About Our Lady of Good Counsel · Kingsville, Texas
Our Lady of Good Counsel is a Roman Catholic parish in Kingsville, Texas, belonging to the Diocese of Corpus Christi. Founded in 1967 as the third Catholic parish in the city, it grew out of the 1954 mission chapel of the same name that Oblate fathers of Mary Immaculate built on Kleberg Avenue to serve the east-side faithful of St. Martin of Tours. Today the parish is a welcoming, English-speaking community that worships Saturday evening and Sunday noon in the main church, while daily Mass and ongoing Eucharistic Adoration take place in its St. Joseph Chapel.
- Established
- 1967
- Patron
- Our Lady of Good Counsel
- Rector
- Fr. Paulson Panakal
- Diocese
- Diocese of Corpus Christi
Why belong here
Our Lady of Good Counsel invites visitors and newcomers into a small, friendly South Texas parish family where daily Mass is offered Tuesday through Friday at 7:00 a.m. in the St. Joseph Chapel, the Eucharist is adored throughout the workday Monday through Friday, and weekend worship centers on a Saturday Vigil at 4:30 p.m. and Sunday at noon. A complete Religious Education program with preschool, Children's Liturgy of the Word, and Sacramental preparation welcomes children; adults find RCIA, Marriage Prep, a Couples Sponsor Program, and Renewal Retreats. Outreach through St. Vincent de Paul and Mercy Ministry, plus a Knights of Columbus council, Prayer Groups, and a full roster of Liturgical Ministries (Altar Servers, Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Greeters, Music) make it easy to put faith into action.
Mass times at Our Lady of Good Counsel
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:10–4:20 PM (20 minutes prior to Mass) or by appointment
- Sunday 11:40–11:50 AM (20 minutes prior to Mass) or by appointment
Adoration times
- Adoration Chapel: Monday–Thursday 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Adoration Chapel: Friday 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- Closed on holidays and Holy Days of Obligation
Welcome and Parish Identity
Our Lady of Good Counsel presents itself as a small, welcoming Catholic parish family in Kingsville, Texas. The site greets visitors and newcomers with a warm invitation to 'browse around' and join the community for Mass. The parish describes itself as 'a community of people, walking together in faith, worship, education and service' that strives to be 'an effective sign of Jesus' presence within our community through the various ministries within our parish.' If you are settling in the Kingsville area, the parish openly invites you to 'visit and join us for Mass and share the joy being a part of our family.'
- Friendly, welcoming community
- Part of the Diocese of Corpus Christi
- Main church: Saturday Vigil 4:30 PM; Sunday 12:00 PM (English)
- St. Joseph's Chapel: weekday Mass Tue–Fri 7:00 AM and Eucharistic Adoration Mon–Fri
History
Our Lady of Good Counsel grew out of a mission chapel of the same name built in 1954 by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, who staffed neighboring St. Martin of Tours. The chapel was originally the vision of Father Tomás Fernandez, who in 1951 purchased land on East Kleberg Avenue for a future worship site. After Father Fernandez was transferred to Holy Family in Corpus Christi, his successor Father José Arratibel raised the $22,000 needed to build the chapel, which was dedicated on June 27, 1954 by Monsignor William H. Oberste. In April 1967, Bishop Thomas Drury of the Diocese of Corpus Christi erected Our Lady of Good Counsel as an independent parish — the third Catholic parish in Kingsville — and appointed Oblate Father Joseph Buckley as its first pastor. Several priests served in rapid succession before Father Thomas Fernandez himself was reassigned to Kingsville in September 1970, returning to the very parish he had planted almost two decades earlier.
- 1951 — Father Tomás Fernandez purchases land on East Kleberg Avenue
- 1954 — Chapel built for $22,000 and dedicated June 27 by Monsignor Oberste
- 1960 — Parish hall added
- 1964 — Catechetical center acquired
- April 1967 — Chapel elevated to parish status by Bishop Thomas Drury; Father Joseph Buckley, OMI, named founding pastor
- McDermott, Diehl, and Ryan each serve as pastor briefly
- September 1970 — Father Thomas Fernandez reassigned as pastor
Pastor and Parish Staff
Our Lady of Good Counsel is currently served by Fr. Paulson Panakal as pastor. The parish also has a Secretary/Bookkeeper who keeps the office running Monday through Thursday. Inquiries about any parish program can be directed through the parish office or the individual ministry coordinators.
- Fr. Paulson Panakal — Pastor
- Elvira Ruiz — Secretary / Bookkeeper
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Religious Education at Our Lady of Good Counsel is offered for children from Kindergarten through High School. Classes follow the traditional school year, beginning the first week after Labor Day and concluding in May. The program's vision, as published on the parish website, is to 'continue the mission of Jesus by providing for the children and youth of the parish a catechetical program of instruction for all grades,' forming children in scripture, Church tradition, and Catholic teaching at age-appropriate levels in partnership with their families. Mary Pena is the Director of Religious Education and the contact for all RE programs.
- Sunday Preschool and Childcare (10:30–11:45 a.m., before noon Mass)
- Children's Liturgy of the Word
- Elementary-Level Religious Education
- Secondary-Level Religious Education through High School
- Mary Pena, Director of Religious Education — (361) 455-8929
Children's Liturgy of the Word
During assigned Masses, children are escorted to a designated area to hear the Sunday readings at a level appropriate to their age and to discuss how God's Word relates to their own lives. After song, prayer, discussion, and activities, the children return to the church to rejoin their families for the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Training is provided for volunteers.
- Open to all children of the parish
- Coordinator: Mary Pena — (361) 455-8929
Sacramental Preparation
The parish prepares children and adults for the Sacraments of Initiation and the other rites of the Church. Preparation is family-centered, recognizing the family as 'a young child's first community of faith.' Baptisms for infants are celebrated on the 3rd Sunday of the month after the 12:00 PM Mass.
- Infant Baptism Preparation
- First Reconciliation and First Eucharist
- Confirmation (youth and Adult Confirmation)
- Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
- Marriage Preparation — Engaged Encounter
- Sponsor Couple Program for engaged couples
Liturgical Ministries
Our Lady of Good Counsel has a full roster of liturgical and parish-life ministries welcoming volunteers. The Liturgy Committee coordinates Art and Environment, Ministers of Hospitality (Greeters/Ushers), and the celebration of the sacraments. Music is led by Gracie Mercado. Coordinators are published on the parish website.
- Altar Servers — Kristy Silguero, (361) 522-2367
- Altar Society — (361) 446-1627
- Lectors — Patsy R. Garza, (361) 779-4577
- Eucharistic Ministry — Velma Sanchez, (361) 539-7430
- Ministry of Intercession — Noelia Mendietta, (361) 488-8321
- Music Ministry — Gracie Mercado
- Children's Liturgy of the Word
- Art and Environment Committee
- Ministers of Hospitality (Greeters / Ushers)
- CCD / RCIC — Mary Pena, (361) 455-8929
Parish Life and Outreach
Beyond the sanctuary, parish life at Our Lady of Good Counsel includes councils that govern and steward parish resources, service to those in need, prayer and renewal opportunities, and fraternal and devotional organizations. The Office Volunteers, Grounds and Landscape, and Church Care groups keep the physical plant running; the Parish Council and Finance Council guide the community's mission and budget.
- Parish Council
- Finance Council — Martha Soliz, (361) 522-3199
- Offertory Counters
- Office Volunteers
- Grounds and Landscape
- Church Care
- St. Vincent de Paul
- Outreach Ministry
- Mercy Ministry
- Knights of Columbus
- Prayer Groups / Mutual Ministry
- Renewal Retreat
Contact and Location
The parish office is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and is closed to the community on Friday. Mail, calls, and emails to the parish office are answered during those hours. The parish is located on East Kleberg Avenue in Kingsville, in the Diocese of Corpus Christi.
- Address: 1102 East Kleberg Avenue, Kingsville, TX 78363
- Phone: (361) 592-3489
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Monday–Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.; closed Friday
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Joseph Buckley, OMI1967–(short tenure)
Founding pastor, appointed by Bishop Thomas Drury when Our Lady of Good Counsel was established as the third Catholic parish in Kingsville.
- Father McDermott
Succeeded Father Buckley in rapid succession.
- Father Diehl
Served briefly as pastor.
- Father Ryan
Served briefly as pastor.
- Father Thomas Fernandez1970–
Reassigned to Kingsville in September 1970, fulfilling a vision he had held since purchasing the land for the chapel back in 1951.