Watch: Sunday Mass with Father Jim (6-28-26)
Listen: Pray As You Go Daily Meditations
Read: Scripture for Life by Mary McGlone (6-28-26)
This Week’s Message
We Are One
By Kathleen M. Basi
You would think that in a society that prizes knowledge, in a world shaped by the ability to study the microscopic building blocks of the human person, we would have moved beyond defining people by stereotypes. But reality indicates otherwise. It is a sad truth about human nature that we are very good at building walls to divide us from them and not nearly as good at breaking down those walls.
Forwarded emails, written in inflammatory language, make blanket statements about Muslims, Protestants, Catholics, liberals, and conservatives. Neighbors protest in response to a home being built nearby for underprivileged kids or disabled adults. We make assumptions about people’s character based on the way they dress, their political affiliations, or physical characteristics.
We would all like to think that we are the exception to such subtle bigotry. We would like to think that we respect the gift of life in whatever form God gives it — disabilities and all — but how many of us forward emails in poor taste or answer questions about our unborn children with statements like “as along as the baby is healthy.”
We readily admit that those people (whoever they may be) are just as important as we are in the eyes of God. But when it comes to making out birthday invitations for our children’s celebrations or expanding our own social circles, does our gaze automatically slide past certain individuals to people who feel a little more…well…like us?
When we separate people into us versus them, we give ourselves permission, however unconsciously, to see them as less than us. Jesus asks more from us. In one Gospel story after another, he challenges us to tear down the barriers erected by humanity. We know that Jesus came for everyone. It is a tenet of our faith. It is much easier to say those words, though, than to acknowledge that our hearts are not opened as wide as the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Saint Paul urged the Galatians (3:28) not to consider themselves as Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female. A modern litany might speak to race, religion, political affiliation, or sexual orientation. It is not easy to overcome our biases. But nobody ever said that following Jesus would be easy. In fact, Jesus made it clear that the Christian journey involves dying to oneself. What must also die are our unacknowledged prejudices.
About the Author: Kathleen M. Basi is a composer, musician, essayist, and disability rights activist. She is also a wife and mother of four children, one of whom lives with Down Syndrome. Kathleen is also a contributor to Bringing Home the Word, a resource for families that is posted every weekend at the link below.
CCGR Weekly Newsletter (6-28-26)
Bringing Home the Word (6-28-26)
The Kids Bulletin (6-28-26)
__________
Words of Wisdom from Saint Paul
We are no longer Jews or Greeks, or slaves or free peoples,
or merely men or women, but we are all the same,
we are Christians; we are one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28)
Read: The New Catholic Bible (Online)
__________
Our Pastor’s Message
Sad News
By Father Jim
In April 2022, Father Ben Madu joined the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport as an assistant priest at our weekend liturgies. Each Sunday at Saint Ann Church, Saint Joachim Church, and Our Lady of Good Voyage Church, Father Ben arrives with a broad smile, a stirring homily, and a heart filled with joy for the Lord.
Our pastoral team, myself included, is devastated by the news that Father Ben must return to Nigeria because of strict religious visa requirements that seem to provide little support for much-needed missionary priests. We are further heartbroken that Father Ben must leave us sooner than expected so that it now has become impossible to thank him as we would like.
At the same time, we are overwhelmed with love and gratitude for Father Ben and his ministry among us. We join the staff and patients at Salem Hospital, where Father Ben serves as priest-chaplain, in giving thanks for this holy priest and his good work.
This coming weekend, June 27th & 28th, donation baskets will be placed near the altars of our churches to collect cards and monetary gifts to support Father Ben and his journey home to Nigeria. As always, your generous support will be much appreciated.
As Father Ben leaves our parishes, we pray for him, for his family, and for his safe travels. We pray, too, for all religious workers and missionary priests: that their good work may be valued and appreciated not just by the people they serve, but also by our civic leaders. Godspeed, Father Ben! Thank you! We miss you already!
Peace and blessings to all,
Father Jim
Reverend James M. Achadinha, Pastor
Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport
Contact: frjim@ccgronline.com
__________
A Special Message
Goodbye from My Heart
By Father Ben Madu
In April 2022, Father Paul Ritt (our regional vicar) talked with Father Jim; and I was invited to celebrate weekend Masses in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport. What a thrilling opportunity! As usual, whenever I am asked to celebrate the Eucharist for the first time in a predominantly white community, my African presence often prompts an initial reaction of curiosity, fixed stares, and guarded expressions.
This has been my experience since arriving in the United States eight years ago. But my response has always remained the same: wait until after Mass and you may come to appreciate the beauty this African spirit brings. “That was marvelous,” or “That was from the heart,” or “I love it when you sing,” or “I felt that you were speaking directly to me,” or “I love the joy and laughter but I could not hear you.”
In truth, there is nothing extraordinary except the care that I put into each homily. I do not simply prepare it. I absorb it fully. And then through stories, life experiences, humor and reflection, I try to offer something nourishing to myself and to the faithful. I preach not by reading from a page, but by speaking from the heart; by allowing inspiration in the moment to shape the message so it can reach each person where they are.
I begin preparing my homily on Thursday by reading the Sunday scriptures. On Friday, I reflect on commentaries and insights from others; and by Saturday, I allow the Spirit of God to minister to my soul. By the time I stand in the pulpit, I have fully absorbed the message and I am ready to preach it from the heart.
Gloucester and Rockport became my Eucharistic community each weekend; and I cannot overstate the love, warmth, kindness, hospitality, and generosity that I received here. I experienced it in Father Jim’s loud and fearless morning embrace, Brother Patrick’s sincere and direct hugs, and the joy and kindness of every parishioner at Saint Joachim Church in Rockport, Saint Ann Church in Gloucester, and Our Lady of Good Voyage Church in Gloucester. I look forward to seeing your beautiful faces every weekend. I look forward to your warm embraces, generous smiles, and handshakes.
Sincerely, it is not my wish to return home right now, but circumstances beyond my control have warranted that my time in the United States come to an end. My heart is broken, yet my joy remains. If I am ever given the chance to minister again to the people of Gloucester and Rockport, I would gladly do it all over again. I will miss the home I found away from home, a mother far from my mother, a father far from my father, and a people far from my own people.
God bless you all. I will soon return to Africa, specifically Nigeria, my homeland, where nature speaks to the soul and bonds of community help ease the loneliness that has weighed on me while living alone in the “white house” in Lynnfield. I will deeply miss the seaside, where I often drive to after Mass to call my family and hear about their Sundays. There, where the ocean meets the rocks and its endless rhythm becomes the music of my post–Mass peace; there I found comfort and serenity. Goodbye from my heart.— Father Ben Okwy Madu
__________
Saint Peter’s Fiesta
A Pause for Prayer & Remembrance
Sunday, June 28th
Saint Peter’s Fiesta concludes on Sunday, June 28th. On this final day, many friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport will join Father Jim for Holy Mass at 10:00am at Saint Peter’s Square in Gloucester.
This year’s celebration is steeped in sadness as we commemorate the lives of Christopher Dailey, Ann Margaret Ferrante, Father Ronald Gariboldi, the Crew of the Lily Jean, and all of our loved ones who have passed from this life since last year’s fiesta weekend. As we pray for these beloved souls, we also ask Saint Peter, our patron and protector, to intercede for all of us.
A Prayer for the Intercession of Saint Peter
O Holy Apostle Peter,
because you are the Rock
upon which God built his church,
obtain for us, we pray:
a lively faith, firm hope, and burning love;
detachment from our egos,
dispassion for worldly things,
humility in prosperity,
purity of heart, recollection in prayer,
right intention in all our works,
diligence in living our vocations,
resignation to God’s will,
and perseverance in God’s grace
even unto death;
so that by means of your powerful prayers,
we may become worthy
to appear before the Good Shepherd,
our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
who with the Father and the Holy Spirit
lives for ever and ever. Amen.
Saint Peter, pray for us!
Viva San Pietro! Viva
Learn More: Saint Peter’s Fiesta
__________
Pastor’s Note
Our Grand Annual Collection
Five Dollars?
Along with our weekly offerings, the Grand Annual Collections are a crucial component of our efforts to balance our budgets and ensure the financial stability of our beloved and historic home parishes. As the end of the fiscal year fast approaches, all friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport are encouraged to prayerfully consider making a final $5.00 gift to the Grand Annual Collection at either Holy Family Parish or Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish.
- Holy Family Parish
Our Goal – $50,000
Raised So Far – $40,869 (82%) - Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish
Our Goal – $20,000
Raised So Far – $21,807(109%)
By reaching and surpassing our goals, we will balance our budgets, keep pace with inflation, and lay a firm foundation for the coming fiscal year. Even if you have given already, please consider one last donation of $5.00 to your home parish. Please mark your check or envelope for the Grand Annual Collection! For more information about these all important fundraising campaigns, please contact me at frjim@ccgronline.com or 978-281-4820. Peace, blessings, and sincere thanks to all!
Support Holy Family Parish
Support Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish
__________
America’s 250th Anniversary
Mass & Rosary for Solidarity
Saturday, July 4th
During his recent Apostolic Journey to Spain and the Canary Islands, Pope Leo XIV said: “The moral greatness of a nation is manifested above all in its capacity to accompany, protect, and love those lives that are most fragile.” The Holy Father’s challenge is a universal call to solidarity with the poor, the sick, and the persecuted.
In this spirit, as our nation commemorates its 250th anniversary, all friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport are invited to join Father Jim for a special morning prayer and adoration beginning with the celebration of Holy Mass at 8:00am in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church.
After Mass and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Father Jim will lead us in A Rosary for Solidarity, a new devotion that is rooted in the scriptures, the teachings of the Catholic Church, and our shared love for the Lord, the Blessed Mother, and our brothers and sisters in need.
Our time together will conclude by 9:30am with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and A Prayer of Consecration of America by Archbishop John Carroll (1735-1815) which entrusts our country, along with its leaders and peoples, into the loving care of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
In addition to being America’s first Roman Catholic bishop, Archbishop Carroll was a cousin of Charles Carroll (1737-1832), the last surviving signer of the Declaration of Independence. And Archbishop Carroll’s brother, Daniel Carroll II (1730-1796) was one of only five founding fathers to sign both the Articles of Confederation (1778) and the United States Constitution (1787).
For more information about this morning of prayer, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com. Please join us! All are invited! All are welcome! May God bless the United States of America! Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, pray for us!
Learn More: Archbishop John Carroll
__________
Holy Family Women’s Guild
Ice Cream Social
Tuesday, July 7th
All friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport are invited to join the Holy Family Women’s Guild for their next quarterly meeting on Tuesday, July 7th at 6:30pm in Our Lady of Good Voyage Hall.
Following a brief meeting, we will enjoy an ice cream social featuring make-your-own sundaes! Come! Enjoy a sweet treat and a great opportunity to connect with friends old and new! Exchange ideas for fundraising events! Strengthen the bonds that unite us with each other and with our fellow parishioners!
For more information about the Holy Family Women’s Guild and its good work; or to RSVP for the ice cream social please contact Lydia Bertolino at lbbglosta1929@outlook.com. Spread the word! Please join us! Bring a friend! All are welcome!
__________
Words of Wisdom from Pope Leo XIV
Enough with words of hate,
enough with insults, enough with bullying,
and enough with all those things
that wage war between peoples,
between communities, between countries (6-20-26).
__________
We Share
Safe & Easy Electronic Giving
The righteous give generously. — Psalm 37:21
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
__________
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!
Follow us on Instagram!
This Week’s Homepage
In Memory of Bill Pierce