Just over two years ago, Cardinal Sean O’Malley established the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport as a collaborative of two historic parishes: Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish. Although our parishes share one pastor and pastoral team, each parish remains fully and canonically independent; maintains its own bank accounts and accounting procedures; and continues to be solely responsible for its own bills, building maintenance, and pastoral programs.

During the past two years, Holy Family Parish has been blessed in many ways. Despite necessary changes to our worship schedule, attendance is growing and spirits are high. Fundraising events like the Christmas Fair, Strawberry Festival, and a recent “Pastor’s Challenge” have been successful both by raising funds and by building and strengthening our parish as a vibrant community of prayer, fellowship, and service. In addition, out-of-town friends and visitors to both Saint Ann Church and Saint Joachim Church have both spoken and written to me about the commitment, energy, and spirit in our parish. And although it has been sometimes challenging, parishioners from both Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish are now praying together, working together, and helping each other live the Gospel, share God’s love, and rebuild the Church here in Gloucester and Rockport.

Along with our many blessings come both challenges and opportunities. Included in this weekend’s newsletter (see below) is a financial summary for the fiscal year that ended on June 30, 2016. Thanks to the good advice and guidance of our finance council, I am pleased to report that our parish budget is balanced; and despite the City of Gloucester’s decision not to renew its lease agreement for the school building, we anticipate a balanced budget for the coming year based on fundraising, weekly offertory, Grand Annual Collection, and ongoing efforts to reduce overall expenses. As always, our long-term financial stability depends on parishioners like you who give so generously of their time, talent, and treasure to help us raise the funds necessary to pay our bills and to continue the good and necessary work of sharing God’s love and mercy with the people of Gloucester and Rockport and beyond.

Our biggest challenge, our towering challenge, is to repair and restore Saint Ann Church. As you know, Saint Ann Church has been poked, prodded, checked, and double-checked by local and regional experts to ensure that we have found any and all problems that might affect its long-term structural integrity. Competitive bids to complete the necessary restoration of the church’s bell tower and front façade were submitted by four respected contractors. After studying these bids and consulting with our finance council, parish council, representatives from all of our parish ministries, and archdiocesan officials, we have engaged the services of Aniceto Historical Restorations, Inc. of Milford, Massachusetts, a construction firm with a strong reputation for completing similar projects in the Archdiocese of Boston, to complete this project as soon as possible.

Scaffolding and other preparatory work is already underway, but the overall cost of this project will be approximately one million dollars. Needless to say, the success of the Saint Ann Church Restoration Project depends on your prayers and support! In order to save our church for future generations of faithful and faith-filled parishioners, we must do three things. First, we must rededicate all donations for the so-called elevator project to this project. Second, we must ask for additional donations from all parishioners to repair and restore our church. And third, we must pray every day for the grace and strength to meet our obligations to lovingly care for God’s house.

On Tuesday, October 4th, the Catholic Church will celebrate the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi. More than 800 years ago, Francis walked into a dilapidated little church and knelt in prayer before an ancient crucifix. Upon completing his prayers, the Crucified Christ spoke to him: “Francis, go and rebuild my church!” Many centuries later, we are faced with a similar challenge. So, let us pray together for faith, hope, and love. Let us pray for guidance and wisdom. Let us pray for courage to confront our towering challenge. And let us pray for perseverance to rebuild our beautiful church.

Next month, every registered family at Holy Family Parish will receive an offertory envelope for the Saint Ann Church Restoration Project. All are encouraged to either place an offering in the collection basket during Mass or mail it to me as soon as possible. Additional envelopes will be available in our parish office and at the doors of both Saint Ann Church and Saint Joachim Church. As we repair and restore our beautiful church, please join me in praying that each of us, according to our means, will give generously to this vitally important fundraising effort. Finally, please accept my deepest thanks for your prayers and encouragement during my first twenty-eight months as your pastor. Your kindness and support both humble me and sustain me in my ministry. Please continue to pray for me, for our dedicated pastoral team, and for each other; and please know that you and your family are always in my prayers. Thank you in advance for your prayers and ongoing support for Holy Family Parish!

Peace and blessings to all,
Father Jim

CCGR Weekly Newsletter (10-02-16)
Bringing Home the Word (10-2-16)
Holy Family Financial Report (2015-2016)

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Celebrating Saint Francis
The Blessing of the Animals
Sunday, October 2nd