Our Pastor’s Message
On Retreat with Pope Francis
The summer season is a great time of year to stretch out on your favorite beach chair with a cool drink and a good book. It’s also a great time for stepping back from the business and busy-ness of daily life in order to focus on our personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, few among us are able to leave work, family, and friends behind for a real retreat from the world. For this reason, the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport is pleased to announce our Fourth Annual Summer Retreat! From Monday, August 7th through Friday, August 11th, all are invited to join Cliff Garvey and me for a unique opportunity to experience the spiritual peace and renewal of a week-long retreat without leaving home! Each evening of our summer retreat will begin at 7:00pm in Saint Anthony Chapel with Evening Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours. After our shared prayer, Cliff and I will lead our community in a period of reflection, discussion, and faith sharing. Each evening will conclude at 8:30pm with Night Prayer. During each day of the retreat, Saint Anthony Chapel will open at 12:00pm for silent personal prayer and reflection before the Blessed Sacrament.
This year, we will explore “The Little Flowers” of Saint Francis and Pope Francis. After his death in 1226, nearly eight centuries ago, the early followers of Saint Francis of Assisi wrote a series of little stories about his life and the miracles that he performed. These “Little Flowers” serve now as the foundation of our knowledge and understanding of Saint Francis and his lasting impact on the Church. In our own time, Andrea Tornielli, a journalist who covers the papacy, has assembled the so-called “Fioretti” or Little Flowers of Pope Francis, a heartwarming collection of stories about how the Holy Father lives the Gospel each and every day. Between each night of the retreat, participants will read brief selections from both the “Little Flowers of Saint Francis” and the “Little Flowers of Pope Francis.” In this way, we will gain a better appreciation of these two holy men and their impact on the Church; and we will grow closer to Christ by learning from their good works among God’s people. If you would like to join us for all or just part of our Fourth Annual Summer Retreat, please contact Cliff at cgarvey@ccgronline.com. A donation of $30 is requested from those who can afford it. Copies of both books, along with cold drinks, will be provided. All are invited! All are welcome!
Finally, it’s worth noting that our annual summer retreat is part of a year-long celebration of the Assisi Project’s 10th Anniversary. Founded in 2007 by Cliff Garvey and me, the Assisi Project is a fellowship of “Franciscans in Spirit” that seeks to live the Gospel of Christ through the inspiration of Saint Francis of Assisi. Our mission is to serve the Church and to give witness to the Good News through formation and prayer, pilgrimage and retreat, and to educate others about the Franciscan way of life. Last fall, I asked Cliff to develop 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. So far this year, we have offered two popular book study groups, an amazing day of prayer and reflection, and now our fourth annual summer retreat. This fall, we will offer two additional adult faith formation programs about Saint Francis and Pope Francis. I hope and pray that you will prayerfully consider joining us! Stay tuned for more information!
Peace and blessings to all,
Father Jim
Reverend James M. Achadinha, Pastor
Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport
Contact: frjim@ccgronline.com
CCGR Weekly Newsletter (8-7-16)
Bringing Home the Word (8-6-17)
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Summer Carillon Recitals
An Our Lady of Good Voyage Tradition
Saturday, August 5th
Our Summer Carillon Recitals, an annual tradition at Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish, will begin next Saturday, August 5th at 5:15pm (rain or shine)! LuAnn Pallazola, our own very talented organist-keyboardist will perform programs that include classical works, sacred hymns, patriotic melodies, and even children’s tunes! Installed in 1922, the bells at Our Lady’s Church were the first set of toned carillon bells in the United States. Summer Carillon Recitals are also scheduled for August 12th, August 19th, August 26th & September 2nd at 5:15pm. All recitals are free and open to the public! So, please join us for wonderful summer tradition! All are invited to join us for Mass at 6:00pm! For more information, please contact LuAnn Pallazola at lpallazola@gmail.com. All are invited! All are welcome!
Learn More: Carillon to Chime at Our Lady’s
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Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary
Holy Day of Obligation
Tuesday, August 15th
Since the fifth century, God’s faithful people have be- lieved that upon her death, the Blessed Virgin Mary was raised body and soul into heaven. But this ancient tradition was not defined as an official teaching of the Catholic Church until 1950. In celebration of the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport will celebrate Masses according to the following schedule:
- Vigil Mass
Monday, August 14th
Saint Ann Church at 7:00pm - Holy Day Masses
Tuesday, August 15th
Saint Joachim Church at 8:00am
Our Lady of Good Voyage Church at 12:00pm
All are reminded that the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport prays the Holy Rosary every morning after our Daily Mass (which begins at 8:00am). For more information, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com; or visit our website at ccgronline.com/prayer. Please join us! All are invited! All are welcome! Always! Saint Ann, pray for us! Saint Joachim, pray for us! Our Lady of Good Voyage, pray for us! Our Lady of the Assumption, pray for us!
Learn More: Complete Mass & Prayer Schedule
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Catholic Kids Camp
Mary, Mother of Jesus
Begins Tuesday, August 22nd
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: Mary, the Mother of Jesus, from Tuesday, August 22nd through Friday, August 25th from 8:00am until 12:00pm at Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. During this exciting week of prayer and fellowship, children will learn about Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary through active and engaged participation in games, music, videos, hands-on learning, and craft projects. Here’s the schedule for the week:
- Day I: Tuesday, August 22nd
The Annunciation - Day II: Wednesday, August 23rd
The Visitation - Day III: Thursday, August 24th
The Nativity - Day IV: Friday, August 25th
The Finding of Jesus in the Temple
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 our team of dedicated catechists will lead the children to Our Lady’s School for a 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 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 generously available for those families who cannot afford tuition. Also, adults and older children (ages 12 through 17) are welcome to join us as volunteers and are much appreciated! For more information about our next Catholic Kids Camp, please contact Betsy Works at bworks@ccgronline.com. Registration forms are available by clicking the link below. Please join us! All are invited! All are welcome!
Catholic Kids Camp Registration Form
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Youth Faith Formation
Father Jim’s Summer Art Contest
Through September 3rd
All young disciples, ages 5 through 12, are invited to participate in Father Jim’s Second Annual Summer Art Contest by creating an original work of art based on the theme of “Mary, Mother of Jesus.” Submissions should be no smaller than 8 by 11 inches and no larger than 18 by 24 inches; created, colored, drawn, or painted by hand; and depicting an image of Our Blessed Mother. All original art projects are due by Sunday, September 3rd and will be judged by Father Jim and a committee of judges! The winning submission will be professionally framed and displayed prominently in our parish offices. For more information about our Second Annual Summer Art Contest for Children, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com. Calling young disciples! 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. All are invited! All are welcome! Always!
Follow us on Twitter: @CCGRonline