About Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish · Methuen, Massachusetts
Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish (OLGC) is a Roman Catholic parish in the Archdiocese of Boston that serves a diverse, multi-cultural Catholic community across Methuen and Lawrence, Massachusetts. Formed on July 1, 2000 by the merger of St. Theresa Church in Methuen and St. Augustine Church in Lawrence, the parish carries forward Marist roots from St. Theresa and Augustinian roots from St. Augustine, with both worship sites still in active use. Today the parish is led by diocesan priests, with Father Gregory G. Vozzo as pastor, and is home to a broad array of ministries, faith-formation programs, and outreach efforts including the St. Vincent de Paul Society.
- Established
- 2000
- Patron
- Our Lady of Good Counsel (Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of Good Counsel, commemorating the miraculous image at Genazzano, Italy, 1467)
- Rector
- Rev. Gregory G. Vozzo
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Boston
Why belong here
OLGC is a warm, multi-cultural Catholic community rooted in two historic churches — St. Theresa in Methuen and St. Augustine Chapel in Lawrence — and sustained by active liturgical, formation, and outreach ministries. Weekend Mass is offered in both English (with periodic Spanish Mass and confessions announced in the bulletin) and live-streamed from St. Theresa, while in-person worship continues at both sites. Whether you are drawn by faith formation for children and adults (K–8, Confirmation, OCIA/RCIA), the St. Vincent de Paul Society, the Prayer Shawl Ministry, the music ministry, or simply a parish that prides itself on fellowship and service, OLGC offers many ways to belong, serve, and grow in Christ.
Mass times at Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM at St. Theresa Church
- By appointment anywhere — contact the parish office
Parish Identity & Mission
Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish describes itself in its bulletin as 'a diverse multi-cultural parish serving the Catholic community of Methuen and Lawrence.' Its official mission statement commits the community to building a family of believers 'joined by our Baptism, and nurtured by the Eucharist,' rooted in Catholic tradition, guided by prayer and the counsel of the Blessed Mother, and devoted to faith formation, fellowship, and service. The parish sees itself as 'the Body of Christ' in this corner of the Merrimack Valley, working 'with diligence, compassion, and love' to help others 'come to know and love Jesus.'
- Mission Statement published in every weekly bulletin
- Two active worship sites: St. Theresa (Methuen) and St. Augustine Chapel (Lawrence)
- Diverse, multi-cultural Catholic community
- Territorial parish of the Archdiocese of Boston
History
OLGC was canonically established on July 1, 2000 when the Archdiocese of Boston merged St. Theresa Church in Methuen with St. Augustine Church in Lawrence. Both congregations had deep roots: St. Theresa's had been served by the Marist Fathers for decades, while St. Augustine's had been an Augustinian parish on Tower Hill. The new parish took its name from the Marian title 'Our Lady of Good Counsel' to honor both religious orders simultaneously. When the merger took effect, the Marists withdrew from St. Theresa's, and the parish was first led by Augustinian friars until about 2008, after which diocesan priests assumed leadership. The parish marks the 2000 founding with anniversary celebrations every five years; 2025 was its 25th anniversary year, culminating in a September 2025 banquet attended by Cardinal Seán O'Malley, OFM, and several former pastors.
- Founded July 1, 2000
- Merger of St. Theresa (Marist, Methuen) and St. Augustine (Augustinian, Lawrence)
- Augustinian-led 2000–c. 2008; diocesan priests thereafter
- 25th Anniversary celebrated in 2024–2025
- Name honors both Marist and Augustinian heritages
Worship Sites
The parish operates out of two churches. St. Theresa Church at 22 Plymouth Street in Methuen is the main worship site and houses the parish office, rectory, and the live-streamed Masses. St. Augustine Chapel at 128 Ames Street in Lawrence (Tower Hill neighborhood) hosts the Sunday 10:30 AM English Mass and serves the Lawrence Catholic community. Confessions are heard at St. Theresa only on Saturday afternoons, though they may be arranged by appointment at either location.
- St. Theresa Church — 22 Plymouth Street, Methuen, MA 01844
- St. Augustine Chapel — 128 Ames Street, Lawrence, MA
- DuPerry Hall (at St. Theresa) hosts faith sharing and parish gatherings
- Immaculate Conception Cemetery mausoleum chapel in Methuen is also dedicated to Our Lady of Good Counsel but is not directly associated with the parish
Clergy & Staff
Our Lady of Good Counsel is currently served by diocesan pastor Rev. Gregory G. Vozzo. The lay staff handles parish administration, finances, facilities, faith formation, and music ministry. As of the most recent bulletin (April 2026), the team includes a new Office Administrator (Sandy Deatsch), Business Manager Jean Armano, Facilities Manager Enzo DiNatale, Faith Formation (Grades K–8) Mark Houle, Confirmation & Adult Faith Formation Mark Friedrich, and Music Director Lori McLaughlin. Earlier bulletins (2024–2025) list Mrs. Denise Mundry as Office Administrator and Mrs. Karen Miller as Business Manager.
- Rev. Gregory G. Vozzo — Pastor (extension 25; [email protected])
- Sandy Deatsch — Office Administrator (extension 10)
- Jean Armano — Business Manager ([email protected])
- Enzo DiNatale — Facilities Manager (978-697-4701; [email protected])
- Mark Houle — Faith Formation, Grades K–8
- Mark Friedrich — Confirmation & Adult Faith Formation / OCIA
- Lori McLaughlin — Music Ministry (603-275-6486)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation is a central ministry at OLGC. Programs span childhood through adulthood: Grades K–8 religious education is coordinated by Mark Houle, while Confirmation preparation and Adult Faith Formation (including OCIA, the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults — formerly RCIA) are coordinated by Mark Friedrich. The parish partners with Lawrence Catholic Academy, the regional K–8 Catholic school located at 101 Parker Street in Lawrence, where many parish children attend.
- Faith Formation, Grades K–8 (Mark Houle)
- Confirmation Preparation
- Adult Faith Formation
- OCIA — Order of Christian Initiation of Adults
- Lawrence Catholic Academy (101 Parker Street, Lawrence; lawrencecatholicacademy.net)
Liturgical Ministries
The parish runs a robust set of liturgical ministries coordinated through the Music Director and Pastoral Council. Lay faithful serve as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (some bringing the Eucharist to the homebound), Lectors, Greeters, Ushers, Altar Servers (including a dedicated 'Senior Altar Server' role and adult servers for Funeral Masses), Sacristans, and the Liturgical Linen Service team that prepares altar cloths, corporals, and purificators. The Music Ministry, under Lori McLaughlin, rehearses on Wednesday evenings at St. Theresa Church and leads the congregation at Mass.
- Eucharistic Ministers (with Outreach to the Homebound)
- Lectors
- Greeters
- Ushers
- Altar Servers (youth and adult)
- Sacristans
- Liturgical Linen Service
- Music Ministry (rehearsals Wed evenings at St. Theresa)
- Offertory Counters
Parish Life & Fellowship
Beyond liturgy, OLGC sustains an active fellowship life. Women of Faith meets the second Saturday of the month in DuPerry Hall to study the saints and serve the parish. Men of St. Joseph gathers regularly for Bible study, presentations, and service projects. The Third Order of Mary supports the parish spiritually and through fundraising. The Prayer Shawl Ministry gathers on the first Wednesday of the month at 1:00 PM in the Parish Office to make and bless shawls, lapghans, and baby blankets for the sick, elderly, and newly baptized. The Ellen Gallant Card Ministry sends encouraging cards to parishioners going through illness or difficulty. Each year the parish hosts a Christmas Fair organized by a volunteer committee.
- Women of Faith (2nd Saturday monthly, DuPerry Hall)
- Men of St. Joseph (Bible study, service projects)
- Third Order of Mary
- Prayer Shawl Ministry (1st Wed, 1:00 PM, Parish Office)
- Ellen Gallant Card Ministry (Donna Fawcett, [email protected])
- Christmas Fair Committee
Outreach & Charity
OLGC carries out outreach through several channels. The St. Vincent de Paul Society, founded in 1948 at the parish, ministers to the poor and needy; its work is funded solely by contributions to the St. Vincent de Paul boxes near the church doors. Food for God's Poor collects non-perishable food at the back of St. Theresa each Sunday, which is delivered to Lazarus House in Lawrence. Eucharistic Ministers visit homebound parishioners who cannot attend Mass, sharing 'the Word of God, the Eucharist, their time, and the support of the whole parish community.' The parish also requires all clergy, staff, and volunteers to attend Virtus—Protecting God's Children training as part of the Archdiocese of Boston's child-safety program.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society (founded 1948)
- Food for God's Poor (delivered to Lazarus House, Lawrence)
- Outreach to the Homebound (Eucharistic Ministers)
- Virtus — Protecting God's Children training (archdiocese requirement)
Sacraments
Information on the seven sacraments is published in the parish bulletin. Baptisms are scheduled by appointment, with monthly preparation meetings for parents and godparents. Marriages require arrangements at least six months in advance. Confirmation preparation is run through the Faith Formation office. First Reconciliation and First Communion are coordinated through the K–8 program. Anointing of the Sick and pastoral visits are arranged through the parish office.
- Baptism — by appointment; monthly preparation
- Marriage — six months' notice required
- Confirmation — through Faith Formation office
- Eucharist (Communion) — at Mass and brought to the homebound
- Penance — Saturday 2:30–3:30 PM and by appointment
- Anointing of the Sick — contact the parish office
Devotions & Holy Days
Devotional life at OLGC centers on the Eucharist, the Blessed Mother, and Lenten practices. During Lent, the Stations of the Cross are prayed communally on Friday evenings at 6:00 PM at St. Theresa Church, followed by soup and faith sharing in DuPerry Hall. The parish celebrates the Feast of Our Lady of Good Counsel on April 26 each year with special events (in 2024, this included a spaghetti supper after the Saturday Vigil Mass). Holy Days of Obligation have multiple Masses as announced, and the parish notes Mass and confession in Spanish 'as announced.'
- Stations of the Cross — Fridays 6:00 PM during Lent, with soup and faith sharing
- Feast of Our Lady of Good Counsel — April 26
- Holy Day Masses — as announced in the bulletin
- Spanish Mass / Spanish Confession — as announced
Visiting & Contact
New parishioners are warmly welcomed and invited to register at the Parish Office. The Parish Office and Rectory are located at 22 Plymouth Street, Methuen, MA 01844; office hours are Monday–Thursday 8:00 AM–3:00 PM (Friday closed). Phone: (978) 686-3984; Fax: (978) 686-8300. The general staff e-mail is [email protected]. All Masses at St. Theresa Church are live-streamed, making remote participation possible for those unable to attend in person.
- Parish Office: 22 Plymouth Street, Methuen, MA 01844
- Phone: (978) 686-3984 | Fax: (978) 686-8300
- Office hours: Mon–Thu 8:00 AM–3:00 PM (Fri closed)
- Live Stream of all St. Theresa Masses
- New parishioners invited to register at the office
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Augustinian friars (unnamed)2000–c. 2008
First group of pastors following the 2000 merger; succeeded the Marists at St. Theresa.
- Fr. Christopher J. Casey, VF
Served as pastor before Fr. Marc Bishop; listed on older parish directories.
- Fr. Marc Bishop
Former pastor, returned for 25th anniversary celebration.
- Fr. Bill Waters
Former pastor; unable to attend 25th anniversary event.
- Rev. Gregory G. Vozzo
Current pastor; leading the parish through its 25th anniversary in 2024–2025.