This Week’s Message
A Step Along the Way
THE SAINT OSCAR ROMERO PRAYER
It helps, now and then,
to step back and take the long view.
The Kingdom of God is not only beyond our efforts,
it is even beyond our vision.
We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction
of the magnificent enterprise that is God’s work.
Nothing we do is complete,
which is a way of saying that
the Kingdom always lies beyond us.
No statement says all that could be said.
No prayer fully expresses our faith.
No confession brings perfection.
No pastoral visit brings wholeness.
No program accomplishes the Church’s mission.
No set of goals and objectives includes everything.
This is what we are all about.
We plant the seeds that one day will grow.
We water seeds already planted,
knowing that they hold future promise.
We lay foundations that will need further development.
We provide yeast that produces far beyond our capabilities.
We cannot do everything,
and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that.
This enables us to do something, and to do it very well.
It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning,
a step along the way,
an opportunity for the Lord’s grace to enter and do the rest.
We may never see the end results,
but that is the difference
between the master builder and the worker.
We are workers, not master builders;
ministers, not messiahs.
We are prophets of a future not our own.
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.
Pastor’s Note: This Sunday, October 14th, Pope Francis will celebrate a Solemn Mass in Saint Peter’s Square for the canonization of Saint Oscar Romero, Bishop & Martyr. Archbishop Romero (1917-1980) served as the fourth Archbishop of San Salvador. On March 24, 1980, he was assassinated by a right-wing death squad while celebrating the Holy Mass in a small hospital chapel. He is remembered as an ardent defender of the Church, a true friend of the poor, and an outspoken opponent of hatred, inequality, violence, and social injustice.
The prayer above is attributed to Saint Oscar Romero, but it was actually written by Bishop Kenneth Untener (1937-2004) of Saginaw, Michigan. It was part of a homily for the funeral Mass of a deceased priest, but Bishop Untener believed that the words were inspired by the life and times of Archbishop Romero. During our own turbulent times, it is important for us, as God’s family, to remain vigilant in prayer and focused on what really counts: Christ’s message of love and mercy and welcome. Saint Oscar Romero once said: “Let us never tire of preaching love. It is the force that will overcome the world.” Amen! Peace and blessings! — Father Jim
CCGR Weekly Newsletter (10-14-18)
Bringing Home the Word (10-14-18)
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Our Lady’s Baked Bean Supper
with Mike Dutra’s Strictly Sinatra
Friday, October 19th
All parishioners, friends, and guests of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport are invited to join Our Lady’s Guild for its Annual Baked Bean Supper on Friday, October 19th from 5:30pm until 8:00pm in Our Lady’s Hall. Our menu will include hot dogs, linguiça, baked beans, coffee, soft drinks, and homemade desserts. Our evening’s entertainment will be provided by Mike Dutra who will sing your favorite songs by Frank Sinatra! A donation of $15 is requested for each adult; and $10 for each child (age 10 and under). Tickets will be available at the door. For more information about this special evening of good food, fellowship, and song, please contact Beth Fosberry at jcbf33@yahoo.com. Please join us! All are invited! All are welcome!
Learn More: Mike Dutra’s Strictly Sinatra
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Holy Family Women’s Guild
Christmas Fair Basket Wheel
Now Accepting Donations!
The Basket Wheel is the biggest “money maker” at our Christmas Fair, which is scheduled for Saturday, November 17th and is the biggest fundraiser of the year at Holy Family Parish. The great success of the Basket Wheel depends on donations from our fellow parishioners and friends! So, all are encouraged to create and donate a $25 theme basket for crafts, kids, family nights, movie nights, snowy days, holiday gift wrap, or summer barbecues! Creating a basket can be both fun and inexpensive when families, friends, and neighbors work together in support of our parish! Last year, more than 120 baskets were donated and won at the Basket Wheel! Donations are now being accepted! Help us keep the Basket Wheel spinning! Help us make this year’s Christmas Fair a record-breaking success! For more information about the Holy Family Women’s Guild and its good work in our parish, please contact Lydia Bertolino at bertolino4@msn.com. Please join us! All are invited! All are welcome!
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Light & Darkness
A Workshop on Spiritual Combat
October 24th-October 26th
During the last week of August, a large group of parishioners gathered at Saint AnthonyChapel for the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport’s Fifth Annual Summer Retreat: “Everyone’s Vocation to Everyday Holiness.” During this intense five-night retreat, parishioners and friends ranging in age from 16 to 94 read and reflected on Pope Francis’s Apostolic Exhortation: “Rejoice and Be Glad: On the Call to Holiness in Today’s World.” Without question, the most compelling evening of the retreat focused on the Holy Father’s advice and guidance about spiritual combat, vigilance, and discernment. He writes: “The Christian life is a constant battle. We need strength and courage to withstand the temptations of the devil and to proclaim the Gospel. This battle is sweet, for it allows us to rejoice each time the Lord triumphs in our lives.”
In this spirit, all parishioners, friends, and guests of the Catholic Community of Gloucester& Rockport are invited to join Father Jim and Cliff Garvey for “Light & Darkness: A Workshop on Spiritual Combat, Vigilance & Discernment” from Wednesday, October 24th through Friday, October 26th in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. During this three-night mini-course, we will read and reflect together on the sacred scriptures, the wisdom of the saints, and the writings of Pope Francis. Overall, our goal will be to learn about how darkness works in our world and how we can work against that darkness with the help of our Lord Jesus Christ who is the Light of the World.
Each evening of this special adult faith formation program will begin at 7:00pm with Evening Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours. After this time of shared prayer, Father Jim and Cliff will lead our community in a period of reflection, discussion, and faith sharing. Each evening will conclude by 8:30pm with Night Prayer. If you would like to join us for all or even part of this special workshop on spiritual combat, vigilance, and discernment, please be sure to contact Cliff Garvey at cgarvey@ccgronline.com by Sunday, October 21st. A donation of $30 is requested from those who can afford it in support of our adult faith formation ministries. All reading materials will be provided. Please join us! Bring a friend! All are invited! All are welcome!
Learn More: Pope Francis on Coping with Spiritual Battles
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The Assisi Project
Saturday Morning with Saint Francis
Saturday, October 27th
Founded in 2007 by Father Jim and Cliff Garvey after their first pilgrimage to Assisi and Rome, the Assisi Project is a Fellowship of Franciscans in Spirit with friends and followers in the United States, Canada, Africa, and Europe. Our mission is to help adults of all ages more faithfully live the Gospel of Christ and grow closer to the Church through the inspiration and intercession of Saint Francis and Saint Clare of Assisi.
The Assisi Project meets on the last Saturday of every month in Saint Ann Church for Mass, formation, fellowship, and faith sharing. Our next “Saturday Morning with Saint Francis” is October 27th beginning at 8:00am. Thismonth, we will continue our reading and reflection on the saints, including Saint Padre Pio and Saint Pope John XXIII. All fellow parishioners are invited to join the Assisi Project! You do not need to travel with us to Assisi to be a member of the Assisi Project!
Members of our fellowship all around the world, who range in age from 16 to 93, also pray for those who ask for our prayers. If you would like to join us or if you would like us to pray for your special intention, please contact Cliff at cgarvey@ccgronline.com. Saint Francis of Assisi, pray for us! Saint Clare of Assisi, pray for us! Our Lady of Angels, pray for us! All are invited! All are welcome! May the Lord give you peace!
Learn More: The Assisi Project
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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