Our Pastor’s Message
Orlando
In 1962, when Bob Dylan wrote Blowin’ in the Wind (see lyrics below), he did not regard it as a protest song or an anthem against discrimination, oppression, or war. But for more than five decades, the song has been adopted by the anti-war movement, the civil rights movement, and countless other causes that have promoted freedom, peace, and justice in our country and around the world. In an interview, Bob Dylan once suggested that Blowin’ in the Wind is really an indictment against generations of people who should know better than to perpetuate the status quo despite clear and convincing evidence to the contrary. He implied that the answers to the vexing social questions of our time are obvious but “blowin’ in the wind” because no one has the courage to act or speak out. For the past two weeks, I have been trying to make some sense of the senseless mass murder of forty-nine people in Orlando, Florida. Was it terrorism or a hate crime? Why did it happen? How could it happen…again?
We may never know what prompted a troubled young man to shoot 102 people in cold blood. But we should know by now that weapons of war (like the ones used in Orlando) should not be available for sale to the general public. The Catholic Church has been clear about its support for gun safety legislation. In 1975, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) called for a “national firearms policy” to restrict the sale of guns. In 1990, the bishops called again for “effective and courageous action” to limit the availability of firearms. In 1994, 2000, and 2012, the bishops repeated their call for gun safety legislation as one practical way to confront the “culture of violence” in our country. And Pope John Paul II once wrote that it was “urgent” to find ways to effectively eliminate the sale of weapons to criminals and terrorists. Now decades later, the answer to the epidemic of gun violence is sadly and tragically “blowin’ in the wind” that has been created by our divisive political culture.
More than fifty years ago, Bob Dylan wrote: “How many times must a man look up before he can see the sky? Yes, ‘n’ how many ears must one man have before he can hear people cry? Yes, ‘n’ how many deaths will it take till he knows that too many people have died? The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind.” Virginia Tech. Newtown. San Bernardino. Orlando. How many times? How many tears? How many deaths? In the wake of this latest na- tional tragedy, let us pray for action, healing, peace, and wisdom. Let us pray that love overcomes hate. And let us pray that by God’s grace, the answers just don’t blow away in the cold and callous winds of the coming campaign season. May God help us and protect us!
Peace and blessings to all,
Father Jim
Reverend James M. Achadinha, Pastor
Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport
Contact: frjim@ccgronline.com
Learn More: Cardinal Sean’s Statement on Orlando
Learn More: Cardinal Sean Calls for Gun Control
CCGR Weekly Newsletter (6-26-16)
Bringing Home the Word (6-26-16)
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Food for Thought & Prayer
BLOWIN’ IN THE WIND
By Bob Dylan
How many roads must a man walk down
before you call him a man?
Yes, ‘n’ how many seas must a white dove sail
before she sleeps in the sand?
Yes, ‘n’ how many times must the cannonballs fly
before they’re forever banned?
The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind.
The answer is blowin’ in the wind.
How many years can a mountain exist
before it’s washed to the sea?
Yes, ‘n’ how many years can some people exist
before they’re allowed to be free?
Yes, ‘n’ how many times can a man turn his head
pretending he just doesn’t see?
The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind.
The answer is blowin’ in the wind.
How many times must a man look up
before he can see the sky?
Yes, ‘n’ how many ears must one man have
before he can hear people cry?
Yes, ‘n’ how many deaths will it take till he knows
that too many people have died?
The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind.
The answer is blowin’ in the wind.
A PRAYER VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE
Loving God,
welcome into your arms
the victims of violence and terrorism.
Comfort their families and all who grieve for them.
Help us in our fear and uncertainty.
And bless us with the knowledge
that we are secure in your love.
Strengthen those who work for peace.
And may the peace that the world cannot give
reign always in our hearts.
We make this prayer through Christ Jesus, our Lord.
Amen.
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Saint Peter’s Fiesta
Outdoor Mass & Procession
Sunday, June 26th
The 89th Annual Saint Peter’s Fiesta concludes on Sunday evening, June 26th! On Sunday morning, June 26th, all are invited to join Father Jim for an outdoor celebration of Holy Mass at Saint Peter’s Square. After Mass, all are invited to join friends, fellow parishioners, and visitors from around the world for the annual procession through the streets of Gloucester. For more information, please contact Rose Aiello at 978-283-1664; or visit the website: stpetersfiesta.org. Please join us! All are welcome!
A NOVENA TO SAINT PETER
O Saint Peter,
Most Holy Apostle,
because you are the Rock
upon which Almighty God built His Holy Church,
obtain for me a lively faith, firm hope, and burning love,
complete detachment from myself,
contempt for the world and its enticements,
patience in adversity,
humility in prosperity,
perseverance in prayer,
purity of heart,
a right intention in all of my thoughts, words,
and actions, diligence in fulfilling my vocation in life,
constancy in my resolutions,
compliance with the will of God,
and steadfastness in the grace of God even unto death;
so that by means of your powerful intercession
and your glorious merits,
I may be truly worthy to appear
before the chief and eternal shepherd of souls,
my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
who with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
lives and reigns for ever and ever.
Amen!
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be…
Saint Peter the Apostle, pray for us!
This weekend, we commemorate and pay tribute to Saint Peter as the rock upon which Christ built the Church and as a revered patron of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport. Tradition holds that Saint Peter was the first of the apostles to perform miracles after the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. This weekend, let us pray that through his prayers, he will perform a new miracle that will bring all fiesta revelers into our churches to join us in prayer, fellowship, and service! Amen! Viva San Pietro!
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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!
Registration Form: The Vatican Express, Part II
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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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