Our Pastor’s Message
The Most Holy Trinity
More than any other mystery of our shared faith, the Most Holy Trinity is perhaps the most difficult to explain or understand. It is almost incomprehensible for us to comprehend how the one true God can be comprised of three distinct persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Even so, theologians throughout the ages have sought to unlock the mystery of the Trinity and to grasp what seems beyond our grasp: a complete understanding of the life and work of God.
As mere mortal beings (bound by our smallness, our sinfulness, and our very limited understanding of life on earth), maybe we are not called to understand the Trinity (which is boundless, divine, eternal, and perfect). Maybe we are called only to praise God, to thank God, and to bow low before the awesome power, majesty, and mystery of God. Maybe we are called simply to follow the example of so many saints, like Francis of Assisi, who sought only to love, serve, and worship the Trinity in both word and deed (see column at left).
As small children, we looked up at our parents in awe. They were bigger, taller, and infinitely smarter than us. We looked up to them for care, forgiveness, guidance, and love. As children of God, we should look longingly toward heaven, toward the God whose care, forgiveness, guidance, and love are boundless, endless, and never ending. We should offer our prayers of praise, petition, and thanksgiving for all that God has given us.
As children of God, we should seek only to understand that the Creator of Heaven and Earth and Master of the Universe loves us beyond all doubt, beyond all measure, and beyond all sin. As children of God, we should seek to grasp only that because of his love for his children, God humbled himself; and sent his Son into the world to live among us, to die among us, and to rise from the tomb for our sake and for the sake of all who believe.
As children of God, we should rejoice in the mystery that God gives himself to us, his whole self to us, in the Body and Blood of His Only Son and in the power of the Holy Spirit who prays for us and inspires us to have faith, hope, and love for him and for each other. We should rejoice in the mystery of the Triune God who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: Creator of all things, Savior of the world, and Advocate for his people.
This Sunday and every Sunday, let us continue to believe like little children in the Most Holy Trinity. Let us rejoice in the breathtaking love and mystery of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And let us continue to pray and to serve through prayer, fellowship, and service. 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 (5-22-16)
Bringing Home the Word (5-22-16)
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The Praises of God
By Saint Francis of Assisi
You are holy, Lord, the only God.
You do wondrous things.
You are strong.
You are great.
You are the most high.
You are the Almighty King,
Holy Father, King of Heaven and Earth.
You are three and you are one,
the Lord God of gods.
You are good, every good, the highest good,
Lord God living and true.
You are love.
You are wisdom.
You are humility.
You are patience.
You are beauty.
You are meekness.
You are a stronghold.
You are rest.
You are joy.
You are hope.
You are justice.
You are all one needs.
You are all the riches that we require.
You are beauty.
You are meekness.
You are strength.
You are refreshment.
You are our hope.
You are our faith.
You are our only love.
You are all our sweetness.
You are our eternal life.
Great and wonderful Lord,
God Almighty, Merciful Savior.
Glory to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever.
Amen
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Pastor’s Message of Thanks
To Some Very Special People
Saint Augustine once wrote: “To sing is to pray twice.” This is especially true when our Adult Choir sings at Mass or performs at special events during the year. Under the most able direction of Tom Misuraca and LuAnn Pallazola, the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport’s Music Ministry is a true blessing and gift to both Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish.
Each member of our music ministry offers their own personal gifts of time and talent to praise and thank the Lord for his abundant blessings. As they begin their summer break, it is now time for us to thank them for their good and hard work for the past nine months. So please join me in applauding the following fellow parishioners for participating in a most beautiful ministry that strives to praise God through prayer, fellowship, and service:
Luz Arboleda, Frank Bellini, Sheila Boudrow, Lorraine Bunker, Michelle Cook, Beth Crippen, Grazia Crivello, Cindy Donaldson, Jean Dutton, Shirley Edmonds, Angela Favaloro, Barbara Forte, Suzanne Forte, Marjorie Grace, Eleanor King, Vincent Libro, Grace Moceri, Ann Moceri, Thomas Misuraca, Patricia Natti, Gaspar Pallazola, LuAnn Pallazola, Michael Pallazola, Josie Russo, Lucy Sheehan, and Alex Thomas.
On a personal note, I wish to thank Tom Misuraca and LuAnn Palazolla for their enduring encouragement, kindness, and support for my ministry as both priest and pastor; and for their ongoing enthusiasm for the good work of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport. Their contribution to the life of our parishes should never be underestimated or taken for granted. Thank you!
Peace and blessings to all,
Father Jim
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Holy Family Women’s Guild
Strawberry Festival
Saturday, June 4th
On Saturday, June 4th from 9:00am until 2:00pm, the Holy Family Women’s Guild will host the Annual Strawberry Festival in Saint Ann Church Hall. For the second year, the Guild will honor the Gloucester Fishermen with the Lobstermen’s “mug up” served in ceramic mugs made by local potters along with delicious homemade biscotti. Homemade muffins will also be available for sale. We will also have decorative lobster buoys for sale (which will be paired with a gift certificate). The buoys are a new item and will look great hung on a door or shed! Family and friends who live away from the island will also love a piece of authentic Gloucester! Along with Grannie’s Attic, Italian cookies, pies, and other homemade baked goods, we’ll also have a Bread Board with Irish Bread, Nisu, Sweet Bread, Lebanese Bread, and an assortment of quick breads. We’ll also have homemade jam, spring wreaths, note cards, and other crafts! Finally, we’ll have Strawberry Shortcake to boost your strength while you shop! For more information, please contact Janet Lucido at 978-526-1543. Join us! All are welcome!
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Holy Family Women’s Guild
Strawberry Festival
Now Accepting Donations!
The Holy Family Women’s Guild is now accepting donations for the upcoming Strawberry Festival. If you are able to donate potted plants or potted spring or summer flowers, please contact Jane Marshall at 978-283-5111. If you are able to donate unwanted household treasures for Granny’s Attic (dishes, glassware, kitchen items, table linens, etc.), please contact Patti Wellbank at 215-837-7010. Please note that we cannot accept any electronic items! Please help us make this year’s Strawberry Festival a great success! Thank you for your generous support!
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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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