Watch: Sunday Mass with Father Jim (4-28-24)
Listen: Pray As You Go Daily Meditations
Read: Scripture for Life by Mary McGlone (4-28-24)
This Week’s Message
Christ at the Center
By Brother Patrick
At the moment of my consecration as a diocesan hermit, I had some understanding of what it means to be a hermit mostly because I had been discerning and “living into the life” for many years. I did not, however, truly grasp what it means to be a consecrated person or religious brother. While I could appreciate the beauty of an apostolic blessing and the responsibility of making perpetual vows, I did not realize how that blessing and those vows would change my life, my way of looking at the world, and my way of interacting with all of you.
Hoping to better understand this new life, I prayed for guidance and read more about the history of consecrated life in the Catholic Church. During the past six months, I learned three important lessons that help me better understand my vocation. These same lessons may help us all to accept and appreciate any vocation to service and discipleship in the Lord’s vineyard.
First, I learned that a consecration is a twofold rite. It blesses and affirms a vocation to the religious life in whatever form it takes — hermit, consecrated virgin, religious brother, or religious sister. It also sets apart the life of the consecrated person for a particular purpose, such as the hermit’s devotion to prayer, silence, and solitude. A consecration is an act of blessing. It is also a solemn dedication of a person’s whole life to Christ and the Church. In my case, one of the symbolic acts at the consecration was placing a ring on my left hand. This represents the diocesan hermit’s timeless troth to Christ.
Second, I learned an important lesson about humility. Being a diocesan hermit is not really about me. It is more about us. In Rejoice: A Letter to Consecrated Men & Women, Pope Francis writes: “When you put Christ at the center of your life, you do not become the center! The more you unite yourself with Christ, the more he leads you out of yourself, the more he leads you away from making yourself the center and opens you to others. You are not the center. You are, so to speak, relocated. You are now at the service of Christ and the Church.”
In this spirit, the ring on my finger, the tau cross around my neck, and the rule that now governs my life are constant reminders that my life no longer belongs to me. It belongs to Christ and the Church. And since we are the Church, it belongs to you, too. As each day dawns anew, this poor hermit remembers these truths and he is humbled to the core of his being.
Lastly, I learned that God’s people have an amazing capacity for love, acceptance, and understanding. Before last fall, most of our fellow parishioners had never heard of the vocation to the eremitic life. But your eager and ongoing support for my vocation is the greatest blessing of all. It is also another good lesson in humility and in the enduring power of love that lives and breathes in Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish.
One parishioner recently said to me: “It is so wonderful to have somewhere to turn when we need special prayers.” Needless to say, I do not have a hotline to heaven. My prayers are no more powerful than your prayers. And yet it is now my life’s work and sacred obligation to pray for every person who asks for prayers. So, let’s continue to pray for each other. Let’s continue to pray for all who live, work, and worship in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport. And let’s continue to pray with the Holy Father for peace in our world and for unity in our church. May God bless you! May the Risen Lord give you peace!
Brother Patrick Garvey
Associate Minister & Diocesan Hermit
Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport
Contact: brpatrick@ccgronline.com
CCGR Weekly Newsletter (4-28-24)
Bringing Home the Word (4-28-24)
Art Credit: A Simple Woodblock Print by Brother Patrick (2019)
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Living the Gospel
First Holy Communion
Begins Sunday, April 28th
As Catholics, we believe that the Holy Eucharist is “the source and summit of the Christian life (CCC 1324).” We believe that the Eucharist is the Body and Blood of Christ. And in communion with Pope Francis, we believe in our hearts: “The Eucharist is essential for us. It is Christ who wishes to enter into our lives and fill us with his grace. The Eucharist, although it is the fullness of sacramental life, is not a prize for the perfect but a powerful medicine and nourishment for the weak (EG 47).”
In this spirit, sixty-four of our young disciples have completed their preparations and are now ready to receive the Body and Blood of Christ for the first time. As our annual celebrations of First Holy Communion draw near, all are encouraged to be mindful of our upcoming schedule:
- First Holy Communion Mass
Sunday, April 28th at 11:45am
Our Lady of Good Voyage Church - First Holy Communion Mass
Saturday, May 4th at 4:00pm
Saint Ann Church - First Holy Communion Mass
Sunday, May 5th at 10:00am
Saint Joachim Church - First Holy Communion Mass
Saturday, May 11th at 4:00pm
Saint Ann Church - First Holy Communion Mass
Sunday May, 12th at 11:45am
Our Lady of Good Voyage Church
If your child or grandchild has completed the second grade and has not received the Sacraments of Baptism or First Holy Communion, we have a special program just for them! It’s called The Way for Kids! Beginning on Saturday, April 27th from 4:30pm until 5:45pm in Our Lady’s School, Betsy Works and a team of volunteers will lead a five week series of workshops for young disciples. After each workshop, the children and their families will attend our 6:00pm in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church.
For more information about our youth faith formation programs, please contact Betsy Works at bworks@ccgronline.com. Now more than ever, let’s pray together for our young disciples and their families! Peace, blessings, and congratulations to all!
Watch & Learn: Holy Eucharist (1 Minute)
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Sharing God’s Love
Seeds of Faith
Begins Thursday, May 2nd
All New Program for First Graders!
Pope Francis says: “Children are the new and fruitful soil that God gives to Christian communities.” With these words, the Holy Father reminds us of our responsibility to share the Good News of Jesus with our children and grandchildren so that they may grow and flourish as faithful and faith-filled disciples.
In this spirit, all children currently enrolled in first grade are invited to join Betsy Works and her team of dedicated catechists for Seeds of Faith I, an all-new six week series of afterschool workshops designed to introduce parents and their kids to Jesus, the sacraments, and the basic prayers and traditions of the Catholic Church.
This exciting new series begins on Thursday, May 2nd at 3:45pm in Our Lady’s School. For more information and a registration form, please contact Betsy at bworks@ccrgonline.com. Spread the word! Please join us! All are invited! All are welcome!
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The Mother’s Heart
A Morning with Our Lady of Good Voyage
Saturday, May 4th
For more than one hundred years, the stained glass windows in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church have inspired men and women of faith to reflect on the Blessed Virgin Mary under her various titles and patronages. Under her mantle, generations of good and hardworking people have found comfort, consolation, and the strength to carry on during challenging times.
Throughout this year, Father Jim, Brother Patrick, and the Assisi Project will focus our prayers and reflections on the Blessed Mother as she is depicted in the windows of our beloved church. We will not focus so much on the art and architecture of the windows, but on the deep devotion and spirituality inspired by each depiction of Mary.
As our parishes prepared for Pentecost and the Crowning Feast of the Holy Spirit, all friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport are invited to join us for The Mother’s Heart: A Morning of Prayer with Our Lady of Good Voyage on Saturday, May 4th beginning with Mass at 8:00am in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. After Mass, Brother Patrick will offer a brief reflection on our hometown’s powerful and longstanding devotion to the Blessed Mother under her mantle as Our Lady of Good Voyage. We will then offer a Rosary for Peace featuring prayers by Pope Francis. We hope and pray that you will be able to join us for this special morning of prayer, devotion, and faith sharing!
For more information about the Assisi Project and its good work in our parishes; or if you would like us to pray for you or your special intention, please contact Brother Patrick at brpatrick@assisiproject.com. Spread the word! Bring a friend! Please join us! All are invited! All are welcome! May the Risen Lord give you peace!
Learn More: The Assisi Project
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The Healing Rosary
Saturday, May 4th at 5:00pm
Our Lady of Good Voyage Church
All are invited! All are welcome!
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Red Cross Blood Drive
Thursday, May 9th – 1pm-6pm
Our Lady of Good Voyage Hall
Register at redcross.org
Thank you for your support!
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Living the Gospel
The Ascension of the Lord
Thursday, May 9th
A Holy Day of Obligation
On Thursday, May 9th, Catholics around the world will celebrated the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Lord, which commemorates Christ’s elevation into heaven in the presence of the disciples on the fortieth day after his resurrection. On this Holy Day of Obligation, the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport will celebrate Masses according to the following schedule:
- Wednesday, May 8th
Vigil Mass at 5:30pm
Our Lady of Good Voyage Church - Thursday, May 9th
Mass at 8:00am in Saint Joachim Church
Mass at 12:00pm in Saint Ann Church
For more information about this special day in the life of the Church, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com. Spread the word! Please join us! Bring a friend! All are invited! All are welcome!
Learn More: Ascension of the Lord
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Rebuilding the Church
Trivia Night with Father Jim
Friday, May 10th
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 Friday, May 10th from 6:30pm until 10:00pm 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 array of topics that include music and sports, movies and television, books and history, politics and religion!
Participants will be organized into teams of eight players. All are encouraged to organize a team in advance or take your chance on joining the winning team when you arrive. Tickets are $25 per person and are available at the door, at our parish office, or by contacting Father Jim. All are invited to bring their own food and snacks. Coffee, tea, bottled water, and soft drinks will be offered, along with a cash bar. Father Jim also promises some raffles with some very cool prizes!
Don’t miss this opportunity to impress your friends and fellow parishioners with your knowledge of facts, figures, and trivia! Don’t miss the chance to share a few laughs! Don’t miss the chance to win a great prize! And don’t miss the chance to raise some much-need funds for Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish! Please note that we are planning a Fall Trivia Night for Holy Family Parish! Stay tuned for the day and time! For more information about Trivia Night, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com. Spread the word! Please join us! All are invited! All are welcome!
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Come, Holy Spirit!
Crowning Feast of the Holy Spirit
Begins Monday, May 13th
All friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners are invited to join Father Jim, imperators David & Nancy Rose, the Holy Name Society, Our Lady’s Guild, Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish, and the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport in celebrating the Crowning Feast of the Holy Spirit from Monday, May 13th through Sunday, May 19th. Here’s our schedule of events for this beautiful and inspiring annual tradition:
- Monday, May 13th
8:00am: Mass & Holy Hour (OLGV Church)
6:30pm: Holy Rosary & Sandwich Supper (OLGV Hall) - Tuesday, May 14th
8:00am: Mass & Holy Hour (OLGV Church)
6:30pm: Holy Rosary & Desserts (OLGV Hall) - Wednesday, May 15th
5:30pm: Holy Rosary (OLGV Church)
6:00pm: Holy Mass (OLGV Church)
6:35pm: Soup & Bread Supper (OLGV Hall) - Thursday, May 16th
8:00am: Mass & Holy Hour (OLGV Church)
6:30pm: Holy Rosary & Desserts (OLGV Hall) - Friday, May 17th
8:00am: Mass & Holy Hour (OLGV Church)
6:30pm: Sung Rosary in Portuguese (OLGV Hall)
7:00pm: Azorean Catered Supper (OLGV Hall) - Saturday, May 18th
5:15pm: Holy Rosary (OLGV Church)
6:00pm: Vigil Mass (OLGV Church) - Pentecost Sunday, May 19th
11:45am: Holy Mass & Crowning Ceremony (OLGV Church)
1:00pm: Crowning Luncheon (OLGV Hall)
Tickets for Sunday’s Crowning Luncheon are available after all Weekend Masses in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church or through the parish office. A donation of $20 per person is requested. Donations of gift cards for the Crowning Raffle are also appreciated! Pre-orders for the traditional Rosquilhas (round sweet bread) are now being accepted.
For more information about donations and reservations for the Crowning Luncheon, please contact Matt Parisi at 978-360-2357 or mparisi101@gmail.com; Beth Fosberry at 978-790-0196 or jcbf33@yahoo.com; or our parish office at 978-281-4820. Save the dates! Spread the word! Bring your family and friends! Please join us! All are invited! All are welcome! Come, Holy Spirit!
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Pastor’s Note
Grand Annual Collection
Every Dollar Makes a Difference!
Along with our weekly offerings, the Grand Annual Collection is a crucial component of our efforts to balance our budgets and ensure the financial stability of our beloved home parishes. As we begin the final quarter of the fiscal year, all friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners are encouraged to prayerfully consider a gift to the Grand Annual Collection in either Holy Family Parish or Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish. Donations can be mailed to the following address:
Holy Family Parish
or Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish
74 Pleasant Street
Gloucester, Massachusetts 01930
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 me at frjim@ccgronline.com. Thank you for your generous support! May God bless you! Peace and blessings to all! — Father Jim
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WeShare
Safe & Easy Electronic Giving
The more we love, the more we are capable of giving. — Pope Francis
Electronic giving has become an essential component 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 additional to the weekly offering, you can also give electronically to our church restoration funds which helps us plan for the repair and maintenance of our beloved and historic churches.
During these challenging times, Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish need your support more than ever before! Please prayerfully consider enrolling in our ‘We Share!’ electronic giving program! For more information about setting up a new account or for assistance with your existing account, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com. Thank you for your generous support for our parishes! May God bless you and your family, now and always!
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 Roman Catholic community 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 Ricardo Melo