Registration for the 2020-2021 Religious Education program is now open. Please complete and return your registration on or before 10/16/2020.

Thank you to all parishioners who contributed their time and presence, supplies, or monetary donations, thoughts, and prayers, to help us fulfill our responsibilities as hosts at the Interfaith Hospitality Network the week of August 23 to 29.

We are pleased to announce that religious education classes will continue this fall. Both in-person and remote options are being considered. We are monitoring the progress of K-12 systems closely. More information about the OLGC Religious Education registration process will be released over the next few weeks. Please do not hesitate to be in touch with our Director of Religious Education, Kevin O’Connell, with any questions or concerns at k.oconnell@goodcounselma.com

For the month of September, the West Boylston Food Pantry will receive a $1.00 donation from each purchase of the $2.50 reusable bags, sold at the Stop & Shop grocery store located at 940 West Boylston Street, Worcester. Bags have a “Give” logo on them.

Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish offers a support ministry to people dealing with personal loss and grief sadness. The ministry will be holding a reunion on Monday, September 28th from 1:00-2:30 pm in the church. For more information about the ministry and possible future events, please contact Renate Isbell at 508.835.3286.

Thank you for keeping our mission alive with your generous gift of $300 in grocery gift cards to the life-saving ministry of Visitation House. Be assured of our prayers for you and your families. Visitation House remains a place of hope for families in need of material, emotional, and spiritual support.

Since it seems that school systems are at least planning for in-person classes this coming autumn, students will be in need of school supplies. Please click the heading for more information on how we can help.

During the week of August 23 to 29, our parish will host homeless families at the Interfaith Hospitality Network at 91 June Street in Worcester. Evening and Overnight hosts are needed, and sign-ups will be done electronically. Please click the heading for more information.

Many parishioners wish to have Mass offered for the souls of family members and friends. Some find the practice of having Mass offered on the birthday or the anniversary of the death of a loved one. The Mass Intention Book for 2021 will be opened on August 11, 2020. If you wish to schedule an Anniversary Mass for 2021, please contact Terri in the parish office at any time beginning on August 11th.

We are pleased to welcome Kevin O’Connell as the new Director of Religious Education here at Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish. Kevin is originally from Long Island, New York where he was very active in his home parish of St. Joseph the Worker, receiving a Certificate in Basic Theology from the Diocese of Rockville Centre. Kevin earned a B.A. in Theology and History at Assumption College and a M. Ed. at Springfield College, studying Student Personnel Administration in Higher Education. Kevin currently works in the Division of Student Affairs at the College of the Holy Cross and lives in Auburn with his wife and two young children. We extend thanks to the parish search committee for their diligence in undertaking the search and interview process. We anticipate Kevin beginning his work in early August.

Please click on the headline above to join with others in the OLGC parish community.

Hope For Housing Card Sales will resume next weekend, July 4 & 5. In alliance with social distancing protocols, the selling tables will be outside under the front and side porticos. Hand sanitizer will be available on the tables and masks will be worn by the sellers and customers.

Project Rachel is the Catholic Church’s ministry of healing and reconciliation to those who have been wounded by a past abortion. .

Eucharistic Adoration is the practice of quiet, reflective prayer in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament exposed upon the Altar.

Please click on the headline above to join with others in the OLGC parish community.

Please click the headline above for information about this annual charity appeal.

So that we may maintain our parish finances during these challenging times, please consider, as you are able, mailing your offertory envelopes to: Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, 111 Worcester St., W. Boylston, MA 01583. All contributions will be duly recorded as usual. Electronic giving assures your gift to the parish is always received. If the present realities inspire you to consider signing up for electronic giving, Terri King (508-835-3606) is most willing to assist. Or, please visit the Giving page on this website. Thank you.

Please click on the headline above to join with others in the OLGC parish community.

A representative group of parishioners is presently meeting regularly with a view to hiring a new parish Director of Religious Education. The members of the committee are: Jacqueline Leonardo, Fran George, Robert Iacovone, Mary Foley, Janet Vignaly, Terri King and Father Steven. Interviews for the position will begin shortly. Qualifications for the position include a background in theology or religious studies (preferably a B. A.) as well as experience in education. Once interviews are completed, the committee will make a recommendation to Fr. Steven.