Our Lady of Good Counsel Caribbean Parish Celebrates Golden Jubilee Anniversary Mass

The Jubilee Mass

Sunday, Oct. 12 was a day of joy and thanksgiving at Our Lady of Good Counsel Caribbean Canadian Catholic Church (OLGC) as the community gathered to celebrate 50 years since its foundation. Bishop Robert Kasun, CSB, presided and preached at the celebration on behalf of His Eminence Frank Cardinal Leo. Fr. Oliver Iwuchukwu, CSSp, Provincial of the Spiritans, and several distinguished clergy joined pastor Fr. Dexter Brereton CSSp and Sr. Susan Gopaul, O.P., represented the General Prioress of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena and her Council for this momentous occasion.

In his homily, Bishop Kasun congratulated the community on its 50^th anniversary and acknowledged the founding members and everyone who, over the years, contributed to building up the OLGC community. He thanked the Spiritan Congregation and the Dominican Sisters for their contributions to the parish over the past five decades. Coinciding with Thanksgiving weekend, Bishop Kasun explained that the Sunday Gospel from Luke 17:11-19 showed us that Thanksgiving is an invitation to enter into a “profound relationship of love, trust and intimacy with Jesus Christ because that is where all good things come from the Lord.” He explained further that we express our gratitude through the good works that arise from our faith.

A Brief History

The story of OLGC began in 1975 when the Archdiocese of Toronto in partnership with the Holy Ghost Fathers (Spiritans) recognized an urgent need to make pastoral care available to migrants from the Caribbean. In 1979, the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena of Étrépagny arrived from Trinidad to support the work of the mission. In 1981, the current church building at 867 College Street was officially blessed in a Mass celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Aloysius Ambrozic. On that occasion it was renamed "Our Lady of Good Counsel Caribbean Catholic Church and Centre." This marked a turning point, helping to consolidate the growth and development of a vibrant Caribbean Catholic community in Toronto. This growth included persons from African communities in Toronto, a symbol of the solidarity with their ancestry.  

OLGC Today

Today, OLGC is proud to be home to a registered community of approximately 700 parishioners in downtown Toronto. Even in the face of unprecedented challenges such as pandemic, the parish remained resilient and faithful to its mission as a vibrant Caribbean worship community. Spiritual formation, preparation for the sacraments, a monthly children’s liturgy, pilgrimages, retreats, and visits to the sick form part of the regular activities of the parish. A Summer Music Camp for children was run this year for the first time. The Sr. Kathleen Jackman Scholarship Programme and the Fr. Philip Howard Bursary, established by a group of dynamic community members, assists youth of Caribbean descent who are pursuing post-secondary education. In keeping with the ethnocultural character of the parish, Caribbean national days are observed as well as events such as Black History Month. Additionally, special care and attentiveness are extended to the seniors, many of whom are considered the “foundation stones” of OLGC. As the anniversary year continues to unfold, the members of the community are committed to two Jubilee themes: “We walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor 5:7) and “Building Our Future as Pilgrims of Hope.” May Our Lady of Good Counsel continue to intercede for us.