Our Pastor’s Message
A Time for Prayer, Discernment & Decision
This weekend, sixty-eight of our youngest fellow parishioners from both Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish will receive the Body & Blood of Christ for the first time. These annual celebrations of First Holy Communion are a time of great joy for our students, for their parents and families, and for our parishes.
For me and for the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport, this time of great blessing and joy has also been a time for much prayer and discernment. During the past month, we have had much to pray about. First, Father Al Puccinelli has accepted a new pastoral assignment back in Brazil where he had served for many years before joining our community. Second, it is now clear that I will be the only priest assigned on a full-time basis to our two parishes. And finally, although we are very grateful for their help, our two senior priests are already doing what they can in retirement to help serve our two parishes.
In recent weeks, therefore, I have consulted with our pastoral team, both of our parish councils, members of both of our parish finance councils, many of our fellow parishioners, and representatives from all of our parish ministries and organizations about the need for a new weekend worship schedule. Their good advice, wise counsel, and generosity of spirit were invaluable in helping me to pray, discern, and decide how best to balance the pastoral needs of our parish communities and the priestly resources available to us at this time.
This new schedule (see below) will begin during the weekend of May 30th and May 31st. My hope and prayer is that this schedule, which reflects the shared sacrifice of both parishes will continue to build, deepen, and strengthen the growing collaboration between Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish. As I share this new worship schedule with you, I am reminded of the parishioner who recently told me that wherever Jesus goes, she will follow. I hope that you will join that parishioner and me on this challenging journey of faith, hope, and love!
Earlier this week, we learned that Father Michael McLellan, Pastor of Saint John the Evangelist Parish in Canton, died suddenly at the start of Mass last Sunday morning. Father Mike was just 64 years old. He was a good and faithful priest who dedicated his life to serving God’s Church in parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Boston. He will be greatly missed! Please pray for him and his grieving parishioners!
As our journey together continues, please pray for me, for Father Alves and Father Gariboldi, for all of our brother priests who have devoted their lives to the people of God, and for all who live, work, and worship in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport! Thank you!
Peace and blessings to all,
Father Jim
Reverend James M. Achadinha, Pastor
Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport
Contact: frjim@ccgronline.com
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Our New Worship Schedule
Begins May 30th & May 31st
In Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish, the celebration of Mass is the source and summit of our community’s joy and the center of our life of prayer, fellowship, and service. Regardless of where we might worship, the Holy Eucharist brings God’s consolation, love, and mercy into our midst; and it brings the Real Presence of Jesus Christ into our lives and hearts! 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. Beginning during the weekend of Saturday, May 30th and Sunday, May 31st, the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport will celebrate Mass according to the following schedule:
Saturday Vigil Masses
4:00pm Saint Ann Church
6:00pm Our Lady of Good Voyage Church
Sunday Masses
7:00am Our Lady of Good Voyage Church
8:15am Saint Ann Church
10:00am Saint Joachim Church
11:45am Our Lady of Good Voyage Church
5:00pm Saint Ann Church (Brazilian Community)
Weekday Masses
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 8:00am
Our Lady of Good Voyage Church
Tuesday and Thursday at 8:00am
Saint Joachim Church
Saturday at 8:00am
Saint Ann Church
Sacrament of Penance & Reconciliation
As sinners, we acknowledge our faults and failures. We also believe deeply in God’s boundless mercy and limitless love for us. The Sacrament of Penance & Reconciliation (Confess) offers each of us an opportunity to reconcile ourselves with both God and the Church. The sacrament is comprised of four elements: sorrow for one’s sins, confession of those sins to a priest, absolution by a priest, and an act of penance. Beginning during the weekend of May 30th and May 31st, the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport will celebrate the Sacrament of Penance & Reconciliation on Saturdays from 3:00pm-3:30pm at Saint Ann Church.
Please note that confessions are also heard by appointment. If you cannot participate in the Sacrament of Penance & Reconciliation during our regularly scheduled celebrations, please contact our pastoral office at 978-281-4820 or contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com. If you have questions or constructive comments about our new worship schedule, please contact Father Jim or a member of our pastoral team. Thank you for your prayers, encouragement, and support! May God bless you, your family, and all people in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport! Saint Ann pray for us! Saint Joachim, pray for us! Saint Anthony, pray for us! Our Lady of Good Voyage, pray for us!
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Legion of Mary
Crowning of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Saturday, May 9th
All are welcome to join Father Jim and the Legion of Mary for the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport’s Annual May Crowning of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Saturday, May 9th beginning at 3:15pm in Saint Ann Church. We will begin our celebration of the Blessed Virgin Mary at 3:15pm by praying the Holy Rosary. At 4:00pm, Father Jim will celebrate the Vigil Mass for the Sixth Sunday of Easter which will include the ceremonial crowning of Our Blessed Mother. All parishioners, friends, and guests of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport are invited to join us for this special afternoon of prayer and devotion! For more information, please contact Joan Foster at ajay7@verizon.net. Please join us in honoring Our Blessed Mother! All are invited! All are welcome!
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Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord
Thursday, May 14th
The Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord is a Holy Day of Obligation for all Roman Catholics. On this day, we celebrate the Lord’s ascension into heaven forty days after his resurrection on Easter Sunday (See Luke 24:51; Mark 16:19; and Acts 1:9-11). In celebration of the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport will celebrate Masses according to the following schedule:
Wednesday, May 13th
6:30pm Saint Ann Church
Thursday, May 14th
8:30am Saint Joachim Church
Noon Our Lady of Good Voyage Church
All parishioners, friends, and guests of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport are invited to join us for Mass and to receive Holy Communion in accordance with personal conscience and the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. Please join us! All are welcome!
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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 frjim@ccgronline.com. Please join us! All are welcome!
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