Our Pastor’s Message
Giving Praise & Thanks
Last week, Cliff and I were truly blessed to lead fifteen friends and fellow parishioners on the Assisi Project’s Tenth Annual Fall Pilgrimage and Retreat to Assisi, Italy. Throughout the week, our dedicated group of pilgrims prayer together, broke bread together, and literally walked together in the footsteps of Saint Francis and Saint Clare of Assisi. During our pilgrimage week, Saint Francis and Saint Clare taught us that we are all called to the Gospel Life, a life built on love, friendship, generrosity, sacrifice, simplicity, and true poverty — the wisdom to acknowledge and understand that all we have, all that we are, and all that we might become depend on our all good and gracious God.
In so many ways, Francis of Assisi was very much like us. Before his conversion, Francis was a real sinner. Even after his conversion, he was easily disappointed and frustrated with the course of his life. At the same time, in the midst of an often chaotic and violent world, Francis found consolation and joy in the Lord and in the Lord’s many blessings and gifts. While composing the first rule of life for his fledgling community of friars, Francis tried to describe God. More than eight centuries later, his words remind us of God’s abundance, God’s love, God’s power, and God’s undeniable presence in our lives. As we prepare to celebrate the Thanksgiving Holiday, let us pray with him:
Let nothing hinder us,
nothing separate us,
nothing come between us.
Wherever we are,
in every place, at every hour,
at every time of the day,
every day and always,
let us all truly and humbly believe,
hold in our hearts,
love, honor, adore,
serve, praise, and bless,
glorify and exalt,
magnify and give thanks
to the Most High and Supreme Eternal God,
Trinity and Unity,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
Creator of all and Savior of all
who believe in him, hope in him, and love him,
who is without beginning or end,
who is unchangeable, invisible,
indescribable, ineffable, incomprehensible,
unfathomable, blessed, praiseworthy,
glorious, exalted, sublime, most high,
gentle, lovable, delightful,
and totally desirable above all else
forever and always. Amen.
During our week in Assisi, our pilgrims prayed every morning and every evening for all who live, work, and worship in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport. Please join Cliff and me in thanking our pilgrims for their prayers: Patricia Bertero, Fernanda Brown, Maureen Cusumano, Angelica Duran, Mary Duran, Sandra Lucero, Darice McIntire, Jean Madruga, Ann Marie Noble, Patty Natti, Betsy Reid, Deborah Stuart, and Betsy Works. Happy Thanksgiving!
Peace and blessings to all,
Father Jim
Reverend James M. Achadinha, Pastor
Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport
Contact: frjim@ccgronline.com
CCGR Weekly Newsletter (11-19-17)
Bringing Home the Word (11-19-17)
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Our Lady of Good Voyage
Annual Turkey Giveaway
Monday, November 20th
All are invited to join Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish for its Annual Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway on Monday, November 20th at 7:00pm in Our Lady’s Hall. We will have turkeys for raffle, a 50-50 raffle, and our famous homemade sweetbread, along with cider, vegetables, and all trimmings for a delicious feast on Thanksgiving Day! Pizza and soft drinks will be available, too! So, please join us for this exciting holiday tradition! For more information, please see Father Jim before or after Mass or contact him at frjim@ccgronline.com. Please join us! All are invited! All are welcome!
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Thanksgiving Masses
November 22nd-November 23rd
All parishioners, friends, and guests of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport are invited to join us for Holy Mass in celebration of the Thanksgiving Holiday. All are welcome to join us on Wednesday, November 22nd at 7:00pm in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church; and on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 23rd, at 8:00am in Saint Joachim Church. All are welcome as we gather to give praise and thanks for God’s abundant gifts! Peace and blessings to all for a Happy Thanksgiving!
Learn More: Thanksgiving Prayers
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The Assisi Project
Saturday with Saint Francis
Saturday, November 25th
Founded in 2007 by Father Jim and Cliff Garvey, the Assisi Project is a Fellowship of Franciscans in Spirit that seeks to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the inspiration and intercession of Saint Francis and Saint Clare of Assisi. Our mission is to serve the Church and to give witness to the Good News of Christ through prayer and formation, pilgrimage and retreat, and educating others about the Franciscan way of life. The Assisi Project meets on the last Saturday of every month in Saint Ann Church for Mass, formation, fellowship, and faith sharing. Our next meeting is scheduled for Saturday, November 25th and our topic will be prayer. If you are interested in growing closer to Christ and learning more about Saint Francis, then please join us! For more information, please contact Cliff Garvey at cgarvey@ccgronline.com. Please join us! All are invited! All are welcome!
Learn More: The Assisi Project
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Pastor’s Advent Scripture Study
Handel’s Messiah
Begins Thursday, November 30th
During the Holy Season of Advent, all adult parishioners, friends, and guests of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport are invited to join Father Jim for a weekly lunchtime scripture study based on the scriptural libretto of George Frideric Handel’s “Messiah.” On four consecutive Thursdays from November 30th through December 21st at 12:00pm in Our Lady’s Hall, Father Jim will lead a one-hour discussion and reflection on the scripture passages used in Handel’s beautiful operatic treatment of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
In preparation for each week’s session, participants will be asked to read from Douglas Connelly’s book, “The Messiah: The Texts Behind Handel’s Masterpiece.” All participants are welcome to bring their own lunch and join us for as many sessions as possible. A donation of $20.00 is requested from those who can afford it. Participants will be provided with a copy of the book, along with coffee, tea, or bottled water. If you would like to join us for this special scripture study series, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com. Please join us! All are invited! All are welcome!
Learn More: Holy Season of Advent
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Advent Faith & Family Mass
A Youth Faith Formation Special Event
Saturday, December 2nd
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 (Matthew 19:14).” In response to the Lord’s call, all children, parents, grandparents, godparents, and guardians are invited to join Father Jim for our Third Annual Advent Faith & Family Mass on Saturday, December 2nd at 4:00pm in Saint Ann Church. During Mass, Father Jim will offer a special homily about the Jesse Tree (see Isaiah 11:1-4) and a special blessing for all families and children. In addition, every child will receive a special gift.
Please save these dates for our upcoming Faith & Family Masses: Saturday, January 6th at 4:00pm in Saint Ann Church; Sunday, February 18th at 11:45am in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church; and Saturday, May 12th at 4:00pm in Saint Ann Church. For more information about our Advent Faith & Family Mass, please see Father Jim or contact Betsy Works at bworks@ccgronline.com. Let us reaffirm that Mass is our class! Jesus is our Teacher! Every child is a gift from God! And every family in our pews is a gift from God, too! Please spread the word among your family and friends! Please join us! All are invited! All are welcome!
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Advent & Christmas Concert
An Annual Holiday Tradition
Sunday, December 3rd
All parishioners, friends, and guests of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport are invited to join Tom Misuraca, LuAnn Pallazola, and our adult and youth music ministries for our Thirteenth Annual Advent & Christmas Concert on Sunday, December 3rd at 2:00pm in Saint Ann Church. All of this year’s musical selections have been chosen to help prepare our hearts to celebrate more fully the Holy Season of Advent and the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ at Christmas. As always, our adult and youth choirs will perform along with talented instrumentalists. In addition, members of our Brazilian Community will perform with us, too! For more information about this popular holiday tradition, please contact Tom Misuraca at tmisuraca@ccgronline.com. Please join us as we share the gift of music! All are invited! All are welcome!
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Advent Mission & Retreat
with Sister Elizabeth Wagner
December 6th-December 8th
All are invited to join us for the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport’s Advent Mission & Retreat from Wednesday, December 6th through Friday, December 8th in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. Each evening will begin with Evening Prayer and Mass at 7:00pm. We will be blessed to welcome back Sister Elizabeth Wagner as our special guest and spiritual director, who will lead us in prayer and reflection each evening after Mass.
Sister Elizabeth lives a contemplative life at Transfiguration Hermitage in Windsor, Maine, which she founded as a semi-eremitical community devoted to prayer and soli- tude according to the Rule of Saint Benedict. She is a hermit, award-winning writer, spiritual director, and retreat leader. Sister Elizabeth is also formation director, garden- er, and groundskeeper of the hermitage.
In addition to Sister Elizabeth’s nightly reflections during our mission and retreat, she will sign copies of her book, “Seasons In My Garden.” This beautiful book intricately weaves insights from her own spiritual journey with observations about the passing of seasons. It offers readers spiritual guidance and understanding that the patient tending of the soul can transform our lives into flourishing gardens that God can use to reflect his glory. Copies of the book will be available for $16.95 per copy.
Sister Elizabeth and Sister Bernadette (the hermitage’s baker and cook) will also tempt us with their famous homemade fruitcakes, cookies, jams, and sauces (all of which will be available for purchase after each evening of the mission and retreat). All proceeds will benefit Transfiguration Hermitage which depends on the generosity of benefactors and friends from around the world. Please note that the Advent Mission & Retreat is free but donations will be gratefully accepted during Mass to support our adult faith formation programs. For more information, please contact Cliff Garvey at cgarvey@ccgronline.com. Please join us! All are invited! All are welcome!
Learn More: Transfiguration Hermitage
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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!
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