Watch: Sunday Mass with Father Jim (2-8-26)
Listen: Pray As You Go Daily Meditations
Read: Scripture for Life by Mary McGlone (2-8-26)

Our Pastor’s Message
Our Grief Observed

By Father Jim

Queen Elizabeth II (1926-2022) once said: “Grief is the price we pay for love.” Grief hurts. It is physical. It takes a heavy toll. It is suffering in body, mind, and spirit. When we lose someone that we love, we feel a kind of pain that is both fully present and profoundly absent.

My best friend describes the torment of grief as radiating from the heart, from the core of our being, from deep within our bones. He says that grief can leave us clenching and unclenching our fists; reaching and grasping for the lost; longing for one last word, one last goodbye, one last moment together. The one we love was here, then not here. This is real pain.

In A Grief Observed, a powerful memoir about the aftermath of his wife’s death, C.S. Lewis (1898-1963) writes: “The death of a beloved is an amputation.” Our grief, however, is not a phantom pain. It is not a confusion of misunderstood brain signals. It is not a figment of the imagination. Our grief is real and it hurts. It hurts deeply. It is the kind of heartache that can consume a person, a family, a neighborhood, a whole community.

This week, we mourn the loss of the Lily Jean and its crew of seven souls: Captain Gus Sanfilippo, Paul Beal, Sr., Paul Beal, Jr., John Paul Rousanidis, Freeman Short, Sean Therrien, and Jada Samitt. Daughter and Sister. Sons and brothers. Fathers and husbands. Friends and fellow fishermen. Steadfast. Courageous. Hardworking. Persevering. It is a truly blessed vocation to set out into the deep, to risk everything thing again and again, all so that others may eat from the fruit of the sea.

For fishermen and their families, it is a unique way of life that most of us cannot understand, but that all of us are called to honor and appreciate. We pray for answers. We cling to each other because we cannot hold on to them. We weep for what was, what could have been, and what is lost forever. We shake our fists in anger at God who speaks in silence or through the kindness of our neighbor. And yet, from the deep pain of grief comes a glimmer of light. C.S. Lewis says about his late wife: “Her absence is like the sky, spread over everything.”

And so it is for the Lily Jean and her crew. Their absence and blessed memory rise above sea, sand, and coastline. They sail across the sky. They sweep across the heavens. And they look on us with love from the cloud of witnesses that forms the eternal communion of angels and saints.

Neither prayer nor blessing can relieve the pain of grief. Neither word nor sacrament can make light the heavy cross of mourning. Our hearts are broken. Longing and memory are now all that we have. And love. From our battered love for the lost, we know just one thing with certainty: “As long as we live, they too will live; for they are now a part of us as we remember them.” May God bless the Lily Jean and her crew. May God hold them forever close in the palm of his hand. And may God comfort those who remain and remember. Forever and always. Amen.

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

CCGR Weekly Newsletter (2-8-26)
Bringing Home the Word (2-8-26)
The Kids Bulletin (2-8-26)

Art Credit: TaTaOne Art – Etsy

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We Remember Them

By Sylvan Kamens & Rabbie Jack Riemer

At the rising of the sun and at its going down:
We remember them.

At the blowing of the wind and in the chill of winter:
We remember them.

At the opening of the buds and in the rebirth of spring:
We remember them.

At the rustling of the leaves and in the beauty of autumn:
We remember them.

At the beginning of the year and when it ends:
We remember them.

When we are weary and in need of strength:
We remember them.

When we are lost and sick at heart:
We remember them.

When we have decisions that are difficult to make:
We remember them.

When we have joy we crave to share:
We remember them.

When have achievements that are based on theirs:
We remember them.

For as long as we live, they too will live,
for they are now a part of us as:
We remember them.

Read: Understanding Your Grief (Parts 1-4)

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Love Deeply

By Father Henri Nouwen

Do not hesitate to love and to love deeply.
You might be afraid of the pain that deep love can cause.
When those you love deeply reject you,
leave you, or die, your heart will be broken.
But that should not hold you back from loving deeply.
The pain that comes from love
makes your love even more fruitful.
It is like a plow that breaks the ground
to allow the seed to take root and grow into a strong plant.
Every time you experience the pain of rejection, absence, or death,
you are faced with a choice.
You can become bitter and decide not to love again,
or you can stand straight in your pain
and let the soil on which you stand
become richer and more able to give life to new seeds.

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A Pastor’s Note

By Father Jim

Last Sunday, more than seven hundred friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport gathered in Saint Ann Church to pray together, lean on each other, and be present to the families of the crew of the Lily Jean which was lost at sea just before dawn two days before. In more than two decades as a priest and pastor, I have never felt God’s closeness, compassion, and tenderness more powerfully than last Sunday. On behalf all who grieve the loss of the Lily Jean and its crew, please accept my heartfelt thanks for your loving concern and kindness. May God all who mourn. May the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace. Peace and blessings to all!

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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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Lent – Ash Wednesday
A Holy Day of Prayer & Fasting
Wednesday, February 18th

The Holy Season of Lent is a time of prayer, penance, and almsgiving, during which all Christians are called to renew their faith in preparation for the celebration of the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ at Easter. Lent begins on Wednesday, February 18th, which is a Holy Day of Prayer & Fasting for all Roman Catholics. Here in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport, we will celebrate Mass and distribute ashes according to the following schedule:

• Mass at 8:00am in Saint Joachim Church
• Mass at 12:00pm in Saint Ann Church
• Mass at 5:30pm in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church

Members of our pastoral team will also distribute ashes from 9:30am until 11:00am and from 2:30pm until 4:00pm in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. For more information about Ash Wednesday and the Holy Season of Lent in Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com. Please join us! All are welcome!

Watch: Ash Wednesday Reflection (2.5 Minutes)

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Lent – The Way of the Cross
The Traditional Devotion
Begins Friday, February 2oth

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 seven consecutive Friday afternoons from February 20th 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
Saint Clare’s Timeless Devotion
Begins Friday, February 20th

Pope Francis (1936-2025) spoke often about his devotion to the Five Wounds of the Poor Christ. During one homily, the Holy Father shared the advice of a spiritual director who once 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 fell 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 six consecutive Fridays from February 20th through March 27th at 3:00pm in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. We will begin with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, followed by a Franciscan Vespers and the Litany of the Sacred Wounds by Saint Clare of Assisi. Our Holy Hour will conclude with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. For more information, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com. Please join us! All are welcome!

Pray & Listen: The Litany of the Sacred Wounds

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Trivia Night with Father Jim
A Brain Teasing Special Event
Saturday, February 21st

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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Words of Wisdom from Pope Francis

No one attains salvation alone,
since we are all in the same boat, amid the storms of history;
and certainly no one reaches salvation without God,
for only the paschal mystery of Christ Jesus
triumphs over the dark waters of death.
Faith does not spare us from life’s burdens and tribulations,
but it does allow us to face them in union with God in Christ,
with the great hope that does not disappoint.

Read: Lent Message 2022 by Pope Francis

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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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In Memory of Captain Gus Sanfilippo