“What can we do to accomplish the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent” (John 6:24-35). ‘The question posed by his listeners is the same that we ask today, and we know Jesus’ reply. Belief in Jesus Christ, then, is the way to arrive definitively at salvation. We must rediscover a taste for feeding ourselves on the word of God, faithfully handed down by the Church, and on the bread of life, offered as sustenance for his disciples’ (John 6:51; Benedict XVI Apostolic Letter The Door of Faith (Acts 14:27).

To Elisha they said, 'how can I set twenty loaves before a hundred people?' (2 Kings 4:42-44).
To Jesus they said, 'what are five loaves and two fish among so many people?' (John 6:1-15).
But 'close is the Lord to all who call Him, to all who call to Him in truth. The eyes of all look in hope to the Lord, who gives them food in due season, Opening His hand and satisfying all our needs' (Psalm 145).
This is how we 'lead a life worthy of the calling to which we have been called, in one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all' (Ephesians 4:1-6). When we distribute the gifts God gives us, we bring each other into communion, in joyful thanksgiving, in accord with our call. 'Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy' (Matthew 5:7-8).

The first World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly will be celebrated on Sunday July 25th, before the feast of Saints Anne and Joachim, ‘Jesus’s grandparents.’ Plenary indulgences may be obtained through participating in Mass (virtually if one cannot attend), or by visiting an elderly person. Read more about Pope Francis' mission for our elders as companions on our journey, keeping and passing on the Faith to younger generations.

Saint William's Church is hosting a yard sale on Saturday July 24 from 9AM to 2PM, with proceeds to the building fund. Please visit our pleasant parish church overlooking the lovely seaside village of St. Martins. Last summer, a ramp was built to improve access. This summer, volunteers are tending the yard and hall in preparation for easier gathering as restrictions ease.

Explore beautiful mysteries in The Search. Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish is watching The Search every other Sunday evening at 7PM on zoom. On Sunday July 25 at 7PM, we'll watch 'Am I Saved?' (26 minutes; see details here). This episode reveals how generous the love of God really is. We don’t deserve God’s love, but that’s the amazing reality of God’s mercy. This relationship with God isn’t all about our love for Him. It’s about His love for us that changes our lives forever.

“In Christ Jesus you who once were far off have become near by the blood of Christ … He came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near, for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father” (Ephesians 2:13-18). “Today we could pray during this Mass for our shepherds, that the Lord give them the grace to walk with the people and to be present for them with much tenderness and closeness. When the people finds its shepherd, they feel that special sensation only felt in the presence of God” (Pope Francis).

‘Amos answered, “I was no prophet, nor have I belonged to a company of prophets; I was a shepherd and a dresser of sycamores. But the Lord took me from following the flock, and said to me, Go, prophesy to my people Israel”’ (Amos 7:12-15). ‘In Christ, you also, who have heard the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your salvation, and have believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit’ (Ephesians 1:3-14). Jesus Christ summons and sends disciples from His company two by two; ‘Go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, proclaiming, “The Kingdom of heaven is at hand”’ (Mark 6:7-13; Matthew 10:1-7).

'That I, Paul, might not become too elated, because of the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, an angel of Satan, to beat me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I begged the Lord about this, that it might leave me, but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me. Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong' (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).

“For God formed man to be imperishable; the image of his own nature he made him. But by the envy of the devil, death entered the world, and they who belong to his company experience it” (from the Sunday reading of the Book of Wisdom 1:13-15; 2:23-24). In the Gospel account of the raising of Jairus’ daughter, Jesus frees people from ‘fear of living and taking risks… He does so with a look and a word which sets them back on the path… We too are called to learn and to imitate these freeing words and this gaze which restores the will to live to those who lack it’ (Pope Francis).

In the midst of restrictions, parishes are trying to carry on as best they can. Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish is no exception, so here is a little summary of some of the things that took place in the past year or so.