Jesus is Coming...

...and I'm gonna be ready!

I hope all of you have prepared the way for the Lord and made straight his path :) Here are the Mass times at Our Lady of Good Counsel for the Christmas weekend...

Christmas Eve Vigil Masses: 5pm and 8pm
Christmas Midnight Mass: 12am Midnight
Christmas Day: 6:30am, 8:30am, 11am

Also, join us for Missa de Gallo at 5am until December 24. Breakfast is to follow in the Pastoral Center.

Have a blessed 4th Week of Advent!

Inginiting the Light of Christ Within You

Our Lady of Good Counsel will be having its annual Parish Mission this week. We would like to welcome our special guest speaker, Paul Koleske!

Please join us this week in the Pastoral Center at 7pm.
Monday, December 5 - Connecting with the Light of Christ
Tuesday, December 6 - Experiencing the Light of Christ
Wednesday, December 7 - Living the Light of Christ

He also is a musician and will be selling his CDs. There are three CDs at $15 each.

I look forward to seeing all of you... CHRIST BE OUR LIGHT!

Time to Change

Can you believe that our dream has become a reality?!! Our Pastoral Center was blessed on Tuesday, September 27. It was BEAUTIFUL! For those of you who missed it, keep reading ;) The mark of the blessing and opening of the Pastoral Center means that there will be many changes, that is, we will be going back to some old ways.

Mass times will change the weekend of October 29 and 30. The 9am Mass will change back to 8:30am. The 11:30am Mass will change back to 11am.

Also, the entrance will no longer be two-way except when the gates are closed at night.

Please visit our school website for changes in car pick-up procedures.

Now that you have read through the important stuff... now for the fun stuff you missed!

It's Like Christmas is Almost Here!

The long awaited opening of the Pastoral Center is on TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27!

Festivities will start with Mass at 4pm celebrated by our Bishop Larry Silva, followed with a bento fundraiser dinner and special performance. Bento tickets are still available for a donation of $10. Get your ticket after the Masses today and the 6:30am Masses on Monday and Tuesday!

Here are the pictures I collected from the beginning...

Please come by on TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, to see the final product ;)

Let's Go Fishing

Matthew 22:36-40 gives us the Greatest Commandment... to love God and to love others. These two very different relationships that are interdependent. How do we love God if we do not love others? How do we love others if we do not know God's love?

The men of Our Lady of Good Counsel's Young Adult Ministry is living up to God's call...

[Jesus] said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men."

-Matthew 4:19 and Mark 1:17

This scripture tells of the beginning of Jesus gathering his disciples. In the last month, the men have really have been fishing! And through this one social activity, they are able to reach out to each other in a community that is God-centered.

After the Resurrection in the Gospel of John, Jesus gives directions on how to be fishers of men (John 21:1-19). Simon Peter goes fishing and the other disciples came along (John 21:3). Having caught nothing, they returned to shore where Jesus (in disguise) appears to them (John 21:4). They set back to the water, caught fish, shared a meal and Jesus broke the bread. Brace yourself for the directions...

"Love me more than these... feed my lambs... tend my sheep... love me... feed my sheep... follow me."

-John 21:15-19

We are circling between loving God and loving others! Going fishing has definitely helped each of their skills in reeling in not only fish, but other men and women, too. Let us learn the ways of Jesus and follow God's commands :)

ARMS of God: Retreat Ministry Training

This is for all who have received the Sacrament of Confirmation at Our Lady of Good Counsel. If you are interested in doing retreats, our third (of four) training is tonight at 7pm in the Youth Room. Dinner provided.

Mary Challenge: CONQUERED!!

Flower Drum Song's "I Enjoy Being a Girl" comes to mind when I think back on our Mary Challenge. Thank you to all the women who made their attempt on dressing up EVERY DAY last month :) I hope you've gained something for yourself.

As for me, I've learned quite a lot from this experience...

* It's easier to be identified as a woman if you dress like one... It's not like I get mistaken as a guy often because of my looks or how I dress, but it makes sense that if I am in a dress, I am a girl.

* It's easier to embrace my femininity when I'm identified as a woman... My mannerisms and behaviors changed, a lot more polite and even cutesy. I've never really acknowledged compliments, but I was told to say, "Thank you."

* Modesty is the ultimate beauty any woman can show... I've had more compliments than ever. I wasn't all that stylish nor was I fully dolled up. I was only in my dress and cover up with my nice sandals, hardly in heels. I didn't even have much makeup if I was wearing any.

* Improvise when modesty is compromised... Wind and storms, kids and stairs. You always need to make sure that what needs to be covered is covered. Not only the body, but the heart, too.

* I can enable a man's masculinity who in turn, enables your femininity... He is more ready to open a door or carry things. It even forces you to ask for help. He will give you the kind of respect that you deserve and treat you like a lady. Sorry people, but chivalry is not dead.

Of course there are a lot more that I've learned, but I think it would be better for you to understand it for yourself. Try a day or a week, even long if you wish... take notice of the changes and find for yourself... YOUR BEAUTY and FEMININITY!

You're always beautiful in the eyes of God... now share it with the world :)

Lifelong Faith Journey

Do you need to brush up on your Catholic catechsis? Or are you interested or new to the faith? Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish would like to introduce to you "Lifelong Faith Journey" catechesis sessions.

The mission of this Faith Formation program will be to provide Catholics with a review and renewal of the fundamentsls of our beautiful Catholic Faith. This is in response to the Diocesan Road Map and the popuar desire of any of our parishioners as they shared in several parish meetings.

The scheduled topics will also include 30 minutes of catechesis on the New Translation of the Roman Missal which will be integrated fully during Advent 2011.

All sessions will be held inside of the church, in the Adoration wing, at 6pm.


Monday, May 16 - Introduction to the Scriptures (The Word of God)
An overview of how to effectively read, understand and use the Bible in your personal faith life as well as evangelistic settings.

Monday, June 6 - The Sacraments of Initiation and Healing
We will visit the essential role of the Sacraments in our faith lives from the eyes of Early Church Fathers, the Catechism, as well as the Holy Scriptures. Baptism, Holy Eucharist, Confirmation, Anointing of the Sick, and Penance (Confession) will be covered.

Monday, June 27 - The Sacraments of Service
We will visit the essential role of the Sacraments in our faith lives from the eyes of the Early Church Fathers, the Catechism, as well as the Holy Scriptures. Marriage and Holy Orders.

Monday, July 18 - Mary, Mother of God
As Catholics, many of us have devotions to Mary and the saints. In this session, we will visit many of our common devotional practices and prayers as well as look at the Biblical basis for the beautiful Marian doctrines: Mary, the Mother of God; The Immaculate Conception; Mary's Perpetual Virginity; and Mary's Assumption into Heaven.

Monday, August 15 - The Mass
An overview of the Theological, Biblical, and historical foundations of the Sacred Mass will be shared along with a recap of the entirety of the catechesis on the New Translation of the Roman Missal.

May, the Month of Mary... WOMEN'S CHALLENGE!

The GOAL... To be a better woman of God :)
INVITE YOUR FRIENDS!!

Rules:
*Wear an appropriate dress or top and skirt every day when you go out.
*Leggings cannot be worn as a means of appropriateness.
*Take a picture of yourself in your outfit wherever you do go out. Make a photo album on your FB for this activity... Or somewhere else to keep you accountable and share your beauty :)
*You must be wearing a dress every time you go out of the house.

Exceptions:
*You do not need to wear a dress or skirt if your job requires you to be in pants... like if it's uniform or you're teaching PE.
*The same goes for certain other activities like working out. Please wear pants.
*Yes, it's okay for you to not wear a dress at home.

Additional activities:
*PRAY THE ROSARY EVERY DAY!
*If available, go to Eucharistic Adoration. OLGC is 24hours.
*Go to Reconciliation
*Go to Mass

MAY 1: Nellani, Nicole, and Tiffany, after 5pm Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel, Pearl City.

Mystical Body of Christ: 'The Intercession of the Saints' (NativeCatholic.com)

We are all made, by means of Baptism, part of the Mystical Body of Christ, which IS the Catholic Church (1 Cor. 12:12,27) And Scripture tells us clearly that not even death separates us from the Mystical communion. (Rom. 8:35-39)

CCC 1475 In the communion of saints, "a perennial link of charity exists between the faithful who have already reached their heavenly home, those who are expiating their sins in purgatory and those who are still pilgrims on earth. between them there is, too, an abundant exchange of all good things." In this wonderful exchange, the holiness of one profits others, well beyond the harm that the sin of one could cause others. Thus recourse to the communion of saints lets the contrite sinner be more promptly and efficaciously purified of the punishments for sin.

With this understanding, and with the call that we have to pray for one another (Jas 5:16), we can start to see the importance and beauty in asking our brother and sisters in heaven to pray for us (Rev 5:8) In this Bible study we will address some of the misunderstandings and objections often brought up when discussing the 'Communion of Saints' and the power of The intercession of the Saints.

Click Here to Download the Mp3

CCC 1475 , 1479

Jas 5:16 ; 1 Tim. 2:1-5; 1 Cor. 12:12,27; Rom. 8:35-39; Matt. 5:44-45; Rom. 15:30; 2 Thess. 1:11; Rev. 5:8; Rev. 6:9-11; Rev. 8:3-4

image from the 'Public domain' via wikimedia commons. Saints of the Catholic Church

Confirmation 1 Retreat

Please pray for our Confirmation One students as they have their retreat this weekend at Our Lady of Kea`au, Waianae!

'That they may all be one': Real Ecumenism

God Desires all men to be saved (1 Tim 2:4) Christ also bestowed on his Church the unity for which he prayed (John 17:21). It is his will to embrace all people in that unity. The Catholic Church is the One True Church, established by Christ, to which all men are called. It is the Sacrament of Salvation(CCC 776)

Ecumenism comes from the word ecumenical which means universal. The purpose of Ecumenism is that we might work to bring all men to the fullness of faith in the Church(Pius XI’s Mortalium Animos)

There seems to be sense of ‘false ecumenism’ saturating the minds of many Catholics these days. Now it seems like we say "Well . . . this is one way to salvation but all religions are pretty much the same and their all have their way to God” This is simply NOT what the Church teaches.

If all the protestant churches, quasi Christian Churches, Eastern religions, etc. would be ALL added up and became one huge mega church, they still wouldnt compare to the Catholic Church

The Catholic Church is the ONE CHURCH founded by Christ. Period. Thats the Truth.

The goal of REAL Catholic ecumenism then is to restore unity to the separated traditions by bringing them within the unity of the Catholic Church (UR 24). Its is true that non catholic churches have retained some elements of Salvation, however we must never forget that “It is through Christ’s Catholic Church alone, which is the universal help towards salvation, that the fullness of the means of salvation can be obtained” (UR 3). It is our duty as Catholics to strive for and pray that non Christians and non Catholic Christians alike come to fullness of Truth.

Click Here to Download the Mp3

John 17:21; 1 Tim 2:4;

CCC 776; Mortalium Animos; Ut Unum Sint 3 & 11;

Unitatis Redintegratio 3 & 24

image from the 'Public domain' via wikimedia commons.Papal Emblem

Mary Most Holy: Mother of God & Ark of the New Covenant

Our devotion to the Blessed Mother is one of the greatest treasures that God has given the Church. Not only is Mary, as Mother of God, the one who literally gave birth to 'Salvation' she is also, as our Mother, one of the greatest advocates that we have interceding for us at the Throne of God.

St Bernard of Clairvaux once said: "De Maria Numquam Satis" (Of Mary there is never enough) It is true that beauty and high honor given to the Blessed Mother can not be contained within the context of one single Bible Study.

I was invited to speak at the Our Lady of Good Counsel's Youth Ministry bible study last week and the topic was 'The Blessed Mother'. With just one hour I had to narrow the topic down to just one aspect of rich tradition of faith we have regarding Mary. In this study we chose to focus of the biblical basis of Mary as 'Mother of God' and our understanding of Mary as the 'Ark of the New Covenant'.

Click Here to Download the Mp3

CCC 509, 975, 129, 2676

Psalm 68:4,19-20; Luke 1:41-43; John 20:28; Revelation 12:17; John 19:26-27;

Revelation 11:19-12:1; Luke 1:35; Exodus 40:34; 1 Kings 8:10-11;

2 Sam 6:2 & Luke 1:39; 2 Sam 6:12 & Luke 1:47; 2 Sam 6:9 & Luke 1:43; 2 Sam 6:15 & Luke 1:42; 2 Sam 6:10 & Luke 1:40; 2 Sam 6:16 & Luke 1:41; 2 Sam 6:11 & Luke 1:56

image from the 'Public domain' via wikimedia commons. The Annuciation by

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