“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.

In keeping with the celebration of the “Year of Saint Joseph”, the CCCB National Liturgy Office have composed a Novena and an Act of Entrustment to Saint Joseph. These implore Saint Joseph's intercession for the welfare of the entire country, and for the many needs of society in these times. The linked document offers daily reflections, prayers, and actions for each day of the Novena along with the Act of Entrustment for Canada Day, July 1.

From the Gospel according to Mark (4:35-41): ‘A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat...the disciples woke Jesus and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!” The wind ceased and there was great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” Our Holy Father’s March 27, 2020 Extraordinary moment of Prayer reminds: ‘Faith begins when we realise we are in need of salvation. We are not self-sufficient; by ourselves we founder: we need the Lord... this is God’s strength: turning to the good everything that happens to us, even the bad things. He brings serenity into our storms, because with God life never dies.'

On this Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, and World Day of Prayer for Priests, let us reflect on the Sacred Scripture for this day (Hebrews 10:19-31)

'O God, who in this wonderful Sacrament have left us a memorial of your Passion, grant us, we pray, so to venerate the sacred mysteries of your Body and Blood that we may always experience in ourselves the benefit of your redemption' - from the Collect prayer of the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. Learn more about the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist and Eucharistic Adoration through our parish subscription to Formed.org

'We acknowledge the Trinity, holy and perfect, to consist of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit... It is a wholly creative and energizing reality, self-consistent and undivided in its active power, for the Father makes all things through the Word and in the Holy Spirit, and in this way the unity of the holy Trinity is preserved. Accordingly, in the Church, one God is preached, one God who is above all things and through all things and in all things. God is above all things as Father, for he is principle and source; he is through all things through the Word; and he is in all things in the Holy Spirit' (Saint Athanasius, bishop, from his first letter to Serapion).

Pentecost Sunday marks the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles 50 days after the passion, death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, and celebrates the beginning of the Church. "When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim...the mighty acts of God" (Acts 2:1-11)

The Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that attended it. Amen. (Mark 16:15-20)

“In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him" (see Acts of the Apostles 10:25-48)

The Parish Spring Fling held on Sunday April 18 by zoom saw a good turnout, and many stated it was nice to see faces without masks! We were introduced to faces new and (once ?) familiar. We also heard how our parish ministries are faring in these times, and how we might serve in new ways.

"Abide in me as I abide in you, says the Lord; my branches bear much fruit" - John 15:4,5