Watch: Sunday Mass with Father Jim
Listen: Pray As You Go Daily Meditations
Read: Scripture for Life by Sister Mary McGlone

Our Pastor’s Message
The Call of All Times

By Father Jim

Last week during the Holiness in History Conference at the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV said: “Enlightened by grace, the saints heeded the call of their times, uniting faith and history, and devoted their lives to building a new reality of the Kingdom of God. Without the saints, the history of the world would be immensely poorer and less human.” Without the prayers and prophetic witness of the saints, an already troubled world would certainly be more cruel, more callous, and more violent than it is now.

It seems like a special grace, then, that the Feast of Saint Martin de Porres (1579-1639) will be celebrated on Election Day, November 3rd. Canonized in 1962 by Pope John XXIII, Saint Martin was the son of a Spanish nobleman and an emancipated slave of African and Native Peruvian descent. Because of his racial background, Saint Martin suffered a lifetime of discrimination. Indeed, when he was accepted into the Dominican Order, it was as a lay brother who was assigned only the most menial and thankless tasks.

Over time, however, Saint Martin’s devotion and diligence impressed his superiors. He served as almoner, the friary’s provider of charity to the poor. He was then trained as a barber-surgeon. During this period in history, barber-surgeons cut hair, shaved beards, and provided medical care, even surgery. About Saint Martin de Porres, Cardinal Richard Cushing of Boston once wrote: “He joined to the practice of medicine a keen appreciation of the power of prayer and a supreme confidence in God’s providence.” Before long, Saint Martin’s hospital was crowded with people who needed his sometimes miraculous assistance — both corporeal and spiritual.

Saint Martin’s ministry was blind to racial and socio-economic differences. He had a special love for the poor. He served as a tireless advocate for the sick and the suffering. He begged from the rich to provide the needy with food, clothing, shelter, and medicine. But Saint Martin did not resent the rich. He saw Christ in every single person. He respected the God-given nobility of every man, woman, and child. For this reason, Pope John XXIII offered him to the world as the “saint of universal brotherhood.”

We hear a great deal nowadays about protecting the sanctity of life. All too often, however, we can become fixated on only one aspect of human life. We forget the so-called seamless garment of life: Every life is precious. Every life is blessed with an inherent dignity. Every life is worthy of our care, love, and respect. Every life is entitled to the basic necessities that make life possible, that make life worthwhile. Every life is part of a shared commitment for the common good — not a problem to be detained, deported, or neglected.

The fundamental principles of Catholic Social Teaching (see below) remind us that we are called to community; to stand in solidarity with the poor, the sick, the stranger, the unborn, and the elderly. We are called to remember that every person is a child of God; that every person deserves what they need to live a good life; and that when one of us suffers, every one of us suffers. By his good example, Saint Martin de Porres reminds us to heed the call of our times, which is the Lord’s call of all times, in all places, to all peoples: “Whatever you did for the least of my brethren, you did to me (Matthew 25:40).”

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

CCGR Weekly Newsletter (11-1-26)
Bringing Home the Word (11-1-26)
The Kids Bulletin (11-1-26)

New!
Saint Martin de Porres – Humility & Healing
A Video for Families & Children
(7 Minutes)

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Catholic Social Teaching
The Moral Test of Our Society
Seven Fundamental Principles

1. Dignity of Every Person

All human beings are sacred, made in God’s image and likeness. A person does not lose their dignity because of age, race, gender, poverty, disability, immigration status, or sexual orientation.

2. Call to Community

We fulfill our rights and dignity in communion with others. We are called to respect and care for each other. We are all members of the human family. When one person suffers, every person suffers.

3. Rights & Responsibilities

All human beings have a right to life, food, clothing, shelter, health care, employment, and education. All people have a voice in making decisions that affect their lives. We also have a responsibility to love our neighbor, respect the rights of others, and work together for the common good.

4. Option for the Poor & Vulnerable

The moral test of society is how it treats its most vulnerable members. We are called to consider how policy decisions affect the poor. The poor, sick, disabled, elderly, and forgotten have a moral claim on the conscience and resources of a nation.

5. Rights of Workers

All human beings have a right to decent employment, fair wages, safe working conditions, private property, and opportunities for a good life. The marketplace exists to serve people, not the other way around.

6. Solidarity

We are one human family. We are called to work for peace, truth, and justice. Our responsibility to love, respect, and care for each other transcends all borders, cultures, races, religions, cultural distinctions, and ideological differences.

7. Care for Creation

God is love. God created all things in heaven and on earth. We have a moral duty to care for our common home and to be good stewards of God’s abundant gifts. We must not be merely users and consumers.

Watch: Catholic Social Teaching (7 Videos)

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Month of All Souls
Masses of Remembrance
Begin Saturday, October 31st

During November, the Month of All Souls, all are invited to join Father Jim and the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport as we celebrate Masses of Remembrance for family, friends, and fellow parishioners whose funerals were celebrated in our parishes during this year.

Mass of Remembrance I
Saturday, October 31st at 4:00pm
Saint Ann Church

Mass of Remembrance II
Sunday, November 1st at 11:45am
Our Lady of Good Voyage Church

Mass of Remembrance III
Sunday, November 8th at 10:00am
Saint Joachim Church

A Prayer for All Souls

Loving God,
through the resurrection of Jesus,
you call us to eternal life and happiness.
During the Month of All Souls,
we remember our brothers and sisters
who have gone before us into heaven’s glory.
May they share in the joy and blessing
that you promise to all who love you
and have faith in you.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
God forever and ever. Amen.

Please pray for our departed brothers and sisters! May the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace! For more information about the Month of All Souls and our Annual Masses of Remembrance, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com. Please join us! All are invited! All are welcome!

Watch: In the Company of Angels Choral Recital (60 Minutes)

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All Saints Faith & Family Mass
A Youth Faith Formation Special Event
Sunday, November 1st

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus says: “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them, for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs (Matthew 9:14).” In response to the Lord’s call, all children, parents, grandparents, and godparents are invited to join Father Jim for our All Saints Faith & Family Mass on Sunday, November 1st at 11:45am in Our Lady’s Church.

During Mass, Father Jim will offer a special homily for children about the celebration of Halloween and the Solemnity of All Saints. After Mass, all are invited to join us outside on the church lawn where our pastoral team and parish service organizations will offer treats to the kids! All parishioners, especially parents, grandparents, and their children are invited to wear costumes!

We believe that Mass is our class! We believe that Jesus is our teacher! And we believe that every family that joins us for Mass is a precious gift from God! So, please save these dates for our upcoming Faith & Family Masses which are an essential component of our youth faith formation programs:

Christ the King Faith & Family Mass
Sunday, November 22nd at 11:45am
Our Lady of Good Voyage Church

Advent Faith & Family Mass
Sunday, December 13th at 11:45am
Our Lady of Good Voyage Church

Epiphany Faith & Family Mass
Annual Christmas Pageant
Saturday, January 2nd at 4:00pm
Our Lady of Good Voyage Church

For more information about youth faith formation in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport, please contact Betsy Works at bworks@ccgronline.com. Please join us! All are invited! All are welcome!

Learn More: Solemnity of All Saints 

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All Souls Day
Celebration of Holy Mass
Monday, November 2nd

In the Catechism of the Catholic Church, we read: “All who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven (CCC 1030).” This purification is purgatory, which is not a punishment but a cleansing of the soul through God’s boundless love and mercy.

Since the eleventh century, Catholics have gathered for Holy Mass to pray for the souls of their friends and loved ones. In this spirit, all are invited to join Father Jim for Holy Mass on All Souls Day, Monday, November 2nd at 8:00am in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. For more information, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com. All are welcome!

Learn More: Commemoration of All Souls

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The Assisi Project
Franciscan Virtues – Trust in God
Saturday, November 7th

This year marks the 800th anniversary of the life and death of Saint Francis of Assisi (1226-2026). In commemoration of this sacred milestone, Pope Leo XIV declared a Special Jubilee Year which 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 the basics, back to the life and good example of our beloved patron in order to learn more about the timeless virtues that can help us follow Saint Francis and live the Gospel of Christ 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, November 7th at 8:00am in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church for a two-hour mini-retreat that includes Mass, a reflection by Father Jim and Brother Patrick, along with a period of prayer and faith sharing. At this retreat, we will focus on trusting in God.

Founded in 2007, 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 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.

New members and friends are always welcome! So please join us! Bring a friend! Bring your family! For more information about the Assisi Project and its good work in our parishes, please contact Brother Patrick at brpatrick@assisiproject.com. May God bless you! May the Lord give you peace!

Learn More: The Assisi Project

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Words of Wisdom from Saint Francis

Let us have charity and humility,
and let us give generously
because almsgiving cleanses the soul of sinful filth.

Watch: Saint Francis & Pope Francis (1 Minute)

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Christmas Fair
Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish
Saturday, November 14th

All friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport are invited to join Our Lady’s Guild for the Annual Christmas Fair on Saturday, November 14th from 9:00am until 1:00pm in Our Lady’s Hall. This year’s fair will feature homemade fried dough, sweet bread, and a pizza lunch. In addition, all are encouraged to browse our yard sale tables for unique treasures that include books, jewelry, religious goods, holiday decorations, and delicious cookies.

We will also have numerous raffles, including two roundtrip domestic tickets on Delta Airlines, lottery tickets, and the mega raffle with a chance to win more than 60 gift cards from local businesses. Last but not least, Santa Claus will join us for breakfast and photos with our children from 9:30am until 10:00am. For more information about Our Lady’s Guild and the Christmas Fair at Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish, please contact Beth Fosberry at jcbf33@yahoo.com. Spread the word! Bring a friend! Bring your family! All are welcome! Peace and blessings to all for a very happy holiday season!

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Christmas Fair
Holy Family Parish
Saturday, November 21st

All friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport are invited to join the Holy Family Women’s Guild for the Annual Christmas Fair on Saturday, November 21st from 9:00am until 2:00pm in Saint Ann Church Hall. This year’s fair will feature various sale tables that will included kissing balls, cemetery baskets, holiday decorations, homemade baked goods, Bea’s Raffle, and our world famous basket wheel. Refreshments will be available for sale, too.

In addition, raffle tickets are now available for cash prizes, a homemade quilt, lottery tickets, and an Amazon Fire Tablet. Please help us make this year’s Christmas Fair our most successful fair ever! For more information, please contact Lydia Bertolino at lbbglosta1929@outlook.com. Spread the word! Bring a friend! Bring your family! All are welcome! Peace and blessings to all for a very happy holiday season!

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Christmas Fair Basket Wheel
Holy Family Parish
Now Accepting Donations

Our world famous basket wheel is the biggest moneymaker at our biggest fundraising event of the year! But our success depends on donations from friends and fellow parishioners! So, all are invited to create and donate a $25 theme basket for crafts, movie nights, school snow days, holiday gift wrap, or summer barbecues. Please help us make this year’s Christmas Fair Basket Wheel our most successful ever! For more information, please contacgt Lydia Bertolino at lbbglosta1929@outlook.com or Stephanie Tashjy at 978-281-4820. Spread the word! Thank you in advance for your kind and generous support for Holy Family Parish!

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