Our Pastor’s Message
A Prayer Before an Election
On Tuesday, November 8th, the American people will be faced with the challenge of entering the privacy of the voting booth to choose a new president. Although I have been asked many times in recent weeks about which candidate we, as Catholics, should support, I agree with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) that it is not the place of either priests or bishops to endorse one candidate or one party over another.
Overall, it seems clear that none of the major candidates or political parties advocates positions that are fully consistent with the Church’s teachings on the sanctity of human life, immigration, social justice, war and peace, the plight of refugees, and the preferential option for the poor. On some level, this is understandable because politics is a human endeavor and human beings are imperfect. So, our best course of action may be to practice good discernment, consult our consciences, and unite our hearts and voices in the following prayer for our country, our leaders, and our fellow citizens:
Almighty God and Father,
as Election Day approaches,
we seek to better understand the issues and concerns
that confront our beloved country,
and how the Gospel compels us
to respond as faithful citizens in our community.
We ask for eyes that are free from blindness,
so that we might see each other as brothers and sisters,
one and equal in dignity,
especially those who are victims
of abuse and violence, deceit and poverty.
We ask for ears that will hear the cries
of children unborn and those abandoned,
and of men and women oppressed
because of race or creed, religion or gender.
We ask for minds and hearts that are open
to hearing the voices of leaders who will bring us closer to your Kingdom.
We pray for discernment
so that we may choose leaders who hear your Word,
live in your love,
and keep in the ways of your truth
as they strive to follow in the steps of Jesus and his Apostles
and guide us to your Kingdom of justice and peace.
We ask this in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God for ever and ever. Amen.
As this tumultuous and often troubling campaign comes to a close, let us remember that each one of us is part of a community of disciples united in prayer, fellowship, and service to God and to each other. Let us remember that whatever happens on Tuesday, we are called to be people of peace and goodwill. We are called to civility, humility and kindness. We are called to generosity, mercy, and mutual respect. We are called to love and forgive without counting the cost. And we are called to live the Gospel and give witness to it with our whole lives.
Peace and blessings to all,
Father Jim
Reverend James M. Achadinha, Pastor
Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport
Contact: frjim@ccgronline.com
CCGR Weekly Newsletter (11-6-16)
Bringing Home the Word (11-6-16)
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Welcome Father Patrick Universal!
Missionary Visit to Holy Family Parish
Weekend of November 5th-6th
During the weekend of Saturday, November 5th and Sunday, November 6th, the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport at Holy Family Parish is blessed to welcome Father Patrick Universal of the Saint James Society, who will celebrate Masses and preach about his missionary work in South America. In support of the Saint James Society, a second collection will be taken at all Masses in Holy Family Parish next weekend: November 12th and November 13th. Your generous support will be much appreciated by all who are served by Father Patrick and his ministry. Welcome, Father Patrick! Thank you for joining us! May God bless you and your ministry!
Learn More: Missionary Society of Saint James
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The Assisi Project
Ninth Annual Fall Pilgrimage
November 4th-12th
On Friday, November 4th, Cliff Garvey and I, along with fifteen pilgrims from the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport and other parishes in the Archdiocese of Boston, will journey to Assisi, Italy and literally walk in the footsteps of Saint Francis and Saint Clare. During our ninth annual small-group pilgrimage, we will celebrate Mass at the tombs of Saint Francis and Saint Clare, venerate the latter’s uncorrupted relics, pray in the cathedral where both saints were baptized, and travel to Mount La Verna (where Francis received the stigmata).
At each and every holy site along the way, our pilgrims will offer prayers and petitions for all who live, work, and worship in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport, that through the intercession of Saint Francis, Saint Clare, and Our Lady of Angels, the Lord will continue to unite us in prayer, fellowship, and service; and to give us the courage and strength to live the Gospel, share God’s love, and rebuild the Church. As we pray for you during this pilgrimage, please pray for us and for our safe travels. For more information about the Assisi Project and its good work in our parishes, please contact Cliff at cgarvey@ccgronline.com; or visit our website: assisiproject.com. Saint Francis of Assisi, pray for us! Saint Clare of Assisi, pray for us! Our Lady of Angels, pray for us! May the Lord give you peace, now and always!
Learn More: Assisi Project Pilgrimage on Twitter
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Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish
Fried Dough Breakfast
Saturday, November 12th
All are invited to join Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish for its Annual Fried Dough Breakfast on Saturday, November 12th from 9:00am until 11:00am in Our Lady’s Hall. Coffee, tea, and our delicious fried dough and sweetbread will be served. In addition, freshly baked homemade sweetbread will be available for purchase. For more information, please contact Matt Parisi at 978-281- 4820 or mparisi101@gmail.com. Please join us for a special morning of fried dough and fellowship! All are welcome!
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Holy Family Parish
Annual Christmas Fair
Saturday, November 19th
All are invited to join Holy Family Parish for its Annual Christmas Fair on Saturday, November 19th from 9:00am until 2:00pm in the newly renovated Saint Ann Church Hall. This year’s fair will feature various sales tables, including homemade baked goods and cookies, Christmas decorations, Santa’s Corner, Chinese Raffle, White Elephant Table, and our famous Basket Wheel! In addition, raffle tickets are now available for cash prizes, an IPad, and a Red Sox Game Package. We are very grateful for all donations! We are especially grateful to Greely Funeral Home and Pike-Newhall Funeral Home for their donation of our raffle prizes. The Christmas Fair Committee and the Women’s Guild are working overtime to make this year’s fair another great success! So, please support this important parish fundraising event by joining us on Saturday, November 19th! For more information, please contact Lydia Bertolino at lbertolino4@msn.com. All are welcome!
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November: Month of All Souls
Masses of Remembrance
During November, which is also known as the Month of All Souls, the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport will celebrate three Masses of Remembrance for those from our parishes who have journeyed home to the Lord during the past year and whose funerals were celebrated in our churches. Our first Mass of Remembrance was celebrated on Saturday, October 29th in Saint Ann Church. Two additional Masses of Remembrance will be celebrated according to the following schedule: Sunday, November 13th at 10:00am Saint Joachim Church; and Sunday, November 20th at 11:45am Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. At each Mass of Remembrance, the names of our dearly departed loved ones, friends, and fellow parishioners will be read aloud. During this upcoming Month of All Souls, let us unite our hearts and voices in prayer for those we have lost. For more information, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com or see a member of our pastoral team. 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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