Our Pastor’s Message
Saint Anthony: Patron of the Lost
In last week’s message, I reminded everyone (including myself) that everything that we do as a community of disciples should be inspired by and centered on prayer. Whether it’s our care for the poor and the sick, our efforts to reimagine and rebuild our youth faith formation programs, adult catechesis and spiritual direction, or fundraising and maintenance of our historic buildings, prayer must come first and last. Prayer must lead the way in all that we do as a community united in prayer, fellowship, and service. This week, the Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of Saint Anthony (June 13th), Doctor of the Church and Patron of Lost Things. Tradition holds that Saint Anthony earned his patronage when he lost a book of the psalms in which he had written notes for preparing sermons. Distraught over the loss of both the book and his precious notes, Anthony prayed fervently to the Child Jesus, to whom he had a great devotion, and the book was miraculously returned to him.
At some point, all of us have lost something: keys, eyeglasses, or important paperwork. And most of us have probably invoked the intercession of Saint Anthony by praying: “Saint Anthony, Saint Anthony, please come around! Something has been lost and must be found!” Over the centuries, countless miracles (both large and small) have been attributed to Saint Anthony and his powerful prayers as patron of lost things. But Saint Anthony is not just the patron of lost things. He is also the patron of lost people, lost souls, and lost spiritual goods. Tradition also holds that his prayers are responsible for miracles involving people, not just car keys and reading glasses. For this reason, a devotion to Saint Anthony can also be a powerful tool for evangelization and renewal of the Church.
We can ask Saint Anthony to find our lost patience and restore us to kindness and love. We can ask him to find our lost humility and restore relationships torn apart by pride. We can ask him to find our lost youth and restore in them a zeal for what is good, true, and beautiful. We can ask him to find our lost brothers and sisters and bring them back to God’s Church. As we celebrate the Feast of Saint Anthony, let us ask him to pray for us before the crib of the Child Jesus. Let us ask him to help us make prayer the center of our lives both as individuals and as a community. Let us ask him to help us live the Gospel, share God’s love and mercy, and rebuild the Church! Saint Anthony, pray for us!
Peace and blessings to all,
Father Jim
Reverend James M. Achadinha, Pastor
Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport
Contact: frjim@ccgronline.com
CCGR Weekly Newsletter (6-12-16)
Bringing Home the Word (6-12-16)
__________
Pastor’s Challenge
Saint Ann Church Hall Fundraiser
Our Goal: $7,500 | Raised So Far: $4,865
Since last fall, Michael Horgan, our buildings and facilities manager, and a team of dedicated local carpenters, masons, painters, and technicians have been working hard to repair and renovate Saint Ann Church Hall for both our use and for future generations of parishioners. During the last six months, our team identified and repaired cracks in the foundation of the church that allowed moisture and water to leak into the church building threatening to undermine both the structural integrity of the hall and our priceless stained glass windows. They painted the hall for the first time in many decades. New lighting, a new heating system, and a new tile floor were professionally installed. This project was funded largely by rental income from the former parish school and was unanimously approved by our finance council. Please keep in mind that renovations to the entrances, bathrooms, and kitchen will come next (after necessary repairs to the church tower). But at this point, our renovation of the church hall is nearly complete!
We now need your help to finish the job! Our current stock of folding chairs and event tables are in poor condition and should be replaced for both aesthetic and safety reasons. Each new chair will cost approximately $30 and each new table will cost approximately $100. Last weekend, we raised $4,865! Thank you! During the weekend of July 2nd—July 3rd, we will have another second collection at all weekend Masses in Holy Family Parish (Saint Ann Church and Saint Joachim Church) to help us reach our goal. Until then, additional donations can be sent directly to the “Pastor’s Challenge” c/o Father Jim at 60 Prospect Street, Gloucester, MA 01930. Your prayers and generous support for this “Pastor’s Challenge” fundraiser will be much appreciated by all who visit our hall and by all who live, work, and worship in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport! Thank you in advance for your prayers and support! If you have any questions, please contact me at frjim@ccgronline.com. Thank you! May God bless you and your family!
__________
Our Lady’s Summer Fair
Saturday, June 18th
All are invited to join Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish for our annual Summer Fair on Saturday, June 18th from 9:00am until 1:00pm in Our Lady’s Hall. Highlights will include a fried dough breakfast, freshly baked Portuguese sweet bread, homemade desserts and snacks, and an outdoor bounce house for children! In addition, the Summer Fair will feature for sale original works of art by our fellow parishioner, Theresa Wonsom, and her friends, the Mount Vernon Street Artists. Last but not least, all are welcome to browse our boutique items and yard sale! Donations and volunteers for our Summer Fair are needed and most welcome! Donations for the yard sale can be brought to Our Lady of Good Voyage Hall during the week from 9:00am until 2:00pm. For more information, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com; or Linda Galvin at lingalv2010@gmail.com. Please join us! All are welcome!
__________
Mass Intentions Book
Opens June 22nd
The Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport’s Mass Intentions Book (July 2016-December 2016) will be opened on Wednesday, June 22nd from 11:00am until 2:00pm at our Pastoral Office (74 Pleasant Street). On that day, all parishioners are welcome to book one Sunday Mass and one weekday Mass at Saint Ann Church, Saint Joachim Church, or Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. Please note that on June 22nd, all Mass intentions must be booked in person. No email, fax, or phone requests will be accepted. No exceptions! Any remaining Masses can be booked on or after June 23rd. For more information, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com. Thank you in advance for your cooperation and support! Peace and blessings to all!
__________
Summer Catholic Kids Camp
The Vatican Express, Part II
Begins June 28th
The Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport is pleased to announce that all children (ages 5 through 11) are invited to participate in our Second Annual Summer Catholic Kids Camp: The Vatican Express, Part II from Tuesday, June 28th through Friday, July 1st from 8:00am until 12:00pm at Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. During this exciting week of prayer and fellowship, children will learn about the traditions and treasures of the Vatican through active and engaged participation in games, music, skits, and easy-to-make crafts. Each day, we will explore a different theme: Day I, Tuesday, June 28th: Miracles of Jesus; Day II, Wednesday, June 29th: Miracles of the Eucharist; Day III, Thursday, June 30th: The Miracle of the Mass; and Day IV, Friday, July 1st: The Miracle of Eucharistic Adoration.
Each day of the Vatican Express, Part II will begin with Mass at 8:00am in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. All parents, grandparents, and guardians are welcome to join us! After Mass, Betsy Works and a team of volunteers will lead the children to Our Lady’s School for a faith-filled and fun-filled morning of activities, learning, and good times with friends both new and old. The Vatican Express, Part II is a fun, exciting, and educational program that your children and grandchildren will love! The tuition for this innovative summer vacation youth faith formation program is just $25 per child for the entire week! Scholarships are available to those who cannot afford tuition. Also, adults and older children (ages 12 and up) are welcome to join us as volunteers and will be much appreciated! For more information about our Summer Vacation Catholic Kids Camp: The Vatican Express Part II, please contact Betsy Works at bworks@ccgronline. Please join us! All are invited! All are welcome!
__________
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