This Week’s Message
O Ship of State
A Poem for Independence Day
By Henry Wadsworth Longellow
Thou, too, sail on, O Ship of State!
Sail on, O Union, strong and great!
Humanity with all its fears,
With all the hopes of future years,
Is hanging breathless on thy fate!
We know what Master laid thy keel,
What Workmen wrought thy ribs of steel,
Who made each mast, and sail, and rope,
What anvils rang, what hammers beat,
In what forge and what a heat
Were shaped the anchors of thy hope!
Fear not each sudden sound and shock,
‘Tis of the wave and not the rock;
‘Tis but the flapping of the sail,
And not a rent made by the gale!
In spite of rock and tempest’s roar,
In spite of false lights on the shore,
Sail on, nor fear to breast the sea!
Our hearts, our hopes, are all with thee.
Our hearts, our hopes, our prayers, our tears,
Our faith triumphant o’er our fears.
Are all with thee — are all with thee!
PASTOR’S NOTE
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882) was born in Portland, Maine. He was an internationally famous literary figure. He was also an educator, linguist, poet, and world traveler. By the time of his death, perhaps no writer was more famous or more beloved. Longfellow’s poems address the full spectrum of human life and experience: good and evil, faith and reason, history and romance; and his lyrical style of writing has endeared him to generations of readers around the world.
As we celebrate the birth of our nation, let us pause to consider the state of our union, to pray for our leaders, and to reflect on both the course of our history and the way forward into our shared future. Perhaps most of all, now more than ever, let us pray for civility, compassion, justice, and peace in our country and in our troubled world. May God bless America! Peace and blessings to all for a blessed, safe, and happy holiday! — Father Jim
Reverend James M. Achadinha, Pastor
Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport
Contact: frjim@ccgronline.com
CCGR Weekly Newsletter (7-2-17)
Bringing Home the Word (7-2-17)
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The Way
Sacramental Preparation for Adults
Beginning This Fall!
I am the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6).
The “Way” was among the earliest names for followers of the Risen Christ. The Way appears as a scriptural reference to the earliest Christian communities in the Acts of the Apostles. In addition, both before and after his conversion, tradition holds that Saint Paul referred to the disciples of Christ as part of the “Way.” More than two thousand years later, Catholic Christians are still part of the Way of Christ Jesus. But as we all know, a life of discipleship is not a hobby or pastime. It is a vocation, a way of life that lays claim to our whole heart, mind, and strength. As disciples, our lives should be focused on and inspired by our faith in Jesus Christ, who is our merciful redeemer, friend, and brother. And as disciples, we are called to reach out to those who need our help in growing closer to Christ and the Church.
If you are an adult (age 18 and over) and have not received all of the Sacraments of Initiation in the Roman Catholic Church (Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation), then please consider joining “The Way”, a new adult faith formation program which will meet on Sunday mornings after our 8:15am Mass beginning on October 8th in Saint Ann House of Prayer. The Way (typically called the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) is a seven month program that prepares adults to be received into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil. As part of this same program, we will prepare adults for the Sacrament of Confirmation (to be received at either the Easter Vigil or at a regional archdiocesan celebration).
Our group will meet bi-weekly for fellowship, formation, and faith sharing. As a community of disciples, we will learn together about the basic beliefs, teachings, and traditions of the Church; and we will explore the methods of prayer and spirit- uality that have brought centuries of believers closer to Christ Jesus and to the Church. In addition, we will talk openly and honestly about the challenges of living an authentic life of faith, hope, and love in the modern world. If you would like to learn more about this journey of faith and become part of a unique fellowship in preparation for the sacraments of God’s Church, then please contact Cliff Garvey at cgarvey@ccgronline.com. Please join us! All are invited! All are welcome!
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Knights of Columbus
Tuesday, July 11th
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, food drive, golf tournament, and the Coats for Kids program; along with our ongoing support for the Saint Vincent de Paul Society and the Holy Family Women’s Guild.
If you have twenty-four hours to volunteer for charity, we can transform that commitment into meaningful results for you, your family, and our communities. 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). Our next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 11th at 7:00pm. For more information, please contact us at info@kofc215.com. Please join us! New members are always welcome!
Learn More: Knights of Columbus (Council 215)
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Legion of Mary
Wednesdays at 4:00pm
Each week, members of the Legion of Mary from both Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish reach out to our aged, disabled, homebound, and sick fellow parishioners. They visit people in their homes and apartments, hospitals, and nursing homes. They pray together, offer companionship, and share God’s love and mercy with those who are so often lonely and forgotten. Each Wednesday afternoon at 4:00pm, the Legion of Mary meets in our parish center (located at 74 Pleasant Street in Gloucester) to pray the Rosary, share their faith experience, and participate in a period of formation under the guidance of their spiritual director. For more information about the Legion of Mary and its good work in our parish communities, please contact Sue Demetri at sdemetri2000@yahoo.com. The Legion of Mary warmly welcomes new members! All are invited! Please join us!
Learn More: The Legion of Mary
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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. All are invited! All are welcome! Always!
Follow us on Twitter: @CCGRonline