This week begins with the festive procession with palms and olive branches. The entire people welcomes Jesus. The children and young people sing and praise the Lord. But this week concludes with the mystery of Jesus’s death and resurrection. On Palm Sunday, we listen to the proclamation of the Passion of the Lord. We should ask ourselves one question: Who am I? Who am I before my Lord? Who am I when Jesus enters Jerusalem amidst the enthusiasm of the crowds? Am I ready to express my joy? Am I ready to praise him? Or do I stand back? Who am I before the crucified and suffering Jesus?

During today’s gospel proclamation, we hear many names. The group of leaders, the priests, the Pharisees, the teachers of the law, all of whom had decided to kill Jesus. They were waiting for the chance to arrest him. Am I like one of them? We also hear another name: Judas. Thirty pieces of silver. Am I like Judas? We hear other names, too. We hear the names of the disciples who understand nothing, who fall asleep while the Lord is suf- fering. Has my life fallen asleep?

Or am I like the disciples who do not realize their betrayal of Jesus? Am I like that other disciple who wants to settle everything with a sword? Am I like them? Am I like Judas, who feigns love and kisses the Master in order to betray him, to hand him over to the authorities? Am I a traitor? Am I like those people in power who hastily summon a tribunal and seek false witnesses? Am I like them? And when I do these things, do I think that I am somehow saving the people?

Am I like Pilate? When I see that the situation is difficult, do I wash my hands and dodge my responsibility? Do I allow others to be condemned? Do I condemn them myself? Am I like the crowd which is not sure whether they are present at a religious gathering, a trial, or a circus? Am I like them when they choose Barabbas over Jesus? For them, it is all the same: it is more entertaining to humiliate Jesus than to do what is right and just.

Am I like the soldiers who strike the Lord, spit on him, insult him? Am I like the soldiers who find it entertain- ing to humiliate Jesus? Am I like Simon of Cyrene, who is weary after a long day’s work but is good enough to help the Lord carry his cross? Am I like those who walk by the cross and mock Jesus? Am I like those who say: “If he is so powerful, then let him come down from the cross! Then we will believe him!” Am I like those who mock Jesus?

Am I like Joseph, the hidden disciple, who lovingly carries the body of Jesus to give it burial? Am I like the two Marys, who remain at the tomb? Am I like those who weep and pray for him? Am I like those leaders who said to Pilate: “Look, this Jesus said that he would rise again. We cannot let this fraud take place!” Am I like those who block life, who block the tomb? Let us ask ourselves: Who am I? Where is my heart? Which of these per- sons am I like? May this question remain with us throughout this entire Holy Week!

Learn More: Vatican Official Website

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Palm Sunday Mass for Families
Come & Meet Cardinal Seán!
Saturday, March 19th

All parents, grandparents, godparents, and children are invited to join Father Jim for our Palm Sunday Mass for Families on Saturday, March 19th at 4:00pm in Saint Ann Church. Our special guest celebrant and homilist will be His Eminence Seán Cardinal O’Malley, Archbishop of Boston. During Mass, Cardinal Seán will offer a special Palm Sunday homily and blessing for all families and children in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport. For more information, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com; or Betsy Works at bworks@ccgronline.com. Please pray for our young disciples, for their families, and for all who live, work, and worship in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport! Let us reaffirm that Mass is our class! Jesus is our Teacher! Every child and family in our pews is a gift from God! Please spread the word! Please join us! Come and meet Cardinal Seán! All are welcome!

Learn More: Cardinal Seán’s Blog

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Holy Week & Easter Sunday
Our Prayer & 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. During Holy Week and Easter, the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport will gather to pray and celebrate Mass according to the following schedule. Come and pray with us! All are invited! All are welcome!

Palm Sunday | March 20th
Regular Mass Schedule (See Below)

Holy Week
Monday, March 21st through Wednesday, March 23rd
Regular Mass Schedule (See Below)

Holy Thursday | March 24th
Morning Prayer | 8:00am at Saint Joachim Church
Mass of the Lord’s Supper | 7:00pm at Saint Ann Church

Good Friday | Marcy 25th
Morning Prayer | 8:00am at Our Lady of Good Voyage Church
Stations of the Cross | 12:30pm at Saint Ann Church
Good Friday Service | 3:00pm at Saint Joachim Church
Good Friday Service | 7:00pm at Our Lady of Good Voyage Church

Holy Saturday | March 26th
Morning Prayer | 8:00am at Saint Ann Church
Easter Vigil Mass | 7:00pm at Saint Ann Church
Note: No Sunday Vigil Masses

Easter Sunday | March 27th
Regular Mass Schedule (See Below)

For more information about our worship schedule during Holy Week and Easter Sunday, please see one of our priests or deacons or a member of our pastoral team before or after Mass; or contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com. Please join us! All are invited! 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 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.com