This Week’s Message
Learning from Blessed Mother Teresa
SMALL DROPS OF LOVE
By Gerard Thomas Straub
Mother Teresa said: “We cannot do great things in this world; we can only do small things with great love.” She urged us to be “faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies…Do not think that love, in order to be genuine, has to be extraordinary. What we need is to love without getting tired.” What she was saying is that the formula for becoming more fully united with God is to love, beginning with small acts of love which will not exhaust us, and that the easiest way to do this is by concentrating on the small, everyday things of our daily life and being open to manifesting small acts of love with every person and in every situation we encounter. In time, our small acts of love will increase, both in number and size, as love becomes more self-emptying and more inclusive.
Mother Teresa told her sisters that performing one small act of loving after another begins to make a difference. “How does a lamp burn?”, she asks, “Through the continuous input of small drops of oil…My daughters, what are these drops of oil in our lamps? They are the small things of daily life: faithfulness, punctuality, small words of kindness, a thought for others, our way of being silent, of looking, speaking, and of acting. These are the true drops of love.” Each of us can bring light into the world through our tiny but continuous drops of love. There is no other way for the darkness to be defeated (Source: “Thoughts of a Blind Beggar: Reflections from a Journey to God” by Gerard Michael Straub).
A DAILY PRAYER
By Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta
Dear Jesus, help me
to spread your fragrance everywhere I go.
Flood my soul with your spirit and love.
Penetrate and possess my whole being so utterly
that my life may be only a radiance of you.
Shine through me and be so in me
that every soul I meet may feel your presence in my soul.
Let them look up and see not me but only you.
Dear Jesus, stay with me,
that I may shine as you shine,
and so be a light to others. Amen.
PASTOR’S NOTE
In this weekend’s reading from the Gospel of John, Jesus gives his disciples a “new commandment (See John 13:31-33a, 34-35).” That commandment is the commandment to love each other as we are loved by the Lord. My prayer is that the life, example, and prayer of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta will help us to open our hearts to receive God’s love and to offer God’s love to our families, friends, colleagues, and neighbors; and with those we meet along life’s journey. Jesus says: “This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another (John 13:35).” This week, let us pray together for the grace live the Gospel and to share God’s love! Amen!
Peace and blessings to all,
Father Jim
Reverend James M. Achadinha, Pastor
Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport
Contact: frjim@ccgronline.com
CCGR Weekly Newsletter (4-24-16)
Bringing Home the Word (4-24-16)
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Youth Faith Formation
First Holy Communion 2016
Message of Thanks
On behalf of the Catholic Community of Gloucester at Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish, Father Jim congratulates our sixty-three young disciples who received their First Holy Communion during this Easter Season. Under the guidance of Betsy Works and our team of catechists and volunteers, these young disciples have studied and grown together in prayer, fellowship, and service during the past seven months. They were well-prepared to receive the Body & Blood of our Risen Lord for the first time. These young fellow parishioners thank their parents, families, and friends for their love, prayers, and support. In particular, they wish to express their appreciation to those who helped with their formation: Father Jim Achadinha, Mary Duran, Amy Greaves, Jean Madruga, Mary Ellen McLeod, Marie Orlando, Nancy Rose, Deb Salah, Annette Spanks, and Betsy Works.
As their spiritual journey continues, please pray for all of our young disciples, their parents, and families so that they will continue to grow in faith, hope, and love; and that they will continue to join us each week for Mass! Please also pray in sincere thanksgiving for our pastoral team and for our dedicated volunteers who made these celebrations possible. For more information about youth faith formation in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport, please see Father Jim before or after Mass; or contact Betsy Works at bworks@ccgronline.com. Thank you! May God bless you and your families! Allelluia! Alleluia!
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Our Lady of Good Voyage
Our Lady’s Guild Spring Fair
Saturday, April 30th
All are invited to join Our Lady’s Guild for its annual Spring Fair on Saturday, April 30th from 9:00am until 1:00pm in Our Lady’s Hall. Highlights include our famous fried dough breakfast, a linguiça & hot dog lunch, and fun activities for children! Sale tables at this year’s fair include baked goods & fudge, jewelry, religious items, and the general store. We’ll also have raffles (including a bountiful basket of wine, cheese, and crackers)! Donations and volunteers are always welcome! For more information about the Spring Fair, please contact Joyce Lacerda at 978-283- 3465 or Jean Madruga at 978-281-1992. All are welcome!
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Holy Family Women’s Guild
Spring Into Spring Event
Tuesday, May 3rd
On Tuesday, May 3rd beginning at 7:00pm (with a brief business meeting), the Women’s Guild will welcome Karen McBain of Garden Paths Creations in Our Lady’s Parish Hall. Karen and her green thumb will help us with ideas for our gardens at home and for the upcoming Strawberry Festival. All are invited to join us for this wonderful way of welcoming the spring season! Refreshments will be served! Established in 2005, the Holy Family Women’s Guild brings together women of all ages in prayer, fellowship, and service to our parish and the community. Throughout the year, the Women’s Guild hosts various fundraising events and social gatherings. For more information, please contact Lydia Bertolino at 978-281-4279 or Robin Davis at 978-281-4689. All are welcome!
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Mother’s Day Mass for Families
Crowning of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Saturday, May 7th
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus says: “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs (Mt 19:14).” In response to the Lord’s call, all parents, grandparents, godparents, and children of all ages are invited to join Father Jim for our Mother’s Day Mass for Families on Saturday, May 7th at 4:00pm in Saint Ann Church. During Mass, Father Jim will offer a special homily about Our Blessed Mother and Mother’s Day; and also offer a special blessing for all families and children. In addition, those who gather for this Mass for Families will join the Legion of Mary in the Annual May Crowning of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This celebration will be a beautiful way to honor Our Blessed Mother and all mothers! As our Mother’s Day Mass for Families approaches, let us reaffirm that Mass is our class! Jesus is our teacher! And every family that joins us is a gift from God! For more information, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com. Please spread the word! Please join us! All are invited! All are welcome!
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Magnificat: Mary’s Song of Mercy
Day of Prayer & Reflection
Saturday, May 14th
All are invited to join the Legion of Mary and its spiritual director, Cliff Garvey, for “Magnificat: Mary’s Song of Mercy” on Saturday, May 14th at Saint Anthony Chapel. During this four hour mini-retreat, we will explore the meaning and spiritual significance of the Magnifact (see Luke 1:46-55), Our Blessed Mother’s beautiful hymn of praise and thanksgiving, and its message of humility, love, and mercy. This special day of prayer and reflection will proceed according to the following schedule: Holy Mass at 8:00am; Morning Prayer & Reflection at 9:00am; Eucharistic Adoration & Rosary at 10:00am; Daytime Prayer & Reflection at 11:00am; and Angelus & Closing Prayer at 12:00pm.
Throughout the morning, there will be scheduled breaks and also time for faith sharing, fellowship, and refreshments. Coffee, tea, and bottled water will be available throughout the morning. And after closing prayers, a light lunch will be served. Although there is no registration fee for this event, a free will donation will be collected during the celebration of Mass. Also, please note that there will be no morning Mass at Saint Ann Church on Saturday, May 14th. If you would like to join the Legion of Mary for this special day of prayer and reflection, please contact Cliff Garvey at cgarvey@ccgronline.com by Thursday, May 12th so that we can plan adequately for enough food and drink. 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!
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