Our Pastor’s Message
Discerning Our New Worship Schedule
The just concluded Easter Season was a time of great joy in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport. In large numbers, parishioners, friends, and guests from both Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish turned out to celebrate our first Triduum together. We celebrated both the Sacrament of Confirmation and the Sacrament of First Holy Communion. And last weekend, we celebrated Father Gariboldi’s 80th birthday!
This season of Easter joy was also bittersweet, tempered by sad news and difficult decisions. First, Father Al Puccinelli was reassigned back to Brazil. Second, because of the shortage of priests, we did not receive a parochial vicar. And third, although we are deeply grateful for their help, our senior priests are already doing what they can in retirement to help serve the needs of our parishes. During this period, I consulted with our pastoral team, members of our parish and finance councils, fellow parishioners, and representatives from all of our parish ministries and organizations about the need for a new worship schedule. Their good advice, wise counsel, and generous spirits were invaluable in helping me to pray, discern, and decide how best to balance the pastoral needs of our two parishes and the priestly resources available at this time.
Our new worship schedule (see below) is the product of much consultation, prayer, and discernment. My hope is that this new 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 we begin this new schedule, I am reminded again of the parishioner who told me that wherever Jesus goes, she will follow. I hope and pray that you will join her and me on this ongoing journey of faith, hope, and love for the Risen Lord!
As we begin our second year together as the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport, I will have much more to share with you about where we have been, where we are, and where we are headed. Until then, please accept my most sincere thanks for your encouragement, your friendship, your prayers, and your support. I continue to be both heartened and humbled by the good and faithful people of our two parishes.
As our journey continues, please pray for me, for Father Alves and Father Gariboldi, for our pastoral team, for all of our volunteers, and for all who live, work, and worship in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport! Thank you! May God bless you and your family — now and always!
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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Saturday at Saint Anthony Chapel
Saturday, June 13th
We often think of Saint Anthony as the patron of lost things. However, Saint Anthony is also patron of fishermen and mariners, pregnant mothers, the elderly, and the poor. In celebration of the Feast of Saint Anthony, all are welcome to join us for “Saturday at Saint Anthony Chapel” on June 13th. Our day of prayer and devotion will begin with Morning Prayer and the Franciscan Rosary at 7:00am, followed by Mass at 8:00am.
Beginning at 9:00am, we will begin ten hours of silent Eucharist Adoration, marking the top of each hour by praying a Novena to Saint Anthony for the intentions of all who live, work, and worship in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport. Please note that at 12:00pm, we will pray Daytime Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours. We will conclude with Evening Prayer and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament at 7:00pm. In order to ensure the success of this special day of prayer for the intentions of our parish communities, volunteers are needed to stand watch with the Blessed Sacrament. If you are able to spend an hour (or more) in adoration of the Real Presence of Christ, please contact Jane Russo at jlrusso333@hotmail.com. 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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