September 20, 2012 | Issue 4 | Vol. 4www.olgcnj.orgThe <strong>Good</strong> <strong>Counsel</strong> Courier | 17Blessing <strong>of</strong> AnimalsBanner Sendingand Banner ReceivingMrs. Kolb’s sixth grade class each years makes banners for the children <strong>of</strong>Jamaica. This summer, we had the opportunity to present the banner toFranciscan Missionary, Sister Trinita, on her summer trip to visit family in<strong>New</strong> Jersey. Dr. Dix will present the banner to the children <strong>of</strong> St. FrancisPrimary School during Easter break, 2013.The Blessing <strong>of</strong> animals is a “treasured” event at <strong>Our</strong> <strong>Lady</strong>’s Parish.Please join us for the annual arrival <strong>of</strong> pets to the parish parking lot onSaturday, September 29th following the 9 a.m. Mass.St. Francis <strong>of</strong> Assisi expressed a great love <strong>of</strong> the wonders <strong>of</strong> natureand living creatures which God placed on earth to keep us companyon our journey to God. He invites us to form one family with allcreatures and to sing out in praise to God with the words from hisfamous Canticle <strong>of</strong> the Creatures, a prayer treasure <strong>of</strong> our faith:Most high, all-powerful, all-good Lord!All praise is yours, all glory, all honor, and all blessing…All praise be yours, my Lord,Through all that you have made,And fist my lord Brother Sun, who brings the dayAnd light you give us through him.How beautiful is he, how radiant in all his splendor!Of you, Most High, he bears the likenessAll praise be yours, my Lord,Through Sister Moon and Stars,In the heavens you have made them bright and precious and fair.All praise be yours, my Lord,Through Brothers, Wind and Air,And fair and stormy, all the weather’s moods,By which you cherish all that you have made.All praise be yours, my Lord,Through Sister Water, so useful, lowly, precious, and pure.All praise be yours, my Lord.Through Brother Fire,Through whom you brighten up the night.How beautiful is he, how merry!Full <strong>of</strong> power and strength.All praise be yours, my Lord,Through Sister Earth, our mother,Who feeds us in her sovereignty and producesVarious fruits and colored flowers and herbs…Praise and bless my Lord, and give him thanks,And serve with great humility.
18 | The <strong>Good</strong> <strong>Counsel</strong> Courier Vol. 4 | Issue 4 | September 20, 2012www.olgcnj.orgSummer Religious Education: Bright and Beautiful DaysBy Dr. Linda M. DixBright and beautiful days <strong>of</strong> summerReligious Education filled <strong>Our</strong> <strong>Lady</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Good</strong><strong>Counsel</strong> Parish during the first two weeks <strong>of</strong>August. Over three hundred children, teens,and catechists participated at daily Mass, inexciting catechesis, and creative catecheticalactivities throughout the weeks.<strong>Teachers</strong> also availed themselves <strong>of</strong> theopportunity to use technology in the classroomthrough I Pad Videos which they created inclass, Sadlier on-line interactive activities, andthe parish website Tour <strong>of</strong> the Church.Generous donations <strong>of</strong> food and crayons,HCA mite boxes, and literacy supplies forJamaica, Camden, and North Philadelphia weregratefully received. Food donations went toCatholic Charities Emergency Services, our ownfood pantry, and the ecumenical pantry <strong>of</strong> St.Matthew’s Church <strong>of</strong> the local Ministerium forthose locally in need.In addition, fifth graders made sandwichesfor the Cathedral Kitchen <strong>of</strong> Camden. MeghanVizzard, eighth grader, also spoke to the fifthgraders about her special Cozies 4 Chemoblankets which she makes for children ill withcancer. She actually taught the fifth gradershow to make the blankets and in Meghan’sown words, “It was great to see how excitedthey were to make the blankets. The fiveblankets that they made will be deliveredto the Children’s Hospital <strong>of</strong> Philadelphia’sCancer Center next week. They gave the gift <strong>of</strong>comfort.”The week was filled with good things andculminated with a prayer service <strong>of</strong> classactivities which summarized what the studentslearned in their religious education classes.These included: posters, videos, poems, crafts,banners, songs, raps, and special works <strong>of</strong> artwhich will travel with Dr. Dix to the children <strong>of</strong>Jamaica in the spring.<strong>Teachers</strong> were creative, enthusiastic, andfilled with energy which was totally contagious!Father Matthew and Father Damian guidedthe children each day at Mass through theirhomilies and celebration <strong>of</strong> Mass and thechildren grew in their love and knowledge <strong>of</strong>God each day. The confirmands and teens whohelped this year shared a very special love <strong>of</strong>God which they witnessed through their faitheach and every day while helping teachersthroughout the week.Seventh graders participated in a SpiritDay on Tuesday, August 7 at Evergreens anddelighted the residents there with their triviaknowledge <strong>of</strong> sports, history, and global events.They played summer Bingo, Scrabble, andarranged flowers with the residents and enjoyeda balloon throw with all present. <strong>Our</strong> thanksis also extended to Father Martin, chaplainat Evergreens, and his staff, for their carefulorganization and gracious welcome <strong>of</strong> our teensand young people present. Mr. Fred Baxter,parishioner and Super Bowl winner, spoketo the children about fulfilling personal owngoals, remaining in school, respect to parents,and most <strong>of</strong> all, being generous to those inneed. Enjoy our pictures <strong>of</strong> two weeks <strong>of</strong> God’slove shared and lived by all! <strong>Our</strong> various thankyou notes throughout the week encompass thegenerosity that was shared!Well-done to all whomade this year’s SummerRE Experience so ALIVE!<strong>Our</strong> <strong>Lady</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Good</strong><strong>Counsel</strong> Parish extendstheir gratitude to thefollowing catechists,teens, and parishioners:Father Damian, FatherMatthew, The 9:00o’clockers, LauraKowalick, Jean Kutter<strong>of</strong>f,Kaley Kuter<strong>of</strong>f, SueDowiak, MauraRafferty, StephanieCaira, Joyce Phillips,Angela O’Connor,Cathy Walsh, Susan McChesney, KristinJakubowski, Dina Corrado, Steve Tourtual, JulieShawaryn, Colleen McGrath, Lucille Shenot,Sue Bielawski, Christine Holmbeck, SarahWadja, Hope Blanch, Barbara McCandless, LisaHubbard, Kieran Schwarz, Cyndy Pappaterra,Dina McCabe, Michele Ginley, Lucy Graham,Lisa Kolb, Carmen Plant, Karen McDonough,Kim Huyhn, Jeanna Vizzard and WendyBartlett.Teen Helpers: Ava Malatesta, Alex Wagner,Jessice Saludades, Meghan Vizzard, LukePeters, Ryan Hogan, Kyle Hogan, Alex Ciniglia,Brianna Mateo, Kaitlyn Valentino, StevenWasdyke, Michael Shenot, Peter Wajda,Jack Goettle, Barb McCandless, Ethan Huyn,Brendon Hafner, Gianna Pappaterra, NicoDennis, Reed Kienzle and Tom Wagner.Excerpts from Thank You notes received:“Hello Ministerium Friends,We have again reached a serious need forfood for the Ministerium Pantry. We helped41 families yesterday alone and may reach asmany as 80 patrons by the end <strong>of</strong> the month.We received very generous donations from <strong>Our</strong><strong>Lady</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Good</strong> <strong>Counsel</strong> Parish for which we aremost thankful.”Rev. Ingrid Wengert, St. MatthewLutheran Church, Ministerium PantryDear Dr. Dix,Thank you for allowing me to tell the fifthgrader R.E. Class about Cozies 4 Chemo. Ienjoyed sharing our mission with them andteaching them how the blankets are made. Thepatients are <strong>of</strong>ten cold during their treatmentsand are very thankful to get a new blanket thatis both cheery and warm. Thank you againfor helping us spread the word about Cozies4 Chemo. Your generosity will help us tocontinue “Giving the Gift <strong>of</strong> Comfort.”Meghan Vizzard, Grade 8Dear Religious Education Students,I am writing to thank you for delivering the300 sandwiches and 30 toiletry bags to theCathedral Kitchen on behalf <strong>of</strong> <strong>Our</strong> <strong>Lady</strong> <strong>of</strong><strong>Good</strong> <strong>Counsel</strong> Religious Education Program. Itwas nice <strong>of</strong> you to think <strong>of</strong> our dinner guestsin such a thoughtful way. With the help <strong>of</strong>many generous donors, the Cathedral Kitchenserves over 8500 meals a month to the poorand hungry that live in Camden. The staffFootball star and child advocate, Fred Baxter, spoke to summer Religious Educationstudents about giving time and talents to those in need as he also personallyphotographed pictures for all.and volunteers at the Kitchen make sure thateveryone who comes for dinner is treated to ameal with dignity and respect. Thank you foryour support <strong>of</strong> our mission here in Camden.We loved the place mats too!Karen A. Talarico, Executive Director<strong>Our</strong> Summer Prayer, 2012Thank you, God, for this amazing class.We were all very respectful at daily Mass.We learned religion every day,And had some fun along with way.In our class we made a prayer chain.To share with God prayers, different and the same.We know all <strong>of</strong> these prayers God will hear.For these prayers hold our dreams for the world andsome <strong>of</strong> our fears.We pray for world peace among the nations.And that the Olympics can spark peaceful relations.We pray for the athletes and who they representAnd we know that each person used the gifts thatGod sent.We pray for our family that we love tons.From the youngest members to the oldest ones.The pets that we care for all year roundMay they be blessed by God, kept safe and sound.We pray for those in unfortunate places.That we can help to put smiles on their faces.We hold Haiti and Jamaica close to our hearts.And pray for them, even though we are far apart.We should never forget the ones close to home.The sick, homeless, hungry, and those alone.Help us to comfort them in their times <strong>of</strong> needWhether it’s company, clothes, or food or feed.May we be respectful <strong>of</strong> God’s beautiful Earth.To preserve the environment and appreciate itsworth.For every service person, missionary, and priest wepray,That God keeps them safe from harm every day.Thank you to all that made these weeks so great.Your hard work and love is something we appreciate.God bless everyone that is here today.May God fill your lives with love, laughter, and faithalong the way.Written by the Fourth Grade Class <strong>of</strong> Sue Bielawskiand Christine Holmbeck
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