THE FIFTH WEEK OF LENT

Our Pastor’s Message
Our Pastoral Plan (2017-2019)

Live the Gospel. Share God’s Love. Rebuild the Church.

Almost three years ago, Cardinal Seán created the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport as a collaborative of two historic parishes: Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish. This model of parish life is the product of an archdiocesan pastoral plan called “Disciples in Mission” which called for each parish to remain canonically and financially independent, but served by one pastor and one pastoral team. It also called for the creation of a three year pastoral plan in every collaborative. Here in Gloucester and Rockport, our challenge was to create a plan that respects the unique character of our parishes but strengthens their growing collaboration as a community united in prayer, fellowship, and service. After many months of discussion, prayer, research, and hard work, I am happy to report that our pastoral plan is complete and that Cardinal Seán has personally approved it.

This long process began by assembling a pastoral planning team. Rather than choosing a team that represented particular groups or interests, I decided to choose a team that gave voice to the different life experiences and vocations that are present within our parishes: a newly baptized single woman, a single man, a single mother, a widow and grandmother, a grandfather, a married father with children, a mother whose young adult children are not fully practicing their faith, a divorced and remarried woman, and an experienced elementary school teacher. This strategy was widely praised by archdiocesan leaders and is now being used in other parishes. More importantly, the members of our planning team gave generously of their time and talent to draft a three year pastoral plan that will empowers our parishes to become spirit-filled schools of prayer and dynamic centers of the New Evangelization.

During the course of this pastoral planning process, we identified three values that will direct the work of our parishes: prayer, fellowship, and service. We also developed three priorities that will guide our ministries and serve our most pressing needs: 1) creating a culture of discipleship (with primary emphasis on adult & youth faith formation); 2) creating a culture of stewardship (with primary emphasis on building maintenance and fundraising); and 3) creating a culture of vocations (with primary emphasis on praying for and promoting vocations to the diocesan priesthood). Lastly, we shaped a simple but compelling vision that will inspire our work together as disciples: “Live the Gospel. Share God’s love. Rebuild the Church.” This vision, along with our values and priorities, will serve as both the foundation and motivating energy of our shared ministries in the Lord’s vineyard.

Needless to say, I am excited about every component of our pastoral plan. In some areas, like youth faith formation, we have already made much progress in reimagining and rebuilding our programs. In others, like building maintenance and fundraising, we have much hard work ahead. Right now, I am particularly enthusiastic about two adult faith formation initiatives: our spiritual direction and retreat ministries. At this point, Cliff Garvey is the only trained and certified spiritual director in our parishes. By next spring, however, Cliff will be joined by two others: Ann Marie Noble and Patricia Bertero, who are completing the first year of their training program at Saint Anthony Shrine in Boston. I am also delighted that Cardinal Seán has approved our proposal to transform Saint Ann Rectory into a “House of Prayer” that will offer both directed and non-directed retreats under the guidance of a resident director. And I am very happy that Cliff has agreed to oversee this project. Throughout the Church, there is considerable demand for this kind of retreat ministry. In addition, rental income and retreat donations will make the former rectory more self-sufficient in terms of utility costs and ongoing maintenance expenses.

In accordance with archdiocesan guidelines, our pastoral plan was drafted to achieve practical results. It will be implemented with both flexibility and focus by me, our amazing pastoral team, and the dedicated family of volunteers who share their time, talent, and treasure with our parishes. Our pastoral plan is now posted below. Printed copies are also available at our pastoral office. And during the coming weeks and months, there will be much more to share with you about our plan. So, stay tuned! Until then, I wish to sincerely thank the members of our pastoral planning team: Andrea Ando, Peter Brau, Cliff Garvey, Thomas Misuraca, Ann Marie Noble, Jane Russo, Lori Thorstensen, Margaret Wiberg, and Betsy Works. As a pastor, I could not have hoped for a more positive and supportive group of parishioners with which to work on this important project. In addition, our team wishes to thank Denise Ehlen of Catholic Leadership Institute and Father Paul Soper, Director of Pastoral Planning for the Archdiocese of Boston, for their guidance, good friendship, and great advice during this process.

Peace and blessings to all,
Father Jim

Reverend James M. Achadinha, Pastor
Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport
Contact: frjim@ccgronline.com

CCGR Weekly Newsletter (4-2-17) 
Bringing Home the Word (4-2-17) 
Learn More: CCGR Pastoral Plan (2017-2019)
Learn More: Easter Triduum Worship Schedule

Pastor’s Note: On behalf of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport, Father Jim wishes to sincerely thank Jody Cole of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania for allowing us to use her beautiful icons on the cover of our weekly newsletter and on our website. This week’s icon is entitled “San Damiano Corpus.” For more information about Jody’s work, please visit her website: jcoleicons.com.

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Holy Family Women’s Guild
Special Guest: Captain Thomas Ellis
Tuesday, April 4th

Established in 2005, the Holy Family Parish Women’s Guild brings together women of all ages and backgrounds in prayer, fellowship, and service to our parish community. Throughout the year, the Women’s Guild hosts various fundraising events and social gatherings. The Guild’s next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 4th in Saint Ann Church Hall. Our special guest will be Captain Thomas Ellis, skipper of the schooner “Thomas E. Lannon.” Captain Ellis will share a slide show and some insights into Gloucester’s fishing heritage. All parishioners, friends, and guests of the Catholic Com- munity of Gloucester & Rockport are invited to join us for this special event! Refreshments will be served! For more information about the Women’s Guild and its good work in our parish, please contact Lydia Bertolino at lbertolino4@msn.com. New members are always welcome! Please join us!

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The Light Is On For You!
Confessions & Eucharistic Adoration
Wednesday, April 5th

During the Holy Season of Lent, all Catholics are invited to experience Christ’s love and mercy through the Sacrament of Penance & Reconciliation (Confession). On Wednesday, April 5th and Wednesday, April 12th, all are invited to join us for “The Light Is On For You!” from 6:00pm until 8:00pm at Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. These special evenings of prayer will include Evening Prayer and Night Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours; Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament; and two full hours of confessions for those who feel called to participate. For some, this may be a time for sacramental reconciliation. For some, it may be a time for silent prayer and reflection. And for some, it may be a time to begin or renew a life of faith. Wherever you are on your faith journey, please join us! All are invited! All are welcome! For more information about the Sacrament of Penance & Reconciliation, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com.

Learn More: Guide for Making a Good Confession

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Stations of the Cross
Friday, April 7th

The Stations of the Cross are one of the most enduring and moving devotions of the Roman Catholic Church. By uniting our prayers with the suffering of Christ through both word and imagery, we make a spiritual pilgrimage with our Lord on his way to the Holy Cross. On Friday, April 7th, all are invited to join in praying the Stations of the Cross according to the following schedule: Friday at 3:00pm in Saint Ann Church; and Friday at 6:30pm in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. Please note that Mass will be celebrated at 6:30pm before we pray the Stations of the Cross at Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. For more in- formation about the Holy Season of Lent in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport, please visit our website: ccgronline.com; see Father Jim before or after Mass; or contact him at frjim@ccgronline.com. Please join us! All are invited! All are welcome!

Learn More: A Scriptural Stations of the Cross

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The Assisi Project
Palm Sunday with Saint Francis
Sunday, April 9th

Founded in 2007, the Assisi Project is a Fellowship of Franciscans in Spirit that seeks to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the inspiration of Saint Francis and Saint Clare of Assisi. Our mission is to serve the Church and to give witness to the Good News of Christ through formation and prayer, pilgrimage and retreat, and educating others about our way of life. On Sunday, April 9th, all are invited to join us for “Palm Sunday with Saint Francis” beginning with Mass at 11:45am in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. After Mass, we will adjourn to Our Lady’s Hall for a light lunch, then return to the Church at 2:00pm for a Holy Hour of Eucharistic Adoration that will include praying the Franciscan Stations of the Cross. If you would like to join us for this special event, please contact Cliff Garvey at cgarvey@ccgronline.com. All are invited! All are welcome! May the Lord give you peace!

Learn More: The Assisi Project

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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!

Follow us on Twitter: @CCGRonline