Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Happy Pentecost Sunday!

We have heard Jesus said: “Peace I leave with you; not as the world gives, do I give you”. He also said: “You heard me say to you ‘I will go away, and I will come to you’” (Jn 14:27-28).

As we re-enact the Pentecost in this time of COVID-19 or Corona Virus, let us renew the spirit by driving though the Church for Adoration and Blessing with the Blessed Sacrament tomorrow [Sunday, May 31, 2020]; since we cannot yet celebrate Masses.

May God bless you and your family, Amen.

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

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.

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.
 

Mientras nos embarcamos en esta nueva década, juntos en fe, los invito a recordar la misión a la que todos estamos llamados. Es la tarea de cada generación, tomar la fe que hemos recibido y compartirla con los demás. Esto es lo que el Señor nos llama a hacer: enseñar, servir y santificar al mundo, proclamando la verdad y haciendo discípulos de todas las naciones. Este trabajo se realiza de manera más efectiva a través del ministerio de la Iglesia: en nuestras parroquias, nuestras escuelas, nuestras órdenes religiosas, nuestros seminarios y los numerosos servicios de caridad diseñados para responder a las necesidades cambiantes de nuestras comunidades. Este es el trabajo que hace posible la Campaña Anual de Administración del Cardenal a través de sus generosas donaciones.

Las obras que están representadas en la Campaña del Cardenal hacen tangible la misión de la Iglesia en nuestras comunidades en un momento en que, algunos podrían decir, el mundo necesita más ese testigo. La Campaña del Cardenal es nuestra fe en el trabajo en el mundo, que atestigua quiénes somos y los valores que representamos. Estoy agradecido porque sé que tu don no solo cambia vidas, sino que abre corazones a la persona de Jesucristo, ya que solo los actos de servicio realizados en su santo nombre pueden hacerlo. Le agradezco su continuo apoyo a la Campaña Anual de Administración del Cardenal.
 

My Dear Parishioners,

I hope this message finds you and your loved ones healthy and well. Please be assured that I remember you in prayer each day and am looking forward to when we are able to gather again as a parish family.

The ongoing situation surrounding COVID-19 (Coronavirus) has caused prudent cancellations and closings for many schools, offices, and public places through the city, state, and country. I write today to humbly invite you, if you have not signed up already, to become an online giver to support both parish offertory and the Cardinal’s Appeal while public Masses are not able to be celebrated.

I understand that the financial circumstances of many of our families are uncertain, but please know of my deep gratitude for whatever you can contribute to support our Church during this challenging time. The survival and the strength of our Parish depends on your weekly collection and donations.

If you would like to sign up for monthly parish giving, you can do so at: https://olgcsi.org/parish-pay

if you would like to make a gift to the Cardinal’s Appeal to support the broader needs of our archdiocese, you can do so at: https://cardinalsappeal.org/donate

You can also find us in Facebook at: https://facebook.com/groups/OLGC.SI/

Thank you all so much for everything you do on behalf of our parish. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns! We are here for you.
In union of prayers.

Yours sincerely,
 
Fr. Ambrose Madu