This Week’s Message
A Prayer for Our Priests
By Cardinal John O’Connor
Lord Jesus,
we your people pray to you for our priests.
You have given them to us for our needs.
We pray for them in their needs.
We know that you have made them priests
in the likeness of your own priesthood.
You have consecrated them,
set them aside,anointed them,
filled them with the Holy Spirit,
appointed them to teach,
to preach, to minister,
to console, to forgive,
and to feed us with your Body and Blood.
Yet we know, too, that they are one with us;
and they share in our human weaknesses.
We know, too, that they are tempted
to sin and discouragement, as are we,
needing to be ministered to, as do we,
to be consoled and forgiven, as do we.
Indeed, we thank you
for choosing them from among us,
so that they understand us
as we understand them,
suffer with us and rejoice with us,
worry with us and trust with us,
share our beings, our lives, and our faith.
We ask that you give them this day
the gift you gave your chosen ones
on the way to Emmaus:
your presence in their hearts,
your holiness in their souls,
your joy in their spirits.
And let them see you face to face
in the breaking of the Eucharistic Bread.
We pray to you, O Lord,
with Mary, mother of priests,
for your priests and for ours.
Amen.
CCGR Weekly Newsletter (6-3-18)
Bringing Home the Word (6-3-18)
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Vocations Friday
Friday, June 8th
As Catholic Christians, we believe that God calls us to live as faithful disciples. But in what way of life are we called to live our discipleship? What is your calling? What is your vocation? These questions can sometimes take a life-time to answer. But with hearts open to discernment and prayer, God can help us find our way in the world. Each and every one of us (regardless of age, gender, or life experience) can discover, rediscover, and respond to God’s plan for our lives.
This year, the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport is celebrating a ‘Year for Vocations,’ a time to prayand reflect on who God calls us to be and what God calls us to do with the one life that we are blessed to live on this earth. In this spirit, we will gather on Friday, June 8th for ‘Vocation Friday’ in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. Our prayer vigil will begin with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at 5:00pm, followed by Evening Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours. At 6:00pm, we will pray the Holy Rosary for an increase in vocations to the priesthood. And we will conclude at 7:00pm with Night Prayer and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.
These ‘Vocation Fridays’ are being held monthly through-out the year. Our hope is that all parishioners and their families will be able to join us for at least one of these special days of prayer, discernment, and devotion. If you are not able to join us this month, please take a few moments to pray this powerful prayer for vocations by Cardinal Joseph Bernadin (1926-1998) of Chicago:
Lord of the Harvest,
your Word finds a home in our hearts,
calls us into community,
and invites us to generous service
of the human family.
Bless with courage and spirit
your priestly people,
called to full participation
in the one Body of Christ.
May many choose to respond
in public service to your call
offered in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Throughout this ‘Year for Vocations,’ let us pray togetherthat each one of us, in our own way, will learn to pray, discern, and respond to God’s call with faith, hope, and love in our hearts. For more information, please see Father Jim before or after Mass; or contact Cliff Garvey at cgarvey@ccgronline.com. Please join us! All are invited! All are welcome!
Learn More: Year for Vocations
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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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Catholic Kids Camp
The Beatitudes of Jesus
Begins Tuesday, June 26th
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 Beatitudes of Jesus” from Tuesday, June 26th through Friday, June 29th 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 Jesus and the Sermon on the Mount through active and engaged participation in games, music, skits, andcraft projects. Here’s our schedule for the week:
Day I: Tuesday, June 26th
Blessed Are the Poor & Those Who Mourn
Day II: Wednesday, June 27th
Blessed Are Those Who Hunger for Justice
Day III: Thursday, June 28th
Blessed Are the Merciful & Pure of Heart
Day IV: Friday, June 29th
Blessed Are the Peacemakers & Persecuted
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’sSchool 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 surely love!
The tuition for this innovative youth faith formation program is just $30 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!
Catholic Kids Camp Registration Form
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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!
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