Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church
620 Fifth St
Aurora, IL 60505
Phone: +1 (630) 851-1100 Fax: +1 (630) 851-4069
E-mail: olgc-aurora@RockfordDiocese.org
Fr. Timothy P. Mulcahey Pastor |
Welcome New Parishioners!
Through Baptism we become God’s children and brothers and sisters of one another and with Christ. Through registration we become members of Our Lady of Good Counsel Church parish family of faith. We always welcome new members and hope that you will find our parish family a place where your faith will be nourished. We ask that you visit our parish office to fill out a registration form as soon as possible. As a parish family, we are committed to share our goods, talents and faith with one another. |
UPDATE LETTER FROM BISHOP MALLOY 3/26/2020
March 26, 2020
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As we continue to respond to the spread and the danger of the coronavirus, I write once more to offer a word of encouragement. Many exceptional steps have been taken both in the Church and in the wider society, in an effort to protect individuals from exposure to the virus or from becoming a carrier that might expose others.
As Catholics, we recognize a particular obligation to see Christ in every moment of our lives, both the good and the challenging. Every sacrifice that we make is another step on our way to choosing for Christ, and therefore for eternal life in heaven itself.
We are a people of hope and trust in the Lord. Jesus has told us that His true followers are the salt of the earth and the light of the world.That means that we have received not only the gift of faith, but also the responsibility that comes with that gift. The current moment challenges us to live as those who truly believe that Jesus has not left us alone, but is with us even more closely when difficulties arise. Others, especially those who are fearful, ill, lonely or without faith, need to have our witness, especially now.
As the coronavirus problem is projected to intensify in the coming days, I write to convey to you some further dispositions to address the projected spike in cases and the longer time frame that appears to be anticipated for protective measures. To that end:
1) Through Easter Sunday (up until and including Easter Sunday), all Masses are to continue to be celebrated privately without the presence of the faithful.
2) I also take this opportunity to extend the dispensation given to all the faithful from the obligation of attending Sunday Mass through Easter Sunday.
3) All adoration chapels are now to be closed in order to increase our response to protect the faithful from the spread of the coronavirus.
Given the continuing unavailability of the sacraments to the faithful except in grave circumstances, there is a widespread feeling of longing to be with Christ and with the Church. It is important that we continue to recognize the ability of Jesus to be close to us even in such an exceptional time.
I have asked Father Jonathan Bakkelund, Director of the Office of Divine Worship of the Diocese of Rockford, to prepare some thoughts on the Plenary Indulgences that the Vatican has made available at this time, as well as means for a spiritual communion when Eucharistic communion is not available, and likewise the richness of making a perfect act of contrition when sacramental reconciliation cannot be accessed. His very helpful comments are attached.
Please know of my prayers for all of you during this unprecedented time. I ask for your prayers as well.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend David J. Malloy
Bishop of Rockford
COVID-19 Statement.26March2020.PlenaryIndulgences.docx
- Bishop David Malloy will be celebrate Sunday Masses online: www.rockfordiocese.org and on the Diocese of Rockford Facebook page.
- He will also offer a devotion and or reflection every Wednesday at 12 noon.
- The Observer Catholic Newspaper will be accessible FREE OF CHARGE online at http://observertoo.rockforddiocese.org/ .
- 032320Coronavirus letter to Observer readers (002)
A MESSAGE FROM THE PARISH OFFICE
The Parish Office is currently closed. In addition, our staff is working remotely as they are able. As such, your email/voicemail may take longer than usual to respond. We appreciate your patience and understanding during this time. We pray for good health for all and a quick end to this public health crisis.
Our Lady of Good Counsel depends on the generosity of our parishioners and friends. We thank those of you who have continued to offer your financial donations to our parish through mailing the church office or by electronic transfer. We ask that you consider sending your weekly and Holy Day envelopes by mail to help us pay our bills and continue to pay our employees while public Masses are suspend. You can also consider signing up for online giving. Click on the “Online Giving” at the top of this website.
You can to make your donations, payments, and pledges via your smart device or computer. You can contribute using direct withdrawal or credit cards. There is no need to contact your bank or the parish office. The payments are flexible; you can start, stop, and change your contributions at any time. The web site adheres to banking security standards.
The daily Masses will continue to be celebrated privately.
Sunday’s live stream Mass Schedule
10 am – English
11 am – Español
You will be able so see it through the parish Facebook page @ourladyofgoodcounselauroraillinois
Quinceañeras Masses are suspended.
Reconciliations have been canceled until further notice.
We will continue publish the weekly bulletin in this website.
MENSAJE DE LA OFICINA DE LA PARROQUIA
La oficina de la parroquia está actualmente cerrada. Nuestro personal está trabajando desde su casa. Por lo tanto su correo electrónico o mensajes pueden tardar en responder un poco más de lo normal. Como tal, su correo electrónico/correo de voz puede tardar más de lo habitual en responder. Agradecemos su paciencia y comprensión durante este tiempo. Oramos por la salud de todos y para que pase pronto esta crisis de salud pública.
La Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Buen Consejo, dependen de la generosidad de todos los feligreses y amigos. Agradecemos a todos los que han seguido ofreciendo sus donaciones financieras a nuestra iglesia durante este tiempo, a través del correo postal o vía electrónica. Nuestra iglesia depende de la generosidad de todos los feligreses y amigos. Les pedimos que consideren enviar sus sobres dominicales (diezmo) por correo, para ayudarnos a cubrir el pago de nuestras facturas y pagar a nuestros empleados. También pueden dar su diezmo electrónicamente. Click donde dice “Online Giving” en la parte superior de este sitio web.
Puede hacer sus donaciones, pagos y promesas a través de su computadora o teléfono celular. Puede contribuir mediante retiro directo o tarjeta de crédito. No es necesario contactar a su banco o a la oficina parroquial. Los pagos son flexibles; puede comenzar, cambiar o cancelar sus contribuciones en cualquier momento.
Las misas diarias se seguirán celebrándose en privado.
Las misas en domingo se transmitirán en directo a través de la página de Facebook @ourladyofgoodcounselauroraillinois
10 am – Ingles
11 am – Español
Las misas de Quinceañeras están suspendidas.
Las confesiones han sido canceladas.
Continuaremos publicando el boletín semanal en este sitio web.
Please read the letter sent from Bishop Malloy regarding new guidelines concerning parish activities.
Here is a summary of some of the main points:
- Quinceañeras are to be cancelled until further notice.
- Weddings and funerals can take place ONLY IF THERE ARE NO MORE THAN 10 PERSONS PRESENT. This will be strictly enforced.
- Masses are not to be celebrated with persons present at this time. We are looking for a way to broadcast the Sunday Mass in English and in Spanish. Due to technical difficulties in transmission, we cannot do this from the church and will seek to do this from the chapel in St. Francis: 10 am in English and 11 am in Spanish.
- The Sacred Triduum liturgies have been cancelled to the public. Each priest may celebrate them in private in the church building. We are encouraged to publish the times to our parishioners so that they can at least unite themselves to the celebration in spirit. These are the times Fr. Jerry and I will be celebrating: Holy Thursday at 7 pm. Good Friday at 2 pm and the Easter Vigil on Saturday at 7:30 pm. These celebrations without people will be celebrated according to the attached decree set forth by the Congregation of Divine Worship and Sacraments from the Roman Curia. Anyone wishing to follow along through electronic means is encouraged to do so simultaneously rather than watching a recording later on. We will not be able to provide that here at the parish but please encourage others to follow the Bishop’s liturgies on the Rockford Diocese website or Facebook page. The Bishop will be celebrating at these same times as published in his letter.
- The RCIA candidates will have to receive their sacraments at a later date.
- Holy Communion cannot be given to persons these days except in case of emergency.
- We are urged to make spiritual communions during these days. A spiritual communion is one made by desire through prayer to Jesus Christ.
Thanks for helping our brothers and sisters, Fr. Timothy
Por favor, lea la carta enviada por el Obispo Malloy con respect a las nuevas pautas sobre las actividades parroquiales.
COVID-19 Statement.20March2020.Spanish.docx
Se posponen las misas de Quinceañeras hasta nuevo aviso.
Bodas y funerales si se pueden llevar a cabo pero con estrictas pautas de SOLAMENTE DE 10 PERSONAS pueden asistir.
Se cancelan las confesiones.
La oficina de la iglesia estan cerradas hasta nuevo aviso. Pueden contactarnos por via email olgc-aurora@rockforddiocese.org
Pueden llamar y dejar mensaje al 630-851-1100.
El Padre Jerry y yo, estaremos celebrando misas en privado por las intenciones respectivas de cada dia.
Por favor, continúen orando.
Ways to Watch Mass if you are staying home —
- Watch Mass daily on EWTN at 11am (check your cable provider for channel)
- Watch Mass on Sunday morning at 9:30am via WGN-TV
- Listen to Mass on The Catholic Channel on Sirius XM 129 or Relevant Radio station 930AM. You can also live stream Mass at noon from the Relevant Radio HERE
- If you are computer savvy, join Bishop Barron for daily Mass at: wordonfire.org/daily-mass
Take inspiration for your Lenten journey from prayer and reading of Scripture, from fasting from giving alms.
Prayer – Lent is essentially an act of prayer spread out over 40 day. As we pray, we are brought closer to Christ and are changed by the encounter with Him.
Fasting – The fasting that we all do together on Fridays is but a sign of the daily Lenten discipline of individuals and households: fasting from certain foods, but also fasting from other things and activities.
Almsgiving – The giving of alms is an effort to share this world equally-not only through the distribution of money, but through the sharing of our time and talents. ~Daily reflections for Lent can be found at www.usccb.org/lent~
“For the creation waits with eager longing
for the revealing of the children of God” (Rm 8: 19)
“When the love of Christ transfigures the lives of the saints in spirit, body and soul, they give praise to God. Through prayer, contemplation and art, they also include other creatures in that praise, as we see admirably expressed in the “Canticle of the Creatures” by Saint Francis of Assisi (cf. Laudato Si’, 87).”
–Lenten Message of Pope Francis
INFORMATION FROM THE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Religious Education classes are cancelled until further notice.
Our Confirmation scheduled for April 25, 2020 will be postponed to a later date. If your Confirmation student is still missing paperwork, please drop it off in the mailbox outside the Parish Office as soon as possible. We will let you know the new date for Confirmation as soon as we receive it.
For First Communions we don’t have any information at this time. We will let you know if there are any changes.
If you have any questions, please feel free to call the Religious Education Office 630-851-1100, ext. 14.
INFORMACION DE LA EDUCACION RELIGIOSA (Catecismo)
Las clases de Educación Religiosa han sido canceladas hasta nuevo aviso.
La Confirmación programada para el 25 de abril ha sido pospuesta. Si su hijo o hija que va a recibir la Confirmación todavía tiene que entregar papelería, favor de traerla y dejarla en el buzón que está afuera de la oficina parroquial lo antes posible. Nosotros les dejaremos saber tan pronto como tengamos la nueva fecha.
En cuanto a las primeras comuniones no tenemos ninguna otra información hasta este momento pero les dejaremos saber si hay algún cambio.
Si tiene alguna pregunta favor de llamar a la oficina de Educación Religiosa 630-801-1100 ext. 14
CHILDREN LITURGY OF THE WORD
Who: Children ages 4 to 8
When: 10 am Sunday Mass
Where: St. Francis Center (children will be called during Mass)
On Sundays, during the 10 am Mass (English) & 1 pm Mass (Spanish), children between the ages of 4 to 8 can enjoy a young person’s version of what we do as adults. The priest will invite the kids to meet the volunteer at the front of the sanctuary, who will lead them to St. Francis Center. They will facilitate the Liturgy of the Word for the students, and then everyone will return to enjoy the rest of Mass with their families.
We are looking forward to seeing you on Sunday! Interested in being a volunteer? Please contact Sister Joan at 630-851-0206 for more information.
LITURGIA DE LA PALABRA PARA NIÑOS
Para: Niños de 4 y 8 años edad
Cuando: Durante las misas de 10 am (ingles) y
1 pm (español)
Donde: Centro de St. Francis (Los niños serán llamados durante la misa)
Las domingos, durante las misas de 10 am (ingles) y 1 pm (español) para los niños entre 4 y 8 años de edad puedan escuchar la liturgia apta para los niños. El sacerdote invitara a los niños que pasen al frente de altar donde el voluntario los llevara al Centro de St. Francis donde les facilitaran la liturgia de la palabra para los niños, y luego todos regresara para terminar de escuchar la sagrada misa con sus familias.
¡Esperamos verlos el domingo! ¿Le gustaría ser voluntario? Para tener mas información contacte a la Sra. Lorena Montes 630-809-6122.
RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)
Are you an adult who would like to know more about the Catholic faith?
Do you need to receive the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist?
RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) preparation sessions begin the week of September 8, 2019.
The English class meets on Sundays at 11:15 AM in the basement of the parish center
(side entrance of the convent building behind the church). Please stop by if you’re interested.
A Spanish class can also be made available if you prefer.
For more information please contact us:
English: Matt Kruszewski, amkrusz@yahoo.com, 630-660-7641.
Spanish: Alma Velazquez, almalola@aol.com, 630-788-4428.
RICA (Rito Iniciación Cristiana de Adultos)
¿Le hace falta algún sacramento, bautismo, confirmación y primera comunión?
Si usted es mayor de 18 años y aun no ha recibido estos sacramentos. Regístrese al programa RICA.
Las clases de preparación comienzan la semana del 8 de septiembre de 2019.
En inglés son los domingos a las 11:15AM en el sótano del centro parroquial
(entrada lateral del edificio del convento detrás de la iglesia). Contactar:
Matt Kruszewski 630-660-7641 o amkrusz@yahoo.com
Clases en español están disponibles. Para información contactar
Alma Velázquez, almalola@aol.com, 630-788-4428 o a la oficina de la parroquia.
Fr. Timothy received a check for $1,112.00 from Knights of Columbus Council 14929 on July 7, 2019.
This donation goes towards our Church Improvement.
Pope St. John Paul II Catholic Academy
601 Talma St.
Aurora, IL 60505
Phone: +1 (630) 851-4400 Fax: +1 (630) 851-8220
SCHOOL NEWS
SCHOOL WILL BE CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
Open registration
Pope Saint John Paul II Catholic Academy is now accepting registrations for the 2020-2021 school year.
We offer full or half day PreK3 and PreK4, full day Kindergarten, and Grades 1 – 8.
For registration go to www. jp2aurora.org click in admission and how to apply.
LA ESCUELA ESTARA CERRADA HASTA EL PROXIMO AVISO
Registraciones están abiertas
La Academia Católica del Papa San Juan Pablo II está aceptando inscripciones para el año escolar 2020-
2021. Ofrecemos PreK3 y PreK4 de día completo o medio día, Kindergarten todo el día completo y grados
1 – 8.
Para registraciones visite www.jp2aurora.org oprima donde dice admission luego donde dice apply.
What our student’s are saying about our school,
“I love Pope St. John Paul II Catholic Academy because recess is so much fun. I just relax my head and play. Then I go to my next class and can learn more.” -3rd Grader, South Campus
“I love Pope St. John Paul II Catholic Academy because I love Tynker coding in technology class. I learned something new!” -1st Grader, North Campus
If you would like to see more pictures, please visit our Facebook page @PSJPIIAuroraIL
Pope Saint John Paul II Catholic Academy
Pope Saint John Paul II Catholic Academy is now accepting registrations for the 2019-2020 school year.
We offer full or half day PreK3 and PreK4, full day Kindergarten, and Grades 1 – 8. We look forward to meeting you soon.
North Campus: 706 High Street, Aurora, 60505, Phone 630-844-3781
South Campus: 601 Talma Street, Aurora, 60505, Phone 630-851-4400
