Our Lady of Good Counsel stands at 121 William Street in Marysville, Pennsylvania, a Roman Catholic parish founded in 1954 in the Diocese of Harrisburg. It is known for a worship life shaped by sung Mass, the Rosary and a choir that has led the faithful for many years, and for a second parish family in nearby Duncannon: St. Bernadette Mission Parish at 901 North High Street, which the parish identifies as the only Catholic church located directly on the Appalachian Trail. Father Walter Guzman is pastor of both communities, and Rev. Mr. Patrick McCormack serves as deacon and director of religious education.
Two Parishes, One Catholic Family
Our Lady of Good Counsel was founded in 1954 and Saint Bernadette in 1956, and the two have grown together as a single pastoral team. St. Bernadette is a mission parish of Our Lady of Good Counsel, with its own worship life in Duncannon and the same pastor, deacon, liturgical calendar and ministries. Father Guzman invites worshippers to join the parish family in giving glory to God and praying for one another, seeking the intercession of Our Lady of Good Counsel and Saint Bernadette and asking the Holy Spirit to guide each person so that all become instruments of grace in building the kingdom in their part of the community. As Roman Catholic parishes for Marysville and Duncannon, they strive to know, love and serve as Mary did for Jesus, and they ask parishioners to consider giving their time and talent to support the message of Christ through the ministries of the parishes.
The two communities share one telephone number, (717) 957-2662, and one parish email address, church@olgcsb.org. The rectory office is at 121 William Street in Marysville, and correspondence for both Marysville and Duncannon is handled there.
Mass Times at 121 William Street
The Marysville parish keeps a steady weekly pattern of Mass. The Saturday evening vigil fulfills the Sunday obligation, and the Rosary is prayed at 8:35 a.m. before the Sunday morning Mass. Weekday Mass is celebrated three mornings a week and once on Thursday evening.
- Saturday, 4:00 p.m. - Sunday vigil Mass.
- Sunday, 9:00 a.m. - Sunday Mass.
- Monday, Tuesday and Friday, 9:00 a.m. - Daily Mass.
- Thursday, 7:00 p.m. - Daily Mass.
Wednesday is the one weekday without a Mass in Marysville, and Holy Days of Obligation are kept at 7:00 p.m. Confession is offered on Saturdays from 3:15 to 3:45 p.m. The Holy Rosary is prayed at 3:35 p.m. on Saturday, at 8:35 a.m. on Sunday, on Monday and Tuesday following the 9:00 a.m. Mass, and at 6:35 p.m. on Thursday. A devotion to Divine Mercy follows the Friday morning Mass, beginning at 9:25 a.m.
St. Bernadette in Duncannon: Weekend Mass and Monthly Adoration
St. Bernadette Mission Parish on North High Street in Duncannon centers on the weekend. Saturday vigil Mass is celebrated at 6:00 p.m. and Sunday Mass at 11:00 a.m., with the Rosary prayed at 5:35 p.m. on Saturday and 10:35 a.m. on Sunday. Confession is by appointment, and the parish gathers for Eucharistic adoration once a month, with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and benediction.
The Duncannon parish carries a distinction its members proudly hold: St. Bernadette is the only Catholic church located directly on the Appalachian Trail. Its active groups include the Parish Council of Catholic Women, a Social Organizing Committee and the Knights of Columbus. Weekend liturgies there are open to anyone who wishes to join them, whether they live in the Duncannon area or are passing through.
The Choir, the Readers and the Altar
Music sits at the heart of worship at Our Lady of Good Counsel. The parish choir has been leading the faithful in song for many years on Sundays and for special liturgies, helping the assembly praise God with the gift of song that the Holy Spirit gives. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal says that great importance should be attached to the use of singing in the celebration of Mass and that every care should be taken so that singing by the ministers and the people is not absent in celebrations on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation. Those who would like to offer their musical gifts are invited to speak with the parish office or a choir member after Mass.
A full team of lay ministers serves the liturgy. Lectors proclaim the Word of God, a ministry the General Instruction describes as one to be treated with seriousness and great dignity, calling for clarity, conviction and appropriate pace rather than theatrical show. Altar servers assist at the altar, and any youth who has made First Communion is eligible to join their ranks; the parish includes a prayer for altar servers, and Saint John Berchmans, canonized in 1888, is the patron saint of altar servers. Extraordinary Ministers of the Holy Communion assist the priest in distributing Communion at Mass and also bring Holy Communion to people who are in nursing homes or at home.
A Liturgical Committee of parishioners prepares the church and the altar for the liturgical seasons, and anyone who would like to offer time and talent to that work is welcome to volunteer.
Faith Formation From Kindergarten Through Eighth Grade
The Religious Education Program of Our Lady of Good Counsel and Saint Bernadette works in partnership with parents, assisting them in the God-given role of educators of their children in the faith and complementing, rather than replacing, the catechesis children receive at home. Parents whose children do not attend Catholic schools are strongly encouraged to enroll them in the program, since instructions are necessary for public school children to receive the sacraments of Penance and Reconciliation, Holy Eucharist and Confirmation.
Youth classes cover students in grades K through 8 and include preparation for First Communion and Confirmation. They meet on Mondays from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m. at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Marysville, taught by Deacon and Mrs. McCormack. Adult religious education is offered as well, including a program for adults who were never confirmed and for those considering becoming Catholic.
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults begins each September. It is a period of reflection, prayer, instruction, discernment and formation with no set timetable, so candidates are encouraged to go at their own pace and take as much time as they need. The Diocese of Harrisburg also offers many online adult faith formation opportunities.
Volunteers who would like to teach, assist or substitute in religious education are welcome, and all volunteers must submit background checks and complete mandated reporter training. The Diocese of Harrisburg places the safety and welfare of children and youth foremost among its responsibilities toward the people of the Diocese, and that commitment shapes how these classes are staffed.
Father Walter Guzman and Deacon Patrick McCormack
Father Walter Guzman is pastor of Our Lady of Good Counsel and St. Bernadette. He welcomes newcomers to both parishes, invites them to share their time and talent in the ministries, and is the priest families approach for Baptism instruction and for beginning marriage preparation.
Deacon Patrick McCormack was born in the Diocese of Altoona but moved to the Diocese of Harrisburg at a very young age and attended diocesan schools before enrolling in college. He completed undergraduate degrees in politics, classical studies and social studies education, and his graduate and postgraduate studies included political theory, law, American studies, history and pastoral studies. While in college he enlisted in the Army National Guard and served for 20 years, retiring as a Chief Warrant Officer. He became a secondary social studies teacher and worked seasonally at a local summer camp. He and his wife, Mary Ann, have six children.
The deacon participates in the Knights of Columbus, the Marysville-Rye Council of Churches and the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting. He enjoys reading, camping, writing poetry and relaxing with family, and at the parishes he helps train altar servers and readers and coordinates the class for Christian Initiation.
Sacraments for Families, the Sick and the Homebound
Parental preparation comes first for Baptism at Our Lady of Good Counsel, where both parents are required to attend a Baptism instructional class and arrangements are made with Father Guzman. Baptisms at St. Bernadette are by appointment. For marriage, diocesan common policy requires contacting Father Walter nine to twelve months in advance of the proposed date.
The Anointing of the Sick is offered not only to those at the point of death. As soon as anyone of the faithful begins to be in danger of death from sickness or old age, the fitting time to receive the sacrament has already arrived, and the sacrament unites the sick person to the passion of Christ, brings strength, peace and courage, forgives sins if penance was not possible, restores health when conducive to salvation and prepares the person for eternal life.
When a parishioner is in the hospital or unable to attend Mass, the parish office is notified so that Holy Communion and Anointing can be offered. The same care reaches those who are homebound through the work of the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, and in an emergency the parish office number, (717) 957-2662, is the point of contact.
Serving Marysville and Duncannon
Saint Bernadette belongs to the Duncannon Council of Churches, whose purpose is to share the love of Christ by assisting people in the Duncannon area with limited financial and material assistance through various programs, and by coordinating social events and outreach ministries as determined by its governing board.
The Parish Council of Catholic Women has a mission statement of supporting, empowering and educating all Catholic women in spirituality, leadership and service, and inspiring and promoting Gospel values in a constantly changing world. Its meetings are open to all women of the parish. Members make peanut butter and coconut eggs each year before Lent begins, with workdays on Monday and Tuesday mornings from 9:00 a.m. to noon, and the project is the largest fundraiser of their year. The group also sponsors a luncheon in September for members of the Duncannon Golden Age Club, sends monthly cards to the sick and shut-ins of the parish, offers Mass cards for deceased family members of parishioners, assists with funeral meals, supports Forty Hours, and helps with church cleaning and decorating.
Handmade prayer shawls are available at the entrance of St. Bernadette for any parishioner, family member or friend who is sick or in need of a comforting shawl. Other parish groups include the Knights of Columbus Council 8151, the Legion of Mary, St. Michael's Guard and a Social Organizing Committee.
Time, Talent and Treasure
Stewardship at Our Lady of Good Counsel takes the form the parishes call Time, Talent and Treasure. Donations can be mailed to the parish office at 121 William Street in Marysville, brought to the parish office, or placed in the collection basket during Mass. Cash is not sent by mail, and checks should carry the envelope number along with a note in the memo.
Online giving through WeShare makes it possible to give to any parish collection, set up a one-time or recurring donation and view complete financial records at any time. Contributions from checking accounts, savings accounts, debit cards and credit cards are accepted, including Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express. Donors enrolled in online giving receive receipts by email, and printable donation slips are available for those who would still like to place something in the collection basket. The parish notes that its online giving provider is certified as a Level 1 service provider under the Payment Card Industry security standards. Giving can be arranged through online giving.
Parish Life Through the Year
The two parishes gather for a joint fall picnic at the PCRA grounds in Duncannon, with bingo and gift card prizes, hamburgers and hot dogs grilled by the Knights of Columbus and a 50-50 drawing. Bingo is also a regular parish fundraiser, and gift card and scrip fundraising support the church in other ways. In the weeks before Lent, the PCCW workdays turn out peanut butter and coconut eggs, and the luncheon in September gives the women of the parish an occasion to gather with members of the Duncannon Golden Age Club. Forty Hours devotion, monthly cards for the sick and shut-ins, and Mass cards for deceased members of the parish continue throughout the year.
Sharing Time and Talent
There is a place for nearly every kind of offering in the ministry of the parishes: reading the Word as a lector, serving at the altar as an altar server, assisting with Holy Communion as an Extraordinary Minister, teaching or assisting in religious education, preparing the church and altar for the liturgical seasons as a member of the Liturgical Committee, singing in the choir, helping with the choirs at both churches, and volunteering for Mass at St. Bernadette. A media committee of volunteers, including Carol Gray, Jerry Kruba and Mary Ann McCormack, keeps the parishes' online communications current, including their Facebook presence and their YouTube channel. A myParish app is also offered for staying in touch with the parishes.
Our Lady of Good Counsel and St. Bernadette remain a single pair of Roman Catholic parishes serving Marysville and Duncannon from the Diocese of Harrisburg: Mass with song at 121 William Street, weekend worship and monthly adoration on North High Street, and a parish life carried by families, choirs, councils and volunteers who give their time, talent and treasure to the work.