Earlier this month, Pope Francis spent four days in Mongolia. It is a land dominated by a large grassy plateau at its center with mountains to the north and a desert in the south. It is also the world’s largest landlocked country, bordered to the north by Russia and by China in the south. With a population of just 3.3 million people (comparable to the combined populations of Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire) Mongolia is also the world’s most sparsely populated sovereign nation. More than one half of its citizens live in the capital city of Ulaanbaatar; and one third of its people belong to nomadic tribes.

Buddhism is the leading religion in Mongolia, followed by those who confess no religious faith at all. Only about 1,500 Roman Catholics live there. Nevertheless, Pope Francis made his 43rd Apostolic Journey to this small community of faith during which he preached about peace, mercy, fraternity among all peoples, and dialogue between different faiths and cultures. The Holy Father’s message was clear and simple: Give witness to the Good News of Christ. Give your life in service to the Gospel. See Jesus in the faces of the poor, the sick, and all those we are called to love and serve.

If Pope Francis traveled more than 5,700 miles to visit the small Catholic community of Mongolia, then he could easily travel barely 4,000 to visit the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport. After all, more than 13,000 men, women, and children are registered parishioners in Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish. And although we always pray for more churchgoers, more than 1,000 people join us for Mass every weekend. This makes us a good choice for a papal visit, right?!

So, let’s assume for a moment that Father Jim writes to Pope Francis and invites him down the line for a visit. Let’s also assume that the Holy Father accepts our invitation. What next? What would we say to him? What would we show him? If it’s up to me, we would introduce him to members of the Assisi Project who pray every day for those who need our prayers. We would introduce him to members of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society who serve the poor with love and compassion. We would introduce him to the fiercely dedicated men and women in both of our parishes who raise funds, build community, and strengthen our shared faith by their hard work and good example.

If Pope Francis comes here, we should show him the stained glass windows in Saint Ann Church. We should show him the simple beauty of Saint Joachim Church. We should pray for miracles at Saint Anthony Chapel. We should treat him to a carillon concert at Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. We should teach him about our ethnic and cultural heritage. We should tell him all about the fishermen and their families who built our beloved churches and entrusted them into our care.

If Pope Francis comes here, what would he say to us? He might say: “God, who is love, has drawn near to you in his Son, Jesus, and he wants to share your life, your struggles, your dreams, and your thirst for happiness.” He might also say: “At the heart of Christianity is this surprising news: when you lose your life, when you offer it generously, when you risk your life by dedicating it to love, it comes back to you abundantly and a joy that does not pass away is poured out in you.”

Finally, before leaving us, the Holy Father might say: “Go forward meekly and without fear, aware of the closeness and encouragement of the entire Church, and above all of the Lord’s tender gaze, who forgets no one and looks with love upon each of his children.” Indeed, Pope Francis said all of these beautiful things to the good and faithful people of Mongolia. Like them, I can hear all of us respond- ing with open, joyful, and grateful hearts: “Amen, Holy Father, Amen!”

Cliff Garvey
Associate Minister
Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport
Contact: cgarvey@ccgronline.com

CCGR Weekly Newsletter (9-17-23)
Bringing Home the Word (9-17-23)
The Kids Bulletin (9-17-23)

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Living the Gospel
A Special Message from Father Jim

By Father Jim

Brothers and Sisters! I am writing with some important and beautiful news!

On the subject of vocations, Pope Francis says: “All of us are called to share in Christ’s mission to reunite a fragmented humanity and reconcile it with God. Each man and woman, even before encountering Christ and embracing the Christian faith, receives with the gift of life a fundamental calling.” The Roman Catholic Church embraces a variety of vocations: Diaconate, Priesthood, Single Life, Married Life, Religious Life, and Consecrated Life.

Each of these callings is precious in God’s eyes; and each one deserves our prayers, respect, and support. Within the state of consecrated life, there are Consecrated Virgins (women) and Diocesan Hermits (men and women). Although hermits (also known as anchorites or solitaries) have existed since the earliest centuries of Church history, the vocation to the eremitic life was not codified in Canon Law until 1983.

In the Code of Canon Law, we read: “The Church recognizes the eremitic or anchoritic life by which the Christian faithful devote their life to the praise of God and the salvation of the world through a stricter withdrawal from the world, the silence of solitude, and assiduous prayer and penance. A hermit is recognized in the law as one dedicated to God in Consecrated Life if he or she publicly professes the three evangelical counsels, confirmed by vow or other sacred bond, in the hands of the diocesan bishop and observes his or her own plan of life under his direction (Canon 603:1-2).”

For the past decade, our friend and fellow parishioner, Cliff Garvey, has been discerning a vocation to the eremitic life. And for much of the past year, Cliff has been engaged in a rigorous program of formation under the direction of Bishop Mark O’Connell, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Boston, Sister Germana Santos, Delegate for Religious Life, and his own spiritual director. Cliff’s formation has included a thorough exploration of the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience; thoughtful consideration of the challenges of pursuing silence and solitude in this always busy world; and prayerful creation of a Rule of Life.

With the support and approval of Cardinal Sean O’Malley, I am now delighted to report that Bishop Mark will consecrate Cliff as a Diocesan Hermit on Tuesday, October 3rd at 5:00pm in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. During this Consecration Mass, Cliff will make perpetual vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience; promise to live a life that prioritizes silence and solitude; and pledge to pray each day for the rest of his life for us and for the intentions of the Archdiocese of Boston. All friends and fellow parishioners of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport are invited to attend this Mass. After Mass, all are invited to join us for a catered community supper in Our Lady’s Hall.

This consecration is no small thing. Cliff will continue his work as an Associate Minister, responsible for adult faith formation, parish communications, and special projects. At the moment of his consecration, however, Cliff will also become a religious brother and join the men and women around the world who are called to live a blessed and consecrated life. His vocation will be symbolized by a ring and a Tau cross that he will wear around his neck. He will also take on the name and title of Brother Patrick to remind him and us that he is a person whose whole life is now consecrated by the Church and wholly dedicated to living more simply, more quietly, and more prayerfully.

I hope that you will join us for Brother Patrick’s Consecration Mass on Tuesday, October 3rd. If you are able to join us for supper, please contact me at frjim@ccgronline.com. If you wish to celebrate this special occasion with a card or gift, please make any checks payable to the Assisi Project. And if you have any questions about the eremitic life, please see Cliff or contact him at cgarvey@ccgronline.com. He loves to talk about this amazing spiritual journey! As Cliff’s special day approaches, let us pray with joyful hearts for him, for each other, and for all who need our prayers! Peace and blessings to all!

Reverend James M. Achadinha, Pastor
Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport
Contact: frjim@ccgronline.com

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