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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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September 27, 2020 - 26th 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 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.
+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, Deacon John Barton and Father Thirburse Millott.
+We pray for those who have died. May all the faithful departed find mercy and peace with God.
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We Welcome
Father Adriano Lessa, a priest of the Diocese of Worcester has taken up residence in our parish rectory.
Father Lessa was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil where he served as a priest in the archdiocese there. He came to the Worcester Diocese over ten years ago to serve the growing Brazilian Catholic communities in the Worcester and Boston area. Most recently, he ministered to the Brazilian community at Holy Family Parish in the Grafton Hill area of Worcester.
Father Lessa will be ministering to the Brazilian communities in Clinton, Maynard, Framingham, and Milford. Because of his commitments in these communities, he will not be assisting with Masses here (except in an emergency). Nonetheless, please keep his ministry in your prayers as he serves the ever-evolving and changing Catholic community of Central Massachusetts.
Welcome, Father Lessa!
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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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A Spirituality of Autumn
“Just before the death of flowers, and before they are buried in snow, there comes a festival season when nature is all aglow.”
The silence in church before Mass begins is a time of prayer and reflection. Let’s always allow the people around us in church the peace and quiet they seek to enter into prayer. The world has become a very noisy place. Our few moments of quiet before Mass can be an oasis inviting us to reflect on the meaning of the change of season in our lives. The change from summer to fall invites us to reflect.
+ The balance of daylight and darkness changes. With the coming of fall, the change in the length of days is obvious. The change invites us to re-think the balance of things in our own lives. Insofar as is possible, do I work toward a healthy balance of work, rest, leisure, and prayer in my life? Are some things “out of balance?” Who can help me work at a better balance?
+ Letting go. As we watch leaves fluttering to the ground, creation reminds us that nature’s cycles are mirrored in our lives. Autumn can be a time to re-think what we need to let go of (old habits, too much stuff, a season of our lives we must accept is over). What is God inviting me to “let go of?” How might my life be different if I relinquished what is getting in the way? Can the falling leaves remind me to practice “letting go?”
+ Acknowledge impermanence. We have witnessed the budding of life in spring, the flowerings of summer. Now the leaves turn color and the bare branches remind us of the fleeting nature of things. Life has its seasons as does human history. We may very well be entering a new phase of history. All of us have lived through the beginnings and endings of seasons in our lives. How does our faith teach us to live gratefully for what we have learned and hopefully for what is to come, even beyond this present life?
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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 JB 1:6-22Responsorial Psalm PS 17:1BCD, 2-3, 6-7Gospel LK 9:46-50
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Catholic News Service
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WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Top officials at seven nationwide Catholic organizations called on congressional leaders and President Donald Trump to unite behind a new legislative package to "address the...
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VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- About 10 days before he was expected in Rome, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeted that the Vatican "endangers its moral authority" by considering an extension...
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WASHINGTON (CNS) -- If Judge Amy Coney Barrett is confirmed to the Supreme Court, she will be the first Notre Dame Law School graduate to sit on the bench of the nation's highest court and the only...
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AMMAN, Jordan (CNS) -- Iraqi Christian priests warn that the latest Turkish military attacks in northern Iraq are displacing Christians and exacerbating a precarious security situation. "Already...
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VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Conversion is an ongoing process that relies on God's endless patience and grace, Pope Francis said. Living a Christian life "is not made up of dreams and beautiful...
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Word on Fire
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Around the Diocese
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Monday, September 28, 7:15 PM - 8:00 PMThe 9th Annual Novena to St. Joseph will take place at Christ the King Parish on Monday evenings this fall. There will be prayer for the seriously ill, for improvements in palliative care, for the end of the pandemic, and to raise awareness about all attempts to end human life unnaturally as in the case of physician assisted suicide or euthanasia. Beginning September 14 the Novena will be celebrated nine consecutive Mondays from 7:15 to 8 pmRead More
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Read MoreTuesday, September 29
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Tuesday, September 29, 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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