Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish

My dear wonderful Parishioners and school families,

Mis queridos feligreses y maravillosas familias de la escuela,

La Navidad está aquí en medio de un mundo problemático, un mundo devastado por la pandemia del Coronavirus. En nombre del Padre Rhey, el diácono Jim Cowan, el personal, el consejo financiero, el consejo parroquial, el personal de la escuela y nuestros voluntarios, les deseo una feliz Navidad y un próspero año nuevo, lleno de paz y alegría. Ustedes pueden estar de acuerdo conmigo en que este es uno de los años más difíciles desde que algunos de nosotros nacimos. Sin embargo, Nuestro

Dios es misericordioso y tierno; Él hará que se levante sobre nosotros el resplandor de la salvación. Y brillará desde el cielo sobre todos aquellos que viven en la oscura sombra de la muerte, para guiar nuestros pasos por el camino de la paz. Continuemos dirigiendo nuestros pensamientos a la guía de Dios, mientras asumimos nuestro papel de ayudar a crear la paz y el conocimiento de que la voluntad de Dios en el mundo, en nuestros corazones, hogares, comunidad y entre nuestros amigos siempre reinará y tomará posesión de nosotros. Quiero agradecerles inmensamente por su compromiso y dedicación a nuestra parroquia.

Gracias por su compasión, colaboración y amor. Y finalmente, gracias por su sacrificio y apoyo financiero a nuestra amada Iglesia (OLGC). Espero que por la gracia de Dios continúen apoyando a la comunidad que aman. Que Dios los siga bendiciendo, bendiga a nuestra comunidad (OLGC) y nos mantenga en Su paz y amor.

Sinceramente,
Ambrose O. Madu

Our Lady of Good Counsel is a parish church and school founded in 1898 by the Augustinian friars. The original building, which stands today as the school, was dedicated in 1899. Our current church was dedicated in 1968 and is famous for its architecture; the design took second prize in 1964’s Liturgical Week Architectural Exhibition in St. Louis, Missouri, received an Architectural Award of Merit from The Liturgical Arts Guild of Southern New Jersey, and tied for first place in the 7th Annual Building Competition sponsored by the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce.

There are approximately 1500 families registered with the parish. Geographically we are located in Tompkinsville, but our community spans a broad spectrum of social, ethnic, and economic strata, representative of the population of Staten Island’s North Shore, with outreach and support programs that impact both the Island as a whole and off-Island as well.

In the beautiful words of the Servant Song: “We are here to help each other walk the mile and bear the load.” To that end, a Loss & Grief Support Group has formed in our parish. 

Click here for more information.

Dear brothers and sisters,

Good news! And thanks be to God.

From Monday, June 22^nd, OLGC is going to run normal office hours:
Monday – Friday: 9am – 5pm
Saturday and Sunday: 9am – 2pm
The office is open for all parishioners who want to book Masses, set up Weddings, Funerals and Memorial Masses, Baptisms, Sweet 16 etc.

May God bless you and keep you in his peace, Amen.

Fr. Ambrose.

Dear Parishioners,

Many of you were in attendance last week at mass where you were asked to formally write down your renewed commitment to our parish on the campaign envelopes.

I would like to take a moment to thank the 80 parish families that agreed to increase their weekly offertory in support of our parish. Our Increased Offertory Campaign, Beyond Sunday Morning, asks us to take our Faith into practice outside our time at Mass.

Your commitment, when sustained, will allow us to thoughtfully plan our yearly budget, invest in our ministries, and address areas of key importance in our beloved Church and on our parish campus.

If you were not here last weekend, we ask that you please respond to needs of our parish by joining these 80 families.

You are welcome to fill out the envelope located in the vestibule of the Church or in the Parish Office. Please include your most recent contact information and your new, intended increase, and place it in the collection basket.

As you do this may God continue to Bless you and your family.

Fr. Ambrose Madu
 

My dear Parishioners,

In this trying moment in our world, Church, family and community, I hope you are persevering in faith, hope and prayer. I am writing once again to thank all of you who have returned their weekly steward envelopes and those who use the on line giving. 
Your love and assistance will truly be keeping Our Lady of Good Counsel afloat until we are out of this Coronavirus crisis.

Let me encourage you with the words of St. Paul to the Philippians: “Finally, brethren, whatever is true,  whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things” (Philippians 4: 8).

 May God guide and bless us. Amen.  

Fr. Ambrose

As we embark on this new decade, together in faith, I invite us to remember the mission to which we are all called. It is the task of every generation to take the faith that we’ve received and share it with others. This is what the Lord calls us to do: to teach, to serve, and to sanctify the world, by proclaiming the truth and making disciples of all nations. This work is most effectively accomplished through the ministry of the Church – in our parishes, our schools, our religious orders, our seminaries, and the many charitable services that are designed to respond to the evolving needs of our communities. This is the work that the Cardinal’s Annual Stewardship Appeal makes possible through your generous donations.
 
The works that are represented in the Cardinal’s Appeal make tangible the mission of the Church in our communities at a time when – some might say – the world is most in need of such a witness. The Cardinal’s Appeal is our faith at work in the world, attesting to who we are and the values we represent. I am grateful to you because I know that your gift not only changes lives, but it opens hearts to the person of Jesus Christ, as only acts of service performed in His holy name can. I thank you for your continued support of the Cardinal’s Annual Stewardship Appeal.