Watch: Sunday Mass with Father Jim (3-1-26)
Listen: Pray As You Go Daily Meditations
Read: Scripture for Life by Mary McGlone (3-1-26)
This Week’s Message
Weapons Still Prevail
By Massimiliano Menichetti
Emptied cities, shattered families, thousands dead and displaced, hunger, cold, fear, resistance, and pride. This has been daily life in Ukraine ever since the Russian invasion on February 24, 2022. You cannot grow accustomed to war, any war, and yet time keeps passing, seeming to confirm the invincibility of those who sow nothing but destruction and steal dreams, hope, and the prospect for growth.
Images of cities with crumbling buildings, underground shelters, and trenches have become normal, part of the constant flow of global news. A conventional war in the heart of Europe once seemed unthinkable, but here we are: counteroffensives, mobilizations, alliances, energy crises, and killings. For now, suffering and grief remain hostage to strategies of conquest and revenge; mediation attempts and peace conferences have achieved little. Weapons still prevail.
Last Sunday, Pope Leo once again forcefully called for an immediate end to hostilities. Speaking plainly about the realities of war in Ukraine, the Holy Father said: “How many victims! How many lives and families shattered! How much destruction! How many unspeakable sufferings!
War cannot and must not be accepted. It must be stopped. The guns must fall silent. Rearmament, so strongly desired by some, is not the only possible path. Indeed, it is a very dangerous one. Peace is not achieved through force. It is built and safeguarded. Peace is protected through respect, relationship, dialog, diplomacy, and multilateralism. Politics, in its fullest and truest form, builds coexistence. It puts the person at the center. It serves the common good. It is therefore at the service of the community and never promotes power for its own sake. And yet, politics now seems so fragile in Europe and elsewhere.
It is necessary to silence the world’s weapons immediately and work to build “a peace that is unarmed and disarming” as Pope Leo often says: first by rooting out the weapons within ourselves, then by dissolving hatred and distrust for each other.
This fourth anniversary asks us not to look away, not to ignore the fact that an entire generation of Ukrainian children is growing up knowing only the sound of sirens, bombs, violence, and deprivation. Wounds that will not heal quickly and will not disappear. After the conflict, decades will be needed for the hatred and horror to be transformed and to loosen their grip on people’s hearts.
In this time of pain, hope is still alive. It sustains the work of thousands who help, rescue, and work in every field so that unity and mutual assistance can prevail. Peace is not a sudden event, but a process, sometimes built on imperfect negotiations that are animated by political courage. We must hope that this fourth anniversary will mark the time during which the world stops managing the war and begins building peace, nurturing trust, coexistence, and shared memory.
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Note: This week’s message is an abridged version of an editorial by Massimiliano Menichetti of Vatican News which is one of the best websites for news, information, and timely reflections about Pope Leo XIV, current events, and the Catholic Church around the world.
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A Prayer for Peace in Ukraine
By Pope Francis
O Lord, forgive us for war!
Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on us!
Lord Jesus, born in the shadows
of bombs falling on Kyiv, have mercy on us!
Lord Jesus, who died in a mother’s arms
in a bunker in Kharkiv, have mercy on us!
Lord Jesus, a 20 year old young one
sent to the front lines, have mercy on us!
Lord Jesus, who beholds weapons
in the shadow of your Cross, have mercy on us!
O Lord, forgive us!
Forgive us, if we are not satisfied with the nails
with which we crucified your hands
as we continue to slate our thirst with the blood
of those mauled by weapons!
Forgive us, if these hands which you created to care
have been transformed into instruments of death!
Forgive us, if we continue to kill our brother!
O Lord, forgive us!
Forgive us, if we continue like Cain
to pick up the stones of our fields to kill Abel!
Forgive us, if we continue to justify
our cruelty with our labors,
if we justify our brutal actions with our pain!
O Lord, forgive us for war!
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, we implore you!
Hold fast the hand of Cain!
Illumine our consciences! May our will not be done!
Abandon us not to our own actions!
O Lord, stop us!
And when you have held back the hand of Cain,
care for him because he is our brother.
O Lord, put a stop to violence!
O Lord, stop us! Amen!
Learn More: Assisi Project – We Are Francis
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Words of Wisdom from Pope Leo XIV
Let us pray for peace in Ukraine,
the Middle East, and every region where, sadly,
people are fighting over interests
that are not those of their peoples!
Peace is built on respect for people!
Read: Pope Leo XIV’s Angelus Address (1-25-26)
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Youth Choir & Music Ministry
Wednesday, March 4th
All young disciples, boys and girls, ages 8 through 17, are invited to share their musical talents with our parishes! Rehearsals continue on Wednesday, March 4th at 5:30pm in Saint Ann Church! Being a part of our youth music ministry is a great way to make new friends and learn about the Lord! For more information, please contact Patty Natti at pnatti@comcast.net. Save the date! Spread the word! Please join us! All are welcome!
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Lent – Midweek Mercies
Mass, Confessions & Adoration
Wednesday, March 4th
Every Wednesday Evening, all are invited to join Father Jim for Midweek Mercies in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. These evenings of prayer, sacrament, and adoration begin with Mass at 5:30pm. After Mass, Father Jim will celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation (those who feel called to confession). Also, the Blessed Sacrament will be exposed for an hour of silent prayer and adoration. For some, this may be a time for sacramental penance and reconciliation. For others, it may be a period of quiet prayer and recollection. And for others, it may be an opportunity to begin or renew the spiritual journey. Confessions are also heard by appointment. For more information, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com. Please join us! All are welcome!
Watch: Why Give Things Up For Lent (2 Minutes)
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Lent – The Way of the Cross
The Traditional Devotion
Friday, March 6th
For more than five hundred years, the Way of the Cross has been among the most moving devotions in the Catholic Church. By uniting our humble prayers with the Poor Christ in both words and images, we make a spiritual pilgrimage with the Lord as he experiences the Passion of the Holy Cross. During Lent, all friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport are invited to join us in praying the Way of the Cross on Friday afternoons through April 3rd at 12:00pm in Saint Ann Church. For more information, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com. Please join us! All are welcome!
Watch: Way of the Cross with Pope Francis (English; 1.5 Hours)
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Lent – Litany of the Sacred Wounds
Pope Francis (1936-2025) spoke often about his devotion to the Five Wounds of the Poor Christ. The Holy Father once shared the advice of a spiritual director who said: “Look at the wounds. Enter into the wounds. By these wounds, we are healed. Do you feel bitter? Do you feel sad? Do you feel that life is not going the right way? Look there, into the wounds, in silence.” In this spirit, all are invited to join us on March 6th at 3:00pm in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church for a Holy Hour that includes Eucharistic Adoration, Saint Clare of Assisi’s Litany of the Sacred Wounds, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation (for those who feel called to confession) For more information, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com. All are welcome!
Pray: Saint Clare’s Litany of the Sacred Wounds
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The Assisi Project
Franciscan Virtues – Example
Saturday, March 7th
This year marks the 800th Anniversary of the Life & Transitus of Saint Francis of Assisi. In commemoration of this important milestone, Pope Leo XIV has declared a Special Jubilee Year which has inspired us to focus many of our adult faith formation programs on the Poor Man of Assisi. In this spirit, the Assisi Project is going back to the basics, back to the life and good example of our patron saint and his first followers who live the Gospel in thought, word, and deed.
All friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport are invited to join us on Saturday, March 7th at 8:00am in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church for a two hour mini-retreat that includes Holy Mass, a reflection by Father Jim and Brother Patrick, and a period of prayer and faith sharing. We will continue our reading and discussion of an amazing book called Franciscan Virtues: Fifty-Two Steps to Conversion with Saint Francis. This beautiful but spiritually challenging little book contains a brief weekly meditation on the virtues practiced by Saint Francis of Assisi and the saints and sinners who have tried to follow in his footsteps during the past eight centuries. During the month of March, we are reading about the virtues of encouragement, Eucharistic reverence, and evangelization. But our focus will be primarily on example.
Founded in 2007 by Father Jim and Brother Patrick, the Assisi Project is a Fellowship of Franciscans in Spirit with friends and followers around the world. We are dedicated to helping believers of all ages and backgrounds more faithfully live the Good News of the Poor Christ in the spirit of Saint Francis and Saint Clare of Assisi. We are also dedicated to promoting a devotion to Pope Francis (1936-2025) as a patron of peace, mercy, and fraternity in our suffering world.
For more information about the Assisi Project and its good work in our parishes, please contact Brother Patrick at brpatrick@assisiproject.com. Please join us! Bring a friend! All are welcome! May God bless you! May the Lord give you peace! Saint Francis of Assisi, pray for us! Saint Clare of Assisi, pray for us! Our Lady of the Angels, pray for us! Pope Francis, pray for us!
Learn More: The Assisi Project
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Words of Wisdom from Saint Francis of Assisi
The peace that you proclaim with words
must dwell even more abundantly in your hearts.
Do not provoke others to anger or give scandal.
Let your gentleness draw them to peace, goodness, and harmony.
Learn More: Saint Francis – Poor Man of God
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Holy Family Women’s Guild
Saint Patrick’s Celebration
Saturday, March 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 an early Saint Patrick’s Day Luncheon on Saturday, March 7th at 12:00pm in Saint Ann Church Hall. Our menu will include corned beef, cabbage, carrots, potatoes, and dessert. Lunch is free for all, but donations will be gratefully accepted. All current members, friends, and interested volunteers are encouraged to join us for a joyful afternoon of delicious food and fellowship.
Established in 2005, the Holy Family Women’s Guild brings together women of all ages and backgrounds in prayer, fellowship, and service to our parish and the wider community. For more information, please contact Lydia Bertolino at lbbglosta1929@outlook.com. Spread the word! Bring a friend! All are welcome!
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Pastor’s Note
Winter Weather Advisory
The Season of Winter is upon us! For the latest information about weather related cancelations during the coming months, please check our homepage: ccgronline.com. All friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners are reminded that if public schools are closed due to inclement weather, then all parish programs (including weekday Masses) are canceled too. Stay safe! Stay warm! Peace and blessings to all! — Father Jim
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Words of Wisdom from Saint Katharine Drexel
Often in my desire to serve others…
some hostile influence renders me powerless.
My prayers seem to no avail.
In such cases, I must not grieve.
I am only treading in my Master’s steps.
Learn More: Saint Katharine Drexel
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We Share
Safe & Easy Electronic Giving
The miracle is this: The more we share, the more we have. — Leonard Nimoy
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 Regina Kane