Our Lady Good Counsel

From the Desk of Father Pascual

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time

"Lord, teach us to pray..."

Jesus just finished praying. One of his disciples requested that he teach them how to pray. Jesus responded by teaching them the "Our Father". Not only did he teach them this prayer but he also taught them who they can pray to. Jesus revealed to them his Father and through him they could also claim Him as their Father who is an all good and caring Father. They learned that their prayer can lead them to further the coming of the kingdom, that His will be done, the gift of forgiveness, and deliverance from the final test.  

The prayer Our Father may have become ordinary for us. Saying it every day or every minute when we are induced to say so loses the most important element of praying and that is, establishing a deep relationship with God that should change our lives. If we try to realize how we pray, we oftentimes lay down what we ask God to give us. We get frustrated at times when we know that our prayers are not answered. Let us take a moment to really know and understand the Our Father. Do we really know whom we are addressing our prayer to? Do we foster his kingdom to come? Do we follow his will? Do we value forgiveness as part of our daily living? Do we take a leap of faith to address the evil we do and change our lives? Are we really praying or just uttering words?  

 

School Will Be Back in Session

This past week and the coming week, the school administration is already holding orientation sessions for parents and all those taking care of our children who are enrolled in our school. I hope this is not yet too late to ask but I encourage parents to have your children enrolled at OLGC. We hope to carry on the ideals of Catholic Education, providing our children the knowledge and values they need for personal growth and maturity. School will be back in session on August 3rd. Once again, I ask all parishioners to support our school, pray for our children and OLGC staff for another year of academic endeavor. I am looking forward to see the joy and laughter of our keikis around our campus.  

 

Memorial Mass for Fr. Jack Niland

A  Mass will be offered to thank God for the gift of life and ministry of Fr. Jack who served at OLGC. The Mass will be celebrated on August 5th at 6:00 P.M. and this is to remember his first year of death. I know that many of us had been touched by his presence and ministry with us. I invite you to join us in prayer for this occasion.