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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", Deacon Scott or another member of the pastoral staff after Mass. You may also contact Rachel Crouse, our parish Office Administrator, at 508.835.3606. She will be happy to assist you.
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October 3, 2021 - 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time
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We Join In Prayer
+ We join our hearts in prayer for a greater respect for human life and for the dignity of every human being,
+ We pray for respectful dialogue and healing between diverse communities.
+ We pray for the people of Haiti and Afghanistan.
+ We pray for those serving in the military.
+ We pray for all whose lives are overwhelmed by storms, floods, wildfires and droughts.
+We pray for all thosewho are impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
+ We pray for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon Kevin O’Connell, our director of parish religious education, and upon our teachers and families as we begin a new year of faith formation.
+ We pray during the month of October, traditionally dedicated to the Holy Rosary, that we will find the strength to do God’s will during the joyful, sorrowful and glorious moments of our lives.
+ Pope Francis' personal prayer intention for the month of October: To recognize that by virtue of our baptism we are all called to be "missionaries" by living a life that is infused with the flavor of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
+ We pray for all who are sick or recovering from injury, illness or surgery, especially, Fathers Thirburse Millott, Joseph Nally and Robert Gariepy.
+ We pray for our departed brothers and sisters, especially Robert Burke (Rachel Crouse’s father). May they find peace with God in the company of the saints.
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Weekly Eucharistic Adoration to Resume This Wednesday
Eucharistic Adoration is the practice of quiet, reflective prayer in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament exposed on 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. In quiet prayer, we seek the grace to live abundantly, even in the midst of extraordinary times.
Weekly Eucharistic Adoration will resume on Wednesday, October 6th, from 3:00 to 6:00 pm.
We will be reaching out to those who have committed to an hour of prayer in the past. We would like to invite more parishioners to join us for an hour sometime between 3:00 - 6:00 pm on Wednesdays. If you are able, please contact Deacon Mick Beck at m.beck@goodcounselma.com or simply contact the parish office at 508.835.3606.
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OLGC Prayer Shawl Ministry to Resume Tuesday Night
"Praying Hands", the Parish prayer shawl ministry, will start meeting again on Tuesday, October 5th, at 7:30 pm in the parish hall. Meetings will be held monthly and will consist of prayer, faith sharing, as well as working on projects. It's a wonderful time of fellowship and all levels of experience from novice to advanced are welcome! For futher information feel free to contact Terri@goodcounselma.org.
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OLGC Bereavement Ministry
Our Lady of Good Counsel Bereavement Ministry, A New Day, will hold a six-session bereavement support group beginning on Monday, October 18th, from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m.
This faith based program encourages sharing and discussion through developmental series of topics and offers support to people who are grieving personal loss in an environment of confidentiality, empathy and understanding.
For more information or to register (required) you may call Renate Isbell at 508-835-3286.Please share this information with anyone who might benefit from this ministry.
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Girl Scouts at OLGC
Do you want your daughter to join an organization that will provide a lifetime of sisterhood and friends? The Girl Scouts of Central and Western Mass is recruiting girls in Kindergarten/1st Grade to participate in the formation of a Daisy troop! Daisies are the entry level for being a Girl Scout!
This troop will meet in the Parish Hall every other Tuesday from 5:45 to 7:00 pm. If you are interested in signing your daughter up for an organization that will provide her with memories and friends for life, contact Mary Ellen Costa, Troop 65203 Leader, at 917.224.6861 or mydaisies@cheerful.com.
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Mission Cooperative at Masses this Weekend
In more conventional times, our parish, like other parishes in the Diocese, would host a missionary speaker inviting us to consider assisting in the good works that missionaries undertake both here and round the world. Typically this would involve a missionary priest or layperson speaking at all our weekend Masses during the summer or early fall.
In light of COVID-19 challenges and restrictions, this is not possible at this time.
Nonetheless, the good work of Catholic missionaries continues, despite the pandemic. The Franciscan Sisters of Alleghany, NY are one such community. The insert in this week's bulletin describes their ministries. Please take a moment to read this informative summary of their good works.
On the weekend of October 2 - 3, we will place baskets at the church entrances for those who wish to support the sisters' ministries. Although there will be no speaker at our Masses this year, our parish will continue to support those who minister in the name of Christ to those in need.
May God bless the efforts of the Franciscan Sisters of Alleghany, NY.
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Sacraments
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SACRAMENT OF HOLY BAPTISM FOR CHILDREN: Parents wishing to have their child baptized should contact the parish office. Prior to the actual celebration of the sacrament there is a catechesis for parents on the meaning of baptism and Christian parenting.
SACRAMENTS OF INITIATION FOR ADULTS: Adults seeking to be baptized as well as those already baptized (in both Catholic and non-Catholic communities) who seek to be confirmed and to receive Holy Communion, are invited to join with others in exploring our Catholic faith. For more information, please contact the parish office at 508-835-3606.
SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE: Couples intending to marry should contact the parish priest at least six months prior to the intended wedding date.
HOLY COMMUNION FOR THE SICK & HOMEBOUND: We are eager to bring Holy Communion to those unable to come to church. The priest, deacon and extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion will assure that the Eucharist is brought to homes of those wishing to receive it.
ANOINTING OF THE SICK: Those experiencing serious illness should contact the parish office or speak with the parish priest as soon as possible.
PARISH PRAYER LINE: Those who wish to have their personal intentions remembered in prayer are asked to contact Renate Isbell at 508.835.3286 or use the form on this page below.
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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 Rachel Crouse in the parish office at r.crouse@goodcounselma.com. The addresses will be added to the parish Flocknote email list, and will not be used for any other purpose.
Alternatively, you will find a Flocknote Signup Form below. 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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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 MassesCelebrated on the day: 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: 3:30 PM to 4:15 PM and other times upon request.
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Adoration Times
- Wednesday: 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM
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Rectory Office Hours
Monday 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
Tuesday 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
Wednesday 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
Thursday 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
Friday 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed
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Eucharistic Adoration is observed in our parish church every Wednesday from 3:00- 6:00 pm.
In the midst of these extraordinary times, we invite you to be joined in quiet prayer and reflection in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. In sacred silence we find peace, strength and grace for the journey of life.
Please use the parking lot side entrance to enter the church. Masks must be worn at all times. Eucharistic Adoration allows for prayer within a socially distanced context while in church. Silence is observed at all times. All are welcome.
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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 (Confession) on Saturdays from 3:30 - 4:15 pm
The Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) is offered every Saturday in our parish church from 3:30 - 4:15 pm.
We will no longer be using the sacristy but will resume using the Reconciliation Chapel off the main entrance lobby which is accessed through the door on the right behind the pews.
For those receiving the sacrament: When the Reconciliation Chapel open, please feel free to enter and close the 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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We offer this reminder regarding weather and weekday Masses:
In the event of severe weather, the cancelation of daily Mass and Eucharistic Adoration will be announced by means of Facebook and Flocknote emails. We will also need to rely on our parishioners to “spread the word” to those who are not connected by the internet.
Please share this information with others. Thank you!
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Word on Fire
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Around the Diocese
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Friday, October 22, 6:30 PMPack 37 Cub Scouts, chartered through Christ the King Church Worcester meets every Friday 6:30pm.Read More
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Friday, October 29, 6:30 PMPack 37 Cub Scouts, chartered through Christ the King Church Worcester meets every Friday 6:30pm.Read More
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Friday, November 5, 6:30 PMPack 37 Cub Scouts, chartered through Christ the King Church Worcester meets every Friday 6:30pm.Read More
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