Our Pastor’s Message
Love Is Our Mission: A Prayer Vigil for Families
Thursday, September 24th
Anyone who has spent any time in Gloucester & Rockport knows well that our families are the foundation of all that we are, all that we have, and all that we might become as individuals and as a community. Put simply, our families are the bedrock of both our civic and parish communities. Some of our families are traditional. Some are not. Some families are healthy and strong. Some are not. Some families regularly join us for Mass. Some do not. But every family that is rooted in love and sacrifice fulfills in some small way the Lord’s commandment to “love one another.” Sadly, we also know that almost every family faces serious challenges: making ends meet, providing for children and grandchildren, dealing with the endless bustle and stress of modern life, and sometimes even the pain of addiction or abuse.
For these reasons, every three years, the Catholic Church sponsors the World Meeting of Families, an international gathering that celebrates and seeks to strengthen the gift of family in our lives. This coming week, the World Meeting of Families is being held in Philadelphia. And Pope Francis will be there as part of his week-long Apostolic Journey to the United States that also includes pastoral visits to New York City and Washington, D.C.
In communion with Pope Francis and the World Meeting of Families, all parishioners, friends, and guests of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport are encouraged to join me for “Love Is Our Mission: A Prayer Vigil for Families” on Thursday, September 24th in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. We will begin at 12:00pm with Daytime Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.
Throughout the afternoon, all are welcome to join us in silent prayer and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. At 3:00pm, we will pray the Holy Rosary for all families in Gloucester & Rockport. Our “Prayer Vigil for Families” will conclude with Evening Prayer and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament at 6:45pm. This celebration will coincide with the Holy Father’s celebration of Evening Prayer at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City.
Finally, throughout the coming week at all Masses, we will pray for all of our families using the official prayer of the World Meeting of Families. So, let us raise our hearts and voices in pray for families in our parishes and for all families around the world:
God and Father of us all,
in Jesus your Son and our Savior,
You have made us your sons and daughters
in the family of the Church.
May Your grace and love help our families
in every part of the world be united to one another
in fidelity to the Gospel.
May the example of the Holy Family,
with the aid of Your Holy Spirit,
guide all families, especially those most troubled,
to be homes of communion and prayer,
and to always seek Your truth and live in Your love.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God for ever and ever. Amen.
I hope and pray that you and your family will be able to join us for all or part of this special day of prayer for families. If not, please know in your heart that we will be praying for you and your family, for Pope Francis, and for the success of the World Meeting of Families. 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
CCGR Weekly Bulletin (9-20-15)
Bringing Home the Word (9-20-15)
Pastor’s Note: Youth Faith Formation Update
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Our Lady of Good Voyage
Our Lady’s Guild Penny Sale
Monday, September 21st
All parishioners, friends, and guests of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport are invited to join Our Lady’s Guild for its next “Penny Sale” on Monday, September 21st beginning at 7:00pm in Our Lady’s Parish Hall. We’ll have good food, great prizes, a 50-50 raffle, and freshly-baked sweet bread! For more information about the Penny Sale and Our Lady’s Guild, please contact Linda Galvin at lingalv2010@gmail.com. Please join us! All are welcome!
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Saturday Morning with Saint Francis
Saturday, October 3rd
All parishioners and friends of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport are welcome to join us for our next “Saturday Morning with Saint Francis” in Saint Ann Church on Saturday, October 3rd beginning at 7:00am. In anticipation of the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi (October 4th), we will begin with Morning Prayer & Eucharistic Adoration at 7:00am. At 8:00am, Father Jim will celebrate Mass for the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi. After Mass, we will pray the Franciscan Rosary (a seven decade version of the Rosary that celebrates the joyful events in the life of our Blessed Mother). After the Franciscan Rosary, all are welcome to join us for fellowship and faith sharing at Saint Ann Parish House (Rectory). Coffee, tea, and light refreshments will be served. For more information, please contact Cliff Garvey at ccgronline.com. Please join us for all or part of this special morning of prayer and devotion! All are invited! All are welcome! Saint Francis of Assisi, pray for us!
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Blessing of the Animals
Saturday, October 3rd
In further celebration of the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, Father Jim will mark the occasion with the traditional “Blessing of the Animals” in Our Lady’s Rectory parking lot on Saturday, October 3rd at 11:30am. All friendly family pets are welcome (but must be leashed or secured in carriers). For more information, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com. Please join us! All are welcome! Saint Francis of Assisi, pray for us!
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Adult Faith Formation
Begins Sunday, October 4th
If you are an adult (age 18 and over) and have not received the Sacraments of Baptism, Penance & Reconciliation (Confession), Holy Eucharist, or Confirmation in the Roman Catholic Church, then please consider joining us for our adult faith formation program which will meet on Sunday mornings after our 8:15am Mass beginning on Sunday, October 4th th in Saint Ann Parish House (Rectory).
The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) is a seven month program that prepares adults to be received into the Catholic Church at Easter. Our group meets bi-weekly to learn about the basic beliefs and teachings of the Catholic Church. As part of this same process, our Adult Confirmation Program prepares adults for the Sacrament of Confirmation and focuses on the challenges of living a life of faith in the modern world. If you would like to join us for this journey of faith and become part of this unique fellowship in preparation for the sacraments of God’s Church, please complete a registration form (see below) or contact Cliff Garvey at cgarvey@ccgronline.com. Please join us! All are welcome!
Adult Faith Formation Registration Form
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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 worship sites include Saint Ann Church in Gloucester, Saint Anthony 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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