Our Pastor’s Message
Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish
Annual Financial Report
By Father Jim
Just over four years ago, the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport was founded as a collaborative of two historic parishes: Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish. Although our parishes share one pastor and pastoral team, each parish remains fully independent; has its own finance council; maintains its own accounting procedures; pays its own bills; and maintains its own buildings. The collaboration between our faith communities was not easy at first. But more and more, parishioners at both Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish are praying together, working together, andhelping each other live the Gospel, share God’s love, and rebuild the Church in a true spirit of prayer, fellowship, and service.
During the past year, Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish has been blessed in so many ways. Attendance at our weekend Masses is good. More young adults and young families seem to be joining us, too. Parishioners offer very positive feedback about our adult and youth faith formation programs. Special events like the penny sales, seasonal fairs, and the Crowning Feast of the Holy Spirit are successful both by raising funds and by building and strengthening the bonds of community in our parish. And last year, we met and surpassed our goal for the Grand Annual Collection. We hoped to raise $45,000, but thanks to you, we collected $46,359. Overall, since 2016, overall contributions to this all-important fundraising campaign have risen by more than 47%. Thank you!
Best of all, I am very happy to report that for the first time in recent memory, our annual parish budget is balanced! In fact, we ran a net income of $631 which was deposited in our parish savings account. Although our budget surplus is small, our balanced budget is a very big accomplishment and marks a turning point in our efforts to ensure the long-term financial stability of our parish. Although we will face challenges ahead related to increasing costs of heating, insuring, maintaining, and repairing our church buildings, I am confident that working together as a family of disciples, we can face any and every challenge with confidence and determination. Needless to say, your support makes all the difference. So, please join me in praying that each of us, according to our means, will continue to give generously to our parish. As you can see, every contribution makes a real difference!
Finally, please join me in thanking the members of the Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish Finance Council for their dedicated service, good advice, and wise counsel: Patricia Bertero, Jean Madruga, and Ann Marie Noble. Their commitment and good work throughout the year ensures that we are always focused on making the best use of our limited financial resources. Finally, my deepest thanks go to our parishioners for their ongoing prayers and support. Your generosity makes possible all that we do to make Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish a spirit-filled and vibrant faith community. And your kindness and encouragement humbles me and sustains me in my ministry. Please know that you and your family are always in my prayers. Thank you again for your ongoing support of Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish! Peace and blessings to all!
Reverend James M. Achadinha, Pastor
Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport
Contact: frjim@ccgronline.com
OLGV Annual Financial Report 2018
CCGR Weekly Newsletter (9-9-18)
Bringing Home the Word (9-9-18)
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Fall Day of Prayer & Reflection
Joy & Suffering with Padre Pio
Saturday, October 6th
Earlier this year, Pope Francis visited the House for the Relief of Suffering, a hospital founded by Saint Padre Pio. Afterwards, Pope Francis celebrated Mass at the Shrine of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, Italy. In his homily, the Holy Father preached about the call to suffer and the three words that summarize the life of a saint: humility, prayer, and wisdom. The pope said: “All of theology is contained here! If you have a problem, if you are sad, if you are sick, abandon yourself into the arms of Jesus!”
The Roman Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina on September 23rd and the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi on October 4th. In commemoration of these two great saints, and as part of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport’s “Year for Discernment”, all fellow parishioners and friends are invited to join Father Jim, Cliff Garvey, the Legion of Mary, and the Assisi Project for a Fall Day of Prayer & Reflection: “Joy & Suffering with Saint Pio” on Saturday, October 6th at Saint Anthony Chapel.
During this four-hour mini-retreat, we will explore the life, ministry, and patronage of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina and his special meaning for those who are called to suffer. This special morning of prayer and reflection will proceed according to the following schedule: Celebration of Holy Mass at 8:00am; First Reflection & Faith Sharing at 9:00am; Eucharistic Adoration & Rosary at 10:00am; Second Reflection & Faith Sharing at 11:00am; Angelus & Closing Prayers at 12:00pm.
Throughout the morning, there will be scheduled breaks and time for faith sharing, fellowship, and refreshments. Coffee, tea, and bottled water will be available throughout the morning. After our closing prayers, all are invited to remain for picnic lunch. During Mass, a collection will be taken in support of our adult faith formation ministry. If you would like to join us for our Fall Day of Prayer & Reflection in honor of Saint Pio and Saint Francis, please contact Cliff at cgarvey@ccgronline.com. Please join us! Bring a friend! Bring your family! All are invited! All are welcome!
Learn More: Saint Pio of Pietrelcina
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Adult Faith Formation
The Way
Sacramental Preparation for Adults
I am the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6).
“The Way” was among the earliest names for the followers of the Risen Christ. Indeed, the Way appears as a scriptural reference to the earliest Christian communities in the Acts of the Apostles. In addition, both before and after his conversion, tradition holds that Saint Paul referred to the disciples of Christ as part of “The Way.” More than two thousand years later, Catholic Christians are still part of the Way of Jesus Christ. But as we all know, a life of discipleship is not a hobby or pastime. It is a vocation, a way of life that lays claim to our whole heart, mind, and strength. As disciples, our lives should be focused on and inspired by our faith in Jesus Christ, who is our merciful redeemer, friend, and brother. And as disciples, we are called to reach out to those who need our help in growing closer to Christ and the Church.
If you are an adult (age 18 and over) and have not received all of the Sacraments of Initiation in the Roman Catholic Church (Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation), then please consider joining the Way, our adult faith formation program that will meet on Sunday mornings after our 8:15am Mass beginning on October 14th. Typically called the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, the Way is a seven month program that prepares adults to be received into the Roman Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil. As part of this same program, we will prepare adults for the Sacrament of Confirmation (to be received at either our local Easter Vigil Mass or at a regional archdiocesan celebration).
Our group will meet twice each month for fellowship, formation, and faith sharing. As a community of disciples, we will learn together about the basic beliefs, teachings, and traditions of the Catholic Church. We will explore the methods of prayer that have brought generations of believers closer to Christ and his Church. And we will talk openly and honestly about the challenges of living an authentic life of faith, hope, and love in the modern world. If you would like to learn more about this journey of faith and become part of a unique fellowship in preparation for the sacraments of the Roman Catholic Church, then please contact Cliff Garvey at cgarvey@ccgronline.com. Please join us! All are invited! All are welcome!
The Way Registration Form 2018-2019
Learn More: An Introduction to the Sacraments
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Youth Faith Formation
Youth Choir & Music Ministry
Begins Tuesday, September 11th
Beginning on Tuesday, September 11th at 5:00pm in Saint Ann Church, the Catholic Community of Gloucester &Rockport’s Youth Choir & Music Ministry will begin its weekly meetings for fellowship and rehearsal. Our Youth Choir & Music Ministry welcomes new members, ranging in age from kindergarten through high school. Young musicians are also welcome to join us! Being a part of this ministry is a great way to make new friends! And it is a great way to participate more fully in the life of our parishes and to learn more about the teachings and traditions of the Catholic Church. For more information, please contact Patty Natti at pnatti@comcast.net. Please join us! 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