Our Lady of Good Counsel

Parish History

OLGC traces its origins to 1920, when so few Catholic families lived in the Southampton area that they attended Mass at St. Andrew's in Newtown. A year later twelve families had Sunday Mass in Southampton at Fitzpatrick's Hall on the corner of Street Road and Second Street Pike, served by priests from St. Mary's Manor in Langhorne. In 1923 Father John G. Fitzgerald became the parish's first resident pastor, beginning a succession of five pastors that continues today with the current pastor, Rev. Robert G. Suskey. Major milestones include the 1948 purchase of the present property on Second Street Pike/Knowles Avenue, the expansion of facilities under Msgr. Francis P. McNelis in the 1950s (school, Felician Sisters convent, 1957 auditorium, and the 1961 church), the long pastorate of Msgr. Bernard J. Trinity, the building of the Trinity Center under Msgr. Anthony J. D'Angelico, and the 2023 centennial celebrations.

• 1921: First Sunday Masses for twelve Catholic families at Fitzpatrick's Hall
• 1923: Father John G. Fitzgerald appointed first resident pastor
• 1948: Land purchased on Second Street Pike; farmhouse converted into a rectory
• September 1954: Msgr. Francis P. McNelis appointed second pastor
• 1957: Large auditorium constructed and used for Sunday Masses
• December 8, 1961: Current church dedicated on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception
• June 1981: Msgr. McNelis retires; Msgr. Bernard J. Trinity becomes third pastor
• June 2003: Msgr. Trinity retires; Father Anthony J. D'Angelico appointed fourth pastor
• August 22, 2013: Msgr. D'Angelico dies shortly after his tenth anniversary as pastor
• November 8, 2013: Rev. Robert G. Suskey installed as fifth pastor
• 2023: Yearlong centennial celebrations, including parade float and gala dinner

Devotions

OLGC maintains a robust devotional life centered on daily Eucharistic Adoration and Monday-evening Marian devotion. Adoration runs Monday through Friday from 9:30 AM until 2:00 PM (cancelled on days with a Funeral). The Holy Rosary is prayed Monday through Saturday at 8:30 AM and again on Monday evening at 6:30 PM. Monday evenings continue with the Chaplet of Divine Mercy at 7:00 PM and the Miraculous Medal Novena at 7:30 PM, followed by Benediction. Evening devotions do not take place on national holidays or holy days of obligation.

• Eucharistic Adoration: Mon-Fri 9:30 AM-2:00 PM
• Holy Rosary: Mon-Sat 8:30 AM; Monday 6:30 PM
• Chaplet of Divine Mercy: Monday 7:00 PM
• Miraculous Medal Novena: Monday 7:30 PM, followed by Benediction

Faith Formation & Religious Education (PREP)

The Parish Religious Education Program (PREP), directed by Mrs. Kristal Alexander (DRE, ext. 134, [email protected]), provides weekly catechesis for children in Kindergarten through Grade 7 on Wednesdays from September through early May. Two sessions are offered: 4:15-5:30 PM and 6:15-7:30 PM, with Kindergarten meeting only at the earlier time. PREP's mission statement commits it to fostering spiritual growth in children and their families to best serve the parish community, with formal grade-level prayer goals from Sign of the Cross in early levels through the Memorare and review of traditional prayers by Level 7.

• Wednesday classes from September through early May
• Kindergarten: 4:15-5:30 PM only
• Grades 1-7: 4:15-5:30 PM and 6:15-7:30 PM
• DRE: Kristal Alexander, ext. 134
• Online resources: PREP registration, calendar, handbook, and sacramental packets

Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic School

The parish school (school.olgc.org), housed on Second Street Pike, is staffed by a lay faculty under Principal Barbara Riley (ext. 104). Current administrators include Kate Hrycyszyn (Director of Marketing & Advancement, ext. 123), Pat Carter (School Nurse, ext. 125), Martha Matysik (Office Manager, ext. 117), and Tom Hearn (Maintenance, ext. 127). The school has deep OLGC roots: the original six-classroom school opened under Msgr. McNelis for 157 students in the 1950s, with the Felician Sisters of St. Francis from Lodi, NJ staffing the early classrooms.

• Principal: Barbara Riley, ext. 104
• Office Manager: Martha Matysik, ext. 117
• Marketing & Advancement: Kate Hrycyszyn, ext. 123
• School Nurse: Pat Carter, ext. 125
• Lay Faculty
• Students from parish families and PREP-eligible children

OCIA — Becoming Catholic

OLGC's Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) process welcomes adults seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church, those interested in full communion, already-baptized Catholics preparing for Confirmation and First Eucharist, and practicing Catholics who want to deepen their knowledge of the faith. The OCIA group meets every Sunday afternoon from 1:30 to 3:00 PM in the Parish Trinity Center, following the 12 noon Mass. Contact Kevin Madison at 215-357-1300 ext. 107 or [email protected].

Youth Ministry & CYO

The parish's youth ministry, coordinated by Vicki Francis (ext. 131), works hand in hand with the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) led by Paul Diaz ([email protected], 215-651-0580). The CYO offers sports and formation programs for students in Kindergarten through High School, with both parish-school and PREP-eligible children able to participate; a portion of registrations is returned toward PREP tuition.

• Youth Ministry Coordinator: Vicki Francis, ext. 131
• CYO: Paul Diaz, 215-651-0580, [email protected]
• Programs for K-12 in partnership with OLGC School and PREP
• Various CYO sports programs

Parish Ministries & Service

Parish life is sustained by numerous lay-led ministries. Women of OLGC is open to practicing Catholic women 18 and older, meeting the third Tuesday of each month (September-June) at 7:00 PM in the Trinity Center (McNelis Room). Knights of Columbus Council #15658 is open to practicing Catholic men 18 and older, meeting every second Tuesday at 7:00 PM in the Trinity Center, with a weekly Rosary every Monday at 7:00 PM in the Church; a Ladies Auxiliary of the Knights also meets monthly. The Funeral Liturgy Ministry helps families pre-plan or plan a Funeral Mass, with downloadable Prearrangement Packets available online. Catholic Social Services Elder Care Ministry serves older parishioners (ext. 160). The Scrip Office (gift-card fundraising) is led by Terry Smith (ext. 132). Music is led by Parish Music Director Joan Kozlowski (ext. 206). The St. Francis Senior Club meets the first and third Friday of each month at 10:00 AM in the Trinity Center (contact Catherine Campbell, 215-499-8590). The OLGC School Alumni Association is coordinated by Lisa Sabatino Oriold ([email protected]).

• Women of OLGC (third Tuesday, 7:00 PM, McNelis Room)
• Knights of Columbus Council #15658 (second Tuesday, 7:00 PM; Rosary Mondays 7:00 PM)
• Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary
• Altar Servers (grades 5 and older)
• Funeral Liturgy Ministry / Prearrangement Packets
• Catholic Social Services Elder Care Ministry (ext. 160)
• Scrip Office (Terry Smith, ext. 132)
• St. Francis Senior Club (1st and 3rd Friday, 10:00 AM)
• PREP Choir
• OLGC School Alumni Association

Sacraments

OLGC celebrates the full range of Catholic sacraments. Baptisms for children are celebrated the 1st Sunday of each month at 1:30 PM, with Pre-Jordan Instruction required for new parents. Adult initiation is through the OCIA program (see separate section). Matrimony requires a six-month notice to a priest before setting any date or venue. Anointing of the Sick is offered any time upon request, and homebound Holy Communion is arranged through the parish office. Those discerning Holy Orders may speak with one of the parish priests.

• Baptism of Children (1st Sunday, 1:30 PM)
• OCIA / Adult Initiation
• First Penance, First Eucharist, Confirmation (via PREP or school)
• Matrimony (six-month notice required)
• Anointing of the Sick (any time upon request)
• Communion of the Sick / Homebound
• Holy Orders discernment

Facility, Accessibility & Visiting

The OLGC campus at 611 Knowles Avenue houses the parish offices, the Trinity Center (with the McNelis Room and meeting halls), the rectory, and the church, while the parish school sits on Second Street Pike. The church and parish meeting room are fully accessible: there are accessible entrances with curb cuts, ramps, and parking near the entrances; doors wider than 32 inches with automatic or easy-open operation; van-accessible parking spaces with access aisles; and ADA-compliant restrooms adapted for wheelchair users. The parish office is open extended hours throughout the week.

• Main address: 611 Knowles Avenue, Southampton, PA 18966
• Parish school: Second Street Pike, Southampton, PA 18966
• Trinity Center houses parish offices, McNelis Room, and meeting spaces
• ADA-accessible church, meeting room, and restrooms
• Parish office open Mon/Tue/Fri 10:00 AM-5:00 PM; Tue/Wed/Thu 10:00 AM-2:00 PM; Wed/Thu 10:00 AM-8:00 PM; Saturday 9:00 AM-2:00 PM

Parish Boundaries

OLGC's territory spans much of southern Bucks County north of Street Road. According to the parish's official boundaries page, the territory runs: Bristol Rd. from Newtown Rd. to Penn-Central Railroad; to Street Rd.; to Buck Rd.; to County Line Rd.; to Pine Rd.; to Tomlinson Rd.; to Paper Mill Rd.; to Terwood (Mill) Rd.; to Davisville Rd.; to County Line Rd.; to Davisville Rd.; to Street Rd.; to Newtown Rd.; and back to Bristol Rd.

Staff & Contacts

Day-to-day parish operations are coordinated by Pastor Rev. Robert G. Suskey and Parochial Vicar Rev. Msgr. Joseph A. Tracy (with Rev. Jaehwa John Lee also listed as parochial vicar by the Archdiocese). Bernadette Clune serves as Parish Administrative Assistant to the Pastor (dial 0). Business matters are handled by David Clune, Parish Business Manager (ext. 176). Kristal Alexander directs PREP (ext. 134, [email protected]). Kevin Madison coordinates OCIA (ext. 107, [email protected]). Vicki Francis directs Youth Ministry (ext. 131). Joan Kozlowski is Parish Music Director (ext. 206). Terry Smith runs the Scrip Office (ext. 132, [email protected]). Mary Wojciechowski handles the parish bulletin ([email protected]).

• Pastor: Rev. Robert G. Suskey
• Parochial Vicar: Rev. Msgr. Joseph A. Tracy
• Parochial Vicar (per Archdiocese listing): Rev. Jaehwa John Lee
• Parish Administrative Assistant: Bernadette Clune (dial 0)
• Business Manager: David Clune (ext. 176)
• PREP Director: Kristal Alexander (ext. 134)
• OCIA Coordinator: Kevin Madison (ext. 107)
• Youth Ministry: Vicki Francis (ext. 131)
• Music Director: Joan Kozlowski (ext. 206)
• Scrip Office: Terry Smith (ext. 132)
• Bulletin Editor: Mary Wojciechowski