Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish

My dear Parishioners and School Families,

This past weekend, you may have heard about the start of the 2021 Cardinal’s Annual Stewardship Appeal. For those of you who are loyal supporters of the Appeal, I thank you! Your generosity has supported ministries and apostolates across the archdiocese, through which so many people have come to know and love our Lord more deeply.

For those who may not be as familiar with the Appeal, I invite you to learn more about the work it supports here. At its core, the Appeal exists to fund the vast educational, charitable, and pastoral outreach of our archdiocese, all of which serve to make Christ known in the world.

Throughout the challenges of the past year, the Church’s witness to the steadfast, unchanging love of God has grounded us in our faith, and it is this commitment to the mission of the universal Church that inspires tens of thousands of parishioners across the Archdiocese of New York to participate in the Appeal every year. And whether you are a long-time supporter or brand new to the Appeal, I hope that you will consider making a contribution this year if your financial circumstances permit.

Over the coming weeks, I look forward to sharing more information with you about the good work supported by the 2021 Cardinal’s Annual Stewardship Appeal. Thank you for the many sacrifices you make for the good of our Church and for OLGC!

Yours in Christ,

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.

Hope in the Midst of Despair, Frustration and Fear. 

My dear Parishioners, on behalf of Fr. Rhey, Deacon Jim and Staff, deep from my heart I want to wish you happy Easter celebration. Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia! In the first place, I want to thank you for your love faithfulness and perseverance in these long months of despair, amidst the frustration, fear and stress caused by Covid 19. May all our parishioners who lost their family members and friends due to the pandemic be consoled by Christ. Also, I want to thank you for all your financial support and sacrifices you have made to make OLGC strong and running. May the Lord continue to bless, reward sustain you abundantly. Amen.   
Easter Sunday morning tells us that nothing can ever separate us from the Love of God. (Romans 5:35). Perfect love, underlying love, could not be killed on a cross, could not be held in a grave. Love couldn’t help but rise from that horrible death with love and peace to share with all. God transformed our darkest moment into the greatest act of love the world has ever known.
Again, the resurrection also reminds us at a time like this, when there is too much fear, despair, hopelessness God is with us.  St. Gregory of Nyssa reflection on Christ’s resurrection says: “The reign of life has begun. The tyranny of death is ended. A new birth has taken place, a new life has come, a new order of existence has appeared, our very nature has been transformed.”
With this in mind, May the grace of Easter help us live in a way worthy of our baptism. May Easter joy radiate from each of us so that it transforms our life, family, community and world in a way that will foster respect for the dignity of God-given life and Sacrifice on the cross.  

Fr. Ambrose O. Madu
Pastor.
 

“Esperanza en Medio de la Desesperación, la Frustración y el Miedo”

Mis queridos feligreses, en nombre del Padre Rhey, el Diácono Jim y el personal, desde el fondo de mi corazón quiero desearles una Feliz celebración de Pascua. Jesucristo ha resucitado hoy, ¡Aleluya! En primer lugar, quiero agradecerles por su amor, fidelidad y perseverancia en estos largos meses de desesperación, en medio de la frustración, el miedo y el estrés causado por el Covid19. Que todos nuestros feligreses que perdieron a sus familiares y amigos debido a la pandemia sea consolada por Cristo. Además, quiero agradecerles por todo su apoyo financiero y los sacrificios que han hecho para que OLGC sea fuerte y en funcionamiento. Que el Señor continúe bendiciéndolos, la recompensa les sustente abundantemente. Amén.
La mañana del Domingo de Resurrección nos dice que nada nos podrá separar del Amor de Dios (Romanos 5:35). El amor perfecto, el amor subyacente, no se puede matar en una cruz, no se puede guardar en una tumba. El amor no pudo evitar levantarse de esa horrible muerte con amor y paz para compartir con todos. Dios transformó nuestro momento más oscuro en el mayor acto de amor que el mundo haya conocido.
Una vez más, la resurrección también nos recuerda en un momento como este, cuando hay demasiado miedo, desesperación, desesperanza, Dios está con nosotros. La reflexión de San Gregorio de Nisa sobre la resurrección de Cristo dice, “El reino de la vida ha comenzado. Se acabó la tiranía de la muerte. Ha tenido lugar un nuevo nacimiento, ha llegado una nueva vida, ha aparecido un nuevo orden de existencia, nuestra propia naturaleza se ha transformado ”.
Con esto en mente, que la gracia de la Pascua nos ayude a vivir de una manera digna de nuestro bautismo. Que la alegría de la Pascua irradie de cada uno de nosotros para que transforme nuestra vida, familia, comunidad y mundo de una manera que fomente el respeto por la dignidad de la vida dada por Dios y el Sacrificio en la cruz.

Padre Ambrose O. Madu
Pastor

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