New: Easter Triduum Worship Schedule
This Week’s Message
Pietá: A Prayer for Holy Week
By Cliff Garvey
Mother of Sorrows,
we walk with you on the way of pain;
we watch with you as your Son is hung upon the Cross;
we weep with you as He suffers unto death.
Because your Son is our Friend, he bleeds.
Because He is our Brother, he endures torture.
Because He is our Lord, he dies for us.
But before He surrenders himself,
before He empties himself,
before He commends himself
into the loving arms of the Father,
Jesus forgives.
He forgives the ones who hang him.
He forgives the thief who hangs beside him.
Beyond all borders, He forgives us sinners.
Beyond all measure, He forgives the world.
Mother of Sorrows,
hold our Crucified Lord in your gentle embrace.
Dry the tears of a world that mourns with you.
And by your prayers, remind us always:
His anguish ends all anguish.
His pain overcomes all pain.
His death defeats all death.
Beneath the shadow of the Cross,
we watch, we weep, we wish it all away.
But we believe in our hearts:
Faith abides.
Mercy remains.
Love lasts and lives on.
For ever and ever. Amen.
Saint Ann & Saint Joachim, pray for us!
Saint Anthony & Saint Francis, pray for us!
Saint Peter & Saint Paul, pray for us!
Our Lady of Good Voyage, pray for us!
Cliff Garvey
Associate Minister
Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport
Contact: cgarvey@ccgronline.com
CCGR Weekly Newsletter (4-9-17)
Bringing Home the Word (4-9-17)
Learn More: Our Pastoral Plan (2017-2019)
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 “Pietá.” For more information about Jody’s work, please visit her website: jcoleicons.com.
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Youth Faith Formation
Catholic Kids Camp: Jesus Is Risen!
Begins Tuesday, April 18th
The Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport invites all children (ages 5 through 11) to participate in our next “Catholic Kids Camp: Jesus Is Risen!” from Tuesday, April 18th through Friday, April 21st from 8:00am until 12:00pm at Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. During this exciting week of prayer and fellowship, our young fellow parishioners will learn about the Lord’s Resurrection and the Holy Season of Easter through active and engaged participation in games, music, skits, and craft projects. Here’s our schedule for the week:
- Day 1 | Tuesday, April 18th: The Easter Story
- Day 2 | Wednesday, April 19th: Merciful as the Father
- Day 3 | Thursday, April 20th: Saint Faustina
- Day 4 | Friday, April 21st: Divine Mercy Prayers
Each day of our Catholic Kids Camp 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 faith-filled and fun-filled morning of activities, learning, and good times with friends both old and new. Catholic Kids Camp is a fun, exciting, and educational experience that your children and grandchildren will love!
The tuition for this innovative youth faith formation program during school vacation week is just $25 for the entire week! Scholarships are available for those families that cannot afford tuition. Adults and older children (ages 12 and up) are welcome to join us as volunteers and will be much appreciated! If you would like more information about our upcoming “Catholic Kids Camp: Jesus Is Risen!”, please contact Betsy Works at bworks@ccgronline.com. Please join us! All are invited! All are welcome!
Spring Catholic Kids Camp Registration
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Divine Mercy Sunday
An Afternoon of Prayer & Devotion
Sunday, April 23rd
On April 23rd, all are invited to join the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport for Divine Mercy Sunday from 2:00pm until 3:30pm in Saint Ann Church. This special afternoon of prayer and devotion will proceed according to the following schedule: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at 2:00pm; The Holy Rosary at 2:30pm; The Divine Mercy Chaplet at 3:00pm; and Daytime Prayer & Benediction at 3:30pm. Please join us for all or part of this special celebration of God’s love and mercy! For more information, please contact Jane Russo at jlrusso333@hotmail.com. All are invited! All are welcome!
Guide for Praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet
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Our Lady of Good Voyage
Our Lady’s Guild Spring Fair
Saturday, April 29th
All are invited to join Our Lady’s Guild for its annual Spring Fair on Saturday, April 29th from 9:00am until 1:00pm in Our Lady’s Hall. Highlights include our famous fried dough breakfast and our equally famous linguiça and hot dog lunch! Sale tables will include jewelry, religious items, and the general store. We’ll have homemade sweet bread, baked goods, and fudge for sale! And we’ll also have raffles and prizes throughout the day! Donations and volunteers are always welcome! For more information, please contact Joyce Lacerda at 978-283-3465 or Jean Madruga at 978-281-4820.
Since 1944, Our Lady’s Guild has worked to build community among women of all ages in Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish through prayer, good works, social activities, and fundraising events. The Guild meets on the first Monday evening of each month in the Our Lady’s Parish Hall at 6:30pm. New members are always welcome! For more information about Our Lady’s Guild and upcoming events, please contact Linda Galvin at lingalv2010@gmail.com.
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The Joy & Power of the Rosary
A Day of Prayer & Reflection
Saturday, May 6th
All parishioners, friends, and guests of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport are invited to join the Legion of Mary, the Assisi Project, and their spiritual director, Cliff Garvey, for “The Joy & Power of the Rosary” on Saturday, May 6th at Saint Anthony Chapel. During this four-hour mini-retreat, we will explore the spiritual significance of the Holy Rosary, with particular emphasis on the Franciscan “Crown Rosary” which focuses on seven joyful events in the life of Our Blessed Mother. This special morning of prayer and reflection will proceed according to the following schedule: Holy Mass at 8:00am; Morning Prayer & Reflection at 9:00am; Eucharistic Adoration & Rosary at 10:00am; Daytime Prayer & Reflection at 11:00am; Angelus & Closing Prayer at 12:00pm.
Throughout the morning, there will be scheduled breaks and time for faith sharing, fellowship, and refreshments. Coffee, tea, and bottled water will be available throughout the morning. And after our closing prayers, all are invited to remain for a picnic lunch. During Mass, a free will donation will be taken in support of our adult faith formation ministry. If you would like to join us for this special day of prayer and reflection, please contact Cliff Garvey at cgarvey@ccgronline.com (so that we can adequately plan for food and drinks). Please join us! All are invited! All are welcome!
Learn More: The Franciscan Crown Rosary
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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. Working together as a Roman Catholic community united in prayer, fellowship, and service, we are committed to living the Gospel of Christ, sharing God’s love and mercy with all people, and rebuilding the Church in Gloucester & Rockport.
Follow us on Twitter: @CCGRonline