News and bulletin March to December 2021

Sat, Dec 25, 2021 6:22 pm

Merry Christmas to all of you again.

Tomorrow Sunday is dedicated to the Holy Family. We will have two Masses to be celebrated INSIDE the church – one at 9:00am and the other at 11:00am. Mass at 11:00am will also be available through zoom.

May the Holy Family be a source of blessing and inspiration to all of you and your families!

Our Lady of Good Counsel Team

 

Fri, Dec 24, 2021 12:21 pm

Today, Friday, December 24th, is already Christmas Vigil. Mass will be celebrated at 7:00pm inside the church. There will be no MIDNIGHT MASS.

Tomorrow, Saturday, on Christmas Day, we will have Mass at 9:00am and 11:00am.
Both Masses will be celebrated also inside the Church.

In attachment, you will find the Christmas edition of our electronic bulletin with more details.

Have a peaceful and blessed Christmas!

Our Lady of Good Counsel Team

Fri, Dec 17, 2021 6:07 pm

1. This Sunday, December 19th, our 11:00am Mass will be celebrated outdoors.When you are planning to come, please wear some warmer clothes. Our second collection this weekend will be dedicated towards the Religious Retirement Fund.

2. Vigil Service for Frank Bonito, husband of our Parish Business Manager, Evelyn Bonito, will be this coming Tuesday, December 21st at 3:00PM at Grissom’s Mortuary in San Lorenzo. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, December 22nd at 12:30PM in our church. Please keep Frank and his entire family in your prayers.

3. We continue our Simbang Gabi Novena Prayers at 6:45pm every night followed by indoor Mass. When we have a big number of participants, the overflow is directed to the parish hall where Mass is projected on a big screen. Also it is available through zoom. Last Simbang Gabi celebration will be on Thursday, December 23rd. After each Mass, the brown bags are distributed at the main entrance to the church. We thank all our ministers, food sponsors and all participants for making these celebrations possible.

4. We also thank all who support our Parish Christmas Giving Tree Project. All donations will be going to the poor in the Philippines.

5. Our Knights of Columbus still accept canned and non-expired foods till January 15th. Collected foods will be going to the Davis Street Community Center to help feed those who are in need. You may leave your cans in the vestibule. Thank you for your kindness and generosity.

6. Christmas is already around the corner. This year we will celebrate Christmas Eve Mass on Friday, December 24th at 7:00PM. There will be NO midnight Mass. On Christmas Day, Saturday, December 25th, there will be two indoor Masses – one at 9:00am and one at 11:00am.

Thank you for being God’s extended hands to our Parish and to our Diocese.

Our Lady of Good Counsel Team

Fri, Dec 10, 2021 4:34 pm

1. This Sunday, December 12th, due to the weather conditions, our 11:00am outdoor Mass might be transferred to the Church.

2. Our Knights of Columbus are sponsoring a canned food drive this year from December 15th to January 15th. All donations will be going to the Davis Street Community Center to help feed those who are in need. Please bring your non-expired canned goods and leave them on the table in front of the church or in the vestibule during the week in the vestibule. Thank you for your kindness and generosity.

3. This Wednesday, December 15th, at 6:45 pm, we will begin our Simbang Gabi Novena Prayers and Masses inside the church. If we have a big number of participants, the overflow will be directed to the parish hall where Mass will be projected on a big screen. Holy Communion will be distributed in both locations.

Simbang Gabi Masses will continue until Thursday, December 23rd. These popular celebrations help many people to prepare spiritually for the upcoming Christmas. All are welcomed.

4. Our Christmas Giving Tree Project will start soon and will support the poor in the Philippines.

5. Next weekend, our second collection will be dedicated to a Religious Retirement Fund. Special envelopes are available in the pews.

6. This year we will celebrate Christmas Eve on Friday, December 24th at 7:00PM. There will be NO midnight Mass. On Saturday morning, on Christmas Day, December 25th, there will be two indoor Masses – one at 9:00am and one at 11:00am. A complete schedule is printed in Electronic Bulletin and also is displayed on the announcement board in the vestibule.

Thank you for being God’s extended hands to our Parish and to our Diocese.

Our Lady of Good Counsel Team

Fri, Dec 3, 2021 4:05 p

1. This Monday, December 6th after 9:00 am Mass, we will have prayers for healing in the main church. Please join us as we ask God for favors through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary.

2. This coming Wednesday, December 8th, is the Feast of The Immaculate Conception of The Blessed Virgin Mary. Because it is a Holy Day of Obligation, we will have one Mass in the morning at 9:00 and one at 7:00 in the evening.

3. Our Parish Advent Reconciliation Service will take place this coming Friday, December 10th at 7:00PM. We will have four priests hearing our confessions, so please take an adventure and be reconciled with God and the Church before Christmas comes. Confirmation students are also invited to come to this important service.

4. According to the office of Vicar General, more than 20 thousand parishioners from all over the diocese participated in the last survey. This number represents 25% of current diocese Mass goers. It is a very good response! A 10% participation rate represents a statistically valid survey, which our diocese has greatly surpassed. We thank all of you for submitting your responses. We will share any analyzes or decisions regarding the future of our diocese as they become available to us.

Thank you for being God’s extended hands to our Parish and our Diocese.

Our Lady of Good Counsel Team

Fri, Nov 12, 2021 4:01 pm

***Beginning this Sunday, November 14^th, our 11:00am outdoor Mass is celebrated at the main parking lot behind the parish hall. We thank the Knights of Columbus for setting up the chairs. Those of you who come to the 11:00 AM Mass and prefer to stay in the car, can still participate by tuning your radio to FM 100.1. Holy Communion will be brought to you by our Eucharistic Ministers but you have to step out from your car.

***New “Today’s Missals” with ‘Sunday Readings’ and ‘The Order of Mass’ will be available this weekend before and after each Mass. You will be able to find them also in our Parish Gift Shop. Your donation of $5 will cover the cost. Please remember to sign your booklet and never leave it in the church.

***Please mark your calendars for the following church events:

– Thanksgiving Mass on November 25^th at 9:00am

– Immaculate Conception on Wednesday, December 8th at 9am and 7pm (Holy day of obligation)

– Parish Advent Reconciliation Service on December 10^th at 7:00pm &

– Simbang Gabi Masses (December 15-23) at 7:00PM. Location to be determined.

***We hope that many of you have already taken the survey focusing on the future of our parishes and our Diocese. If you have not done yet, please do so ASAP.  Your voice really matters. You will find a link to an online survey in the red box located on the opening page of our parish website which is olgcsanleandro.com. If you prefer to do your survey on paper, the copies are available in the vestibule.

Thank you for your faithful support of our parish and beyond.

May God continue to bless you and your loved ones.

Our Lady of Good Counsel Team

Fri, Nov 5, 2021 12:15 pm

***This Sunday, November 7^th at 2:00AM, we begin Daylight Saving Time. It means that we move our clocks back one hour. Practically speaking, we will gain one hour of sleep.

***Also, this Sunday, our Knights of Columbus will continue their recruitment drive and they will be available after each Mass. Refreshments will be provided.

***As Catholics, we firmly believe that God has a plan for our lives. He calls some to marriage, some to the priesthood, and others to diaconate or religious life. There are also generous single people. Fully living our own vocations – and teaching young people how to discern God’s call – is a serious duty, but also a joyful one. This Sunday, November 7^th, we begin National Vocation Awareness Week. Let us ask the Lord to help us to live our vocation more deeply. At the same time, let us encourage the young people – children, grandchildren, students, and friends – to be open if God calls them to priesthood, diaconate or consecrated life. More details on the topic can be found on the second page of our Electronic Bulletin.

***This Monday, November 8^th after 9:00 am Mass, we will have prayers for healing in the main church. Please join us as we ask God for favors through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary.

***According to the latest report from the Diocese, 91 households from our parish have already submitted their pledges or one time donations to the 2021 Bishop Appeal.  On behalf of our Bishop, Michael Barber, we thank all participants for supporting Bishop’s Appeal and the ministries this Appeal makes possible. Only together we can make this Appeal a great success.

Thank you for your faithful support of our parish and beyond.

May God continue to bless you and your loved ones.

Our Lady of Good Counsel Team

Fri, Oct 29, 2021 4:07 pm

*** This Sunday, our 11:00am Mass will be celebrated AGAIN outside at the Grotto. In the near future, when the temperature goes down, this Mass will become an indoor Mass with a possibility of zooming and transmitting it to the cars located in the parking lot.

*** This Monday, November 1^st is All Saints Day and it is NOT a holy day of obligation. That’s why we will have one Mass ONLY celebrated at 9:00am.

 

*** The next day, Tuesday, November 2^nd is a Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, traditionally known as ALL SOULS DAY.  While not a holy day of obligation, we invite you to join us for 9:00am Mass. On All Souls Day, we begin the Novena Masses for our Beloved Faithful Departed.

*** This coming Friday, November 5^th, is the first Friday of the month. Mass will be celebrated at 9:00am and our Adoration Chapel will be open till 6:00PM. Next day, November 6^th, is the First Saturday of the month and Mass will also be celebrated at 9:00am.

 

*** Some of you have already taken the online survey focusing on the future of the parishes and our Diocese. Others have returned their survey on paper to us. It will be forwarded to the Diocese. If you have not done your survey yet, please do so ASAP.  Every voice matters. You will find a link to an online survey on the opening page of our parish website which is olgcsanleandro.com. If you prefer to do your survey on paper, the copies are available in the vestibule.

 

*** A long time choir member at our Sunday morning Mass, Norma Pagdanganan, passed away on September 29^th. Her funeral Mass was celebrated on October 22^nd at St. Felicitas. A memorial Mass on the 40th day of her passing will take place in our church next Sunday, November 7^th at  3:00pm. Let’s keep Norma and her family in our prayers.

 

*** Deacon Gerardo Toscano who was helping our parish for a few months will be ordained to the priesthood tomorrow morning in Santa Maria, CA where the Congregation of Josephites has its headquarters. Hopefully, one day, Fr. Gerardo will visit and celebrate the Holy Eucharist at OLGC.

 

***Our Knights of Columbus prepared a short and beautiful promotional video they are planning to show at the end of each Mass this weekend. Hopefully, it will encourage new members to join their honorable Order. You can watch this video by opening the link below.

 

Thank you for your faithful support of our parish.

 

May God continue to bless you and your loved ones.

 

Our Lady of Good Counsel Team

Fri, Oct 22, 2021 5:19 pm

 

* According to the weather experts, this Sunday will be a rainy day. We are planning to transfer our 11:00am outdoor Mass to the main church. The overflow will be directed to the parish hall where a big projection screen is located. Those of you who still are not comfortable to enter the building, may stay inside the car and listen to Mass by tuning your car radio to FM 100.1. We recommend that those people will come much earlier and park their cars on the east side of the church building. Holy Communion will be offered to anyone who can receive it. This change will apply only to those Sundays when the weather is not cooperating.

* Following the request from the Diocese, this weekend we begin to count Mass participants. We thank our Knights of Columbus and other Ushers for their assistance in this matter.

* Speaking of Knights, we are so grateful for their active presence in our parish life and beyond. They are the ones who help us to prepare the grotto area for the outdoor Masses. They also assist our CCD teachers to set up the tables and the chairs for Sunday classes. This weekend after all Masses, the Knights will begin selling Tootsie rolls to help people with intellectual disabilities. Let’s support their efforts with our free donations. During these Tootsie roll selling, the Knights will also distribute car bumper stickers promoting pro-life programs. Seeing them in action, hopefully some men will decide to join their Order. Belonging to this noble group and participating in all they do is a true honor and satisfaction.

* The Mission Alignment Process (MAP) we have mentioned about last weekend has already started in our Diocese. In today’s electronic bulletin there is more information on this topic. Our participation in SURVEY is very important because it will help to determine the future of our Diocese and the future of our parishes. The survey is available online. You can click this link https://www.catholicleaders.org/oaklanddmi and begin your survey in your own language today. This link is also published on the opening page of our parish website (www.olgcsanleandro.com) For those of you who do not use computers, a hard copy of the survey is available at the main entrance to the church. Please return your survey on paper to us ASAP.

* November is a month dedicated to prayer for our beloved faithful departed. From November 2^nd to November 10^th, we will have Novena Masses offered for them in our church. If you would like to include your loved ones into this Novena Masses, please fill the form attached to this bulletin and return it to us ASAP.  Additional copies of this form are available at the main entrance to the church.

May God continue to bless you and your loved ones.

Our Lady of Good Counsel Team

Fri, Oct 15, 2021 12:26 pm

1. Following the request from the Diocese, this weekend we begin to count Mass participants. This counting will continue to the middle of November.

2.Thank you for supporting “The Catholic Voice”. Each month, this beautiful and colorful magazine is delivered to 72,000 households of our Diocese.

If you have not made your donation today, you can still do it next weekend. Please make your check payable to “OLGC” and notate “The Catholic Voice” on the memo line. If for some reason you are not receiving “The Voice”, please inform our parish office so your name will be added to the list of recipients.

3. Speaking of “The Catholic Vice” – in the latest edition of this magazine we read that all the faithful in the Diocese of Oakland are being invited to participate in the Mission Alignment Process.

What is the Mission Alignment Process?

The Mission Alignment Process, shortly MAP, is focusing on priests, demographics, schools, parishes and parishioners. The data from this process will reveal how much our parishes and our Diocese are aligned with the mission of building the Kingdom of God in our midst.

The biggest tool of this process is a survey. All priests are already submitting their surveys and beginning this week, all parishioners in our Diocese are asked to start their anonymous survey as well. The survey is available online. You can click on the following link https://www.catholicleaders.org/oaklanddmi and begin your survey in your own language today. This link is also published on our parish website.

Those of you who are not going online, can find the printed survey in the vestibule or at the parking lot. When you complete your survey, please bring it back next weekend.

4.The upcoming month of November is a special time of prayer for our beloved faithful departed. From November 2^nd to November 10^th, we will have Novena Masses offered for them in our church. If you would like to include the names of your loved ones, please write them on the form emailed to you earlier and return it to us as soon as possible. Additionally, we are attaching the form to this email as well. The hard copies are available in our church vestibule or at the parking lot.

May God continue to bless you and your loved ones.

Our Lady of Good Counsel Team

Fri, Oct 8, 2021 4:09 pm

 

Dear Parishioners and Friends of OLGC,

This Wednesday, October 13^th, we will have a final celebration dedicated to Our Lady of Fatima. Mass will begin at 5:00 PM followed by a procession and Rosary in the parking lot. After the procession, there will be a solemn Benediction with the Blessed Sacrament inside the church.

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Following the request from the Diocese, next weekend, October 16^th and 17^th, we will begin to count Mass participants and this count will continue until November 14^th. We thank our ushers for helping us in this matter.

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Our Diocese continues to improve its communication efforts. The new Catholic Voice magazine is being delivered to 72,000 households. Bishop Barber is speaking directly to Catholics on social media, including through videos, and the website about the work of our Diocese almost daily. Please support these efforts by giving generously to the diocesan communications special collection that will be taken as a second collection next weekend. Thank you for helping us spread the good news across our Diocese and beyond.

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Everybody is invited to our PUBLIC SQUARE ROSARY RALLY next Saturday, October 16^th at noon at the Grotto. This is in connection with the final apparition of Mary, our Blessed Mother in Fatima. On that particular day, more than 20,000 Rosary Groups from Coast to Coast of America will say the Rosary prayer simultaneously at the same time in their time zone.

Please bring your family and invite your friends to join us in this special prayer. For more information, you may call Lino Poblete at 510-432-8779.

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May God continue to bless you and your loved ones.

Our Lady of Good Counsel Team

Fri, Oct 1, 2021 4:26 pm

 

Each October the Church in the United States celebrates Respect Life Month, and the first Sunday of October is observed as Respect Life Sunday. As Christians, we are called to cherish, defend, and protect those who are most vulnerable, from the beginning of life to its end, and every point in between. During the month of October, the Church asks us to reflect more deeply on the dignity of every human life.

If you still would like to register your child for 1^st Communion or Conformation Class, please come to the parish hall on Sunday before 9:30am and bring your Registration Forms with you. For the benefit of your child please do not delay this registration. After the CCD class, students and their families are encouraged to participate in 11:00 AM Mass at the Grotto.

This Monday, October 4^th after 9:00 am Mass, we will have prayers for healing in the main church. Please join us as we ask God for favors through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary.

Our parishioners and visitors seem to be enjoying special prayers dedicated to Our Lady of Perpetual Help on First Wednesday of the month. These prayers are incorporated into our 9:00 am Mass. Beginning this Wednesday, October 6^th, we will expand those prayers to EACH WEDNESDAY, so more people can participate in this powerful devotion.

As we announced last weekend, we are planning to renovate the interior of our church and we are looking for a retired architect who would help us with this project. If you know any architect who is retired and has more time, please talk to Fr. Jan or call our parish office.

May God bless you and your families.

Our Lady of Good Counsel Team

Fri, Sep 24, 2021 12:57 pm

 

Our CCD classes for First Communion and Confirmation students will begin this Sunday, September 26th at 9:30AM at the parish hall. Please bring your Registration Forms with you. If you don’t have any form, we will provide it to you when you come. After each class, students and their families are encouraged to participate in 11:00 AM Mass at the Grotto. This will be an important part of their preparation for First Communion and Confirmation sacraments.

This coming Friday, October 1st, is the first Friday of the month. Mass will be celebrated at 9:00am and our Adoration Chapel will be open till 6:00PM. Next day, October 2nd, is the First Saturday of the month and Mass will also be celebrated at 9:00am.

In the near future, we are planning to renovate the interior of our church and we are looking for the architect. If you know any retired architect who is still willing to help us with this project, please approach Fr. Jan or call our parish office.

May God bless you and your families.

Our Lady of Good Counsel Team

Fri, Sep 17, 2021 4:12 pm

 

This weekend we will have a second collection for the Priests Retirement Fund. Supporting this collection is a way to thank our retired priests for their service they provided for so many years. On behalf of all the retired priests we thank you for your generous support.

Our CCD classes for First Communion and Confirmation students will begin next Sunday, September 26th. For your convenience, our registration form is attached to this email so you can print it out and submit the completed form on September 26th when the first class will be held at 9:30AM at the parish hall. Extra copies are available in the vestibule. Also, in a separate attachment, you will find the 2021-2022 Parental Permission/Health Authorization form to be submitted together with the registration form. Students and their families are encouraged to participate in the 11:00 AM Mass at the Grotto. We thank our Director of Religious Education, Nadine Ramos, her husband Ronnie and our returning CCD catechists for sharing their faith with our children and youth. As one of our volunteers once said, “There’s nothing more fulfilling than to share my faith with children and help them explore their relationship with God”

This weekend is a deadline for submitting your registration for a Bible Study that will begin on October 7th and will continue until November 25th. More information on this topic can be found on the special flyers in the vestibule.

This coming Thursday, September 23rd, Fr. Jan will celebrate his 64th birthday. Let’s keep him in our prayers and wish him many more years in good health and a great spirit. By the way, if you still receive a text message from someone pretending to be Fr. Jan asking you for an eBay gift card, please do not respond to this scam and call our parish office ASAP.

Thank you for reading our bulletin and supporting our Parish.

Our Lady of Good Counsel Team

Fri, Sep 10, 2021 3:48 pm

 

This coming Monday, September 13^th at 7:00PM, we will have our monthly Mass dedicated to Our Lady of Fatima, followed by a procession and the Rosary.  After the procession, there will be special Benediction with the Blessed Sacrament. Please join us as we pray together for peace and healing through the intercession of Mary, our Blessed Mother.

The Devotees of Our Lady Virgin of Penafrancia are getting ready for their Annual Celebration. Next Saturday, September 18^th special Mass will be celebrated at 10:00AM at the Grotto.

Novena Prayers will begin tonight at 7PM.Tomorrow after our regular 5:00PM Mass, there will be a Rosary and the Procession with the statue of Our Lady Virgin of Penafrancia at 7:00PM.

Novena Prayers with a Benediction will continue every night at 7:00PM with an exception this Monday, when the Novena will be moved to 5:00PM.

We are planning to have a Bible Study in our parish. It’s called “The Unlocking the Mystery of the Bible”. This study will begin next month, on OCTOBER 7^th and will continue until NOVEMBER 25^th. Please mark your calendars. Participants will meet every week to view an engaging 30-minute video presentation by Jeff Cavins of Ascension Press followed by virtual group discussion using ZOOM coordinated by Deacon Noe Tuason. More information on this topic has been published in the attached electronic bulletin. Additionally, we have printed special flyers that are available on the table at the main entrance to the church.

Next weekend, across the entire Diocese, donations for the Priests Retirement Fund will be collected. Supporting this collection is a way to thank our retired priests for their service. For your convenience special envelopes have been placed in the pews and next to our donation boxes. On behalf of all the retired priests, we thank you in advance for your generous support.

May God bless you and your families.

Our Lady of Good Counsel Team

Fri, Sep 3, 2021 3:56 pm

 

This Monday, September 6th after 9:00 am Mass, we will have prayers for healing in the main church. Please join us as we ask God for favors through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary.

Last month a major earthquake struck Haiti. As a result, many lives have been lost and many Church properties, along with homes and businesses, have been severely damaged or destroyed. To support our brothers and sisters in Haiti we have been asked by our Bishop Barber to collect this weekend free-will donations during or after all our Masses.

For those of you who participate in our indoor Masses we have prepared special donation boxes located at the back of the church and at the main entrances. Those who come to our outdoor Mass at 11:00 am may drop their special donation in the boxes located around our Grotto Area.

If you use a check, please make your check payable to OLGC with memo notation “Haiti Disaster Relief” or just simply “Haiti”. Those who want to donate cash, please use extra envelopes located next to the donation boxes. On the envelope, please indicate “Haiti Disaster Relief.” Thank you for your positive response and your generous support.

According to the latest report from the Bishop’s Appeal Office, 70% of the overall diocesan goal has been reached. When it comes to our parish, 74 households have already submitted their pledges or one-time donations to 2021 Bishop Appeal.  We hope that others will join them soon.

On behalf of our Bishop, Michael Barber, we thank all participants for supporting Bishop’s Appeal and the ministries this Appeal makes possible. Only together we can make this Appeal successful.

This Monday, September 6th, our parish office will be closed due to the observance of Labor Day.

Thank you for your continued support including the financial.

Our Lady of Good Counsel Team

Thu, Aug 26, 2021 9:51 pm

 

This weekend after all Masses, volunteers from Birthright of San Lorenzo will be passing out baby bottles for your spare change. Please return filled bottles to our church orBirthright office. Your spare change can save babies’ lives. Additionally, if you have a few hours each week to volunteer at the Birthright center, please call our parish office. Thank you for supporting mothers in crisis pregnancy situations.

 

This Sunday is the fifth Sunday of the month and our Knights of Columbus will have their Rosary Prayer at 2:00pm in the Grotto Area. We are invited to join them and their families as together we pray for peace in the world,especially in the Middle East and for the end of this pandemic.

 

Registrations for the First Communion and Confirmation classes will begin soon. Also, we are planning to have RCIA classes that prepare adults to become Catholics or receive missing Sacraments. If you or someone you know would like to join the RCIA this fall, please call our parish office.

 

This coming Wednesday, September 1st,  is the first Wednesday of the month and the prayers to Our Lady of Perpetual Help will be incorporated into our 9:00am Mass.

 

This Friday is the first Friday of September. Mass will be celebrated at 9:00 am and our Adoration Chapel will be open till 6:00pm. Next day is the First Saturday of the month and Mass will also be celebrated at 9:00am.
Thank  you for all your support including the financial.

Our Lady of Good Counsel Team

Fri, Aug 20, 2021 2:14 pm

 

As many of you already know, behind our newly constructed “Cry Room/Confessional” located in the back of the church, there is a room where the flowers for our liturgies can be arranged. We call it “Flowers Arrangement Room”.  Last week, a new sink and wall cabinets were installed so the room is ready to be used. We thank Ed Arbas and his crew for doing such an excellent job.

 

Birthright of San Lorenzo needs your help to support mothers in crisis pregnancy situations. Your spare change will go towards the funding of the daily operating expenses to keep the doors open to pregnant woman seeking an alternative to abortion. Next weekend, August 28-29, volunteers will be passing out bottles after all Masses. Please return filled bottles to the Church or Birthright office. Your spare change can help spare babies and change lives. If you have a few hours each week to volunteer at the Birthright center, please call our parish office or Birthright Office at 510 481-9677. Thank you in advance for your generosity.

 

Also next Sunday is the fifth Sunday of the month and our Knights of Columbus invite us to attend their Rosary Prayer at 2:00PM in the Grotto Area. Together with the Knights and their families, we will pray for peace in the world and for the end of this pandemic.

 

This week Fr. Jan will be on his annual priestly retreat in Santa Cruz. During his absence, Fr. John Fernandes  will celebrate daily Masses. Please keep Fr. Jan and all the participants of the retreat in your prayers knowing that they will be praying for you.

Thu, Aug 12, 2021 6:12 pm

 

Last Sunday, our 11:00am Sunday Mass that has been moved from main parking lot to Grotto Area was very well attended to the point that we were running out of chairs. We don’t use the chairs from the parish hall and those outside can be used on a come first served basis. We ask those of you who are planning to come to our 11:00am Mass, to bring your folded chair with you, just in case. It will help us to accommodate all participants.

Some of you are asking if we will have our CCD Faith Formation classes back this coming Fall. Yes, we are planning to have classes for First Communion and Confirmation students only. More details will be announced soon.

As we know, RCIA stands for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. It is a program which prepares candidates to make a conscious choice to receive Baptism, the Eucharist, and Confirmation. If you or someone you know would like to join the RCIA this fall, please call our parish office. We will be more than happy to organize classes for these candidates.

Thank  you for all your support including the financial.

Our Lady of Good Counsel Team

Fri, Aug 6, 2021 11:46 am

 

Beginning this Sunday, our 11:00 am outdoor Mass is celebrated at the Grotto Area. We thank Knights of Columbus for setting up the chairs and Ed Arbas for installing the platform for the altar. Also, we thank Ronnie Ramos for providing decorations and Mike Nario for overseeing the sound system and zooming.

Those who come to the 11:00 am Mass and prefer to stay in the car, can still participate by tuning their car radio to FM 100.1. Holy Communion will be brought to them by our Eucharistic Ministers.

We will appreciate your feedback on this Mass and on the other Masses so we can organize them even better.

According to health officials of Alameda County, “despite high vaccination rates, the County is experiencing substantial levels of community transmission due to the Delta variant. While the risk for COVID-19 infection is highest among unvaccinated residents, the infection among fully vaccinated persons is increasing. Beginning August 3^rd, all individuals are required to wear face coverings when indoors in workplaces and public settings, including the places of worship.”

In compliance with the new order, we have updated signage on all our parish facilities entrances and we ask all of you to please follow this order.

This coming Friday, August 13^th at 7:00PM, there will be a monthly Mass dedicated to Our Lady of Fatima, followed by a procession and the Rosary. After the procession, there will be special Benediction with the Blessed Sacrament. Please join us as we pray together for peace and healing through the intercession of Mary, our Blessed Mother.

Next Sunday, August 15^th, volunteers from Birthright of San Lorenzo will be passing out bottles for “spare change to help spare babies and change their lives.” Please return filled bottles to our church or directly to the Birthright office in San Lorenzo. Additionally, if you have some time to volunteer at their center, you may contact them in advance. Our parish office can provide a phone number.

Thank  you for all your support including the financial.

Our Lady of Good Counsel Team

Fri, Jul 30, 2021 10:45 am

 

This Monday, August 2^nd, after 9:00 am daily Mass we will have monthly prayers for healing in the main church. Please join us as we ask God for help and favors through the intercession of the Blessed Mother Mary.

This coming Wednesday, August 4^th, is the first Wednesday of the month and the prayers to Our Lady of Perpetual Help will be incorporated into our 9:00 am Mass.

This Friday is the first Friday of the month. Mass will be celebrated at 9:00 am and our Adoration Chapel will be open till 6:00 pm. Next day is the First Saturday of the month of August  and Mass will also be celebrated at 9:00am.

Beginning next Sunday, August 8^th, our outdoor Sunday Mass at 11:00 am will be moved from the main parking lot to the Grotto Area. Those who prefer to stay in their cars will still be able to hear Mass through their car radio. They just need to tune to FM 100.1. We thank Ed Arbas and his crews for installing the platform under the weeping willow tree where the altar will be located.

A day before, on Saturday, August 7^th, we are planning to set up more than 100 chairs in the Grotto Area and we ask our Knights of Columbus to come at 9:00 am and help us again to do the job. We thank them in advance for their dedicated service to our parish, especially with outdoor Masses.

Thank  you for all your support including the financial.

Our Lady of Good Counsel Team

Fri, Jul 23, 2021 2:45 pm

 

The Shrine at the back of our church looks refreshed and beautiful.

As one of the parishioners said, “Even the statues of the Blessed Mother and the Saints reflect some freshness and new energy and hopefully they will make those who pray in front of them feel the same, fresh and renewed.” We thank Nancy, Jose and Linnio for their hard work on the floor tiles done literally on their knees. May God bless them abundantly and Mary, Our Blessed Mother intercede for them and their loved ones.

Many of you already know that the Order of Malta Clinic of Northern California located at the Cathedral of Christ the Light, has been providing excellent and free medical care to the uninsured and underinsured of the Bay Area for 13 years, and now they are providing free Pfizer COVID-19 vaccinations for all their patients – documented and undocumented with no appointment needed.

We know there’s a lot of information out there about the vaccines – some good, some bad – the most important information: if you are vaccinated, you are less likely to be hospitalized or die from the COVID virus. More information on this subject can be found on the flyers available in our church vestibule.

According to the weather specialists, more heat waves will be coming to the West Coast in the month of August. We are seriously considering moving our 11:00AM Sunday outdoor Mass from the main parking lot to the shady Grotto Area. Next weekend, we will inform you about the final decision in this matter.

Thank you for all of your support including financial.

Our Lady of Good Counsel Team

Fri, Jul 16, 2021 6:04 pm

 

Thank you for supporting Pope Francis’ charity works through the “Peter Pence” collection. Your donation helps our Holy Father to direct financial assistance to those who need it the most.

 

Last Thursday, July 14^th, we received an email from the Department of Human Resources of our Diocese regarding the guidelines for mask requirements. The email says (Quote):

 

“To comply with CDC, State of California, and County notification guidelines for mask requirements, special signs are being provided to all parishes to display at each entrance door of the church, hall, office, and other facilities. Additional signs may be printed from the PDF available in the Human Resources section of the Diocesan website…”

And the message continues:

“To ensure parishioners feel comfortable when attending Mass and to promote compliance with County guidelines for unvaccinated persons, a box of disposable masks is being mailed to each parish, courtesy of our    Diocesan legal counsel, Peter Glaessner.” (Unquote)

 

The signs have been already posted at entry doors of our church and disposable masks are available in the vestibule. You may use them regardless of your vaccination status.

 

A renovation of the shrine at the back of the church is coming to its completion. We thank our volunteers for making the floor tiles so shiny and beautiful. We also thank our sponsors who have collected necessary funds to purchase an additional rack for the vigil candles.

 

We are still looking for a piano player for our Saturday Vigil Mass at 5:00PM. If you or someone you know could help us in this matter, please approach Ronnie Ramos or call our parish office.

Thank you for being a part of our community of faith and your continued financial support.

Our Lady of Good Counsel Team

Fri, Jul 9, 2021 3:36 pm

 

Many of you have already noticed that we are painting the place at the back of the church where most of the statues are kept. Once the painting is finished and the floor has been refurbished is done, the statues will be brought back and rearranged. Also, the picture of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Our Lady of Perpetual Help will be moved there. The additional rack for vigil candles will be ordered. We thank all who help us to make this project possible.

This coming Tuesday, July 13^th at 7:00PM, there will be a monthly Mass dedicated to Our Lady of Fatima, followed by a procession and the Rosary. After the procession, there will be special Benediction with the Blessed Sacrament. Please join us as we pray together for peace and healing through the intercession of Mary, our Blessed Mother.

We are planning to bring live music to our liturgies starting with Saturday Vigil Mass at 5:00PM and we are in need of musicians who could play the piano. If you could help us in this matter or know someone who can play the piano, please contact Ronnie Ramos or our parish office. The musician doesn’t have to have a high degree. Basic knowledge and a good heart will do the job.

Next weekend our second collection will be dedicated to “Peter’s Pence” to support Pope Francis’s charity works. For your convenience, we have placed special envelopes in the pews and in the vestibule. Those who attend outdoor Mass at 11:00am can find the envelopes next to donation boxes.

 

As we announced last weekend, beginning August 15^th, there will be no more dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation. As Bishop Barber says in his letter: “let us come back to the Lord at Mass in person, joining together as a worshipping community, to be fed with His word in Scripture, and His body and blood in Holy Communion…”

This week Fr. Jan will be on his break. When he is away, Fr. John Fernandes, a retired priest of our Diocese will be saying daily Masses. If there is any pastoral emergency, please call our parish office at 510-969-7013.

Thank you for your prayers and continued financial support.

Our Lady of Good Counsel Team

Fri, Jul 2, 2021 12:27 pm

 

HAPPY AND BLESSED INDEPENDENCE DAY TO ALL OF US!

Last Tuesday, Bishop Barber released a pastoral letter encouraging people to return to Mass. In this letter He says (quote):

 

“I cannot tell you how happy I was to see so many people coming back to Mass for Holy Week and Easter this year, and since the June 15 lifting of most COVID restrictions, for daily and Sunday Masses. I felt like St. Peter at the Transfiguration, when he said, “Lord, it is good for us to be here…

 

When Christ taught “Come to me all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest,” I believe – says the Bishop – our Lord was encouraging us to come to Him where He is most intensely present, in His own Body and Blood on the altar of sacrifice at every Mass…

And the Bishop continues: “So let us come back to Him at Mass in person, joining together as a worshipping community, to be fed with His word in Scripture, and His body and blood in Holy Communion…

In conclusion, our Bishop says: “I am reinstating the law which was dispensed because of the pandemic. Our solemn obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation will come back into force in the Diocese of Oakland on Sunday, August 15, 2021, the Solemnity of the Assumption of Our Lady into Heaven (Unquote).

The entire letter has been printed and emailed to most of you in our last Parish Electronic Bulletin. You can also find the copy of this letter on the Announcement Board in the vestibule.

This coming Wednesday, July 7^th, is the first Wednesday of the month and the prayers to Our Lady of Perpetual Help will be incorporated into our 9:00 am Mass.

Thank you for being a part of our community of faith.

Our Lady of Good Counsel Team

Fri, Jun 25, 2021 5:22 pm

 

In the attached electronic Bulletin you will find the list of our newly elected and installed officers of the Knights of Columbus OLGC Council for 2021-2022. We congratulate them and offer our prayers for them and their families. The list of the officers is also placed on the Announcement Board in the vestibule.

As we have mentioned before, beginning this Thursday, July 1^st our daily Mass will be moved to pre-Covid time to 9:00am, Monday to Friday. When daily Mass is over, the main church will be closed but Adoration Chapel will be open till 6:00PM. The schedule of our weekend’s Masses will remain the same.

This coming Friday, July 2^nd is the first Friday of the month. Mass will be celebrated at 9:00am in the main church and our Adoration Chapel will be open till 6:00PM.  The next day is the First Saturday of the month and Mass will be celebrated at 9:00am.

Our parish gift shop is open. You may stop by after each Mass.

Thank you for being a part of our community of faith.

Our Lady of Good Counsel Team

Fri, Jun 18, 2021 12:51 pm

 

HAPPY UPCOMING FATHER’S DAY to all our fathers and those who play their role! 

We want to honor them and express our gratitude for everything they’ve done to help us become who we are. This weekend, towards the end of all Masses, we will have a special blessing for fathers and on the way out they will receive a symbolic gift as a token of our appreciation.

We have received the updated guidelines for worship from the Diocese. The main change is that if you have been vaccinated, you do not need to wear a mask for indoor worship.  If you have not been vaccinated, you are asked to wear a mask indoors for your own protection.

Unvaccinated priests should remain masked for the Eucharistic Prayer, but they may remove the mask while preaching at a distance from the people. A decision of the vaccinated priests in this matter is left up to them.

 

There are no more restrictions on social distancing and seating limits for indoor worship. In our church, we have removed the ropes blocking our pews.You may choose any seat inside the church or Adoration chapel.

We will continue to use an electronic music at 9:00AM indoor and at 11:00AM outdoor Masses. However, on Saturday, during the 5:00pm Vigil Mass, we will be partially bringing back live music and singing. Hopefully, in the near future, we will have enough musicians and cantors to cover other Masses. You may continue using your own “Today’s Missal”.

The Sign of Peace should still be exchanged without physical contact, except for family members.

It is strongly encouraged that the faithful receive Communion in the hand, however provision should be made so that anyone who wishes to receive on the tongue may do so. In our church, we will ask those receiving the Holy Communion on tongue to do it at the end of Communion time.

These protocols are all on the “honor system”.  No one should be forced or requested to “prove” their vaccination status to participate in worship.  No one should be criticized if they choose not to be vaccinated, and/or wear a mask inside the church.

In the near future, Bishop Barber will write a Pastoral Letter lifting of the dispensation from the Sunday Mass Obligation.

You will find more details in the attached electronic bulletin or on the announcements board in the church vestibule.

Thank you for your continued prayers and financial support.

Our Lady of Counsel Team

Fri, Jun 11, 2021 1:16 pm

 

The Novena Masses for our fathers, living or deceased, will continue through the entire week until Sunday, June 20^th, when Father’s Day will be celebrated. During those Masses, we are asking our gracious God for a special blessing upon our living fathers and for the gift of eternal life for those who have already left this world.

If you didn’t have a chance to include your dad in the Novena Masses, you still can do it. Special forms are available at the main entrance to the church or, when you are the 11:00am outdoor Mass participant, you will find them on the small tables, next to the donation boxes. Please return the form with the names as soon as you can.

The installation of newly elected officers of the Knights of Columbus OLGC Council for 2021-2022 will take place this Sunday, June 13^th at 2:30PM at the parish hall. Half an hour earlier, about 2:00 PM, there will be a “Flag Raising Ceremony” on the main entrance plaza, next to the statue of the Blessed Mother. We thank our Knights for purchasing and installing a new aluminum flagpole.

Also this Sunday at 7:00PM, we will celebrate Fatima Mass followed by a procession and recitation of the Holy Rosary in different languages.  A solemn Benediction with a Blessed Sacrament will conclude our Fatima celebration.

Since summer time begins soon and the days are getting longer and warmer, we are planning to move our daily Mass from 11:00 AM back to 9:00 AM. Most probably this change will take place on July 1^st. The outdoor Sunday Mass will STILL be celebrated at 11:00AM.

Our parish gift shop is open. You may stop by after Mass.

Thank you for your prayers and continued financial support .

Our Lady of Good Counsel Team

Fri, Jun 4, 2021 3:46 pm

 

Next Friday, June 11^th is the Solemnity of The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Mass will be celebrated at 11:00am.

Every year we have Novena Masses dedicated to our fathers – living and deceased. This year’s Novena will begin next Friday, June 11^th and will continue till Father’s Day on June 20^th. On a special form that is attached to this email, you can write the names of the fathers you would like to include into Novena Masses.  Additional forms will be available in the vestibule. Please return the form by dropping it to our regular collection basket or by mailing it to our office.  You may also drop it into the mailbox at the rectory door or into a donation box located below St. Anne’s statue at the back of the church.

Our next Fatima Mass will be celebrated next Sunday, June 13 at 7:00PM. Following Mass, there will be a procession and recitation of the Rosary outside the church.  A solemn Benediction with a Blessed Sacrament will conclude our celebration.

The installation of newly elected officers of the Knights of Columbus OLGC Council for 2021-2022 will take place also on Sunday, June 13^th at 2:30PM at the parish hall. On the same day but half an hour earlier at about 2:00 PM, there will be a “Flag Raising Ceremony” on the main entrance plaza, next to the statue of the Blessed Mother. We thank our Knights for purchasing and installing a new aluminum flagpole. It will serve us for many years to come.

Thank you for your support and have a blessed Feast of Corpus Christi.

Our Lady of Good Counsel Team

Fri, May 28, 2021 1:19 pm

 

As we announced last weekend, this Sunday Fr. Kristian Laygo (Fr. Itchan) will celebrate his last Mass at OLGC. He has been coming to our parish since last Advent and his pastoral ministry to all of us is greatly appreciated. We will miss him dearly hoping that one day he will visit us again. Let’s keep Fr. Itchan and his new assignments in our prayers.

 

If you are still looking for a new “Today’s Missal” with ‘Sunday Readings’ and ‘The Order of Mass’, you may hopefully find it in the Parish Gift Shop. Your donation of $5 will cover the cost. Please remember to sign your booklet and never leave it in the church.

 

This Sunday is the fifth Sunday of the month and our Knights of Columbus invite us to attend their Rosary Prayer at 2:00PM in the Grotto area. Together with the Knights and their families, we will pray for peace in the world and for the end of this pandemic. We will continue to follow CDC’s recommendation and Alameda Public health advisory to maintain social distance and wear a face mask.

 

Beginning this Wednesday, June 2^nd, we will begin special prayers dedicated to Our Lady of Perpetual Help. They will be incorporated into our 11:00 am Mass.  For now, these prayers will be recited on the first Wednesday of the month ONLY. Maybe in the future, the Novena Prayers to Our Lady of Perpetual Help will be extended to every Wednesday.

 

This coming Friday is the first Friday of the month. Mass will be celebrated at 11:00am and our Adoration Chapel will be open till 6:00PM. Additionally, the main church will also be open till 6:00PM, so people can privately pray “The Stations of the Cross”. Following the First Friday is the First Saturday of the month. Mass will be celebrated at 11:00am.

 

This Monday, May 31^st, is a Memorial Day. We will have a daily Mass as usual at 11:00am but our parish office will be closed.

Thank you for your prayers and continued financial support.

Our Lady of Good Counsel Team

Fri, May 21, 2021 6:49 pm

With mixed feelings, we have to announce that Fr. Kristian Laygo, SDB, known to us as Fr. Itchan will be leaving the Bay Area pretty soon. Next Sunday, May 30^th at 11:00AM, he will celebrate his last Mass at OLGC. Even though Fr. Itchan has been coming to our parish only since last Advent, we’ve got to know him quite well and greatly appreciate his young spirit and his inspiring homilies. Surely he will be missed by all of us. Let’s keep Fr. Itchan and his future ministry in our prayers.

Current edition of “Today’s Missal” is coming to its expiration. Next weekend, a new Missal will be needed. Many of you like this booklet because you can read weekend’s readings and daily antiphons with responsorial Psalms printed there. Also, there is “The Order of Mass” with some interesting prayers and songs.

If you would like to have this very helpful booklet, please approach Evelyn Bonito after this Mass and you will receive one. A donation of $5 will help us to cover the cost. Please don’t forget to sign your booklet and never leave it in the church. It belongs to you. Additional Missals can be purchased in our Parish Gift Shop.

Speaking of our gift shop – it is open after each weekend Mass and after some daily Masses. We have many beautiful rosaries, medals and some statues. Also, you will find spiritual books and gifts for First Communion and Confirmation. Please check it out.

According to the Bishop’s Appeal office, 56%  of the 3 million dollars goal has been already achieved.  60 households from our parish submitted their donations towards 2021 Bishop’s Appeal. On behalf of our Bishop, we thank them sincerely. It’s still not too late to support this important appeal.

Thank you for your continued support.

Our Lady of Good Counsel Team

Fri, May 14, 2021 6:45 pm

Fri, May 7, 2021 6:31 pm