This Week’s Message
Praying with Our Patrons
A NOVENA PRAYER TO SAINTS ANN & JOACHIM
Saint Ann and Saint Joachim,
you are the good parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary
and blessed grandparents of our Lord Jesus Christ.
When we are afraid:
Help us to trust in the Lord.
When life seems barren:
Help us to trust in God’s mercy.
When we are confused:
Help us to find the way to God.
When we are ashamed:
Remind us that we are God’s children.
When we are selfish:
Teach us to cling only to what lasts.
When we sin:
Lead us to do God’s will.
When we are lost in the desert:
Lead us to those God has called us to love.
You know God’s will for the family:
Keep all families close to you.
You know God’s will for husband and wife:
Help us to live in chastity and fidelity.
You trusted God’s will:
Help us to respect God’s gift of fertility.
You suffered without children:
Intercede for married couples who seek to conceive.
You gave birth to the Blessed Mother:
Inspire married couples to be co-creators with God.
You taught Mary, the Mother of God:
Teach us to nurture children in faith, hope, and love.
You trusted in God:
Pray for all married couples.
You trusted in God:
Pray for all parents.
You trusted in God:
Pray for all grandparents.
Amen.
Earlier this week (July 26th), the Roman Catholic Church celebrated the Feast of Saint Ann and Saint Joachim. This weekend, we commemorate the gifts of our patron saints and we beg for their intercession: for us, for our parishes, and for our troubled world. Saint Ann, pray for us! Saint Joachim, pray for us! Our Lady of Good Voyage, pray for us!
CCGR Weekly Newsletter (7-29-18)
Bringing Home the Word (7-29-18)
Learn More: Saints Ann & Joachim
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Year for Vocations
Vocations Friday
Friday, August 3rd
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 lifetime 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 our 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 pray and 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, August 3rd 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 throughout the year. Our hope is that all parishioners and their families will be able to join us for at least one of these special times 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 discernment of vocation:
Almighty God and Father,
you call each one of us by name
and ask us to follow you.
Bless your Holy Church
by raising up dedicated and generous leaders
from among our families and friends
who will serve your people
as priests and deacons,
as religious brothers and sisters,
and as lay ministers.
Inspire us as we grow to know you,
and open our hearts to hear your call.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God for ever and ever. Amen.
Throughout this Year for Vocations, let us pray together that 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 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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Summer Carillon Recitals
An Our Lady of Good Voyage Tradition
Begins Saturday, August 4th
An annual tradition returns this summer to Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish! Our Summer Carillon Recitals are scheduled to begin next Saturday, August 4th at 5:15pm (rain or shine). Once again, LuAnn Pallazola, our very talented organist-keyboardist has prepared programs that include familiar classical and international pieces, popular hymns, patriotic melodies, and children’s tunes!
Installed in 1922, the carillon bells in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church were the first toned set of carillon bells in the United States. Although our bells can be heard from blocks away, the sound is best near the church. This summer, other carillon recitals are scheduled for the following Saturday afternoons at 5:15pm: August 11th, August 18th, August 25th, and September 1st.
These recitals are free and open to the public! So, bring a cold drink or coffee! Bring a friend! Enjoy this wonderful summer tradition! And don’t forget that Mass begins at 6:00pm! Please join us! All are invited! All are welcome! For more information, please contact LuAnn Pallazola at lpallazola@gmail.com.
Watch: LuAnn Pallazola, Carillonneur
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Solemnity of the Assumption
Holy Day of Obligation
Wednesday, August 15th
Since the fifth century, God’s faithful people have believed 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 Roman 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:
- Tuesday, August 14th: Saint Joachim Church at 7:00pm
- Wednesday, August 15th: Our Lady of Good Voyage Church at 8:00am
- Wednesday, August 15th: Saint Ann Church at 12:00pm
For more information about our celebration of this Holy Day of Obligation for all Roman Catholics, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com. Please join us! All are invited! All are welcome! 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: Solemnity of the Assumption
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We Share
Safe & Easy Electronic Giving
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 visit the links below; choose the appropriate parish link; and click “make a donation.” All parishioners are encouraged to prayerfully consider supporting our parishes by giving electronically! It is a great way to support your parish especially when you and your family are away! For more information about electronic giving in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport, please contact Melissa Unis at office@ccgronline.com. Thank you for your generous and ongoing support of both Holy Family Parish and 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