Watch: Sunday Mass with Father Jim (7-19-26)
Listen: Pray As You Go Daily Meditations
Read: Scripture for Life by Mary McGlone (7-19-26)
Our Pastor’s Message
A Hidden Blessing
By Father Jim
In the midst of our mourning for Father Ben, I am heartened to hear again and again how much our fellow parishioners loved him and appreciated his ministry here in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport. Last week, we also received moving messages from people who came to know Father Ben through his work at Salem Hospital. Such tributes are moving, but they cannot undo our shared sorrow.
Grief is no stranger here. Its tide is high. Its shadow is long. Its darkness is thick and stifling. However, within the folds of our grief is the Lord’s favor: “Blessed are those who mourn, they will be comforted (Matthew 5:5).” In his book, With Burning Hearts, Father Henri Nouwen explores the hidden blessing of grief and the way out from under it:
What to do with our losses?
We must mourn our losses.
We cannot talk or act them away,
but we can shed tears over them
and allow ourselves to grieve deeply.
To grieve is to allow our losses
to tear apart feelings of security and safety,
and lead us to the painful truth of our brokenness.
Our grief makes us experience
the abyss of our own life
in which nothing is settled, clear, or obvious,
but everything is constantly shifting and changing…
But in the midst of all this pain,
there is a strange, shocking, but very surprising voice.
It is the voice of the One who says:
‘Blessed are those who mourn, they will be comforted.’
That is the unexpected news:
there is a blessing hidden in our grief.
Not those who comfort are blessed,
but those who mourn!
Somehow in the midst of our tears, a gift is hidden.
Somehow in the midst of our mourning,
the first steps of the dance take place.
Somehow the cries that well up from our losses
belong to our songs of gratitude.
When someone we care about dies so suddenly, so tragically, so inexplicably, it seems impossible to reconcile our faith with the reality of a life cut short. But we carry on. By next week, I hope to share with you a plan to commemorate Father Ben’s life and his contribution to our community. Until then, we continue to pray for the soul of Father Ben Madu. We pray for his grieving family and friends around the world. We pray for each other. We pray for the grace to give thanks for a beautiful life. And we pray for the courage to take those first steps toward healing our broken hearts. May God bless us, everyone. Amen.
Reverend James M. Achadinha, Pastor
Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport
frjim@ccgronline.com
CCGR Weekly Newsletter (7-19-26)
Bringing Home the Word (7-19-26)
The Kids Bulletin (7-19-26)
New!
Watch: How Do You Think About Death
With Father Mark Soehner
(4 Minutes)
Art Credit: Dreamstime – 453351949
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Praying Together for Father Ben
A Prayer of Commendation
We commend you dear friend,
Father Benjamin Madu,
to God our Father.
We entrust you to our Creator.
May you rest in the arms of our Sweet Lord
who formed you from the dust of the earth.
May Holy Mary,
all the saints and all the angels
welcome you now
as you go forth from this life.
May our Lord Jesus Christ,
who was crucified for you
bring you a place of peace and freedom.
May our Lord Jesus Christ,
who died for you,
welcome you into the garden of paradise.
May our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Good Shepherd,
embrace you as one among his flock.
May God the Father
forgive your sins and shortcomings
and set you free
among those he has chosen.
May you see our Redeemer face to face
and enjoy the vision of Almighty God
now and forever. Amen.
Glory to the Father,
to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Pray: Holy Rosary – Sorrowful Mysteries
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Grieving Together for Father Ben
Words of Wisdom from the Scriptures
I have heard you,
I have seen your tears, I will heal you.
2 Kings 20:5
God heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.
Psalm 147:3
Blessed are those who mourn,
they will be comforted.
Matthew 5:4
God will destroy death forever.
Then he will wipe away the tears from every face.
Isaiah 25:8
You have turned my mourning into dancing;
you have taken away my sackcloth
and you clothe me with joy.
Psalm 30:12
The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
1 Corinthians 15:26
When this perishable body puts on imperishability,
and this mortal body puts on immortality,
then the words that are written will be fulfilled:
‘Death has been swallowed up in victory.
Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?’
1 Corinthians 15:54-55
For everything there is a season,
and a time for every activity under heaven.
A time to be born and a time to die.
A time to weep and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn and a time to dance.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-2, 4
Learn More: Understanding Our Grief (Overview)
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Saint Vincent de Paul Society
Special Second Collection
Weekend of July 18th & 19th
In the tradition of its patron and founder, the Saint Vincent de Paul Society is a Roman Catholic fraternity that calls men and women to grow spiritually and work together by providing person-to-person ministry to families and individuals in need. Here are four important ways that you can help us help others:
First, please give generously to our special second collection during all Masses on Saturday, July 18th and Sunday, July 19th in Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish. All donations will support the good work of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society and go directly to those in need of our help.
Second, all are invited to donate clothing (new or gently used in good condition) to our Clothes Closet in Saint Ann Church Hall, which is open on the second, third, and fourth Saturdays of the month from 9:00am until 12:00pm. A donation bin is conveniently located in the Saint Ann Church parking lot.
Third, your ongoing financial support is always much appreciated. Donation envelopes are located at the entrances of all the churches in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport. Every donation, small or large, makes a big difference toward helping our friends and neighbors in need.
Fourth, new members and volunteers are always welcome! For more information about the Saint Vicent de Paul Society and its good work in our parishes, please contact Robert Weeks at svdpmember1@gmail.com or leave a message at 978-281-4820.
Last but not least, if you or someone you know needs our help, please call us at 978-281 -8672. Thank you for your ongoing support for our ministry! Saint Vincent de Paul, pray for us! May God bless you and your family!
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Words of Wisdom from Saint Vincent de Paul
No work of charity is foreign to the society.
Learn More: Saint Vincent de Paul
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Praying with Saint Charbel
Feast Day – July 24th
Saint Charbel Makhlouf (1828-1898) was a monk, priest, and hermit who is venerated as both a miracle worker and patron of Lebanon. In his youth, Charbel was tutored in prayer, solitude, and the lives of the saints by two holy uncles. Later, he tended his family’s small herd of cows, which he often led to a grotto dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
In 1851, Charbel entered the Maronite Monastery of Our Lady in Mayfouq, Lebanon. Two years later, he professed final vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience; and three years after that, he was ordained a priest. Throughout his monastic experience, Saint Charbel lived in radical simplicity. He lived the final twenty-three years of his life as a hermit.
Beatified in 1965 and canonized in 1977 by Pope Paul VI, Saint Charbel is venerated throughout the world as the Miracle Monk of Lebanon. Tradition teaches that his tomb, relics, and prayers are responsible for countless miracles. In this spirit, we beg him to pray for us:
O Saint Charbel,
model of holiness and humility,
who lived hidden in God
and burned with love for God,
intercede for us.
By your prayers,
obtain for us the grace
to trust completely in God’s will,
to carry our crosses with patience,
and to live each day
in faith, hope, and love.
O Saint Charbel,
filled with the grace of God,
bring healing to our bodies,
peace to our hearts,
and light to our souls
during times of darkness.
Friend of God,
refuge of the suffering,
pray for us
and lead us closer to Jesus,
so that we may glorify God
with our lives. Amen.
Learn More: Saint Charbel Makhlouf
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Words of Wisdom from Saint Charbel
Let your love be without boundary.
Let your community be the Church.
Let your rule be the Gospel.
By your prayers, you will invoke God’s mercy
and shower love upon the whole world.
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We Share
Safe & Easy Electronic Giving
One gives freely, yet grows richer. — Proverbs 11:24
Electronic giving has become an essential part of parish support in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport; and it is available in both Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish. It is safe and easy to make online donations to your home parish using a credit card, debit card, or electronic check.
Donations can be made on a weekly, monthly, or one-time only basis; and it takes just a few minutes to set up a secure personal account. In addition to the weekly offering, you can also give electronically to our church restoration funds which help us plan for the repair and maintenance of our four beloved and historic churches.
Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish always need your generous support! Please prayerfully considering enrolling in our electronic giving program! For more information about creating a new account or assistance with an existing account, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com. Peace, blessings, and sincere thanks to all!
Support Holy Family Parish
Support Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish
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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 family 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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In Memory of Father Benjamin Okwy Madu