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Welcome to Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish!
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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 Fr. Steven, Deacon "Mick" 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.
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No Weekday Masses Tuesday, October 27 to Thursday, October 29
There will be no weekday Masses on Tuesday - October 27, Wednesday - October 28, and Thursday - October 29. Father Steven will be away. Parishioners are encouraged to attend Mass in neighboring parishes.
Eucharistic Adoration on Wednesday will take place as usual.
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October 25, 2020 - 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time
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We Join In Prayer
+We join our hearts in prayer to all those overwhelmed by anxiety and fear.
+We pray for physicians, nurses, health care providers, researchers, hospital chaplains, medical researchers, and all who are on the front lines in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.
+We pray for those who provide essential services, especially police officers, firefighters, and emergency help providers.
+We pray for those facing economic and financial hardships.
+We pray for those whose lives are battered by storms, fires, and disasters of every kind.
+We pray for racial harmony and respectful, constructive dialogue between cultural communities and those in positions of authority.
+We join to keep in our prayers Pope Francis’ Personal Prayer Intention for the month of October: That by virtue of baptism, the laity, especially women, may participate more in areas of responsibility in the church. Mindful that October is Domestic Abuse Awareness Month, we pray for all those who minister to those striving to leave and heal from toxic relationships.
+We join in prayer for those on the parish prayer line, as well as our parishioners who are sick or recovering from injury, illness, or surgery, especially, retired Deacon John Barton and Father Thirburse Millott.
+We pray for those who have died, especially those whose lives have been lost to the ongoing pandemic. May all the faithful departed find mercy and peace with God.
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November is the Month of All Souls
During the days of autumn, all of nature speaks to us of harvest: Crops are gathered into storage and into barns. Our homes and tables are decorated with the fruits of the field and orchard. It is during these days of nature’s harvest that the Sacred Liturgy begins to speak of God’s eternal harvest and of the last things. When we die, most of us leave important pieces of our lives unfinished, broken, and un-repented. It is our Catholic faith that healing and purification are realities that transcend the doorway of death. Christ’s redeeming love is at work even on the “other side".
”The scriptures teach us to pray for one another. Through prayer, love is mysteriously diffused throughout the Body of Christ, even to those who have passed beyond this world. “All the ties of affection and love that knit us through life do not unravel with death.” The departed are assisted by our prayers for them.
Intention cards (for those who have not received them with parish envelopes by mail) are now available at the entrances to the church. Please inscribe the names of deceased loved ones and return by mail or by placing them in the offertory baskets in church. The deceased will be prayed for by the priest and parish community at every Mass during the month of November and at monthly Masses throughout the year to come.
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Liturgical Schedule At Our Lady Of Good Counsel
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Mass Times
- Saturday: 4:30 PM EnglishEnglishEN
- Sunday: 8:30 AM EnglishEnglishEN 10:30 AM EnglishEnglishEN
- MonThu 9:00 AM EnglishEnglishEN
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Holy Day MassesOn the day itself: Usually 9 am and 7 pm
When traveling: click catholicmasstime.org or call 1-410-676-6000 for mass time anywhere
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Confession Times
- Saturday: 3:00 PM to 3:45 PM and other times upon request.
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Adoration Times
- Wednesday: 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
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Upcoming Sacramental Celebrations
*On Saturday, October 17th, Rachel Murphy and Brian Kennedy were joined in the Sacrament of Matrimony, here at Our Lady of Good Counsel. May God’s grace strengthen them throughout the journey of love.
*Over the course of the next month, four children of the parish will be receiving their First Communion at various Masses on different weekends. (Others have chosen to delay First Communion until the spring of 2021.) Please keep our First Communicants and their families in your prayers. May the Eucharist unite their hearts and minds to Christ.
*On Sunday, November 7th, Bishop McManus will confer the Sacrament of Confirmation upon a group of our young people at Saint Paul’s Cathedral in Worcester. Please keep our young adults and their families in your prayers.
*The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered every Saturday from 3:00-3:45 pm in the sacristy to the right of the sanctuary. Due to health protocols, we are not utilizing the Reconciliation Chapel at this time. If you see the sacristy door open during the time for Confession, feel free to enter. If you see the door closed please wait and allow privacy for the person who is there. Thank you!
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Eucharistic Adoration on Wednesdays 3 - 7 pm
Eucharistic Adoration is the practice of quiet, reflective prayer in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament exposed upon the Altar. The practice invites us to be still and contemplate the real presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist. We join our hearts and minds to the One who is a fountain of mercy and who journeys with us on our pilgrimage through life.
During the present COVID-19 health emergency, some parishioners feel uncomfortable being part of gatherings of any kind, including the celebration of Mass. Eucharistic Adoration provides a context of (socially distanced) quiet prayer in church with only a few individuals being present.
Weekly Eucharistic Adoration has now begun. It is held every Wednesday from 3:00-7:00 pm.
Already a group of parishioners has committed to one hour of prayer between 3:00-7:00 pm. We welcome others. Some might wish to commit on a weekly basis, others monthly. Even if you are unable to commit to a specific time, you are always able to join us, as you are able.
Our thanks are extended to all who are participating in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. The attendance has been very positive and enthusiastic. Many of the scheduled individuals have asked if have a “substitute” list that can be called in case of a necessary absence. If you would be willing to volunteer as an occasional substitute between 3:00-7:00 pm on Wednesdays, please contact Deacon Mick at m.beck@goodcounselma.com.
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Praying the Rosary on Saturdays at 4 pm
A group of parishioners has been praying the rosary in the church on Saturdays at 4 pm. This endeavor has been well received. During these extraordinary times of anxiety and uncertainty, many appreciate the opportunity to pray for peace and reconciliation in our nation, our communities, our families, and our hearts. The rosary also helps transition to a quiet, prayerful environment in church before the start of Mass. All are welcome!
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The Sacrament of Reconciliation on Saturdays from 3:00 - 3:45 pm
The Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) is offered every Saturday in our parish church from 3:00-3:45 pm.
At this time, the Sacrament is celebrated in the sacristy (room to the right of the sanctuary) and not in the confessional room. The sacristy, being a larger room, is more conducive to social distancing protocols.
For those receiving the sacrament: When the sacristy door is open (to the right of the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary), please feel free to enter and close the sacristy door so as to assure privacy. If the door is closed, please wait until the door is opened before entering. Thank you
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Re-Opening of Our Lady of Good Counsel for Public Masses
Those attending Mass are to be aware of the following State and Diocesan guidelines:
- Those attending Mass must wear masks or some kind of face covering.
- Upon entering the church please use sanitizer provided at the entrances.
- Please 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 main aisle to receive Holy Communion.
- Please sanitize your hands before receiving Holy Communion.
- Seating in the church will be every other row.
Please be mindful of the following:
- There will be no congregational singing. Only the cantor will sing at the 4:30 and 10:30 Masses.
- The offertory collection will not be taken up. Baskets for this purpose are placed at the entrances to the church.
- The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered in the sacristy on Saturdays at 3:00 pm until 3:45 pm only.
- The parish office is open during usual business hours by appointment only. Please call or email Terri beforehand to make an appointment. Please wear a mask when coming to the office.
Father Steven Labaire
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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 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!
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Rectory Office Hours
Monday By appointment 9:30 am to 4:30 pm
Tuesday By appointment 9:30 am to 4:30 pm
Wednesday By appointment 9:30 am to 4:30 pm
Thursday By appointment 9:30 am to 4:30 pm
Friday Closed
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed
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Today's Readings
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Reading 1 EPH 5:21-33Responsorial Psalm PS 128:1-2, 3, 4-5Gospel LK 13:18-21
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Word on Fire
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Around the Diocese
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Tuesday, October 27, 6:30 PMJoin us for nine Tuesday evenings from October 13 thru December 8 at 6:45pm at St. Mary Church, 640 Main St., Shrewsbury during Eucharistic Adoration which will take place from 6:30 -7:30 pm.Read More
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Tuesday, October 27, 7:00 PMtwo information and registration sessions for those Catholic Scouts interested in earning a Catholic Scouting religious emblem. These sessions will be in person and will take place Tuesday, Oct. 27, first at 7:00 PM and then again at 8:00 PMRead More
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Tuesday, October 27, 7:00 PMOur Lady of Mt. Carmel and Our Lady of Loreto Parish will begin its Miraculous Medal Novena Tuesday, Sept.1 for 9 consecutive Tuesday evenings at 7 p.m., through Oct. 27. A great opportunity for graces and the tremendous power of intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, patroness of our parish.Read More
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