Our Lady of Good Counsel

Our Lady Good Counsel

From the Desk of Fr. Pascual

Palm Sunday

Holy Week Celebrations

     We begin this Sunday the solemn celebrations of the Holy Week. We have the blessing of palms at the beginning of mass to commemorate Jesus’ triumphant entry to Jerusalem. We also listen to the Gospel of the Lord’s passion in the liturgy of the word. This is why we call this day Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion. During the week on Thursday to Sunday, we have the Easter Triduum which is the highlight of all the celebrations we have in our Christian and Catholic faith. Three days of intense prayer, sacrifice and celebration of Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection.

     We begin this Sunday the solemn celebrations of the Holy Week. We have the blessing of palms at the beginning of mass to commemorate Jesus’ triumphant entry to Jerusalem. We also listen to the Gospel of the Lord’s passion in the liturgy of the word. This is why we call this day Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion. During the week on Thursday to Sunday, we have the Easter Triduum which is the highlight of all the celebrations we have in our Christian and Catholic faith. Three days of intense prayer, sacrifice and celebration of Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection.

     Being your shepherds at OLGC, Fr. Rufino and I would like to encourage everyone to take part in these solemn occasions. It may be difficult for us to attend due to work demands but I know that sacrificing our time for the Lord is worth it. Not only that we get a break from our daily chores but also we can have time for ourselves with the Lord, our families and our OLGC Ohana. May our Holy Week be full of meaning and our journey with the Lord be life enriching!



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Acts of Charity

     Holy Thursday and Good Friday are days so honored not only of the celebrations of the Mass of the Lord’s Supper and Passion of the Lord but because of the generous act that we do. On these days in the Holy Week, we, as members of the Catholic Church are encouraged to take part in the Operation Rice Bowl that will help our brothers and sisters, children and adults who are depraved of food and health in India. On Good Friday, we help as well the many Christians in the Holy Land who depend on the collection for their lives. May I take this opportunity to ask your support and extend a generous response to the call for help. May God reward you for your generosity.









Confirmation Candidates on Retreat

     John Paul II declared that the Second Sunday of Easter is called Divine Mercy Sunday. It is a day to relive and rekindle in our hearts the immeasurable love of the Lord for us. Like the Psalmist in the Responsorial Psalm would say, “Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love is everlasting”. Jesus suffered and died for us to show us how much he loves us. It is this love that draws us more and more to him and calls us to show mercy and compassion to all our brothers and sisters. The Lord reaches out his love to all. Let this love move us to love others.

     A Divine Mercy Crusade will be celebrated in preparation for this Sunday. It will be a four-day event and our parish will be hosting one of these days, which is on April 14 from 12 noon to 6:00 PM. The culminating activity will be the 5:00 PM Sunday Vigil Mass that we usually celebrate. Three guest priests will be giving a talk. Everyone is invited to join.