About Our Lady of Good Counsel · Pearl City, Hawaii
Our Lady of Good Counsel is a Roman Catholic parish in Pearl City on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, and the 27th parish established in the Diocese of Honolulu when it was founded in 1958. The parish operates an attached Catholic elementary school (Our Lady of Good Counsel School) and a Perpetual Adoration Chapel that has drawn adorers from across Central Oahu since 1998. Its mission statement is rooted in Marian discipleship: 'At Our Lady of Good Counsel, we love the Lord like Mary does, and we love our neighbor like the Lord taught us.' Today the parish is served by the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary (SS.CC.) and offers Mass in English, perpetual Eucharistic Adoration, a wide range of lay ministries, and an active Samoan and Micronesian community.
- Established
- 1958
- Patron
- Our Lady of Good Counsel (Blessed Virgin Mary, under the title of Our Lady of Good Counsel)
- Rector
- Rev. Fr. Santhosh Thottankara, SS.CC. (Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Honolulu
Why belong here
Our Lady of Good Counsel is a Christ-centered parish guided by Scripture, Tradition, and the seven Sacraments, actively living out the stewardship of 'Time, Talent and Treasure.' Families can participate in more than 30 lay ministries and groups — from perpetual Eucharistic Adoration (open 24/7 since 1998), a thriving Music Ministry with eight choirs (including a Samoan Choir and a Young Adult & Youth Choir), youth and young adult ministries, RCIA, the Legion of Mary, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Knights of Columbus, and active Samoan and Micronesian communities — making it a vibrant, multi-ethnic Catholic home on Central Oahu.
Mass times at Our Lady of Good Counsel
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM (UNLESS NOTED IN BULLETIN)
- Also by appointment (contact the parish office at 808-455-3012)
Adoration times
- Perpetual Adoration: OPEN 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call the Parish Office at 808-455-3012 to schedule a Holy Hour.
- First Friday Holy Hour: 7:00 PM (the first hour starts at 7:00 PM; adoration continues overnight until 6:30 AM Saturday)
- First Thursday Holy Hour: 7:00 PM (monthly, per the Diocese of Honolulu schedule)
Parish History
Our Lady of Good Counsel was established in 1958 as the 27th parish in the Diocese of Honolulu. The church and rectory were blessed in 1959; the school opened in 1964 with 160 students under the Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis of Syracuse, New York. Monsignor Francis Marzen was the founding pastor, followed by a succession that — as recorded in the parish's own history — includes Monsignor Bernard Eikmeier, Monsignor Alan Nagai, Reverend Francis Peterson, Monsignor Alan Nagai (second term), Reverends Michael Owens and Daniel McNichol, Reverend Jack Niland (OFM Cap.), Father Pascual Abaya IV, and Reverend Khanh Hoang. Deacon Thomas Miyashiro was ordained for the parish in 1981, and Deacon Efrain Andrews in 2001. The current pastor is Rev. Fr. Santhosh Thottankara, SS.CC., served by Fr. Herman Gomes, SS.CC. as Parochial Vicar and Deacon Jeffrey Calamayan in active ministry.
- 1958: Founded as 27th parish in the Diocese of Honolulu
- 1959: Church & rectory blessed
- 1964: School opens with 160 students under Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis of Syracuse, NY
- 1978: Stewardship of 'Time, Talent and Treasure' introduced
- 1984: Church interior renovated into a circular configuration (Vatican II reforms)
- 1988: Parish Pastoral Council and parish mission statement established
- 1989: Parish becomes debt free
- 1995–97: RENEW process
- 1997–98: Legion of Mary, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Neo-Catechumenal Way, Parish Advisory Council and Family Ministry formed
- 1998: Perpetual Adoration Chapel blessed (October)
- 2002: Welcoming Parish Study updates — lighting, sound, flooring, painting, directory, envelopes
- Parish Center Building Committee formed for new sacristy, restrooms, multi-purpose and admin building
Mission Statement & Stewardship
The parish mission is short and Marian: 'At Our Lady of Good Counsel, we love the Lord like Mary does, and we love our neighbor like the Lord taught us.' A fuller mission statement describes OLGC as 'a Christ-centered Parish enlightened by the Holy Spirit; guided by the Scriptures, Tradition, and the Sacraments of the Holy Roman Catholic Church; through the Stewardship of Time, Talent and Treasure, seeking to renew and maintain Love, Family Unity and Christian Values throughout the Community.' Since stewardship was introduced in 1978, parishioners have been invited to share their time, talent, and treasure in the life of the parish.
Parish Ministries & Groups
Our Lady of Good Counsel coordinates more than 30 lay ministries across four branches — Liturgical, Outreach, Community Groups, and Parish Services — under Deacon Jeff Calamayan (Coordinator of Ministries) and Sister Wansuk (Associate Coordinator). The parish publishes an online Ministry Handbook (2016 edition) and a Lay Liturgical Ministry Application form for those who wish to serve. Legacy ministries referenced in the parish's own history include the Legion of Mary, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Neo-Catechumenal Way, Stephen Ministry, the Missionary Basic Christian Community, and a Seniors Club.
- Liturgical: Altar Care, Altar Servers, Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, Lectors, Music Ministry, Ushers, Vocations Ministry
- Outreach: Bereavement Ministry, Filipino Ministry, Marriage Preparation (CPREP), Ohana Homebound Ministry, Pearl City Nursing Home, Outreach
- Community Groups: Charismatic Prayer Group, Fellowship Committee, Knights of Columbus, Perpetual Adoration, Blessed Mother's Prayer Group, Youth and Family Ministry, Young Adult Ministry, Respect Life Committee
- Parish Services: Safe Environment, Emergency Preparedness, Maintenance (Grounds), Health Ministry, Facilities/Building Committee, Parish Finance Council, Stewardship Committee, Communications, Design & Environment, Grounds Keeping
Music Ministry
Coordinated by Theresa Tsutsui, the Music Ministry provides music at Masses and special liturgies, 'for whoever sings, prays twice' (St. Augustine). The ministry fields eight distinct choirs to serve the parish's multicultural worship life, including a Samoan Choir and a Young Adult & Youth Choir. Choir members must be registered parishioners, present themselves well, and attend scheduled rehearsals.
- Sr. Marie Romano — Marian Choir
- Flo Hermosura — Praising Choir
- Theresa Tsutsui — Reflections Choir
- Lei Medeiros — Renew Choir
- Mavis Alaimalo — Samoan Choir
- Carmen Castillo — Spirit & Grace Choir
- Sharie Quibilan — Young Adult & Youth Choir
- Gloria Duro — Rise & Shine Choir
Eucharist Ministry
Coordinated by Michelle Johansen, Eucharistic Ministers assist the pastor in distributing Holy Communion during Mass. They attend scheduled workshops and days of recollection, prepare the vessels for Mass, and abide by the Special Minister of the Eucharist guidelines. They must be confirmed, practicing Catholics in good standing and serve at least two years.
Sacramental Life
The parish celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments. Infant Baptism requires an appointment with a priest and application at least one month before the Baptismal Preparation Program. Confirmation and First Holy Communion preparation is arranged through the parish office. Adults seeking full communion with the Catholic Church, or Catholics who have not yet been confirmed, are welcomed through the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA). The Sacrament of Matrimony requires an appointment with a priest at least six months in advance and before any other arrangements are made. The Anointing of the Sick is available by calling the parish office for those who are seriously ill or facing surgery.
- Baptism — appointment with a priest; one-month lead time
- Confirmation & First Holy Communion — contact parish office
- Eucharist — daily Mass; Communion brought to the homebound by the Ohana Homebound Ministry
- Penance — Saturday 4:00–5:00 PM and by appointment
- Anointing of the Sick — by appointment (808-455-3012)
- Holy Orders — Vocations Ministry supported
- Matrimony — six-month lead time, appointment before other arrangements
Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA)
OLGC's RCIA program welcomes adults exploring the Catholic faith, baptized Christians seeking full communion, and Catholics who were never confirmed. Catechumens and candidates attend the 8:30 AM Sunday Mass together and gather for class on Tuesday evenings at 7:00 PM. The coordinator is Deacon Jeff Calamayan (808-455-3012). The program emphasizes that joining RCIA is not itself a commitment to receive the sacraments; participants make small commitments as they discern.
- Tuesday evening classes at 7:00 PM
- Sunday 8:30 AM Mass attendance
- Coordinator: Deacon Jeff Calamayan
- Application packet available on the parish website
Our Lady of Good Counsel School
Our Lady of Good Counsel School shares the parish campus and opened in 1964 with 160 students under the instruction of the Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis of Syracuse, NY. The school is located at 1530 Hoolana St., Pearl City, HI 96782 (phone 808-455-4533; fax 808-455-5587; web http://www.olgchawaii.org). School office hours are Monday–Friday 7:00 AM–3:00 PM and Wednesday 7:30 AM–1:30 PM.
- 1530 Hoolana St., Pearl City, HI 96782
- Phone: 808-455-4533
- Web: http://www.olgchawaii.org
- Email: [email protected]
Parish Staff & Office
Parish office staff listed by the Diocese of Honolulu include Lisa Saito (Secretary), Winnie Lee (Office Assistant), Pam Falasco (Religious Education), and Laurie Munoz (Youth Ministry). The parish office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, closed for lunch from 12:00 noon to 1:00 PM, and closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
- Pastor: Rev. Fr. Santhosh Thottankara, SS.CC.
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Fr. Herman Gomes, SS.CC.
- Deacon Jeffrey Calamayan — Active Ministry
- Lisa Saito — Secretary
- Winnie Lee — Office Assistant
- Pam Falasco — Religious Education
- Laurie Munoz — Youth Ministry
- Office: 1525 Waimano Home Rd., Pearl City, HI 96782 | 808-455-3012 | [email protected]
Getting Involved
Volunteers are invited to download the online Lay Liturgical Ministry Application and submit it to the parish office. Questions about specific ministries can be submitted to the pastor and Coordinator of Ministries through the website. New parishioners are warmly welcomed and encouraged to register with the parish office to join its activities.
- Volunteer application form on the parish website
- New parishioner registration through the Parish Office
- Youth & Young Adult Ministry active
Visit & Contact
Our Lady of Good Counsel is located at 1525 Waimano Home Road, Pearl City, HI 96782, on the island of Oahu. The parish office is open Monday–Friday 8:00 AM–4:00 PM (closed for lunch 12:00–1:00 PM) and can be reached at 808-455-3012 or [email protected]; the fax line is 808-456-9443. The school is at 1530 Hoolana St. on the same campus.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Monsignor Francis Marzen1958 – founding pastor
First pastor; oversaw the blessing of the church and rectory in 1959.
- Monsignor Bernard Eikmeier
Second pastor.
- Monsignor Alan Nagai
Third pastor; later returned for a second term.
- Reverend Francis Peterson
- Monsignor Alan Nagai (second term)
Returned for a second term as pastor.
- Reverend Michael Owens
- Reverend Daniel McNichol
- Reverend Jack Niland, OFM Cap.
Franciscan Capuchin priest.
- Reverend Father Pascual Abaya IV
- Reverend Khanh Hoang
Listed as the pastor at the time the parish 'About Us' history was written.
- Rev. Fr. Santhosh Thottankara, SS.CC.
Current pastor, a member of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary.