Our Pastor’s Message
Creating Our First Pastoral Council
It’s hard to believe that it has been nearly three years since Cardinal Sean asked me to serve as pastor of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport, the newly-created collaborative between Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish. As you know, the collaborative model of parish life is the product of an archdiocesan pastoral plan called “Disciples in Mission.” This innovative plan called for multiple parishes to remain canonically and financially independent, but served by one pastor, one pastoral team, and one pastoral council.
When I became your pastor in June 2014, the success of our collaboration was uncertain. Almost immediately, it became clear that because of the priest shortage, only one priest would be assigned to our parishes on a full-time basis for the foreseeable future. Soon after, it became necessary to evaluate our buildings, finances, programs, worship schedule, and the work of our pastoral team. Some changes went unnoticed. Other changes were more difficult to accept. And although our first months together were sometimes challenging, we have made steady progress toward truly becoming a faith community united in prayer, fellowship, and service.
The measure of our progress is a tribute to the deep faith, dedication, and resilience of our parishioners. Your ongoing prayers, kindness, and generous spirit mean the world to me. In addition, we should thank our pastoral team which has weathered some difficult storms with grace and resolve. We should also thank our parish finance councils for their good advice and ongoing commitment to the long-term financial stability of our parishes. And we should thank our individual parish councils who continued to serve during these early years of our collaborative. Perhaps my deepest regret during these first years as your pastor was not meeting as often as I would have liked with our parish councils. But now, with your advice, counsel, and support, I hope to change that by creating the first pastoral council for the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport.
Unlike a traditional parish council, whose members focus on the needs of one particular parish, our pastoral council will be called to think beyond the boundaries of “my parish” toward a broader appreciation for what is best for “our parishes.” In accordance with archdiocesan guidelines, our pastoral council will meet approximately five times each year; will be comprised of an equal number of members from both parishes; and will also include the pastor, pastoral associates, and permanently assigned deacons. As such, our council will include two members from Holy Family Parish, two members of Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish, two members of our pastoral team, and myself.
During the next six weeks, I ask you to pray about a fellow parishioner whom you believe could make a constructive contribution to our pastoral council and to strengthening the collaboration between our two historic parishes. Your nominee to serve on the pastoral council must be an adult (age 18 and over); a registered parishioner in one of our parishes; a weekly participant in the sacramental life of our parishes; and a person who is committed to the success of our collaborative. In addition, all members of our pastoral council must be able to work in a positive and productive way with me, our fellow parishioners, finance councils, pastoral team, and other members of the council.
In the coming weeks, all registered parish families will receive a nomination form by mail. These forms will also be available online (see below), in church, and at our parish offices. Because this process marks the creation of our first official pastoral council, we should not think of this as an election. Rather, it is a process of prayer and discernment. In accordance with archdiocesan guidelines, nominations will be reviewed by me and a small committee comprised of members of our finance councils and pastoral team. The strongest nominees will be asked to participate in a brief conversation with me to ensure that they are able to commit themselves to the mission of our council and the work of our parishes.
Nominations will be accepted through Wednesday, May 3rd at 4:00pm. With your help and support, my hope is that our council will meet for the first time in June. If you have any questions after receiving your nomination form, please remember that you are always welcome to contact me. Until then, I beg your prayers for me, for our finance councils and pastoral team, and for all who live, work, and worship in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport. May the Holy Spirit unite us in prayer, fellowship, and service; and help us to live the Gospel, share God’s love, and rebuild the Church.
Peace and blessings to all,
Father Jim
Reverend James M. Achadinha, Pastor
Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport
Contact: frjim@ccgronline.com
CCGR Weekly Newsletter (4-30-17)
Bringing Home the Word (4-30-17)
Pastoral Council Nominations Form
__________
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
__________
Youth Faith Formation
First Holy Communion 2017
Blessings & Congratulations!
On behalf of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport, Father Jim wishes to congratulate the following children from Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish who have successfully completed our program of preparation and who will receive their First Holy Communion this month at Saint Ann Church, Saint Joachim Church, and Our Lady of Good Voyage Church:
Anthony Aiello
Nico Alves
Timothy Arnold
Hannah Aspesi
Emily Bean
Flynn Blanchard
Giacomo Bologna
Joseph Brousseau
Chase Brown
Ryan Connelly
Patrick Conners
Serafin Costa
Kiara Curcuru
Natalie Curley
Isabella DaCruz
Judah Day-Laporte
Donovan deBrigard
Matthew deBrigard
Gerardo DiStefano
Giacamo Ferrara
Cade Francis
Logan Frontiero
Maddison Goodhue
Beckett Guest
Angelina Guyotte
Logan Hannah
Maliyah Harnish
Jillian Hayes
Andrew Johnson
Teagan Kelliher-Pate
Connor Lambert
Jocelyn Maddalena
Landon Madruga
Olivia Madruga
Connor Mahoney
Trey Marrone
Gabriella Martell
Eliza Mazzeo
Tyler Moran
Nathan Morin
Anthony Murawski
Jaylyn Novello
Mia O’Leary
Connor Oliveira
Michael Quinn
Drew Rodolosi
John Russo
Benjamin Scola
Giovanni Silva
Mehciz Andrew Smith
Destiny Smith
Jude Szuter
Jaclyn Taorima
Isabella Tarantino
Emma Teixeira
Olivia Vargus
Kathryn Wall
Lilly Wall
Michael White
During these past seven months, these fifty-nine young fellow parishioners and their parents have prayed, studied, and grown together in prayer, fellowship, and service. They have learned together that disciples of all ages are called to live the Gospel, share God’s love, and rebuild the Church. They are all well-prepared to receive the Body & Blood of the Risen Lord and to become faithful and faith-filled disciples!
The children who are receiving their First Holy Communion this year wish to thank their parents, families, and friends for their love, prayers, and support. In particular, they wish to express their appreciation to those who helped them prepare for their First Holy Communion: Father Jim Achadinha, Olga Alves, Rizza Anderson, Fernanda Brown, Angelica Duran, Mary Duran, Jennifer Dort, Jean Madruga, Mary Ellen McLeod, Marie Orlando, and especially Betsy Works.
Finally, please pray for all of our young fellow parishioners, their parents, and families so that they will continue to grow in faith, hope, and love; and that they will continue to join us for Mass on a regular basis. Please also pray in thanksgiving for our pastoral team and our dedicated volunteers who made these celebrations possible. Thank you! May God bless you and your family!
__________
Youth Faith Formation
Mother’s Day Mass for Families
Saturday, May 13th
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus says: “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs (Mt 19:14).” In response to the Lord’s call, all parents, grandparents, godparents, and children of all ages are invited to join Father Jim for our Mother’s Day Mass for Families on Saturday, May 13th at 4:00pm in Saint Ann Church. During Mass, Father Jim will preach about Mother’s Day and Our Blessed Mother; and also offer a special blessing for all mothers, families, and children. In addition, those who gather for this Mass will join the Legion of Mary in the Annual Crowning of the Blessed Virgin Mary. As our Mother’s Day Mass for Families draws near, let us reaffirm that Mass is our class! Jesus is our teacher! And every family that joins us is a gift from God! For more information, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com. Please join us! All are invited! All are welcome!
__________
Knights of Columbus
Council 215’s 120th Anniversary
Special Message of Thanks
The Knights of Columbus (Council 215) is a fraternal and charitable organization of Catholic men that serves the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport at both Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish. Since 1897, our award-winning council has sponsored countless works of charity on Cape Ann, including annual events like our blood drive (see page 6), food drive, golf tournament, and Coats for Kids; along with our ongoing support for the Saint Vincent de Paul Society and the Holy Family Women’s Guild.
The Knights of Council 215 wish to thank our fellow parishioners for their generosity. Along with the Rockport Boy & Girl Scouts, we raised 1,500 pounds of food and $500 for the Saint Vincent de Paul Society’s food pantry. In addition, proceeds from our annual golf tournament and raffle allowed us to buy new wheelchairs for our churches to assist our disabled or elderly parishioners. Finally, thanks to your generosity, we were able to purchase new SmartTV’s and DVD systems for our youth faith formation classrooms.
This year, Council 215 is celebrating its 120th anniversary of serving our community, our families, and our parishes. We are actively seeking new members! All Catholic men (age 18 and above) are invited to join us! If you have 24 hours to volunteer for charity this year, we can transform that commitment into meaningful results! The Knights of Columbus (Council 215) meets on the second Tuesday of each month in the Parish Center (located at 74 Pleasant Street in Gloucester). For more information, please contact Mark Natti at mnatti@comcast.net. Please join us! All are invited! All are welcome!
Learn More: Knights of Columbus (Council 215)
__________
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