Our Pastor’s Message
Saint Anthony’s Harvest
This week, the Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of Saint Anthony (June 13th), Doctor of the Church and Patron of Lost Things. Tradition holds that Saint Anthony earned his famous pat- ronage when he lost a book of the psalms in which he had written notes for preparing sermons. Distraught over the loss of both the book and his precious notes, Anthony prayed fer- vently to the Child Jesus, to whom he had a great devotion, and the book was miraculously returned to him. But Saint Anthony is not just patron of lost things and lost souls. He is also the patron of fishermen and mariners, patron of the poor and hungry, and patron of harvests. Indeed, it is this last patronage that resonates most during these final days of our fiscal year.
As you know, our Grand Annual Collections are vitally important components of our annual budgets in both Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish. These collections help us balance our books by bridging the gap between our weekly collections and overall financial obligations. They help us pay for the salaries and benefits for our priests, deacons, and pastoral team members. They help us pay for insurance premiums and utility bills. They help us pay for snow removal, grounds keeping, basic administrative costs, and building maintenance and repairs. And they provide necessary funding for our creative and innovative adult and youth faith formation programs. Without your generous support, it becomes almost im- possible to balance our annual parish budgets.
Put simply, I need your help! The current fiscal year ends on June 30th. During the weekend of June 24th and June 25th, we will have a special second collection at all Masses in support of these Grand Annual Collections. Please prayerfully consider what you and your family can give (or give again) to this year’s Grand Annual Collections. Every contribution, whether it’s for $1 or $10 or $100 or $1,000, goes directly to the parish of your choice (either Holy Family Parish or Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish). And every contribution helps ensure the financial stability of our parishes. As the son of working class parents who worked hard to make ends meet, I know that it is hard for a family or retiree to give again and again and again. At the same time, our love for God calls us to give what we can to ensure that the good work of the Church will continue for generations to come.
Saint Anthony once said: “Charity is the soul of faith. It gives it life. Without love faith dies.” During the past week, faith, hope, and love were very much alive in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport! We celebrated our third anniversary as a community united in prayer, fellowship, and service. Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish commemorated the Solemnity of Pentecost with a truly inspirational Crowning Feast of the Holy Spirit. And Holy Family Parish enjoyed another very successful Strawberry Festival. Needless to say, it is impossible to individually thank everyone who made these events so special! So, let us pray in thanksgiving for Our Lady’s Guild, the Holy Name Society, the Knights of Columbus, and the Holy Family Women’s Guild for their ongoing dedication and hard work in our parishes. Let us pray in thanksgiving for our pastoral team. And let us pray for each and every one of our fellow parishioners who enrich our lives each and every day with a kind word or a helping hand.
As spring becomes summer, we know that the seasonal harvest of flowers, fruits, and vegetables is accomplished through persistent hard work in our gardens. And as humble workers in the Lord’s vineyard, we know that the harvest of souls for God is accomplished through our ongoing contributions of time, talent, and treasure. Let us pray for the grace and strength to give what we can and do what we can in our parish communities. And let us pray for courage and perseverance to live the Gospel, share God’s love, and rebuild the Church in Gloucester and Rockport. Saint Anthony, pray for us!
Peace, blessings, and many thanks to all,
Father Jim
Reverend James M. Achadinha, Pastor
Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport
Contact: frjim@ccgronline.com
CCGR Weekly Newsletter (6-11-17)
Bringing Home the Word (6-11-17)
__________
Our Lady of Good Voyage
Summer Fair
Saturday, June 17th
All are invited to join Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish for our annual Summer Fair on Saturday, June 17th from 9:00am until 1:00pm in Our Lady’s Hall. Highlights will include a fried dough breakfast, freshly baked Portuguese sweet bread, along with homemade desserts and snacks. In addition, the Summer Fair will feature original art by our fellow parishioner, Theresa Wonson, and her friends from the Mount Vernon Street Artists. Last but not least, all are welcome to browse our boutique items and yard sale! And at 12:15pm, our very own Luann Pallazola will perform a Carillon Concert! Donations and volunteers for the Summer Fair are needed and most wel- come! Donations for the yard sale can be brought to Our Lady’s Hall during the week from 9:00am until 2:00pm. For more information, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com. Please join us! All are in- vited! All are welcome!
_________
Instruments of Christ
Book Study & Faith Sharing for Adults
Begins June 22nd
The summer season is a great time to stretch out on your favorite lawn chair with a cool drink and a good book. It’s also a great time to refresh and renew our spiritual lives. This year, in celebration of the Assisi Project’s 10th Anniversary (2007-2017), Father Jim and Cliff are offering a series of adult faith formation programs designed to help us better understand the life and legacy of Saint Francis of Assisi, his influence on Pope Francis and the Catholic Church, and the timeless traditions of Franciscan prayer and spirituality.
This series continues with “The Summer Read”, a three-week book study and faith sharing program during which participants will read together and share their reactions to “Instruments of Christ: Reflections on the Peace Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi” by Father Albert Haase, OFM. This little book (only 81 pages) offers a brief but powerful introduction to the deep spirituality of the so-called “Peace Prayer.” It also challenges readers to truly become peacemakers in our homes, parishes, and troubled world.
All adult parishioners are invited to join us for this special program which will run on three consecutive Thursday evenings: June 22nd, June 29th, and July 6th in Saint Anthony Chapel (located on the corner of Saint Louis Avenue and Farrington Avenue in Gloucester). Each evening will begin with Eucharistic Adoration at 6:00pm, followed by Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament at 6:45pm. Our “Summer Read” sessions will begin promptly at 7:00pm with Evening Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours. After our time of prayer, Cliff will briefly introduce the readings for the week. This format will provide our group with plenty of time for discussion, questions, and faith sharing. Our gatherings will conclude with Night Prayer and a Final Blessing.
A donation of $20.00 is requested from those who can afford it, along with a sincere commit- ment to read the book and come prepared to ask questions and offer personal impressions and insights about one of the most powerful prayers ever composed. If you are interested in joining us, please contact Cliff Garvey at cgarvey@ccgronline.com. In order to ensure that we have an adequate number of books on hand, please register by Monday, June 19th. Please join us! All are invited! All are welcome!
__________
Catholic Kids Camp
The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
Begins June 27th
The Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport is pleased to announce that all children (ages 5 through 11) are invited to participate in our next “Catholic Kids Camp: The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus” from Tuesday, June 27th through Friday, June 30th from 8:00am until 12:00pm in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. During this exciting week of prayer and fellowship, our children will learn about the Catholic Church’s devotion to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and the gift of the Lord’s boundless love through active and engaged participation in games, music, skits, and craft projects. Here’s the schedule for the week:
- Day I: Tuesday, June 27th
The Sacred Heart: Love One Another - Day II: Wednesday, June 28th
Jesus & Saint Margaret Mary: Love Finds Joy in God - Day III: Thursday, June 29th
Jesus & Saint Peter: Feed My Sheep - Day IV: Friday, June 30th
Jesus & Saint Paul: The Meaning of Love
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 invited and encouraged to join us! After Mass, Betsy Works and a team of dedicated volunteers will lead the children to Our Lady’s School for a faith-filled and fun-filled morning of activities, hands-on learning, and good times with friends both old and new! Catholic Kids Camp is a fun, exciting, and educational program that your children and grandchildren will love!
The tuition for this innovative youth faith formation program is just $25 per child for the entire week! Scholarships are available for those families who cannot afford tuition. Also, adults and older children (ages 12 and up) are welcome to join us as volunteers and will be most appreciated! For more information about our next Catholic Kids Camp, please contact Betsy Works at bworks@ccgronline.com. Please join us! All are invited! All are welcome!
Learn More: Catholic Kids Camp Registration
__________
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