Pastor’s Note
Joyfully Awaiting the Coming of the Lord
As the Fourth Sunday of Advent approaches, we are reminded that this holy season is a time of penance, prayer, and preparation for the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ at Christmas. Advent marks the beginning of the Church’s liturgical year and serves a twofold purpose. First, it calls us to make ourselves ready for the birth of the Christ Child; and secondly, it directs the human heart to await expectantly the Lord’s Second Coming at the end of time. For these reasons, Advent is a also season for hope, peace, joy, and love.
The Catholic Church has been commemorating the Holy Season of Advent since the fourth century. Traditions include the Advent Calendar and Advent Wreath. In each of our three churches, the wreaths feature four candles. The three purple candles (representing the first, second, and fourth weeks of the season) symbolize both penance and royalty. These candles remind us of Christ’s ultimate sacrifice for our sake and his role as “King of Kings” and “Prince of Peace.” The lone pink candle (representing the third week of the season) symbolizes joy. It reminds us that we should eagerly and joyfully await the Lord’s Nativity at Christmas. So let us pray and sing together: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel! Come, Lord Jesus!
Peace and blessings to all,
Father Jim
Reverend James M. Achadinha, Pastor
Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport
Contact: frjim@ccgronline.com
Our Pastor’s Message: Season of Love, Year of Mercy
CCGR Weekly Bulletin (12-13-15)
Bringing Home the Word (12-13-15)
Assisi Project Christmas Raffle
__________
Advent Evening Prayer & Holy Hour
Friday, December 18th
All are welcome to join Father Jim for Advent Evening Prayer and Eucharistic Adoration on Friday, December 18th beginning at 6:00pm in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. Our vigil of prayer will begin at 6:00pm with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, followed by a period of silent adoration and prayer. We will conclude with Evening Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours and Benediction. Come and pray with us during this Holy Season of Advent! For more information, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com. Please join us! All are welcome!
__________
CCGR Parish Councils Meeting
Friday, December 18th
After our Advent Evening Prayer and Holy Hour, Father Jim will meet with the combined parish councils of both Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish on Friday, December 18th in Our Lady’s Parish Hall. The meeting will begin immediately after our program of prayer. All parishioners are welcome to join us! For more information, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com.
__________
Our Christmas Mass Schedule
December 24th-December 25th
The Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport at Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish cordially invites you and your family to join us for Holy Mass in celebration of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ. On December 24th and December 25th, Masses will be celebrated according to the following schedule:
- Christmas Eve
Thursday December 24th
4:00pm Saint Ann Church
4:00pm Our Lady of Good Voyage Church
6:00pm Saint Ann Church
Midnight Our Lady of Good Voyage Church
- Christmas Day
Friday, December 25th
8:15am Saint Ann Church
10:00am Saint Joachim Church
11:45am Our Lady of Good Voyage Church
Please join us! All are invited! All are welcome! On behalf of our pastor, senior priests, deacons, and pastoral team, we hope and pray that you and your family will join us for Mass and enjoy a very Blessed and Merry Christmas! May God bless us, everyone!
__________
Holy Family Parish
Grand Annual Collection
Goal: $75,000 | Donations: $47,898
Each year, we ask all parishioners to contribute what they can to Holy Family’s Grand Annual Collection. This collection is a vitally important component of our annual budget. It helps us balance our budget by bridging the gap between the weekly offerings and our financial obligations. The Grand Annual Collection helps us to pay for the benefits and salaries of our priests and pastoral team. It helps us to pay our insurance and utility bills. It helps us to maintain our historic buildings and plow our parking lots. It helps to fund essential parish programs like adult and youth faith formation. All contributions to the Grand Annual Collection go directly to Holy Family Parish. If we do not achieve our goal, then it becomes almost impossible for us to balance our annual budget! So far, we have received approximately 64% of our goal! Although we have much work to do, we still hope to reach our goal of $75,000 by the First Sunday of Lent. Please pray that each of us, according to our means, will give generously to Holy Family’s Grand Annual Collection! For more information, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com.
This Weekend: Our Lady’s Grand Annual Update
__________
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!
Follow us on Twitter: @CCGRonline