Celebrating Our Lady of Good Counsel Church

San Leandro has four vibrant Catholic churches including Our Lady of Good Counsel, located at 14112 Azores Place near Bermuda Ave, in the Marina Faire neighborhood.  

The church was built in 1966. Parish Administrator Fr. Jan Rudzewicz took over from previous pastor Fr. Dominic Thuong Nguyen in March.

Since his arrival, Fr. Jan has been working to improve the look of the church. He has changed the carpets and brought a beautiful statue of Our Lady from St. Mary’s Church in Oakland and had it installed in front of the church.

Realizing the great diversity of the surrounding community, Fr. Jan wants to make Our Lady of Good Counsel a welcoming place for everyone. 

"I would like to see our congregation grow in faith, love, and numbers," he said. "I would like to see us supporting one another on our faith journey so nobody is lost on the way to our heavenly destination."


The 437 families registered in this parish are ready to help the church not only with money, but with their time and talents.

“Through ministry, I feel more involved in the Mass and closer to God and His people," says Lector Kathi Ippolito. "Serving has become an essential part of my physical and spiritual growth.”

The building committee spent several years fund-raising to help build the hall adjoining the church, which has been completed at a cost of $1.6 million.  

“Volunteering in this church is a way for me to serve my church and God," said parishioner Beth Garcia. "Fund-raising, though stressful, is a part of it. The end-result is rewarding.”


According to the church census, Filipinos comprise of the majority of parishioners. With great fervor they celebrate the Feast of the Black Nazarene and Penafrancia.

These festivals draw hundreds of devotees from throughout the Bay Area, Sacramento and Stockton, and always feature plenty of good food and camaraderie.

Parishioners also help local charities like the Davis Street Family Center. They have collected money, clothing and food to help people all over the world who have been hit by natural calamities like earthquakes and floods.

A Christmas giving tree is a tradition to help children in India and other countries.

Several choirs provide music at Masses and other services.  The children's choir has been invited to concerts at other Bay Area churches. An active youth group is part of the church community.

Our Lady of Good Counsel has an Adoration Chapel, a serene place where one can go and pray in silence to renew spiritual energy.  A meditation garden, created mostly by volunteers, offers a soothing place where the weary of heart can relax. 

Learn more about Our Lady of Good Counsel Church at www.olgcsanleandro.com.