Last year was a difficult year. It was perhaps the most difficult year of my priesthood. The sudden deaths of Deacon Ray and Deacon Dan, who had both become good friends, were a shocking loss to me, our pastoral team, and all of our fellow parishioners. The retirement of Father Alves, whose courage and determination had become a source of strength, continues to weigh heavily upon me and everyone who knows and loves him. And the tragic death of a good friend’s son, who embodied the full promise of youth, remains a source of deepest grief for me, his family, and many good people in our community.

Last year also brought news about the ongoing shortage of ordained clergy (both deacons and priests) that will make parish ministry even more challenging in the future. This bad news was compounded by new revelations about sexual abuse and harassment in the Church and the unconscionable failure of our bishops to effectively address this seemingly endless crisis. And of course, any discussion of bad news must include the ongoing divisions in our country and in the Church itself, the coarseness of our public discourse about the issues of the day, the callousness of some civic leaders toward the plight of the poor and the sick, and even our own inability to love, forgive, and show mercy to each other.

Despite these challenges, we find consolation in the Holy Family who radiate hope, joy, and love from the simplicity of a stable in a faraway place called Bethlehem. We find courage, generosity, and kindness in the Magi who travel far and wide in search of the Christ Child who brings God into a suffering world. And in their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, we find the grace to give generously, share freely, and love even the poorest of children. As we look back on last year and look forward to the year ahead, we find inspiration and optimism to see beyond the darkness, transcend the past, and work diligently toward a brighter future — for divided country, our wounded Church, and our troubled world.

Throughout this new year, I invite you to join me in the work of healing God’s family andrebuilding our Church. I invite you to help by sharing your gifts of time, talent, and treasure in one of our parish ministries or service organizations. I ask you to pray daily for me, for our pastoral team, and for all who live, work, and worship in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport. I beg you to do your best to live the Gospel, to share God’s love, to forgive, to refrain from gossip, and to encourage each other in both faith and prayer. And most of all, I implore you, with my whole heart, to observe with renewed zeal the Great Commandment to love God and to love your neighbor.

Healing God’s family and rebuilding the Church will not be accomplished in one year. It will become the work of many generations. But together, always together, we can do it byfollowing in the footsteps of the Magi who cried out with one voice: “We saw his star at its rising and we have come to do him homage (See Matthew 2:2).” Together, always together, we can do it by bringing our humble gifts to the Baby Jesus, by seeking his blessing upon them, and by doing his will in all that we think, say, and do during the one life that we are blessed to live. In this way, the gifts we bring are the lives that we live for God and for each other. Peace and blessings to all for a happy, healthy, and hopeful new year!

Reverend James M. Achadinha, Pastor
Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport
Contact: frjim@ccgronline.com

CCGR Weekly Newsletter (1-6-19)
Bringing Home the Word (1-6-19)

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A New Year’s Prayer
For Church & Country

By Archbishop John Carroll, SJ