Watch: Sunday Mass with Father Jim (2-22-26)
Listen: Pray As You Go Daily Meditations
Read: Scripture for Life by Mary McGlone (2-22-26)
This Week’s Message
Miles To Go
By Brother Patrick
I recently came across a book that was gifted to me many years ago but never read: His Truth Is Marching On: John Lewis and the Power of Hope by Jon Meacham. It is a biography of John Lewis (1940-2020). He was a longtime congressman, protégé of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-1968), a campaign advisor for Senator Robert F. Kennedy (1925-1968), and a close friend of President Barack Obama. John Lewis was also a pioneer in the civil rights movement and a prophetic voice for non-violence for nearly seven decades. In the context of these troubled times, reading about John Lewis, his life, and his good example has forever changed my life.
Popularized by Dr. King and Lewis, the so-called Beloved Community is a vision of society based on justice, equality, and unconditional love. It is a vision of society where hunger, poverty, racism, and violence are eliminated by a shared commitment to the common good. While reading His Truth Is Marching On, I was struck again and again by the similarities between the principles of the Beloved Community and the theologies of Pope Francis in Fratelli Tutti and Pope Leo XIV in Dilexi Te, both of which envision a world where love, peace, and social justice are not just goals but part of God’s call to discipleship and his divine plan for all creation.
The deeply compelling epilogue of the book is titled: Against the Rulers of Darkness. In these pages, John Lewis is quoted extensively. For example, looking back on his long life, Lewis said: “Consider those two words: Beloved Community. ‘Beloved’ meaning not hateful, not violent, not uncaring, not unkind, and ‘Community’ meaning not separated, not polarized, not locked in struggle. The Beloved Community is an all-inclusive society based on simple justice, the values, the dignity, and the worth of every human being, and that is the Kingdom of God.”
John Lewis was a person of deep faith. He was trained as a pastor and preacher. He believed deeply that human beings are broken beings in need of God’s mercy. And yet, he also believed that when we say Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, it is not a prayer just for the future. It is also a call to action for the present. It is not a prayer for perfection. Rather, it is a summons to create in our midst a tangible glimmer of paradise; a society built on shared commitments to democracy, human dignity, and the common good. It is a call to live the Golden Rule in real time, here and now.
John Lewis once said: “What can we do? We have to try, we have to seek, we have to speak up. America can be saved.” As a preacher, politician, and prophet of peace and nonviolent protest, John Lewis understood that the path to “a more perfect union” requires faith, diligence, perseverance, and a willingness to suffer and sacrifice. He said: “We have miles to go, but that’s what a journey is, that’s what a march is: putting one foot in front of the other.” I am not sure yet what this means for all of us. And as a diocesan hermit, called to prayer, silence, and solitude, I am not sure yet what this means for me personally. I have not yet found my march. I have not yet found my prophetic voice. But I have some ideas. So stay tuned.
Brother Patrick Garvey
Associate Minister & Diocesan Hermit
Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport
Contact: brpatrick@ccgronline.com
CCGR Weekly Newsletter (2-22-26)
Bringing Home the Word (2-22-26)
The Kids Bulletin (2-22-26)
New!
Attentiveness – A Broad Virtue
An Assisi Project Podcast
assisiproject.com
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Words of Wisdom from John Lewis
We are one house. We are one family…
We have to find a way to live together.
We have to find a way to understand each other.
We have to find a way to make peace with each other.
Watch: Jon Meacham’s Reflection on John Lewis (2020)
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Call to Prayer
A Lenten Prayer to Saint Francis
By Pope Francis
O Saint Francis, wounded by love,
crucified in body and spirit,
we look to you,
marked by the holy stigmata,
to learn how to love the Lord Jesus
and our brothers and sisters
with your love, with your passion.
O Saint Francis,
with you, it is easier to follow
and to contemplate Christ, poor and crucified.
Give us the freshness of your faith,
the certainty of your hope,
and the gentleness of your love.
O Saint Francis, intercede for us,
so that it may be sweet for us
to bear the burdens of this life,
and may we experience in our trials
the tenderness of the Father
and the balm of the Holy Spirit.
O Saint Francis,
may our wounds be healed
by the Heart of Christ,
to become, like you,
witnesses of his mercy,
which continues to heal and renew the lives
of those who seek him with sincere hearts.
O Saint Francis,
blessed to resemble the Crucified One,
let your stigmata be for us
and for the whole world
radiant signs of life and resurrection,
showing us new ways
of peace and reconciliation. Amen.
Listen: Saint Francis of Assisi – Poor Man of God
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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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Youth Choir & Music Ministry
Wednesday, February 25th
All young disciples, boys and girls, ages 8 through 17, are invited to share their musical talents with our parishes! Rehearsals begin on Wednesday, February 25th 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, February 25th
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: One Lenten Practice (1 Minute)
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Lent – The Way of the Cross
The Traditional Devotion
Friday, February 27th
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
Saint Clare’s Timeless Devotion
Friday, February 27th
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 Fridays afternoons 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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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
When we hear or see people doing evil,
speaking evil, or blaspheming God,
we must say and do only what is good,
thereby praising God who is blessed forever.
Learn More: Jubilee of Saint Francis of Assisi
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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
The righteous give generously. — Psalm 37:21
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 David Fleming