FAQs

THE PARISH

Where is the church located?

The Parish of Mary, Mother of Good Counsel is located at Peach Street, Marcelo Green Village, Paranaque City. This is accessible to private and public transportation via the South Expressway (exit Bicutan). The parish is under the Roman Catholic Diocese of Paranaque.

OUR CATHOLIC FAITH

Why do we need to go to Mass?

Mass is our central form of worship, because it unites us to Jesus Christ through the Eucharist, and by the grace of the Holy Spirit draws all of us into deeper communion with Him and one another. Mass is valuable time with our loving God and with others.  At Mass, we begin to see that we are not alone and recognize we are part of the Body of Christ, and if one part of the body is missing, the whole body suffers.

I have been away from practicing my faith regularly, why should I come back to Church?

There are many reasons to come back to the Church. While God is at the center of each person’s decision, the circumstances may vary. Return if you want more meaning in your life; if you feel you’ve made mistakes and feel the burden of guilt; if you carry spiritual wounds and want to be healed; if you want your children to have a faith foundation; if you want to be part of a faith community; if you want to help others; or because you hunger for spiritual nourishment through the Eucharist. For whatever your reason, you know you will be home again and begin to feel a sense of peace. Welcome home!

What does “Eucharist” mean?

The word “Eucharist” is from a Greek word that means “thanksgiving”. Another term used in conjunction with the Mass is “Holy Communion.” When we celebrate and receive the Eucharist, we give thanks to God for the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, and He dwells within us. Think of it as Vitamin “C” (Communion) for the soul.

Why do I need to go to Confession and confess my sins to a priest?

Jesus gave his disciples (and by extension, priests) the power to forgive the sins of any or retain the sins of any (John 20:23). The priest serves as the representative of God and of His mercy.  Confession gives new courage, confidence, and a fresh start.  One learns humility by this practice and receives additional grace in order to avoid sin.

What is Eucharistic Adoration?

Eucharistic Adoration is the act of worshiping God, as He is present in the consecrated Eucharist. Since the Last Supper, when Jesus broke the bread and distributed the wine, saying, “This is my Body” and “This is my Blood”, the bread and wine are no longer bread and wine, but the actual living presence of the Second Person in the Holy Trinity. Spending time before the Blessed Sacrament in prayer and devotion is exactly the same as spending time before the living God.
 
Do we worship Mary?

Catholics do not worship Mary; we venerate her because she is the mother of God the Son, our Lord Jesus Christ and Savior. Veneration is different from the adoration of God.  It is the honoring of a person, not the worship of Almighty God. We believe that God saved Mary by preserving her from the stain of original sin at the moment of her conception. Mary was a key person in His plan of salvation for humankind, and this is why Catholics honor her so highly.

MINISTRIES

What ministries are open for volunteers?

At this time, the parish is open to all volunteers, male and female, young and old. We have the six basic commissions, each with ministries that serve the community. Most all of the parish ministries would be beyond happy to have you join.  There is so much that you can offer to our parish family.

Why is the parish always asking for volunteers?

“Well done, good and faithful servant.” Volunteers are the example of servant-leadership and giving, faithfully administering God’s grace and making a difference in the lives of others. Regardless of your economic circumstances, serving as volunteer in parish ministries is a way of being a good steward by giving of one of your most precious resources – time. By donating your time and services on behalf of others, you demonstrate in a concrete way the importance of Christ in your life. Just think about it for a moment, without volunteers or committee members our parish would suffer greatly from the celebration of the Mass to every ministry and program that each of us has benefitted from at one time or another in our lives.

Why should I be a Catechist?

Jesus call us, as members of the Body of Christ, to continue His mission begun 20 centuries ago.  Several reasons are – the best way to learn is to teach, your own faith will come alive, you become a participant in one of the essential responsibilities of the Church community, you assist bringing Christ to others, you practice stewardship, and you show your own family that you value the faith.