Watch: Sunday Mass with Father Jim (5-24-26)
Listen: Pray As You Go Daily Meditations
Read: Scripture for Life by Mary McGlone (5-24-26)
This Week’s Message
The Gift of Community
By Paige Byrne Shortal
This weekend marks the last Sunday of the Easter Season or Pentecost, which is a Greek word that means the fiftieth day. Our first reading describes a gathering of “devout Jews from every nation (Acts 2:1-11).” They were celebrating Pentecost, the fiftieth day after Passover and a day on which tradition held that the law was given to Moses. Suddenly, there was a wind, tongues of fire, people speaking in different languages, and understanding each other. After this occurred, Peter stood up to explain. At the end of his preaching, approximately three thousand people professed their faith in Jesus Christ and were then baptized.
It is the Holy Spirit’s work to make a community out of individuals. And not just individuals from the same family, the same neighborhood, or even the same race, class, or language. We are talking about strangers. We are talking about people we may not give a second glance. We are talking about people we may not want to know at first.
The Holy Spirit creates community out of those who are unlike us. Our church community is not always what we want it to be. We may be too slow to respond or too quick to change. Our leaders may be too conservative, too progressive, too worldly, or too out of touch. Our gatherings may be too much about all of that “fellowship” stuff or too cold and inhospitable.
Here’s the thing. Nowhere in the gospels is there a suggestion that the Christian life is something that we can do alone. Nowhere does it suggest that the church is a comfortable club of likeminded people. The church is messy, sometimes annoying, and always absolutely necessary for the Christian life.
That being said, a community formed by the Holy Spirit is an amazing experience. Usually we seek out likeminded people. We seek out people who look like us, talk like us, think like us. Even for the most gregarious and most open-minded people, a few hours in the company of people whose ways are foreign to us is a strain, leaving us with fixed smiles, blank stares, and a desire for solitude. At least that is what happens to me.
But there is an experience of community in the Holy Spirit when you come back for more. I find it among the women of different organizations. I find it in my parish choir, where folks of every economic and educational background meet, sing, pray, and find themselves commiserating about their children, bringing meals to a sick friend, or laughing about nothing. To just laugh is a precious thing; to just be together and know that this is what being part of a community is all about. Community in the Spirit will keep you young. It will give you courage when you are afraid. It will give you companionship when you are lonely. And it will help you find God in all things.
About the Author: For more than four decades, Paige Byrne Shortal served as a pastoral minister in two parishes. She is now semi-retired and living with her family in rural Missouri. She is a contributor to Bringing Home the Word, a weekly resource for the home church. A new edition is posted every weekend at the link below.
CCGR Weekly Newsletter (5-24-26)
Bringing Home the Word (5-24-26)
The Kids Bulletin (5-24-26)
New!
Saint Paschal Baylon – Seraph of the Eucharist
Saints for All Seasons Podcast
assisiproject.com
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Call to Prayer
A Healing Prayer for Pentecost
Heavenly Father,
as we come before you at Pentecost,
we ask for your healing touch to be upon us.
We know that you are a God of healing and restoration.
We trust in your power to bring healing
to our bodies, minds, and spirits.
We pray for all who suffer from pain, illness, or heartbreak.
We ask you to bring healing to their bodies
and relief from their suffering.
We pray that you may bless them
with the strength and courage to endure;
to know that you are always with us.
We pray for all who struggle with mental health problems.
We ask you to bring peace to their troubled hearts and minds.
We ask you to heal their emotional wounds.
We pray that they may feel
your closeness, compassion, and tenderness
in a real and tangible way.
We pray for all who need spiritual healing and consolation.
We ask you to fill them with your Holy Spirit
and renew their faith.
We pray that they experience the joy and peace
that comes from a deep relationship with you.
We know that you are a God of miracles.
We ask you now to perform miracles of healing
in the lives of those we are called to love.
We pray in the name of Jesus Christ,
our merciful redeemer, friend, and brother,
our Lord and Savior for ever and ever. Amen.
Come, Holy Spirit! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Learn More: Pentecost – Birthday of the Church
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Pastor’s Note
Our Grand Annual Collections
Urgent Request for Support
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 approaches, all friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport are encouraged to prayerfully consider making a generous gift to the Grand Annual Collection at either Holy Family Parish or Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish.
By June 30th, Holy Family Parish must raise $50,000; and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish must raise $20,000. So far, Holy Family Parish has raised $5,975 or 12% of our goal. Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish has raised $8,295 or 41% of our goal. Please join me in praying that each one of us will give what we can to these vitally important fundraising campaigns. For more information, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com. Peace, blessings, and sincere thanks to all!
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Saint Vincent de Paul Society
Call for Volunteers
Help Us Help Others!
The Saint Vincent de Paul Society is an international organization that is dedicated to responding to any request from any person or family in need. Here on Cape Ann, we work through the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport to serve the poor in our midst.
We are seeking new members to help us serve our brothers and sisters in need with dignity and compassion. Members of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society are honest, humble, and selfless workers in the vineyard of the Lord. We call those who can help us help others! We call those who will listen to our brothers and sisters and respond to their needs. We call those who desire to grow in faith, hope, and love by seeing the Lord in the least among us.
We offer our services by responding to the needs of every person and every family that asks for our help. We also meet with both individuals and families in order to respond to their needs in God’s style of closeness, compassion, and tenderness. If you seek to live the Gospel, share God’s love, and rebuild the Church, then please prayerfully consider becoming a member of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society.
We meet once every month to reflect on our experiences and to be good stewards of your generous gifts. Our next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 17th at 4:00pm in Our Lady’s Hall. For more information about how you can share your gifts and talents with the Saint Vincent de Paul Society, please contact Marty Bolcome at 978-821-3499; Cindy Cafasso at 978-473-2312; or Robert Weeks at svdpmember1@gmail.com. Thank you for your generous support! May God bless you!
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Words of Wisdom from Saint Vincent de Paul
Lord, help me to make time today
to serve you in those who are most in need
of encouragement and assistance.
Learn More: Saint Vincent de Paul
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A Rosary for Peace
Let’s Pray Together!
In Communion with Pope Leo XIV
In January 2003, just a few weeks before the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom, an ailing Pope John Paul II (1920-2005) met with international diplomats in Rome. The Holy Father did not mince words about the looming prospect of hostilities between nations. In a frail voice, he cried out: “No to war! War is not always inevitable, but it is always a defeat for humanity!”
At the same time, the pope and saint reminded his audience that peace is always within reach. He said: “It is possible to change the course of events, once goodwill, trust in others, fidelity to commitments, and cooperation between responsible partners are allowed to prevail.”
In this spirit and in spiritual communion with those who long for peace around the world, all friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport are invited to join Father Jim and Brother Patrick in offering A Rosary for Peace Featuring Prayers by Pope Francis at the following days and times:
- A Rosary for Peace
Saturday, May 30th at 2:30pm
With Eucharistic Adoration
Saint Ann Church - A Rosary for Peace
Sunday, June 7th at 8:45am
With Eucharistic Adoration
Saint Joachim Church - A Rosary for Peace
An Assisi Project Podcast Series
assisiproject.com/resources
For more information about A Rosary for Peace and these special moments of prayer for our suffering world, please contact Brother Patrick at brpatrick@ccgronline.com. Please join us! Spread the word! All are welcome! May the Risen Lord give you peace!
Learn More: Pope Leo XIV’s Prayer for Peace
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The Assisi Project
Franciscan Virtues – Humility
Saturday, June 6th
This year marks the 800th Anniversary of the Life and Death of Saint Francis of Assisi. In commemoration of this sacred milestone, Pope Leo XIV has declared a Special Jubilee Year which has inspired us to focus our adult faith formation programs on the Poor Man of Assisi.
In this spirit, the Assisi Project is going back to basics, back to the life and good example of our patron and his first followers to learn more about the virtues that can help us follow Saint Francis and live the Gospel of Christ with every thought, word, and deed.
All friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport are invited to join us on Saturday, June 6th 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. At this gathering, we will focus primarily on the Franciscan virtue of humility.
Founded in 2007 by Father Jim and Brother Patrick, the Assisi Project is a Fellowship of Franciscans in Spirit with friends and neighbors around the world. We are dedicated to helping believers of all ages and backgrounds more faithfully live the Good News 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 world.
If you would like us to pray for you, your family, or your special intention; or if you want to learn more about the Assisi Project and its good work in our parishes, please contact Brother Patrick at brpatrick@assisiproject.com. 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! Please join us! All are welcome! Always! May the Risen Lord give you peace!
Learn More: The Assisi Project
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Words of Wisdom from Pope Francis
You are the hand of Christ held out.
Have you thought about this?
Learn More: Pope Francis Resources
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We Share
Safe & Easy Electronic Giving
Give and it will be given to you. — Luke 6:38
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 Theresa Mullen