Our Pastor’s Message
Come, Holy Spirit!
Almost three years ago, as I was preparing to become pastor of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport, the Gloucester Daily Times published a story about my devotion to various cultural and religious traditions. For the most part, the article was accurate. Since childhood, the traditions of the Catholic Church and the traditions of my family’s Portuguese heritage have been a large part of my life. And yet, as numerous summer feasts and festivals approach, we would be wise to pray about and reflect on the enduring value of these traditions in our lives. According to the Oxford English Dic- tionary, a tradition is a custom or practice that is passed from generation to generation. For me, this raises a simple but sometimes chal- lenging question: Why? Why is this custom or that practice passed from one generation to the next? Why do we continue to carry on certain traditions and not others?
The dictionary’s definition of tradition misses the point. Customs, practices, and traditions (whether cultural or religious) can only en- dure when they serve some good purpose: when they help us to grow in faith, hope, and love; when they bring us closer together in a true spirit of prayer, fellowship, and service; and when they inspire us to live the Gospel, share God’s love, and build up our parishes (and the wider community). If we continue a particular tradition for reasons of pride, fundraising, or blind devotion to the past, then we rob that tradition of its meaning and purpose. So, we owe it to our ancestors, ourselves, and our children and grandchildren to pass on not just rites and rituals, but also the deep meaning and value of eve- ry custom, practice, and tradition.
This coming week, all parishioners, friends, and guests of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport are invited to join Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish for the Crowning Feast of the Holy Spirit, which begins on Monday, May 29th, continues throughout the week, and concludes on Pentecost Sunday, June 4th. Each evening, we will gather as a community of faith to pray together, eat together, and build friendships under the guidance of God’s Holy Spirit. This beautiful week-long feast does not belong to any one group, herit- age, or organization. Rather, it belongs to all of God’s people! It is a unique opportunity to come together in prayer for the intercession of Our Lady and for the coming of the Holy Spirit into our hearts, homes, communities, and workplaces.
So, please join me, Father Alves, Our Lady’s Guild, the Holy Name Society and the good and faithful parishioners at Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish, and the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport for this wonderful annual tradition that culminates in the com- ing of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost Sunday. As the Crowning Feast begins, let us pray that the Holy Spirit will inspire us with a renewed zeal for prayer, fellowship, and service! And let us join our hearts and hands and cry out with one voice: Come, Holy Spirit! Enkindle in us the fire of your love! Amen! Alleluia!
Peace and blessings to all,
Father Jim
Reverend James M. Achadinha, Pastor
Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport
Contact: frjim@ccgronline.com
CCGR Weekly Newsletter (5-28-17)
Bringing Home the Word (5-28-17)
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Our Lady of Good Voyage
Crowning Feast of the Holy Spirit
May 29th through June 4th
All are invited to join Father Jim, Father Alves, Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish, and the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport in celebrating our Annual Crowning Feast of the Holy Spirit from Monday, May 29th through Pentecost Sunday, June 4th. Crowning Week will begin on Monday, May 29th in Our Lady’s Church, when the Crown is entrusted to this year’s Imperator, Jaime Faria, and his wife, Conceição, as part of the traditional ceremony that began many decades ago. The festivities will continue according to the following schedule of events throughout the week:
- Monday, May 29th
Imperator Ceremony & Rosary
Our Lady of Good Voyage Church at 6:30pm
Supper in Our Lady’s Hall at 7:00pm - Tuesday, May 30th
Rosary in Our Lady’s Hall at 6:30pm
Supper in Our Lady’s Hall at 7:00pm - Wednesday, May 31st
Rosary & Mass in Our Lady’s Hall at 6:30pm
Supper in Our Lady’s Hall at 7:30pm - Thursday, June 1st
Rosary in Our Lady’s Hall at 6:30pm
Supper in Our Lady’s Hall at 7:00pm - Friday, June 2nd
Sung Rosary in Our Lady’s Hall at 6:30pm
Supper in Our Lady’s Hall at 7:00pm - Saturday, June 3rd
Rosary in Our Lady’s Church at 5:30pm
Mass in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church at 6:00pm - Pentecost Sunday, June 4th
Mass in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church at 11:45am
Luncheon in Our Lady’s Hall at 1:00pm
Tickets for Sunday’s Luncheon are available in our parish offices (located at 74 Pleasant Street in Gloucester) during regular business hours. Tickets are also available before and after the Rosary each evening during Crowning Week. Donations for our Annual Auction & Grand Raffle, which will take place right after the luncheon, will be much appreciated! For more information about tickets and donations to the auction, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com. All parishioners, friends, and guests of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport are invited to participate in this beautiful annual celebration of the coming of God’s Holy Spirit! Please join us! All are welcome! Come Holy Spirit!
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Memorial Day
Monday, May 29th
On Memorial Day, Monday, May 29th, we remember the sacrifice of those who gave their lives in service to their country and to the causes of freedom, peace, and justice around the world. As a community united in prayer, fellowship, and service, let us raise our hearts and voices in prayer for all who have served our nation, for all who have died, and for the cause of peace.
A PRAYER FOR PEACE
Almighty God and Father,
on this Memorial Day, we pray for those
who courageously gave their lives
for the cause of freedom.
May their example of sacrifice inspire in us
the selfless love of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
We also pray for the families of our fallen troops.
We ask you to fill their hearts with strength and peace.
In union with people of goodwill throughout the world,
help us to answer the call to work for peace and justice,
and to seek an end to conflict and violence.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God for ever and ever. Amen.
A PRAYER FOR OUR TROOPS
Almighty God and Father,
those who take refuge in you will be glad
and forever shout for joy.
Protect our troops as they discharge their duties.
Protect them with the shield of your strength
and keep them safe from all evil and harm.
May the power of your love
enable them to return home safely,
so that all who love them
may always praise you for your loving care.
We offer these prayers
through Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen.
A PRAYER FOR OUR ENEMIES
Jesus, Prince of Peace,
you asked us to love our enemies
and to pray for those who persecute us.
We pray for our enemies and for those who oppose us.
With the help of the Holy Spirit,
may all people learn to work together
for that justice which brings true and lasting peace.
To you be glory and honor for ever and ever. Amen.
Saint Ann, pray for us! Saint Joachim, pray for us!
Our Lady, Queen of Peace, pray for us!
Our Lady of Good Voyage, pray for us!
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Holy Family Parish
Strawberry Festival
Saturday, June 3rd
On Saturday, June 3rd, the Holy Family Women’s Guild will host the Annual Strawberry Festival from 9:00am until 2:00pm in Saint Ann Church Hall. This year’s theme is “Life on Cape Ann” because everyone who lives here knows that there isn’t a better or more beautiful place on earth to live, work, worship, or raise a family!
This year’s Strawberry Festival will feature art, home- made baked goods and preserves, crafts of all kinds, and all things related to the garden (including annuals and perennials)! We’ll have a “Mug Up” with hand-made ceramic mugs and a snack bar featuring pulled-pork sandwiches, Italian Cookies, Mickey’s Muffins, Papa’s Biscotti, Cindy’s Scones, Jam from the Jam Ladies, and our famous strawberry shortcake. Mahroussie Jabba will also be serving middle eastern food. And as always, vintage treasures will be offered for sale in our “Granny’s Attic!”
Whether you’re a crafter or a carpenter, a knitter, baker, or basket-weaver, we need your help! Whether you’re an artist, gardener, or handyman, we need your help! And if someone is willing and able to volunteer with setting up or cleaning up, we need your help, too! All proceeds from the Strawberry Festival benefit Holy Family Parish. For more information, please contact Jane Marshall at 978-283 -5111. 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. 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