For our parishioners seeking to continue from their Alpha journey, or for any seeking an opportunity for online faith sharing while we still await gathering face-to-face, follow this small group in The Search.
The Search is a video series that enkindles wonder, taking us on a journey through life’s enduring questions.
Sunday April 25 7PM we will watch on zoom The Search Episode 2 'Who Are You,' and discuss the meaning of this life.

Jesus stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you...” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. “Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in His name to all the nations... You are witnesses of these things.”
With the Resurrection, the Apostles witnessed to the people.
Those seeking to destroy the Author of Life are acting in ignorance.
May we repent, keep His Commandments, and allow God's Love to be perfected in us (Luke 24:35-48; Acts 3:13-19; 1 John 2:1-5).

Renewal in the Spirit of Easter continues in Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, and at Stella Maris Church. Faithful volunteers continue preparing the way for when we might open our doors again to gather in our halls. Read more about our renovations here.

Access great videos for children on your TV, computer, or mobile device freely through our parish subscription. From Catholic Heroes of the Faith, to Brother Francis and Lukas Storyteller, to new shows like the Slugs and Bugs Show and The Wonderful World of Benjamin Cello, there is something for all children on Formed.

Pope Saint John Paul II dedicated the Second Sunday of Easter as Divine Mercy Sunday in the year 2000, upon the canonization of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska. The Divine Mercy Sunday Gospel reading narrates Jesus’ Resurrection appearance to the fearful disciples locked in the upper room (John 20:19), and then again eight days later (John 20:26), the second Sunday of Easter. The Gospel relates Jesus’ sending the disciples in His peace, empowered by the Holy Spirit (John 20:19-23). Jesus entrusted to them the gift of forgiving sins, a gift flowing from His wounds, His pierced side, His Sacred Heart, in a wave of mercy poured out over all humanity (John Paul II, Divine Mercy Sunday Homily, 2001).

This great proclamation of joy begins our Easter Vigil celebration - truly, an occasion to rejoice! Over the past year many have grown weary, but the joy of the resurrection reminds us that Jesus has won the victory. Truly, he is risen! This is indeed good news!

Celebrate the Paschal Mystery with daily content to form your family in Faith in Holy Week, free through our parish subscription to Formed.

Let us enter fully into the sacred Triduum liturgies, the three great days of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil. These celebrations invite us into the heart of the Mystery of Faith. Watch these video messages from our Pastor, and review the signs of new life which we see in the Triduum celebrations.

“This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad. Alleluia.”
Today, during this Easter season, we continue to struggle, but there is a new sense of hope with the vaccines now being distributed, an opening- up of the churches in many parts of the country and even the warmer weather after a long challenging winter.
Brothers and Sisters in Christ, let us rise and be on our way!

For the faithful who are still unable, at this time, to attend liturgies in person - the celebration of the Easter Triduum presided by Bishop Riesbeck, CC at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception will be available through the Diocesan facebook page: Holy Thursday – 7PM, Good Friday – 3PM, Easter Vigil – 8PM and Easter Sunday – 10AM. Please see details on the Diocesan website.

Interested in Alpha? Want a snapshot of the experience?
Join our Zoom meeting on Monday evening, March 29, from 7-8:30. We are repeating our first video, ‘Is There More to Life Than This?’, just for you!

“Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus” (John 12:21). The challenges of life can obscure the face of Jesus, but our Lenten disciplines of prayer, fasting, and alms-giving can restore our sight.

Saint Joseph is needed now more than ever to intercede powerfully for our Church, country, and families. On December 8, 2020, Pope Francis decreed a “Year of Saint Joseph”, to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the proclamation of Saint Joseph as patron of the universal Church. What blessed news this is for us! After his beloved spouse the Virgin Mary, we can find no saint more worthy of imitating.

The Canadian Catholic Bishops are offering new resources to celebrate the Year of Saint Joseph. Visitors to the webpage will find several resources for use in parishes, religious communities, families and in schools, such as: Prayers, Litanies, and Devotions; Consecration to Saint Joseph; Church Documents; and Catechetical Resources for children, youth and adults. A series of seven short video reflections based the recent Apostolic Letter Patris Corde (With a Father’s Heart) are offered in both English and French. This resource for adult faith formation highlights each of the seven attributes of St. Joseph.

Laetare means ‘rejoice,’ from the opening word of the Mass for the Fourth Sunday of Lent. Laetare Sunday is a lightening of the penitential Lenten season, reflected in the option of rose vestments and decorations permitted. Our parish Formed coverage calls this the Lent Halftime show, we are halfway to Easter in our Lenten journey. In our readings, we see a way back from captive exile and isolation, to our temple and a restoration of the people of God. Jesus enlightens Nicodemus with the meaning of the Cross, “for God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish but may have eternal life” (John 3:16).

“Remember the Sabbath day, and keep it Holy” (Exodus 20:8).
In this second Lenten Season under restrictions on Mass attendance, we recognize the difficulties in keeping the Lord’s Day.
In this season of prayer, almsgiving, and fasting, hopefully we can carve out a family prayer space, prayerfully read the Word of God, and watch an online or televised Mass, if we cannot attend a Sunday Mass. Let us know how we can help you keep the Lord’s Day, while we await gathering again in community, face to face.

Our new parish office hours are Monday to Friday 10AM - 2PM, at the lower parking lot side door to the lower level of Stella Maris Church, 201 Bayside Drive in Saint John.
You are most welcome to visit.
The parish mailing address remains P. O. Box 423, Stn Main Saint John, NB E2L 4L9 , and the parish office telephone number remains 506-653-6860 .

The Steepleview Apartment Complex is planned for the site of the former St. Vincent’s Convent and CYO on the Cathedral Block. Steepleview will consist of approximately forty apartments with a mix of subsidized units and market rent units for seniors, non-elderly singles, or families, depending on the demand. There would also be community rooms for social gatherings and meetings, and an early education centre.
If you are interested in affordable apartments for uptown Saint John, please complete this survey.

Formed is offering a series of four short videos helping families to live the faith in the domestic church, the home. These are videos with Dr. Ben Akers and Christian families discussing how to live Lent in these times.
Watch these and lots of other great videos, audio, books, and more for the whole family on your television, computer, or mobile device, free through our parish subscription (see olgcparish.ca/formed )

“Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them…” (Mark 9:2-10). Christ gives this glimpse of glory to his disciples to give them hope through the sacrifices to come, the sacrifice of the only son, as in the account of Abraham and Isaac (Genesis 22). Through these accounts, we have a sign of hope of reaching the goal of our Lenten journey, to return to God and realize ‘it is good for us to be here.’