On a wooded stretch of West Upper Ferry Road, just past the gas stations and the 7-Eleven that mark the turnoff from Interstate 95, Our Lady of Good Counsel Church stands as a steady presence for Catholics in the West Trenton section of Ewing Township, New Jersey. Founded on November 14, 1947, the parish has been gathering its members around the altar, the sacraments, and one another for nearly eighty years. In 2022, parishioners marked the church's 75th jubilee with a year of celebration that reflected how deeply the community is rooted in the neighborhood. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Trenton, and its pastor, the Rev. Ariel Robles, is assisted by Deacon Steven Szmutko and a staff that keeps a busy rectory running on West Upper Ferry Road.
Mass Times and the Rhythm of the Week
The parish keeps a schedule that fits both daily commuters and families. Mass is offered Monday through Friday at 7:30 a.m., with a Saturday morning Mass at 8:00 a.m. The Saturday Vigil is celebrated at 5:00 p.m., and two Sunday Masses, at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., round out the weekend. On Holy Days, Mass is offered at 7:30 a.m., 12 noon, and 7:00 p.m. National holidays that fall on a Monday, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, and Labor Day, shift the weekday Mass to 8:30 a.m.
For those who cannot attend in person, livestreamed Mass continues to be available on the parish's YouTube channel and Facebook page, an arrangement that began for parishioners at high risk or facing health issues and has remained part of the church's reach.
Reconciliation, Adoration, and the Sacrament of Penance
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is heard on Saturday afternoons from 4:00 to 4:30 p.m., or by appointment with a priest. During Lent and Advent, additional Confession times and a parish Penance Service are scheduled, with visiting priests brought in to help. Children preparing for First Penance usually receive the sacrament in second grade, in the same year they make their First Holy Communion.
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament takes place on the First Friday of every month, beginning at 8:00 a.m. and continuing through the day. The public hours run until 3:00 p.m., and committed adorers keep watch alongside Jesus in the tabernacle through the evening, until Benediction at 7:00 p.m. Parishioners who would like to commit even half an hour can sign up through the parish's Sign-Up Genius page or by calling the adoration coordinator, Tom Hankinson.
The Sacraments of Initiation
Our Lady of Good Counsel prepares parishioners for each of the seven Catholic sacraments through a combination of parish formation and diocesan guidelines.
Baptism for infants and children up to age six is arranged through the Baptism Coordinator, Mary Szmutko. Parents are required to attend a parish preparation class, and godparents must obtain a Letter of Eligibility from their own parish. Baptisms are typically celebrated on Sundays at noon or following the 10:30 a.m. Mass, and families are encouraged to have their child baptized during a Sunday Mass so the community can welcome the new Christian.
First Holy Communion is normally received in second grade, after two years of Religious Education. Older children and adults who have not yet received the sacrament are prepared through the parish's Religious Education program or, for adults and teens aged 14 and up, through OCIA.
Confirmation at Our Lady of Good Counsel follows the diocesan requirement of two consecutive years of religious formation, normally completed in grades seven and eight. The parish celebrates the sacrament in late spring, and preparation is coordinated by Brenda O'Callaghan, CRE.
OCIA, the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, welcomes adults who have never been baptized, those baptized in another Christian tradition, and baptized Catholics who have not received First Eucharist or Confirmation. Deacon Steve Szmutko leads Inquiry Sessions through the summer, and the formal program begins in the fall, with weekly classes on Sunday mornings running from October through Holy Week. Those who complete the journey receive the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil.
Marriage at Our Lady of Good Counsel
The parish rejoices with engaged couples and walks them through a year of preparation that begins well before the wedding day. Couples meet at least three times with a priest, deacon, or pastoral associate: first for an intake interview nine to twelve months out, again five to six months before the wedding, and a final session two to three months ahead to plan the liturgy itself. Pre-Cana, sponsored by the Diocese of Trenton, is also required.
Wedding ceremonies take place on Saturdays at 1:00 or 2:00 p.m., with Friday ceremonies permitted only at 4:00 p.m. The couple is responsible for arranging the date with the church before booking any reception venue, obtaining a recent Baptismal Certificate and Confirmation certificate, securing a Pre-Cana completion certificate, and applying for a New Jersey marriage license within thirty days of the wedding. Witnesses, the best man and maid or matron of honor, must include at least one practicing Catholic. The parish asks that parents step back from the preparation meetings so the couple can speak directly with the priest or deacon.
Funerals and the Consolation Ministry
When a loved one dies, the parish steps in early, working with the funeral home to schedule a date and then meeting the family at the rectory to plan the liturgy. The Consolation Ministry, coordinated through Mary Szmutko, accompanies families through the Funeral Mass, the committal, and the grief that follows. A Funeral Rite typically includes a Vigil Service at the funeral home or church, a Mass of Christian Burial in the church, and a Rite of Committal at the cemetery. Eulogies are encouraged at the Vigil, and secular music is not permitted at the Mass itself, though a wide selection of Catholic hymns is available, from "On Eagles' Wings" and "Be Not Afraid" to "Amazing Grace" and "Here I Am Lord." Old and New Testament readings can be chosen from a list compiled by the parish. Suggested offerings are $250 to the church, $100 to the organist and cantor, and $100 for viewing in the church.
Anointing of the Sick and the Homebound
The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is offered not only at the point of death but also at the onset of serious illness, in old age, or before surgery. The priest, deacon, or a Liturgical Minister will visit the sick and homebound at home or in area hospitals, where Catholic chaplains are assigned to each facility. Parishioners can arrange a Communion visit, Confession, or anointing through the rectory office, and the parish asks members to remember their homebound neighbors in prayer.
Religious Education and Family Faith
Religious Education at Our Lady of Good Counsel is offered to public school children in grades one through seven, with classes meeting from September through May. Tuition for the school year is $100 for one child, $180 for two children, and $230 for three or more, with a $25 late fee added after August 31. First Communion and Confirmation are both prepared for within this program, following diocesan guidelines. Progress reports go home in January, with final reports on the last day of class.
Families gather at the 10:30 a.m. Mass on the second Sunday of each month from October through April for Family Sunday Mass, when religious education students serve as greeters, ushers, and readers. After Mass, refreshments are served in the Parish Hall in the basement of the church. Family Sunday is also Children's Liturgy of the Word (CLOW) Sunday, when children up to age seven leave the sanctuary with a parent or catechist for an age-appropriate Liturgy of the Word, returning to the church after the homily.
Altar Servers, open to any student who has received First Eucharist, assist the priest and deacon at the altar. Deacon Steven Szmutko coordinates this ministry.
Youth and Young Adults
While many youth events are organized at the diocesan level, the parish keeps its young people connected to what's happening across the Diocese of Trenton, including the annual NJ Catholic Youth Rally. The parish office serves as the main point of contact for youth ministry, and announcements about upcoming events and formation opportunities are posted regularly.
Adult Faith Formation
The parish's adult faith formation ministry aims to help the adults of the parish grow in both human and Christian maturity, "enriching the whole of life with the leaven of the Gospel." Formation is offered in three interlocking ways: inviting adults into an ongoing conversion with Jesus, supporting active membership in the parish community, and preparing adults to act as disciples in their everyday lives. Programs are offered throughout the year, and recent sessions have included an eight-week online course titled "Meeting Christ in Prayer" and a Men's Faith Sharing group. The parish also subscribes to FORMED, the Catholic streaming service, which is free to anyone in the parish and offers video studies, family programming, and the FORMED Kids channel.
The Choir and Music Ministry
The Music Ministry, led by Deirdre Hindley, provides music and song for parish liturgies and special events, including funeral and wedding Masses. The choir and musicans stage recitals, the Christmas Pageant, and other musical moments throughout the year. Anyone who enjoys singing or playing an instrument is invited to join.
The Marys of Mary and Marian Devotion
On the Feast of the Assumption, the parish formally commissioned the Marys of Mary, a lay group given the authority to lead Marian devotions and celebrations in collaboration with the pastor. The group coordinates processions, prayer services, and other moments centered on the Blessed Virgin Mary throughout the year.
The Knights of Columbus
The Ewing Knights of Columbus Council 3756, which includes members from Our Lady of Good Counsel, meets on the first Tuesday of each month at the Incarnation-St. James Church Center at 7:30 p.m. and on the third Tuesday at the Our Lady of Good Counsel Church Hall at 7:30 p.m. Catholic men are invited to join in the council's charitable, parish, and community work. Tom DeFalco, Past Grand Knight, is the parish contact.
The Altar Guild
A small group of men and women work behind the scenes to care for the sanctuary. Members of the Altar Guild wash and iron purificators and corporals, press albs and chasubles, prepare vestments and altar dressings for the liturgical seasons, and gather from time to time for housekeeping days of dusting and polishing the sanctuary furniture. Training is provided.
The Seniors Club
The Seniors Club meets on the first Wednesday of each month in the Parish Hall at 11:00 a.m., welcoming guests, arranging trips, and celebrating annual events. Annual dues are collected, and the club has both a president and vice president keeping things organized.
Liturgical Ministers and the Sunday Crew
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Readers, and Altar Servers form the backbone of the Sunday liturgies. A bi-monthly schedule assigns liturgical duties according to the Church calendar. Greeters are also scheduled through a sign-up page.
Social Services and Outreach
The parish's Social Services ministry, coordinated by James Gambino, organizes clothing drives, food drives, and fundraisers throughout the year. A backpack for education drive is held annually in July and August, and special emphasis is placed on the holiday needs of the poor and homeless during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the Easter season. The parish also participates in the annual CRS Rice Bowl during Lent, with 25 percent of donations retained for local ministries like food pantries, St. Vincent de Paul conferences, soup kitchens, and homeless shelters.
Parish Registration and Becoming a Member
All baptized Catholics living within the parish boundaries are considered members of Our Lady of Good Counsel. Registration helps the pastor and staff welcome newcomers, communicate programs, and provide sacramental sponsorships. Newcomers are encouraged to stop by the Parish Office in the Rectory or to contact Denise Hayes, the parish's Welcome Ministry contact. Registration forms are available at each entrance of the church, online, or by request from the rectory, and completed forms can be dropped in the Sunday collection basket, mailed, faxed, or emailed to the rectory.
Giving, the Annual Catholic Appeal, and Financial Support
The parish uses Parish Giving as its electronic donation platform for both weekly and special collections, with options for one-time or recurring gifts. Cash and checks can be placed in the collection baskets at any weekend Mass or mailed to the rectory, and parishioners can also set up donations through their bank's online bill pay. The parish is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization and welcomes Qualified Charitable Distributions from IRAs for those 70½ and older, as well as bequests through end-of-life estate planning. Each year the parish participates in the Diocese of Trenton's Annual Catholic Appeal, with Our Lady of Good Counsel's parish number P2120.
The Building, the Rectory, and Getting There
Our Lady of Good Counsel sits at 137 West Upper Ferry Road, West Trenton, NJ 08628, easily reached from Interstate 95 via Exit 2 or from Route 29 North through the new Trenton Tunnel. Parking is available on the parish grounds. The Parish Office is located in the Rectory and is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Debbie Smith staffs the office Monday through Wednesday, and Mary Szmutko covers Thursday and Friday. The Rectory Office can be reached at 609-882-3277, with extension 3 the main line and extension 4 the Pastor's Office. A fax line is available at 609-882-4375, and email goes to rectoryoffice@olgcc.net.
Safety and Scam Awareness
The parish has posted a scam alert asking parishioners not to respond to fraudulent emails, texts, or calls that impersonate the pastor, deacon, or parish staff and request favors, gift cards, or cash transfers. Anyone who receives a suspicious message is asked to call the parish office to verify and to report the message to the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint. The Diocese of Trenton is also committed to the U.S. Bishop's Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, with an Abuse Hotline at 1-888-296-2965 and an email line at abuseline@dioceseoftrenton.org for reporting allegations of sexual abuse by clergy or church personnel.
Catholic Schools and Continuing Education
For families considering Catholic education, Villa Victoria Academy in Ewing is a private, independent Catholic middle and high school for girls, and St. Ann School in Lawrenceville and St. Paul School in Princeton also accept applications. The Diocese of Trenton maintains a Catholic Schools Directory with information on tuition, admissions, and financial aid.
Coming Home
For those who have been away from the Church for a while, the parish extends a particular invitation. As the parish puts it, "No matter how long you've been gone, or the reasons, we want you to know you've been missed. There's a unique place in the Church that only you can fill." Anyone who feels called back can reach out to the parish office to meet with a priest or spiritual director and begin the journey home.