Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish

Time 2020-11-07 08:02:55

Web Name: Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish

WebSite: http://www.olgcnj.org

ID:107676

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Church Closed for Personal Prayer on Friday, November 6, 2020 Parish Update from Father ChrisDear friends in Christ,As we are moving deeper into the Autumn season and are now in the middle of the month of October, I wanted to give everyone a brief update on some things in the parish.It's so good to see many of you at mass. We are nearing a total weekend attendance of close to 400 people. Our attendance has been inching upward since we were allowed to reopen for public masses back in June. As a comparison, our attendance on the weekend’s pre pandemic attendance was around 1,200 people. My prayer is that in time, once we make progress in dealing with Covid, we will get back to those pre pandemic numbers.As of now we are having the 5:00pm Saturday evening vigil mass and then 8:00am, 10:00am and 12:00pm on Sunday. The crypt chapel is available for overflow at all the weekend masses. Holy Communion will be distributed by a priest or deacon to those worshiping in the crypt chapel at the regular time during mass. Confessions are still available at 3:30pm on Saturdays in the main church.We have been performing many baptisms the past couple months. As of the current diocesan directive,each baptism is done individually on a family basis. We are trying to be flexible with families on scheduling. Please contact Megan in the rectory office to schedule baptisms.Funeral masses are regularly being scheduled in the church and the celebration of weddings is happening as well.Our school is getting close to finishing up its second month of in person 5 day of week classes. The school is off to a very good start. Our administration, faculty, staff, families and students are working hard for our in person classes to be successful.Our religious education program is nearing the completion of our first month of remote/online classes. Our catechists and students are off to a good start to the year as well. Thank you to all our catechists and families for realizing the importance of handing on our Faith to the "next" generation.And finally, in regards to the finances of the parishes; we will be publishing our 2020 fiscal year statements sometime in early Advent. Those statements are due to the Diocese next month. I wanted to provide a summary of our regular weekly/monthly donations for the first quarter of the current fiscal year (July 1st - September 30th) as compared to last year: July 1st - September 30 2019Sunday envelopes (including mail) $165,427.40Electronic giving (including PayPal and ACH) $11,542.50Parish Online Giving $83,371.45Total for the quarter $260,341.35 July 1st - September 30 2020Sunday Envelopes (including mail) $132,102.44Electronic Giving (includes Paypal and ACH) $16,833.02Parish Online Giving $84,186.25Total for the Quarter: $233,121.71Due to 2020 being a year we will not soon forget because of Covid, we are down about 10.5% in our regular collections from last year. That said, I do want to express my sincere gratitude to all of our parishioners who continue to remember our parish financially - whether if is dropping your donation in the baskets at the weekend masses, mailing them in to the rectory or giving online. Thank you so much for your continued generous support of Our Lady of Good Counsel.I hope everyone is well. Please let’s continue to pray for one another, our families, our parish, our country and our Church. God Bless,Fr. ChrisNOVENA FOR OUR COUNTRY Bishop O’Connell encourages praying this “Novena for America” October 26-November 3. The prayer has also been published in this month’s MONITOR.NOVENA PRAYER FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (recited each day):God our Father, giver of life, we entrust the United States of America to your loving care. You are the rock on which this nation was founded. You alone are the true source of our cherished rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Reclaim this land for your glory and dwell among your people.Send your Spirit to touch the hearts of our nation’s leaders and citizens. Open our minds to the great worth of human life and the responsibilities that accompany respecting and protecting human life and religious liberty. Help us to bring an end to racial injustice, violence and all the evils that divide us. Remind your people that true happiness is rooted in seeking and doing your will. Make us instruments of your peace!Through the intercession of Mary Immaculate, patroness of our land, grant us the courage to reject the “culture of death” and lead us always to respect life in all its stages and circumstance. We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen. (Source: adapted from www.catholicdigest.com)(Here mention intention: For, etc.)THEN, RECITE AN OUR FATHER, HAIL MARY AND GLORY BE EACH DAY FOR OUR NATION (individual recommended intentions for each day of the Novena) Monday, October 26: For an end to abortion in our country and for respect for life in all its stages, from conception to natural deathTuesday, October 27: For an end to the COVID pandemic in our country and for all those affected by itWednesday, October 28: For an end to racism and social injustice in our countryThursday, October 29: For the protection of religious liberty in our country and around the worldFriday, October 30: For those who protect and serve us in law enforcement in our country and for an end to violence and destruction, especially in our citiesSaturday, October 31: For those who protect our country in the armed forces at home and around the world and for peace in the worldSunday, November 1: For the poor, for immigrants and refugees, for the forgotten and most abandoned in our countryMonday, November 2: For the protection of marriage as the faithful union of one man and one woman and for the strengthening of family life in our countryTuesday, November 3: For those who govern our country and for those who are running for elected office that they might serve with a commitment to life, respect, compassion, liberty and justice for allParish Update from our PastorDear Friends in Christ,These past six months have been something none of us will ever forget. We are dealing with a global pandemic that has taken so many lives in addition to bringing our day-to-day lives and economy to a standstill. Add on to that the unrest we’ve seen in our country and we have really experienced some troubling and tense times. As a people of Faith though, we know there is always hope in the future. Our individual choices and decisions will play a big part in the bright future our families, communities and country all desire. Our Faith is a constant that helps keep us hopeful of the future. With that said, I would like to give you a little update on our parish:As we know, all the parishes and schools in the Diocese of Trenton were closed to the public in mid March and remained that way until early to mid June (with the exception that beginning in mid May the church was allowed to be open for personal prayer – which we did during the afternoons in our parish). Here at OLGC we continued to celebrate our daily masses and a revised weekend schedule of masses during those months – these masses were live streamed in order for our parishioners to stay connected to the Mass and our parish. Our school finished the last months of the school year with remote learning being done online and our religious education program families finished up the year through home study.Our first masses opened to parishioners in the church began the weekend of June 13-14. There are a number of guidelines in effect such as limiting attendance, social distancing, and sanitation after masses. We’ve seen a gradual increase in attendance over these past months – last weekend was our highest attendance since we reopened, approximately 285 people. Since mid June we have also been celebrating funeral masses, wedding ceremonies and baptisms. Baptisms are celebrated with only one child at a time. We have a number of baptisms on the schedule – please contact Ms. Megan Quigley in the parish office to discuss dates and times available for baptisms.Our religious education program is up and running, though in a different way. Our religious education summer program took place remotely online during the week of July 27th – July 31st. We had approximately 250 students in the summer program. Our religious education program classes for the school year will begin in early October. Classes will be taken online through Christmas at which time we will reevaluate to see how we will proceed in the new calendar year. If anyone is interested in helping as a catechist, please contact our Coordinator of Religious Education, Mrs. Cynthia Robinson. We have begun celebrating our First Holy Communions. There were two First Holy Communion masses on August 1st and two masses on August 15th already. We will be celebrating four more masses for First Holy Communions on September 26th and October 3rd. We appreciate the patience of all our families as well as your understanding in regards to some of the limits we have had to put on these joyful celebrations. On Sunday August 2nd we were blessed to administer the Sacraments of Initiation for our people who were in our RCIA programs during the past year. It was a very nice celebration and our group that received the sacraments really appreciated your prayers. Our Knights of Columbus conducted a “parking lot” food drive on the weekend of August 22 – 23, which was a success, and the St. Vincent de Paul Society has also been active during these past months as well.It’s hard to believe but another school year is getting ready to begin here at Our Lady of Good Counsel School. Our school will begin classes on Tuesday, September 1st. We are offering a number of options for our students’ education – 5 full days in class instruction, 5-day remote instruction and a hybrid option. Dr. Carla Chiarelli, our principal, and her staff have been working hard to ensure a safe and effective opening of our school. We are excited to welcome our students back on Tuesday September 1st. We also want to congratulate again our school graduates from 2020. We were able to have a small graduation ceremony in the church for our school graduates in July.I would also like to thank everyone for your continued financial support of our parish through mail in donations, online giving, and donations while coming to mass. As with so many organizations and businesses this has been a difficult time financially. The parish did apply for, and received a Payroll Protection loan – which was very helpful for us. As a whole though, our collections have been down on a month-to-month basis during this time and our Easter collection took a big hit. For example our Easter collection was approximately $78,000 in 2019 while this past April the Easter Collection was approximately $54,000 – down about $24,000. In addition, due to the pandemic our school was not able to have some of its big fundraisers at the end of the school year, which also added to financial strain. So it has been a challenge, but a challenge that we will all get though together. Thank you once again for your continued support. I know these have been tough times for a number of our families, but if you are in a position to provide some additional financial assistance for our parish it would be greatly appreciated. I know our parishioners always rise to the occasion.God Bless,Fr. ChrisFaith at HomeThese links provides you withthe latest one-page resource for families, Faith At Home; it connects to the theme of the upcoming Sunday Liturgy.Thisresource is updated each weekand can be found on the diocesanwebpage at www.dioceseoftrenton.org/faith-at-home and en Español at www.dioceseoftrenton.org/fe-en-casa.May God continue to bless us and keep us close to Him. Invitation to Pray the RosaryFor centuries Catholics have turned to the Blessed Virgin Mary, asking for her intercession in times of need by praying the Rosary. This great prayer, whose origins date before the 12th century, uses a meditative repetition of prayers that invoke the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary as she leads us to consider the mysteries in the life of her Divine Son, Jesus. History has shown this to be a powerful, effective and calming prayer that has truly changed hearts and lives over the centuries of its use.Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen once said of the Rosary that it is “the book of the blind, where souls see and there enact the greatest drama of love the world has ever known; it is the book of the simple, which initiates them into mysteries and knowledge more satisfying than the education of other men; it is the book of the aged, whose eyes close upon the shadow of this world, and open on the substance of the next. The power of the Rosary is beyond description.” As Bishop of the Diocese of Trenton, I invite all Catholics in the Diocese of Trenton to consider making this powerful devotion part of your daily life of prayer. Please join with me in praying Our Lady’s Rosary every day between now and October 7, the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, for the many intentions and needs of our nation today, especially for a true respect for life in all its stages from conception to natural death; for the strengthening of marriage and family life; for an end to the COVID 19 pandemic and for all those impacted by it; for a lasting resolution to the racial tensions and injustices that have too long afflicted our country; for an end to the violence and death in our cities, especially among the young; for the victims of sexual abuse and human trafficking; for the poor, the unemployed and those who face economic hardship and for so many of the other intentions and needs that we face in our country and world.Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.Most Reverend David M. O’Connell, C.M.Bishop of Trenton Update: 487 Gifts, $95,970.00 Total Pledged, $140,000 Parish Goal Dear Parishioners,Each of us has a vital part in all we do in Christ’s name, and each of us can share in all we do with a gift to the Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA). Our single Act of Faith propels the works of love that build up our Church.You make that happen with a generous gift to the ACA. Giving is simple and convenient, and gives you the power to choose the ministries you want to support. You can designate your donation to the following Ministries: Priest, Deacons and Religious Community Outreach Teaching the Faith Ministry where it is needed most Three Easy Ways to Donate: Online at www.dioceseoftrenton.org/aca-donate-page Call (609) 403-7197 Mail check or money order Payable to Annual Catholic Appeal to: Diocese of Trenton, 701 Lawrenceville Rd., Trenton, NJ 08648 You can also send completed cards, you received previously, to the Rectory. Please indicate donation and be sure to designate the funds to Our Lady of Good Counsel, Moorestown - P2320.As the people of the Diocese of Trenton, we have an opportunity to help others see Christ working in our midst.I ask you to take a moment and sincerely reflect on any help you can give. We truly need everyone to participate. This year we again are striving to reach our goal of $7 million. I am always grateful and moved by the level of support you give to our parish and diocese.I thank you for this support, and may God continue to bless you and your family. God Bless,Fr. ChrisOLGC Schedule and Information for ReopeningDear Friends in Christ,Weekend Masses with a maximum of 1/3 capacity (could be lower with social distancing rules) will begin June 13/14. The following is our reopening schedule:Confessions: 3:30 - 4:30 (Main Church)Saturday (Vigil Mass) – 5:00pm (Main Church with Crypt Chapel streaming if needed)Sunday Morning Masses – 8:00am, 10:00am and 12:00pm(Main Church with Crypt Chapel streaming if needed)Daily Mass with a limit of 50 people will begin on Monday, June 15th at 9:00am in the Main ChurchAll our weekend and daily masses will continue to be live streamed.Regarding mass intentions - the mass intentions for the 5:00pm Saturday and 12:00pm Sunday masses will be offered as normal – while the original 7:30am and 9:00am mass intentions will be offered at the 8:00am mass and the original 10:30am mass intentions will be offered at the 10:00am mass.The Main Church will continue to be open for personal prayer. The new schedule for personal prayer will be Monday through Friday from 1:00pm to 6:00pmSome Basic Rules for attending Church:· If you are not feeling well stay home· Wear a mask to church· Maintain Social Distancing · Wash/Sanitize hands Here is the link of the directives from Bishop David O’Connell:https://dioceseoftrenton.org/news/dates-announced-for-limited-in-church-masses-sacramentsJust a few more points related to the reopening at OLGC:There will be no gift procession, no sign of peace, the Precious Blood will not be distributed, Holy Communion should be received in the hand for now.There will be no collection taken up at the “normal” time during mass. We will have a basket on a table in the back of the Church that you could drop your envelopes/donations in on your way in or out. You can also continue to mail your donations in or use our online giving.As I mentioned at our masses this past weekend this will be a fluid situation as we begin the reopening process– we will probably have to tweak some things here and there as we move forward these next few weeks. So I thank you for your patience and cooperation.God Bless,Fr. Chris Please support the Society of St. Vincent de Paul so that together we can help the poor as they carry their cross of suffering and pain. Those needing help should call the SVdP hotline 856-291-7313. COVID-19 Resources:1)If you need gas, please call the SVdP hotline, we can help.2) If you need food, please call SVdP hotline if the need is urgent. For less urgent needs, here are local food pantries you may visit.·Live Civilly (St. Mathews Church Moorestown) - www.livecivilly.org/about-us/.·First Baptist Church Mooretown- www.fbcmoorestown.org/food-pantry.html ·Grace SovereignChurch Marlton- www.sovgracenj.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=3652703) Jobs (Many are temporary positions for handling COVID-19):jobs.covid19.nj.govRespect Life HomilyDeacon Tom Kolon shared a wonderful and informative Catholic perspective on Respect Life, encompassing current events and statistics that spanned from end of life through the very beginning in the womb. You can re-watch his homily on the live streaming or may click here for a written copy to share. Additionally, he shared his reflective homily from Pentecost Sunday.Jesus gave us a new commandment: “love one another as I have loved you..." (Jn 13:34). On the night before the Last Supper Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, a lesson for them and for us in caring for and loving each other. Caregivers put this commandment into action every hour of every day. The demand on the caregiver for loving patience and dedication is extreme. St. Francis de Sales suggests that, "the measure of love is to love without measure. May God continue to bless all caregivers in their daily challenges and strengthen their capacity to care for their loved one – “with love without measure.”How does the caregiver do all that is necessary and still find time for their personal well being - spiritual, emotional, and physical health? When requested, a parishioner will visit the caregiver and their loved one, bringing Holy Communion, prayer, and spiritual support, as well as news of parish life, and perhaps a little laughter.For more information please call Jim Cassidy or Jane McCorkell : 856-235-2374 ONLINE GIVING OPTIONSplease click on the corresponding hyperlinks below

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