Living the Gospel
Saints for All Seasons
Begins Saturday, April 27th
Third Annual Mini-Retreat Series
Now more than ever, we need to step back from the business and busyness of daily life and focus on our relationships with Jesus and those we are called to love. Unfortunately, few among us are able to leave behind home, work, and family for a real retreat from the responsibilities of the world. For this reason and for the third consecutive year, the Assisi Project is pleased to announce a special series of seasonal mini-retreats called Saints for All Seasons.
Throughout his long priestly ministry, Pope Francis has called people of all ages and backgrounds to learn about and pray with the saints. The Holy Father believes in his heart that the saints bring us closer to Christ, closer to the Church, and closer to each other. He says: “The saints are still here, not far from us; and their images [and relics] in our churches evoke the ‘cloud of witnesses’ that always surrounds us (cf. Hebrews 12:1)…The saints remind us that even in our lives, however weak and marked by sin, holiness can unfold (4-7-21).”
In this spirit of unfolding holiness, all are invited to join us in April, May, and July for a series of two-hour mini-retreats. These times of prayer, reflection, and adoration will focus on the lives of three amazing saints: Saint Zita of Lucca, Saint Joan of Arc, and Saint Veronica. Each mini-retreat will begin with the celebration of Holy Mass in Saint Anthony Chapel. After Mass, Father Jim and Brother Patrick will offer a reflection on the life and veneration of a saint whose life of holiness and love of neighbor has inspired men and women all around the world. There will be time for questions and faith sharing, too.
After each reflection, we will pray in silent adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and in veneration of the holy images of each saint of the day. We will conclude by praying the Holy Rosary and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Here’s our upcoming schedule:
- Saint Zita of Lucca
Saturday, April 27th
Begins with Mass at 8:00am
Saint Anthony Chapel - Saint Joan of Arc
Thursday, May 30th
Begins with Mass at 5:30pm
Saint Anthony Chapel - Saint Veronica
Friday, July 12th
Begins with Mass at 5:30pm
Saint Anthony Chapel
We hope and pray that you and your family will be able to join us for all or even just part of this special series in celebration of the saints which was so popular last year! For more information, please contact Brother Patrick at brpatrick@ccgronline.com. Save the dates! Spread the word! Bring a friend! All are invited! All are welcome!
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Sharing God’s Love
First Holy Communion
Begins Sunday, April 28th
As Catholics, we believe that the Holy Eucharist is “the source and summit of the Christian life (CCC 1324).” We believe that the Eucharist is the Body and Blood of Christ. And in communion with Pope Francis, we believe in our hearts: “The Eucharist is essential for us. It is Christ who wishes to enter into our lives and fill us with his grace. The Eucharist, although it is the fullness of sacramental life, is not a prize for the perfect but a powerful medicine and nourishment for the weak (EG 47).”
In this spirit, sixty-four of our young disciples have completed their preparations and are now ready to receive the Body and Blood of Christ for the first time. As our annual celebrations of First Holy Communion draw near, all are encouraged to be mindful of our upcoming schedule:
- First Holy Communion Mass
Sunday, April 28th at 11:45am
Our Lady of Good Voyage Church - First Holy Communion Mass
Saturday, May 4th at 4:00pm
Saint Ann Church - First Holy Communion Mass
Sunday, May 5th at 10:00am
Saint Joachim Church - First Holy Communion Mass
Saturday, May 11th at 4:00pm
Saint Ann Church - First Holy Communion Mass
Sunday May, 12th at 11:45am
Our Lady of Good Voyage Church
For more information about our youth faith formation programs, please contact Betsy Works at bworks@ccgronline.com. Now more than ever, let’s pray together for our young disciples and their families! Peace, blessings, and congratulations to all!
Watch & Learn: Holy Eucharist (1 Minute)
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Youth Faith Formation
Seeds of Faith
Begins Thursday, May 2nd
All New Program for First Graders
Pope Francis says: “Children are the new and fruitful soil that God gives to Christian communities.” With these words, the Holy Father reminds us of our responsibility to share the Good News of Jesus with our children and grandchildren so that they may grow and flourish as faithful and faith-filled disciples.
In this spirit, all children currently enrolled in first grade are invited to join Betsy Works and her team of dedicated catechists for Seeds of Faith I, an all-new six week series of afterschool workshops designed to introduce parents and their kids to Jesus, the sacraments, and the basic prayers and traditions of the Catholic Church.
This exciting new series begins on Thursday, May 2nd at 3:45pm in Our Lady’s School. For more information and a registration form, please contact Betsy at bworks@ccrgonline.com. Spread the word! Please join us! All are invited! All are welcome!
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Youth Faith Formation
The Way for Kids
Begins Saturday, April 27th
Sacramental Preparation for Older Children
If your child or grandchild has completed the second grade and has not received the Sacraments of Baptism or First Holy Communion, we have a special program just for them! It’s called The Way for Kids! Beginning on Saturday, April 27th from 4:30pm until 5:45pm in Our Lady’s School, Betsy Works and a team of volunteers will lead a five week series of workshops for young disciples. After each workshop, the children and their families will attend our 6:00pm in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. For more information, please contact Betsy Works at bworks@ccgronline.com. All are invited! All are welcome!
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Youth Faith Formation
Confirmation Preparation Program
For too many teenagers, the Sacrament of Confirmation has become a kind of graduation from the Catholic Church, rather than the joyful beginning of an adult life as a faithful disciple of Christ and active member of one’s home parish. We hope to stem this sad situation by transforming our youth faith formation program into an engaging process for the whole family.
Our parishes offer a two-year program of preparation for high school students who wish to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. During the first year of our program, your son or daughter will participate in the celebration of Sunday Mass and in workshops designed to prepare them to receive the Gifts of the Holy Spirit; to help them grow in prayer, fellowship, and service; and to jumpstart their lives as faith-filled young adult disciples.
All high school students, beginning in the 9th grade, are welcome to enroll in our program. If your child is now in high school and feels sincerely called to prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation, then please be sure to attend our Mass & Workshop on Sunday, February 4th in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. For more information about youth faith formation in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport, please contact Betsy Works at bworks@ccgronline.com. Please join us! Spread the word! All are invited! All are welcome!
Confirmation Prep Registration (Spring 2024)
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Youth Faith Formation
First Holy Communion
Grade 2 Preparation Program
In-Person Workshops Now Underway!
Holy Family Parish, Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish, and the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport offers a creative and innovative way for children to prepare for the Sacraments of Reconciliation (Confession) and First Holy Communion (Eucharist). Our program is designed to prepare both children and their parents for the sacraments; encourage lifelong relationships with Jesus and the Catholic Church; and help each and every family grow together in prayer, fellowship, and service.
First, we focus on inviting families to attend one of our six weekend Masses, especially our Faith & Family Masses throughout the school year. Second, all second grade children and their parents or guardians are asked to attend six Faith & Family Workshops and six Young Disciples Workshops. Our Faith & Family Workshops (for parents and children) will be held in Our Lady of Good Voyage Hall. Our Young Disciples Workshops will be held in Our Lady’s School (which is located at 13 Mount Vernon Street in Gloucester). During these second workshops, the children will gather with Betsy Works and our team of catechists and volunteers. In both cases, the children and their parents will learn about the Bible, the Mass, and the Eucharist by reading from children’s literature and engaging in hands-on activities like arts and crafts, food and music, dance and prayer.
All students (second grade and up) are invited to participate in our program. Parents and guardians are encouraged to attend our First Holy Communion Family Mass & Meeting on Sunday, September 24th beginning at 11:00am in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. At this meeting, parents can submit a registration form and receive the workshop schedule and other important materials. If you have questions or need more information, please contact Betsy Works, Associate Minister for Youth Faith Formation, at bworks@ccgronline.com. Please join us! All are welcome!
First Holy Communion Registration 2023
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Youth Faith Formation
Monthly Faith & Family Mass
Saturday, January 6th
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus says: “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs (Mt 9:14).” In response to the Lord’s call, all children, parents, grandparents, godparents, and guardians are invited to join Father Jim and the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport for a Monthly Faith & Family Mass.
One Sunday each month (September through May), Father Jim will offer a special homily especially for families and a special blessing for all of God’s children and their parents. In addition, every child will receive a small gift. Here’s our schedule for the next several months:
Lent Faith & Family Mass
Sunday, February 18th at 11:45am
Our Lady of Good Voyage Church
Palm Sunday Faith & Family Mass
Sunday, March 24th at 11:45am
Our Lady of Good Voyage Church
Easter Season Faith & Family Mass
Sunday, April 21st at 11:45am
Our Lady of Good Voyage Church
Mother’s Day Faith & Family Mass (with Crowning)
Saturday, May 11th at 4:00pm
Saint Ann Church
For more information, please see Father Jim or contact Betsy Works at bworks@ccgronline.com. We hope and pray that you and your children will be able to join us for one or all of our Faith & Family Masses! Mass is our class! Jesus is our teacher! Every child is a precious gift from God! And every family is invited to join us! Spread the word! Bring a friend! Bring your family! All are welcome! Always!
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The Way
Sacramental Preparation for Adults
Coming This Fall!
I am the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6).
The Way was the among the earliest names for followers of the Risen Christ. The Way also appears as a biblical reference for the earliest Christian communities in the Acts of the Apostles. In addition, tradition teaches that both before and after his conversion, Saint Paul referred to the disciples of Christ as part of the Way. More than two thousand years later, Catholic Christians are still part of the Way of Jesus Christ. But as we all know, a life of discipleship is not a hobby or pastime. It is a vocation, a way of life that lays claim to our whole heart, mind, and strength. As disciples, our lives should be focused on and inspired by our faith in Christ, who is our merciful redeemer, friend, and brother. And as his disciples, we are called to reach out to those who need our help in growing closer to Christ and the Church.
If you are an adult (age 18 and over) and have not received all of the Sacraments of Initiation in the Roman Catholic Church (Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation), then please consider joining The Way, a new adult faith formation program that will begin this fall. The Way (typically called the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) is a seven month program that prepares adults to be received into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil. As part of this same program, we will prepare adults for the Sacrament of Confirmation (to be received at either the Easter Vigil or at a regional archdiocesan celebration). Other parishioners who have received the Sacraments and are interested in renewing their spiritual lives are also very welcome to join us!
Over the course of our program, we will be reading and reflecting on Being Catholic – How We Believe, Practice & Think by Archbishop Daniel E. Pilarczyk. In addition, members of our group are encouraged to engage each day with one or more of the following online resources:
- Read: Pause + Pray Daily Reflection
- Read: Minute Meditation Daily Reflection
- Listen: Saint of the Day Podcast
- Listen: Pray As You Go Daily Meditations
Beginning in October, our group will gather twice each month for fellowship, formation, and faith sharing. As a community of disciples, we will learn together about the basic beliefs, teachings, and traditions of the Church; and we will explore the methods of prayer and spirituality that have brought centuries of believers closer to Christ Jesus and to the Church. In addition, we will talk openly and honestly about the challenges of living an authentic life of faith, hope, and love in the modern world. Our first gathering will be scheduled sometime soon. If you would like to learn more about this journey of faith and become part of a unique fellowship in preparation for the sacraments of God’s Church, then please contact Brother Patrick at brpatrick@ccgronline.com. Please join us! Spread the word! All are invited! All are welcome!
Learn More: Baptism (One Minute Video)
Learn More: Eucharist (One Minute Video)
Learn More: Confirmation (One Minute Video)
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The Assisi Project Podcast
Always Free! Always Available!
Founded by Father Jim and Cliff, the Assisi Project is a Fellowship of Franciscans in Spirit that is dedicated to helping believers of all ages to more faithfully live the Gospel of Christ in the spirit of Saints Francis and Clare. In response to the pandemic, Father Jim asked Brother Patrick to look back on nearly two decades of ministry as a catechist, spiritual director, and leader of retreats and pilgrimages; and to create a regular series of podcasts (audio recordings) as a way of continuing his adult faith formation ministry. As of this weekend, Brother Patrick has already created more than 75 podcasts with more on the way! These podcasts are free and always available! Just click on the links below:
Assisi Project Podcasts
Members of the Assisi Project range in age from 15 to 99 and live in Holy Family Parish, Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish, throughout the Archdiocese of Boston, all across the United States, Canada, Brazil, Italy, Spain, and Angola. Part of our work together is our prayer together. So we pray each day for all who ask for our prayers all around the world. If you would like the Assisi Project to pray for you, your family, your special intention, or the soul of a deceased friend or loved one, please contact Brother Patrick at brpatrick@ccgronline.com
During this time of pandemic, when we are encouraged to remain at home, all are invited to pray and reflect on the Gospel Life by making use of the many resources on our website (click link below). These resources include our Daily Prayers, Franciscan Rosary, Way of the Cross, our new podcasts, and more than fifty reflections and stories about Saints Francis and Clare of Assisi. Come and pray with us online! May the Lord give you peace — now and always!
Learn More: The Assisi Project
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The Assisi Project
A Franciscan Night Prayer
Let’s Pray Together!
Saint Paul writes: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of the God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Thessalonians 5:16).” For centuries, Christians have puzzled over what it means to pray without ceasing. But one ancient practice provides an answer: the Liturgy of the Hours. Since the Middle Ages, the Church has used a daily practice of prayer called the Divine Office or the Liturgy of the Hours to mark and sanctify the various hours of the day: morning, afternoon, evening, and night. It is based on a four week cycle of psalms, canticles, and scripture readings that calls us into a deeper relationship with Christ and the Church bringing us together through prayers of praise, petition, intercession, and thanksgiving.
At ordination, deacons and priests make a solemn promise to pray the Liturgy of the Hours every day, using a book called the Breviary. But the Divine Office is not just for the clergy and those consecrated to religious life. Countless lay people around the world make the Liturgy of the Hours part of their daily prayer and worship. Indeed, when we pray these prayers, whether alone or in community, we are united in a powerful spiritual communion that helps to heal, redeem, and consecrate our sick and suffering world.
Unlike the other hours of the Divine Office, Compline (or Night Prayer) works on a seven day cycle. Every Sunday, the prayers are the same. Every Monday, the prayers are the same. And so on. According to the General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours: “Night Prayer is the last prayer of the day, said before retiring, even if that is after midnight.” And about this form of prayer, Pope Francis says: “I am very attached to the Breviary…It is the first thing I open in the morning and the last thing I close before going to sleep.”
In this spirit, in solidarity with Pope Francis, and in communion with Christian disciples around the world, the Assisi Project invites you to join us in offering A Franciscan Night Prayer. This newly created version of Night Prayer includes the traditional psalms, readings, and canticle of the day. It also includes antiphons, readings, and a Marian devotion from the spiritual tradition founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. A Franciscan Night Prayer can be prayed by listening to one of our free podcasts or by praying with the printable version. See links below! Let’s pray together! It’s a great way to end the day! Each podcast is less than ten minutes!
- A Franciscan Night Prayer for Sunday
- A Franciscan Night Prayer for Monday
- A Franciscan Night Prayer for Tuesday
- A Franciscan Night Prayer for Wednesday
- A Franciscan Night Prayer for Thursday
- A Franciscan Night Prayer for Friday
- A Franciscan Night Prayer for Saturday
For more information about the Assisi Project and its good work in our parishes, please see Father Jim or contact Brother Patrick at brpatrick@ccgronline.com. Saint Francis of Assisi, pray for us! Saint Clare of Assisi, pray for us! Our Lady of Angels, pray for us! May the Lord give you peace!
Learn More: The Assisi Project
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Adult Faith Formation
In addition to our adult faith formation programs that focus on preparation for the Sacraments of Initiation, the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport also offers the following programs for adults seeking to deepen their relationship with Christ and His Church:
- Assisi Project
- Advent Mission & Retreat
- Lent Mission & Retreat
- Summer Evening Retreat
- Spring & Fall Days of Prayer & Reflection
- Seasonal Book Study Groups
- Individual Spiritual Direction
- Other Special Events
Please read our weekly newsletter or visit this page for the dates and times for these and other upcoming opportunities for adult faith formation. For more information about adult faith formation in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport, please contact Brother Patrick, Associate Minister, at brpatrick@ccgronline.com. Please join us! All are welcome! Always!
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About Us
Established in 2014, the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport is a collaborative of two historic parishes: Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish. Working together as a Roman Catholic community united in prayer, fellowship, and service, we are committed to living the Gospel of Christ, sharing God’s love and mercy with all people, and rebuilding the Church in Gloucester & Rockport. All are invited! All are welcome! Always!
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