Our Mission:

Faith is a gift destined to grow in the hearts of the believers (1). Adhering to Jesus Christ, in fact, sets in motion a process of conversion, which lasts for the whole of life (2). Faith formation at Our Lady of Good Counsel offers an apprenticeship to the Catholic Christian life from early childhood through the senior years of adulthood. All generations learn to live their faith in the home, the workplace, and in the community.

Our Philosophy:

Here at OLGC, we believe faith formation is, at its foundation, about calling others into a personal relationship with Christ (3), about journeying with others more deeply into the mystery of the God who first loved us, about inviting others to participate in God’s plan of salvation for humanity and all of creation. This relationship is not an end in and of itself, but is the way in which we are transformed to be more like Christ, and the way we are challenged to continue the mission that Christ began on earth over 2,000 years ago – the mission for the healing and redemption of the world.

Our Spirituality:

As a parish administered by the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, OLGC is grounded in Salesian spirituality, which “has been described as a down-to-earth path to holiness” (4). Originating with two 17th-century saints, St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane de Chantal, Salesian spirituality is a “unique spiritual tradition…intended for all believers, no matter their position in life. Especially appropriate for those living very busy lives, Salesian spirituality challenges a person to be who they are and to be that well… It is a spirituality for those who share their lives with family, friends and working associates, those who choose to embrace the depths of the human heart, and those who choose to Live Jesus in this world” (5).

1. Catechesi Tradendae 20.
2. Redemptoris Missio 46b
3. Catechesi Tradendae 5, quoted in the Cathechism of the Catholic Church 426.
4. “Practical Paths to Holiness,” De Sales Spirituality Center, accessed June 26, 2011,http://www.oblates.org/spirituality.
5. “Welcome,” De Sales Resources and Ministries, Inc., accessed June 26, 2011,http://www.desalesresource.org/.

Why "faith formation" instead of other titles?

CCD: Today we have several different names for the process of teaching the Catholic Faith. In the late 50‘s, The Confraternity of Christian Doctrine was an association established in 1562 in Rome for the purpose of providing religious education. In its more modern usage, CCD became the term used for the religious teaching program of the Catholic Church. These classes are taught to school age children to learn the basic doctrines of their faith.

Religious Education: Over time the term CCD was replaced with its purpose: that of Religious Education.

Faith Formation: In recent years, the new definition is Faith Formation. It is the term of choice for Our Lady of Good Counsel Church and for many in the United States and around the world. Faith Formation is preferred because it means that we are always learning through the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, prayer, liturgy and God’s presence in our lives. So the word Faith Formation implies attendance of formal religious education classes in the early years, but also extends to the thought that there is really no completion to the knowledge and experience that the Lord provides in our lives.

The Office of Catholic Christian Formation (CCF) is composed of 5 paid staff members and a large team of volunteers who make it possible for OLGC to meet the faith formation needs of our many parishioners.

Volunteer Positions

• Adult RCIA Catechists
• Adult RCIA Sponsors
• Children's RCIA Catechists
• Children's RCIA Sponsors
• Pre-School Catechists, Catechist Assistants, Catechist Aides
• Elementary Catechists, Catechist Assistants, Catechist Aides
• Junior High Catechists, Catechist Assistants, Catechist Aides
• Family Faith Catechist, Catechist Assistant, Catechist Aide
• Catechist for Teens & Adults (ages 13 and up) preparing for Confirmation