Watch: Sunday Mass with Father Jim (2-1-26)
Listen: Pray As You Go Daily Meditations
Read: Scripture for Life by Mary McGlone (2-1-26)

Pastor’s Note
A Mass for the Lily Jean

Dear Friends,

By now you know that the Lily Jean, one of Gloucester’s iconic fishing vessels, and its crew of seven souls were lost yesterday morning on the way home to port. Our community is crushed by the tragic loss of life. Our hearts are broken for the crew and for their families, friends, and neighbors.

As a people united in prayer, fellowship, and service, we come together as one family to love, embrace, and support each other. In this spirit, all friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport are invited to a Memorial Mass on Sunday, February 1st at 4:00pm in Saint Ann Church which is located at 74 Pleasant Street in Gloucester.

From the darkness of our shared grief, we turn to God, the light of our lives, for comfort and consolation. And we cry out with one voice: “As long as we live, they too will live; for they are now part of us as we remember them!”

I hope and pray that you and your family will be able to join us.

Peace and blessings to all,
Father Jim

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

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This Week’s Message
An Emergency Novena

Praying with Dorothy Day

God of all peoples,
your heart aches for every person who suffers.
You are near to the brokenhearted
and close to those crushed by injustice.
We bring before you the violence of our times,
the fear that grips our communities,
and the despair that tempts us
to believe that nothing can change.

Through the prayer and witness of Dorothy Day,
stir us from passivity,
move us toward our suffering neighbors,
and teach us to love in ways
that change the world.

Dorothy Day, Servant of God,
you chose the way of radical love in a violent world.
You trusted that small acts of faithfulness
could reshape history.
You believed that every human life mattered.

Intercede now for us:
Pray that our nation may be healed of cruelty.
Pray that fear may not have the final word.
Pray the we may become builders of peace,
even when peace seems impossible.
Help us to live the Gospel with integrity,
to love without condition,
and to seek justice without ceasing.

God of Mercy,
receive the prayers that we place before you.
Hold close to those who are suffering.
Protect those who are in danger.
Strengthen those who labor for peace.
Remain with us in the days ahead.
Do not let our hearts grow hard or our hope grow thin.
Make us instruments of your compassion
in our wounded world.
Through Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen.

Servant of God, Dorothy Day, pray for us!
Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, pray for us!

CCGR Weekly Newsletter (2-1-26)
Bringing Home the Word (2-1-26)
The Kids Bulletin (2-1-26)

New!
The Magnificat in Minneapolis
By Mickey McGrath
ncronline.com

Source: Shared by the Sisters of Charity of New York
Art Credit: Dorothy Day by SimplyJoyfulPrint – Etsy.com

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Words of Wisdom from Cardinal Tobin

One way that we say ‘no’ is that we mourn.
We do not celebrate death, and what is worse,
we do not pretend it doesn’t happen.
We say names. We pray for the dead.
We mourn for a world, a country,
that allows five year olds to be legally kidnapped
and protesters to be slaughtered.

Read: Cardinal Joseph Tobin – Pray, Mourn & Say No

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Saints for All Seasons
Blessed Jacoba of Settesoli
Wednesday, February 4th

Jubilee of Saint Francis of Assisi
Celebrating 800 Years (1226-2026)

All Christians are called to holiness. All Christians are called to be saints. A saint is a person who has lived a courageous and virtuous life; a life lived for God; a life lived for others; a life worthy to be imitated by God’s people. Pope Leo XIV proclaims: “The lives of the saints teach us that it is possible to live passionately amidst the complexities of the present time without neglecting [Saint Paul’s] mandate to ‘shine like stars in the world.’”

This year, the Catholic Church celebrates the 800th Anniversary of the Life & Transitus of Saint Francis of Assisi (1226-2026). As part of our commemoration of this Jubilee Year, we look not just to Francis, but to the friends who knew him best: the holy men and women who sought to follow in his footsteps; the shining stars who sought to live the Gospel of Christ in thought, word, and deed.

In this spirit, all are invited to join Father Jim and Brother Patrick for our next Saints for All Seasons Mini-Retreat beginning with Holy Mass on Wednesday, February 4th at 5:30pm in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. After Mass and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Brother Patrick will offer a reflection on Blessed Jacoba of Settesoli (1190-1273), one of the dearest friends and first followers of the Poor Man of Assisi.

Following our reflection, we will pray the Franciscan Rosary and Father Jim will celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation (for those who feel called to confession). This special evening of prayer and devotion will conclude with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and veneration of a relic of Saint Francis of Assisi.

For more information about this special series of mini-retreats, please contact Brother Patrick at brpatrick@ccgronline.com. Please join us! Bring a friend! All are invited! All are welcome! Saint Francis of Assisi, pray for us! Saint Clare of Assisi, pray for us! Our Lady of the Angels, pray for us! May God bless you! May the Lord give you peace!

Listen: Saints for All Seasons Podcasts

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The Assisi Project
Franciscan Virtues – Empathy
Saturday, February 7th

Jubilee of Saint Francis of Assisi
Celebrating 800 Years (1226-2026)

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, February 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.

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. In recent weeks, we have been reading about the virtues of detachment, discernment, eagerness, and empathy. But our focus will be primarily on empathy.

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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Bakeless Bake Sale
Month of February

During the Month of February, Our Lady’s Guild and the Holy Family Women’s Guild are sponsoring a Bakeless Bake Sale! Why? Because now more than ever, our parishes need your support, especially in light of rising costs for gas, oil, and electricity! Every dollar makes a difference! Checks should be made payable to either Holy Family Parish or Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish. All donations (cash or check) can be placed in the collection basket; or mailed to the parish office:

The Bakeless Bake Sale
74 Pleasant Street
Gloucester, Massachusetts 01930

Our Lady’s Guild and the Holy Family Women’s Guild bring together women of all ages and backgrounds in prayer, fellowship, and service to our parishes and the wider community. New members and volunteers are always welcome! For more information about the guilds’ good work in our home parishes, please contact Beth Fosberry at jcbf33@yahoo.com or Lydia Bertolino at lbbglosta1929@outlook.com. As always, thank you for your generous support for the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport! May God bless you!

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Trivia Night with Father Jim
A Brain Teasing Special Event
Saturday, February 12th

All friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport are invited to join us for a brain-teasing, mind-blowing, fast-paced Trivia Night with Father Jim on Saturday, February 21st from 6:30pm until 9:30pm in Our Lady’s Hall.

Throughout  the evening, Father Jim (who secretly longs to be a game show host) will ask a series of questions on a wide variety of topics that will include music and sports, books and history, movies and television, politics and religion!

Participants will be organized into teams of eight players each. All are encouraged to  organize a team or take your chance on joining the winning team at the door. Tickets are $25 per person and are available at our parish office, at the door, or by contacting Father Jim, Beth Fosberry, or Lydia Bertolino. All are welcome to bring food and snacks. Coffee, tea, bottled water, and soft drinks will be offered for sale, along with a cash bar. In addition, Father Jim promises several raffles with great prizes!

Don’t miss this opportunity to impress your friends and fellow parishioners with your knowledge of facts, figures and trivia! Don’t miss this opportunity to share some laughs with friends and family! Don’t miss the chance to win a prize! All proceeds will support both Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish!

For more information about Trivia Night, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com; Beth Fosberry at jcbf33@yahoo.com; or Lydia Bertolino at lbbglosta1929@outlook.com. Save the date! 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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We Share
Safe & Easy Electronic Giving

One gives freely, yet grows all the 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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This Week’s Homepage
For the Crew of the Lily Jean