We are stewards of the gifts God has given us, and sharing them generously in ways small and large gives us the opportunity to use them for His work. Many parishioners contribute a range of skills and time commitments to make our parish flourish, enhancing our lives and connections with each other in the process. Please consider helping in some capacity for one of the needs expressed below, or any of the other activities described throughout our site.
Parish Ministries and Committees - for further information please contact the parish office at 508-835-3606 or by email at [email protected], unless noted otherwise below.
Administrative Support
General Clerical Help is always welcome. If you have some time to share during regular office hours, we could use help with various clerical tasks from time to time, such as parish mailings. Please contact the Parish Office at 508-835-3606.
Bereavement Ministry - Please contact Renate Isbell, 508-835-3286, [email protected] or Carolyn Iacovone, 508-835-6629 for further information.
Bereavement Mission Statement - Our mission is to represent the parish community in ministering to anyone grieving the death of a loved one. Ministers, trying to live their faith in Jesus, offer grieving families and friends an opportunity to find support and understanding to assist them during a difficult grieving period. Our mission is to let people know that they are not alone, that we do care and want to be of whatever assistance possible even if all that means is to listen.
The Bereavement Ministry, "A New Day", offers assistance to those who are in the early stages of the loss of a loved one. Through a bi-annual series of six-week Monday sessions, this ministry helps people grieve in healthy ways by sharing thoughts and feelings in an environment of confidentiality, empathy, and understanding.
The next 6-week Bereavement Ministry program will be announced through the website and will be held in the Parish Hall on Mondays at 1 pm. Those in need of this service are invited to attend the support sessions. Pre-registration is required by contacting Renate or Carolyn using the contact information provided above.
Driving
Rides needed. We are in need of drivers to bring parishioners to Mass who would not otherwise be able to attend. Contact Rachel Crouse in the Parish Office at 508-835-3606 for more information or to volunteer.
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee advises the Pastor regarding the management of Parish finances and property. The committee reviews operating procedures, approves an annual operating budget, and makes recommendations on capital cash flow needs as they arise. This ministry is open to all members of our Parish, and committee members are appointed by the Pastor.
Food, Clothing, and Household Goods Donations
A St. Vincent de Paul Donation Bin is located in the rear of the Church parking lot. Watch the bulletin and the website for collections of special items to help support clothing drives, the Christmas giving programs, and the Thanksgiving Baskets and Easter Basket projects.
Our Lady of Good Counsel supports the West Boylston Churches Food Pantry to serve the neediest among us. West Boylston Ecumenical Food Pantry - First Congregational
Food Pantry
The Food Pantry provides canned goods and other food items to local families in need. Housed at the First Congregational Church and open on the third Tuesday of each month, the pantry is staffed by volunteers from the four churches in West Boylston. This ministry is open to all members of the Parish. Families who reside in town and need this service, whether they are members of the ecumenical community or not, are invited to attend.
Hope for Housing
Hope for Housing is a fundraising program aimed at preventing local homelessness and subsidizing elderly homeowners. In conjunction with the Central Mass. Housing Alliance and local business donors, volunteers raise funds after the Masses on designated Sundays through the sale of full-value grocery market, eatery, and retailer gift cards. This ministry is open to all members of the Parish, and all parishioners are encouraged to purchase gift cards.
Interfaith Hospitality Network
The Interfaith Hospitality Network provides Christ's love, comfort, strength, and companionship to homeless families. Staffed by volunteers from 28 local faith communities, our Parish prepares and serves evening meals and hosts families twice a year, one week each in May and December, at the Worcester shelter on June Street. This ministry is open to all members of the Parish.
Martha and Mary Funeral Luncheon Ministry
The Corporal Work of Mercy to bury the dead provides an opportunity to show support and comfort to our fellow parishioners by hosting a luncheon following a funeral.
Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish is pleased to offer support and comfort to grieving families by hosting a luncheon in our parish hall after funeral Mass and burial.
Funeral luncheons will be offered through the services of an outside caterer and served by our Mary and Martha Ministry. Families will need to secure a caterer and have the food delivered to the parish hall prior to the funeral Mass. A list of local caterers can be provided upon the family's request. Our parish ministry volunteers will set up, serve, provide the deserts, and clean up after the luncheon. The parish will provide the hall, cold and hot beverages, paper goods, and utensils.
The funeral luncheons cannot be provided on Saturdays (except during the summer), on legal holidays, or if another activity is already scheduled in the parish hall. Luncheons are only provided following funeral Masses here at OLGC. They cannot be provided following services held in other churches or held in funeral homes.
If you have any questions or feel as if you may be called to assist in this ministry of support to the grieving, please contact Terri King by email at [email protected].
No fee is charged for this ministry however a free-will offering is greatly appreciated. This enables us to serve other families. Checks should be made payable to Our Lady of Good Counsel (Mary & Martha Ministry on the memo line).
"Carry each other's burdens and so you will fulfill the law of Christ". (Galatians 6:2
Parish Pastoral Advisory Team
The Parish Pastoral Advisory Team works with the Pastor to get parishioners to act on topics deemed necessary for a vibrant parish life by making recommendations to assist the Pastor in achieving the mission of the Church - to announce the Good News, foster Christian living, be a community, pray, and serve those in need. Team members serve for 12 - 18 months, and meet 4 times per year or at the discretion of the Pastor.
Prayer Line Ministry - Renate Isbell, 508-835-3286, [email protected]
Mission Statement - Our mission is to touch the very heart of our Lord by private prayer and intercession for those in need of prayer.
The Prayer Line Ministry prays for the intentions of those who are ill, are in need of employment, or have other spiritual needs while respecting the confidentiality of each person. This ministry is done through private prayer, and it is open to all members of our Parish and their families.
Prayer Shawl Ministry - [email protected], 774-261-0254
The love of knitting/crocheting have been combined into this prayerful ministry that reaches out to those in need of comfort. Many blessings are knitted/crocheted into each shawl. We begin each shawl with prayers for the recipient and this is continued throughout the creation of the shawl. When the shawl is completed, it is given a blessing before being sent along its way. There are many uses for our prayer shawls such as comfort after a loss or during a medical procedure, bereavement, prayer or meditation, marriage ceremonies, nursing a baby, as a bridal shower gift, or during an illness/recovery. Our prayer shawls have
been given to nursing homes, hospice centers, oncology centers, home health agencies, OLGC Bereavement Support Ministry, the first responders who were at the Sandy Hook school shooting, and many more individuals.
OLGC “Praying Hands” Prayer Shawl Ministry meets from October to June (except Jan. & Feb.) on the 1st Tuesday of each month in the parish hall from 7-8 or 8:30 pm for prayer & working on projects. We extend an invitation to the members of our parish to join us. “Come and See” what we are about. All levels of expertise are welcome. Yarn & instructions, as well as help if needed, are provided.
The Prayer Shawl Ministry knits and donates shawls to comfort those who are ill, homebound, or grieving, and also to rejoice with those celebrating a significant birthday, marriage, or another life event. Prayers are woven into each stitch of a shawl as a sign of God's loving presence and peace. This ministry is open to all members of our Parish, and it meets on the first Tuesday of select months in the Parish Hall.
Religious Education Ministry - Call the church office at 508-835-3606
The Religious Education Ministry assists parents in their primary role as spiritual educators. The ministry provides comprehensive instruction to parish youth on the Catholic faith, doctrine, and traditions necessary for the completion of sacramental programs. This ministry is open to all members of our Parish, and families who are involved in the liturgical life of the Parish on a weekly basis are invited to enroll their children in the education program.
Renew Faith Sharing Groups - [email protected]
ARISE...Together In Christ
This faith-sharing program runs for 6 weeks for 90-minute sessions on a day of the week convenient for the group. We gather as a small Christian community at the home of the facilitator for a time of prayer, faith sharing, scripture reading and a call to put our faith into action. All that is required is that we be open to the Spirit of God, seeking to grow in faith and in our relationship with God and one another. We end the evening with light refreshments and some social time together. Groups are limited to 12 participants and pre-registration is required so we will have enough books for all participants. There is no charge for the books.
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults shepherds prospective converts to Catholicism, and confirmed Catholics, on the journey of seeking out their faith and entering into full communion with the Church. The RCIA ministry mentors adults on the rituals, rights, and beliefs of Catholicism, and how each enriches their faith. This ministry is open to all members of our Parish, and post-baptismal adults are invited to enroll in the faith formation program.
Society of St. Vincent de Paul
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul offers tangible assistance to those in need on a person-to-person basis. Our conference, a grass-roots level membership in the society, helps local individuals meet their basic needs by providing financial assistance and spiritual support while respecting the confidentiality and dignity of each person. This ministry is open to all members of the Parish and meets in the Parish Hall on the first Monday of each month. Those in need of this service are invited to contact the Parish office at 508-835-3606.
Youth Ministry
The Youth Ministry guides Parish youth to have a deeper relationship with God, and to live out their faith by reaching out to the Parish and the community. The ministry, which meets on Sunday evenings from September to May, engages youth to prepare meals for those in need, to walk for a cause, to participate in youth liturgy Masses, and to socialize with their peers. This ministry is open to all members of the Parish, and high school and middle school youth in the Parish are invited to attend the gatherings.