When Claire Padama came to the Our Mother of Good Counsel Parish in 1968, she brought with her the example her father set in the Philippines. "My father always helped other people," she says. "I want to share with those who are less fortunate." Her father, a businessman, would give scholarships to the poor. In her own way Claire has followed in his footsteps.

Claire and her husband have seen their children grow up, so she puts her tremendous energy toward helping others, both in the parish and as part of the missionary efforts of the Augustinians who staff her parish. Recently she chaired the Mexican Fiesta dinner and celebration which raised money for an Augustinian-sponsored orphanage in Tijuana and their Peruvian mission.

When a parishioner donated money to buy tickets so others could attend the fiesta, Claire invited two homeless parishioners to the event. "We don't look down on anybody," she notes.

As head of the St. Vincent de Paul Society in Our Mother of Good Counsel Parish, Claire oversees a core group of 13 who are always on call to help others. Each day members of parishioner teams make sandwiches for the homeless that are distributed from the parish office. On the last Saturday of each month the de Paul Society prepares a full hot lunch for about 200 homeless, served in the parish hall.

"We have a good group and we all work together," Claire says proudly. "There is a lot of commitment here."

A parish of 1,250 families, Our Mother of Good Counsel has outreach services to the elderly as well. In addition to home visits, each month Augustinian Father Walter Vogel, associate pastor and an excellent cook, prepares a free luncheon for the parish's elderly as a way of saying thanks for all they have done for the parish over the years. The children from the parish school make the place mats and provide the entertainment, while volunteers serve the meals.

The parish Mission Circle is an organization made up of other service organizations that rotate preparing breakfast or donuts and coffee after Mass, with proceeds sent directly to the Augustinian missions in Peru and Tijuana. The Eagle Scouts recently painted the fences, curbs, steps and enter and exit signs in the parking lot. And the parish Young Adult Community of about 70 meets Wednesdays to discuss, pray and reflect on a specific aspect of their faith.

Says Augustinian Father Gary Sanders, pastor: "These people take ownership." Each morning those who attend daily Mass pray the Divine Office with the Augustinians; it is one of many ways that parishioners "live out" the community aspect of their faith.

"Anytime there is something for the youth or for the school, every group will participate in it," says Father Sanders. "The seniors will participate in it. The young will participate in it. I find that exciting. It amazes me how we have a gathering of so many groups coming together and we don't have a separation. It's just a great place to be."