This Week’s Message
Prayers for Thanksgiving
A PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
By Father James Martin, S.J.
Loving God,
who created and sustains the universe,
who loved us all into being,
and who gives us every good thing,
we thank you for the blessings
that you bring into our lives
We thank you for the gift of life itself,
which you gave us in our mother’s womb.
We thank you for the fresh start of each new day,
which is a sign of your renewing and creative love.
And we thank you
for our friends and our families,
our neighbors and coworkers,
whose human love is an image of your divine care.
Increase our gratitude on this Thanksgiving Day,
and help us to recognize
all the good things that we have,
both large and small;
and magnify our desire to share
what we have with others,
so that they too may be grateful
to you, our Loving God. Amen.
A PRAYER FOR THANKSGIVING DAY
By Cecelia Moore & C. Vanessa White
This Thanksgiving,
let those of us who have much
and those of us who have little
gather at the welcoming table of the Lord.
At this blessed feast,
may rich and poor alike remember
that we are called to serve one another
and to walk together in God’s gracious world.
With thankful hearts,
we praise our God,
who like a loving parent
denies us no good thing. Amen.
Pastor’s Note: Father Martin’s prayer was provided by the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Cecelia Moore & Vanessa White’s prayer appears in “Songs of Our Hearts, Meditations of Our Souls,” a beautiful book about the prayer and spirituality of African-American Catholics. Happy Thanksgiving! — Father Jim
CCGR Weekly Newsletter (11-18-18)
Bringing Home the Word (11-18-18)
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Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish
Penny Sale & Turkey Giveaway
Monday, November 19th
All parishioners, friends, and guests of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport are invited to join Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish for our Annual Thanksgiving Penny Sale & Turkey Giveaway on Monday, November 19th at 7:00pm in Our Lady’s Hall. We will have turkeys for raffle, a 50-50 raffle, and our famous homemade sweetbread; along with cider, vegetables, and all the trimmings for a delicious holiday feast! Pizza and soft drinks will be available for sale, too! So, please join us for this exciting holiday tradition! For more information, please see Father Jim before or after Mass; or contact him at frjim@ccgronline.com. Please join us! All are invited! All are welcome! Happy Thanksgiving!
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Pastor’s Note
Thanksgiving Mass Schedule
November 21st-November 22nd
All parishioners, friends, and guests of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport are invited to join us for the celebration of Holy Mass in observance of the Thanksgiving Holiday. Masses will be celebrated on Wednesday, November 21st at 7:00pm in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church; and on Thursday, November 22nd at 8:00am in Saint Joachim Church. Please join us as we gather as a community united in prayer, fellowship, and service to give praise and thanks for God’s abundant blessings! Peace and blessings to all for a very Happy Thanksgiving! — Father Jim
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The Assisi Project
Saturday with Saint Francis
Saturday, November 24th
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 God’s Holy 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 November 24th beginning at 8:00am. This month, we will continue our study of the saints, including Saint Agnes of Assisi and Saint Elizabeth of Hungary. In addition, our friend and fellow parishioner, Ann Marie Noble, will speak about her formation and vows as a member of the Third Order of Saint Francis.
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! Prayers and best wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving! May the Lord give you peace!
Learn More: The Assisi Project
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Advent & Christmas Concert
An Annual Holiday Tradition
Sunday, December 2nd
All parishioners, friends, and guests of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport are invited to join Tom Misuraca, LuAnn Pallazola, and the Adult & Youth Choir Ministries for our Fourteenth Annual Advent & Christmas Concert on Sunday, December 2nd at 2:00pm in Saint Ann Church. As always, this year’s musical selections have been carefully chosen to help prepare our hearts to celebrate more faithfully the Holy Season of Advent and the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ at Christmas. For more information about this holiday tradition, please contact Tom Misuraca at tmisuraca@ccgronline.com. Please join us as we share the gift of sacred music during the upcoming holiday season! Spread the good news! 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