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| A Brief History of Our Lady of Good Counsel
Parish |
In 1958, Our Lady
of Good Counsel was established as the 27th parish in the Diocese
of Honolulu. The Church and rectory were blessed in 1959 and the
school was opened in 1964 with 160 students. The Sisters of the
third Order of St. Francis of Syracuse, New York were the first
instructors. Monsignor Francis Marzen, the first pastor, was
succeeded by Monsignor Bernard Eikmeier and followed by Monsignor
Alan nagai, Reverend Francis Peterson, Monsignor Alen Nagai(second
term), Reverends Michael Owens and Daniel McNichol and the current
pastor, since July 1999, Reverend Jack Niland, OFM Cap. The parish
is also blessed with the ordination of Deacon Thomas Miyashiro in
1981 and Deacon Efrain Andrews in 2001.
The stewardship
concept of "Time, Talent and Treasure" was introduced in 1978. As a
consequence, the parish became debt free in 1989 and many
ministries surfaced as parishioners became more actively involved
in parish life. The included Outreach, parish Renewal, Baptism
preparation, Marriages Convalidation, Stephen Ministry, Charismatic
Prayer Group, Missionary Basic Christian Community, Seniors Club.
Parish picnics and appreciation breakfasts, fellowship weekends,
and parish workdays, too, afforded many to shear their time and
talents.
More changes were
seen in 1984 when, in keeping with the reforms of the Second
Vatican Council, renovation of the church in to a circular
configuration occurred. Then in 1988 a diocesan mandate recommended
the establishing of the Parish Pastoral Council and the forming of
a Parish Mission Statement. From 1995-97 RENEW was one of the
sources of parish spiritual development. The legion of Mary, St.
Vincent DePaul Society, Neo-Catechumenal Way, Parish Advisory
Council and Family Ministry were formed in 1997-98. The Perpetual
Adoration Chapel was blessed in October 1998 and continues as a
source of prayerful sustenance to many in and around the parish.
The Samoan and Micronesian communities are also actively
participating in parish life.
The Welcoming
Parish Study/Process, a diocesan mandate, began in 1999 with a
parish survey to identify the needs and recommendations towards
improving the parish. As a result of the study, the lighting and
sound system, floor, and painting of the interior of the church
were done and a pictorial parish directory and the
registration/offertory envelope system were updated in 2002. The
survey also strongly recommended building improvements. Therefore,
The Parish Center Building Committee was formed in the fall of
2002. Currently plans are underway for the construction of a new
sacristy, restrooms, storage areas, a multi-purpose structure,
meeting rooms, and an administration building.
Guided by the
good counsel of Our Lady, the parish continues to be empowered by
the Holy Spirit and grows as a family of loving and caring people
of God. We are confident that God will provide for all of our needs
at His "Table of Plenty."
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