Our Pastor’s Message:
Winter Fuel & Utilities Collection
On Sundays and Feast Days, the Morning Prayer of the Catholic Church includes a canticle (or song) from the Old Testament’s Book of Daniel that reads in part: “Frost and chill, bless the Lord! Ice and snow, bless the Lord! Nights and days, bless the Lord! Light and darkness, bless the Lord!” These verses remind us that all things are created by God and that we should thank God for all that has been given to us – even the challenges of winter. Needless to say, it is easy for school children, skiers, ice skaters, and snowmobilers to “bless the Lord” for God’s gifts of ice, snow, and frigid days. But for both parishes in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport, the winter season poses a serious financial challenge.
Although we have made some progress toward making our parish buildings and systems more efficient, the costs of heating and lighting our church buildings, parish halls, rectories, and schools are astronomical. Each year, each parish pays tens of thousands of dollars in combined fuel and utility bills. And whether you own or rent your home, you know already that utility bills are rising dramatically. So each year, we ask all parishioners to contribute whatever they can to our Winter Fuel & Utilities Collections. Every contribution, whether it’s $1 or $10 or $100, goes a long way toward helping our parish pay its fuel and utility bills. And please be assured that every penny raised goes directly to the parish of your choice — either Holy Family Parish or Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish.
In the coming weeks, our goal is to raise $20,000 at Holy Family Parish and $10,000 at Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish. At Holy Family Parish, every registered parish family has been mailed a special offertory envelope. And at Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish, all who use weekly offertory envelopes have already received their envelopes for the Winter Fuel & Utilities Collection. But all parishioners are encouraged to make a donation! Please feel welcome to place your offering in the collection basket at Mass or return it by hand or by mail to our pastoral offices.
As these collections begin, please join me in praying that each of us, according to our means, will give generously to this very important fundraising effort. If you have questions or if you or your business can help ensure the long-term financial stability of Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish, please do not hesitate to contact me at 978-281-4820 or jachadinha@rcab.org.
Finally, please accept my sincere thanks for your support during my first months as your pastor. I am deeply honored and humbled by your ongoing encouragement, kindness, and friendship. Please pray for me, for our pastoral team, and for each other. And please know that you and your family are always in my prayers! Thank you in advance for your prayers and generous support!
Peace and blessings to all,
Father Jim
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An Evening with Leo Buscaglia
Valentine’s Day | February 14th
All are welcome to join Father Jim for “An Evening with Leo Buscaglia” on Saint Valentine’s Day, Saturday, February 14th, from 5:15pm until 7:15pm in Our Lady’s Hall. Dr. Leo Buscaglia (1922-1998) was an internationally famous author, educator, and motivational speaker. His books sold more than ten million copies worldwide and his lecture raised millions of dollars for public television nationwide. Throughout his long career, Dr. Buscaglia told his audiences over and over that love is the basic and essential ingredient in all human relationships — families, friendships, marriages, and communities.
On Saint Valentine’s Day, let’s share a glass of wine, enjoy some light refreshments (cheese, crackers, and fruit), watch and discuss one of Dr. Buscaglia’s classic and entertaining lectures on the power of love in human life. Come alone! Come with your Valentine! Come with friends or family! This special event is free but donations will be gratefully accepted. Please RSVP by contacting Father Jim at jachadinha@rcab.org. Please join us!
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Ash Wednesday | February 18th
Mass & Worship Schedule
The celebration of Holy Mass is the source and summit of our community’s joy and its life of prayer, fellowship, and service. All are welcome to join us for Mass and to participate in Holy Communion in accordance with personal conscience and the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. This year, the Holy Season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 18th. In the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport, Masses will be celebrated (with the distributions of ashes) according to the following schedule:
7:00am Saint Joachim
8:30am Our Lady of Good Voyage
12:00pm Saint Ann
7:00pm Our Lady of Good Voyage
In addition, we will also celebrate a Service of the Word (with the distribution of ashes) at 5:30pm at Saint Joachim Church. For more information about Lent in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport, please contact Father Jim Achadinha at jachadinha@rcab.org or Cliff Garvey at c.garvey@ymail.com; or click here for our Lent page. Please join us as we begin our Lenten journey! All are welcome!
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The Assisi Project
Saint Francis of Assisi: The Beginning
Sunday, February 22nd
Founded in 2007 by Father Jim Achadinha and Cliff Garvey, the Assisi Project is an international fellowship of “Franciscans in Spirit” that is dedicated to helping adults of all ages to more faithfully live the Gospel of Christ in the spirit of Saint Francis and Saint Clare of Assisi. Each month, we gather for Mass, a community meal, and a period of faith formation and discussion.
Our first meeting of the year is scheduled for the First Sunday of Lent, February 22nd beginning with Mass at 12:00pm in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. After Mass, Cliff Garvey will offer a reflection entitled “Saint Francis of Assisi: The Beginning” which will focus on the early life and times of the man who would become the world’s most beloved and perhaps most misunderstood saint. After Cliff’s reflection, we will adjourn to the parish hall for a light lunch.
If you would like to join us, please contact Cliff Garvey at c.garvey@ymail no later than February 15th (so that we can plan appropriately for food and drink). For more information about the Assisi Project and our upcoming opportunities for prayer, fellowship, and pilgrimage in the Franciscan spiritual tradition, please visit our website at assisiproject.com. Please join us! All are welcome! May the Lord give you peace!
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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. Our collaborative is comprised of Saint Ann Church in Gloucester, Saint Anthony’s Chapel in Gloucester, Saint Joachim Church in Rockport, and Our Lady of Good Voyage Church in Gloucester. We are a Roman Catholic faith community united in prayer, fellowship, and service. For more information about becoming a member of one of our parishes, please contact Father Jim at jachadinha@rcab.org. Please join us! All are welcome!
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