This Week’s Message
Praises to the Most Holy Trinity
By Saint Francis of Assisi
This weekend, the Roman Catholic Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, a moment to reflect on the mystery of the God who is beyond our understanding, yet so close to us in divine friendship, love, and mercy. It is also a time to praise and give thanks for the countless blessings bestowed on us by the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In this same spirit, Saint Francis of Assisi once retreated into the mountains to pray for the gift of closer intimacy with God, which resulted in the gift of the stigmata (the five wounds of the Crucified Christ). During this intense period of prayer, Saint Francis wrote what we know now as the “Praises to the Most Holy Trinity.” More than eight centuries later, his words remind us of God’s goodness, God’s greatness, God’s strength, and God’s powerful presence in ourlives. As we celebrate Trinity Sunday, let us pray with the Poor Man of Assisi:
Lord, you are holy, the only God.
You do wondrous things.
You are strong.
You are great.
You are the Most High.
You are the Almighty King,
Holy Father, king of heaven and earth.
You are three and you are one,
the Lord God of gods.
You are good, every good, the highest good.
Lord God, you are living and true.
You are love.
You are wisdom.
You are humility.
You are patience.
You are beauty.
You are meekness.
You are our strength.
You are rest.
You are joy.
You are our hope.
You are justice.
You are all we need.
You are all the riches that we require.
You are grace.
You are refreshment.
You are our hope.
You are our faith.
You are our only love.
You are all our sweetness.
You are eternal life.
Great and wonderful Lord,
God Almighty, Merciful Savior!
Glory to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit!
As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever!
Amen!
CCGR Weekly Newsletter (5-27-18)
Bringing Home the Word (5-27-18)
Pope Video: Mission of the Laity (May 2018)
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Priesthood@15
Begins Saturday, June 16th
CONVERSATIONS ABOUT PRIESTHOOD IN THE 21ST CENTURY
This weekend, Father Jim celebrates his fifteenth anniversary as a priest. And next month, he will celebrate his fourth anniversary as pastor of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport. These blessed and happy occasions seem like a great time to come together, pray, and reflect on the gift of the priesthood in our lives. In this spirit and as part of our Year for Vocations, all are invited to join Father Jim and Cliff Garvey for a series of conversations about the priesthood in the twenty-first century.
On three consecutive Saturday evenings (June 16th, June 23rd, and June 30th) at 7:00pm in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church, we will gather to pray and reflect with our pastor on the blessings and challenges of priesthood during a time of transition and potentially dramatic change in the Roman Catholic Church. We will also read and discuss selectionsfrom Cardinal Timothy Dolan’s book, “Called To Be Holy.” Each of our evenings together will begin with Evening Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours, followed by a brief reflection and a period of conversation and faith sharing. Our gatherings will conclude promptly with Night Prayer at 8:30pm.
All parishioners are invited to join us for this special program! Books will be provided at our first meeting. A donation of $25 per person is requested from those who can afford it, along with a sincere commitment to read and come prepared to ask constructive questions, share their faith experiences, and offer personal spiritual insights. If you are interested in joining us for this special series of conversations about the priesthood in the new millennium, please contact Cliff at cgarvey@ccgronline.com. Please join us! All are invited! All are welcome!
Pope Francis once said: “Let us pray for all good and faithful priests who dedicate themselves to their people with generosity and unknown sacrifices.” This weekend and always, let us pause, pray, and reflect on the goodness and generosity of our priests. Let us pray especially for Father Jim, Father Alves, and Father Gariboldi so that the Lord may bless them, comfort them, and strengthen them. Let us also pray for an increase in vocations to the priesthood and an increase in all vocations that serve God’s Church with faith, hope, and love. May God bless our pope, our pastor, and all of our priests!
Learn More: Sacrament of Holy Orders
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Holy Family Women’s Guild
Late Spring Bake & Plant Sale
Weekend of June 2nd-June 3rd
The Holy Family Women’s Guild will host a Bake & Plant Sale on Saturday, June 2nd after the 4:00pm Mass in Saint Ann Church; and on Sunday, June 3rd after the 8:15am Mass in Saint Ann Church and the 10:00am Mass in Saint Joachim Church. We’ll have home-baked breads, cookies,pies, jams, jellies, and plants for your garden. Here’s your chance to buy something sweet and support Holy Family Parish at the same time! For more information about the Holy Family Women’s Guild; or if you would like to bake or donate something for the sale, please contact Lydia Bertolino at lbertolino4@msn.com. Thank you in advance for your generous support! Please join us! All are invited! All are welcome!
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Pastor’s Challenge
Grand Annual Collections
As we enter the final month of the fiscal year, all parishioners are encouraged to prayerfully consider giving to the Grand Annual Collection in either Holy Family Parish or Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish. These fundraising campaigns are essential components of our parish budgets and are vitally important to the financial stability of both parishes. Donation envelopes are available from our parish offices and at the entrances of our churches. For more information about our Grand Annual Collections in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport, please see Father Jim or contact him at frjim@ccgronline.com. Thank you for your generous support of Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish! Peace and blessings to all! — Father Jim
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WeShare
Electronic Giving Is Safe & Easy!
Available at Both Parishes!
Electronic giving is available at both Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish. It is easy, simple, and safe to make online donations to your home parish using a credit card, debit card, or electronic check. Donations can be made on a one-time-only or ongoing basis. And it takes just a few minutes to set up a secure personal account. Just choose the appropriate link below and click “Make a Donation.” Please prayerfully consider supporting your parish by giving electronically! For more information about electronic giving in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com. Thank you for your generous and ongoing support!
Support Holy Family Parish
Support Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish
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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