office Hours
Monday Closed due to COVID-19 Health Emergency
Tuesday Closed due to COVID-19 Health Emergency
Wednesday Closed due to COVID-19 Health Emergency
Thursday Closed due to COVID-19 Health Emergency
Friday Closed
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed
-
Today's Readings
-
Reading 1 Gn 11:1-9Responsorial Psalm Ps 104:1-2, 24, 35, 27-28, 29, 30Reading 2 Rom 8:22-27Gospel Jn 7:37-39
-
-
-
-
Catholic News Service
-
IMAGE: CNS photo/Vatican Media By Junno Arocho Esteves VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Just as the apostles were united once they received the Holy Spirit, the church is united by that same spirit and not by...
-
IMAGE: CNS photo/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- With a religious sister who survived COVID-19 and a woman who lost her mother to the coronavirus, Pope Francis led the recitation of...
-
IMAGE: CNS photo/Eric Miller, Reuters By Julie Asher WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The U.S. Catholic bishops said May 29 they "are broken-hearted, sickened and outraged to watch another video of an...
-
IMAGE: CNS photo/Eric Miller, Reuters By Julie Asher WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The racism "at the heart" of the death of George Floyd while in police custody in Minneapolis "penetrates every...
-
IMAGE: CNS photo/Carlos Barria, Reuters By Mark Pattison WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The bishop who heads the U.S. bishops' Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism said the May 25 death of George Floyd while in the...
-
-
Word on Fire
-
Around the Diocese
-
Sunday, May 31, 11:30 AMSUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE - The Diocesan African Ministry will hold Mass weekly St. Andrew the Apostle Mission, 5 Spaulding at 11:30am.Read More
-
Sunday, May 31, 12:30 PMSt. Anthony of Padua Parish, 84 Salem Street will celebrate Mass in Swahili and English weekly at 12:30pm.Read More
-
Sunday, May 31, 2:00 PMSt. Joan of Arc, 570 Lincoln Street will celebrate Mass in Twi weekly, 2pm.Read More
-
-
