Our Pastor’s Message
Welcome Home for Easter!
By Father Jim
As a child, I grew up in a household infused with religious beliefs and practices. As a family, we attended Mass on a weekly basis. We said grace before meals. We even prayed the Rosary together. And as ayoung adult, I volunteered with our parish’s youth ministry program. For me, the Catholic Church has always been a place of peace, a consolation during times of trial, and a second home. Sadly, more and more people do not feel this way anymore. All too many good people have left the Church behind. Some are justifiably angry or hurt by the actions of bishops and priests. Others simply feel unwelcome because of their marital status, sexual orientation, or lack of knowledge about the teachings and traditions of our faith.
At Easter, however, many of our brothers and sisters come home to the Church to experience again the timeless miracle of the Resurrection of Jesus. Even if for just one Easter Sunday Mass, they come in search of joy, peace, and meaning in their lives. They come in search ofsomething that the world cannot offer: God’s endless love, intimate friendship, and boundless mercy. Whether they realize it or not, they are called by the Lord to join us and to hopefully find a place in our spiritual home. The Celebration of Holy Mass at Easter (and every day during the year) is the source and summit of our community’s life of prayer, fellowship, and service. All are welcome to join us for Mass and to participate in Holy Communion in accordance with a personal examination of conscience and the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.
Like Pope Francis, Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945) was blessed with the heart of a true shepherd of souls. During the 1930s and 1940s, Pastor Bonhoeffer spoke out against bigotry, hatred, and violence in Nazi Germany. His brave witness to the Gospel of Christ cost him his life. In a meditation written from prison before his death, Bonhoeffer challenges us to engage in a radical welcome to all who seek comfort and consolation during dark times. He writes: “Jesus stands at the door knocking (cf. Revelation 3:20). In a very real way, Jesus comes to usasking for help in the form of a beggar or a poor child in ragged clothes. He confronts us in every person we meet. As long as there are people, Christ will walk the earth as our neighbor, as the one through whom God calls us, speaks to us, and asks something of us…Christ is standing at the door. He lives among us. Will we close the door or open it?”
In this spirit, our church doors are always open to every saint and every sinner. Our doors are open to the rich and the poor, to the young and the old, and to everyone in between. Our doors are open to married couples and single people, to straight people and gay people, and to all who are discerning their way in the world. Our doors are open to every citizen and non-citizen, and to all who seek a community of prayer. Our doors are open to healthy people, to sick people, and to all who long for the Lord’s healing presence in their lives. Again and again and again, you and your family are welcome here! So, this Easter and beyond, let us learn from Dietrich Bonhoeffer, from Pope Francis, and from all who courageously give witness tothe Good News of Christ. Let us live the Gospel, share God’s love with compassion and mercy, and rebuild our wounded Church from the bottom to the top. Let us open wide the doors! Let us open our arms! Let us open our hearts! Let us open our minds! And let us cry out joyfully for the glory of God, forever and always: “Welcome Home for Easter!”
Reverend James M. Achadinha, Pastor
Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport
Contact: frjim@ccgronline.com
CCGR Weekly Newsletter (4-21-19)
Bringing Home the Word (4-21-19)
Watch: Easter Mass with Pope Francis (2019)
Watch: The Pope Video (April 2019)
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Our Lady of Good Voyage
An Evening with North Shore Acapella
Saturday, April 27th
All parishioners, friends, and guests of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport are cordially invited to join Our Lady’s Guild for an Evening with Northshore Acapella on Saturday, April 27th from 7:00pm until 10:00pm in Our Lady’s Hall. For more than thirty-five years, Northshore Acapella has been entertaining audiences throughout all of New England and adding a delightful blend of harmony, rhythm, and tempo to popular songs from the 1940s through the present day. Tickets are $25 per person and include a light buffet. We will also have a cash bar, a 50-50 raffle, and other raffles with prizes! All proceeds benefits the parish. For more information, please contact Beth Fosberry at jcbf33@yahoo.com. Please join us! Spread the word! Bring your family and friends! All are invited! All are welcome!
Learn More: North Shore Acapella
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Divine Mercy Sunday
Sunday, April 28th
In 2000, Pope John Paul II canonized Saint Faustina Kow- alska and designated the Second Sunday of Easter as the Feast of Divine Mercy (popularly known as Divine Mercy Sunday). During the past two decades, the devotion has spread throughout the world and reflects a mystical message that the Risen Christ gave to Saint Faustina which was recorded in her diary: “Humanity will never find peace until it turns with trust to Divine Mercy. This is the Easter gift that the Church received from the Risen Christ and offers to all people.”
In this spirit, all are invited to join us for Divine Mercy Sunday on April 28th from 2:30pm until 4:00pm in Saint Ann Church. This special afternoon of devotion and prayer will proceed according to the following schedule: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at 2:30pm; the Divine Mercy Chaplet at 3:00pm; the Holy Rosary at 3:30pm; and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament at 4:00pm. In between these periods of shared prayer, all are invited to pray in silence in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. In preparation for Divine Mercy Sunday, all are encouraged to pray with the following prayer which is traditionally recited each day at 3:00pm to commemorate the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ:
Jesus, you died
but the source of life flowed out for souls
and an ocean of mercy
opened up for the whole world.
O Fountain of Life,
immeasurable Divine Mercy,
cover the whole world
and empty yourself out upon us.
O Blood and Water
which flowed out
from the heart of Jesus,
as a Fountain of Mercy for us,
I trust in you!
Holy God, Holy Mighty One,
Holy Immortal One,
have mercy on us
and on the whole world!
Jesus, King of Mercy, I trust in you!
For more information about Divine Mercy Sunday in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport, please contact Jane Russo at jlrusso333@hotmail.com. We hope and pray that you and your family will be able to join us for all or part of this special event! Please join us! All are invited! All are welcome!
Video: Pope Francis & Divine Mercy
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Adult Faith Formation
Spring Day of Prayer & Reflection
Mary, Mother of All Peoples
Saturday, May 4th
The Blessed Virgin Mary is known and venerated by countless names and titles throughout the world. Some of these titles are dogmatic; some are artistic; and some are the result of popular piety. Through these titles, we learn about Mary’s life, legacy, and loving care for God’s people; we learn about our Lord Jesus Christ; and we learn something about ourselves and God’s Holy Church. Whether we think of her as Theotokos (Mother of God), Panagia (Mother of Mercy), or as Our Lady of Good Voyage, Mary lives in our hearts and in the Church as the Blessed Mother of All Peoples.
In this spirit and in celebration of the various devotions to Our Lady during the month of May, all are invited to join Father Jim and Cliff Garvey for a “Spring Day of Prayer & Reflection: Mary, Mother of All Peoples” on Saturday, May 4th in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. During this four-hour morning retreat, we will explore the Blessed Mother’s loving intercession and protection of God’s family across the centuries. We will also consider how our devotion to Mary can help us overcome the growing darkness of bigotry, hatred, and division that seems so prevalent in our own time.
This program is sponsored by the Legion of Mary and the Assisi Project and will proceed according to the following schedule: Celebration of Mass at 8:00am; First Reflection & Faith Sharing at 9:00am; Eucharistic Adoration & Rosary at 10:00am; Second Reflection & Faith Sharing at 11:15am; Angelus & Closing Prayers at 12:00pm. After our program, all are invited to join us for a delicious potluck lunch in the parish hall.
Throughout the morning, there will be scheduled breaks and time for faith sharing, fellowship, and questions. Coffee, tea, bottled water, and refreshments will be served, too. During Mass, a collection will be taken up in support of the adult and youth faith formation programs in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport. If you would like to join us, please contact Cliff Garvey at cgarvey@ccgronline.com. Please join us! Bring a friend! All are invited! All are welcome!
Video: Why Do We Call Mary Our Mother?
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Family Faith Formation
Mother’s Day Mass for Families
Saturday, May 11th
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus says: “Let the little chil-dren come to me, and do not stop them; for it is such asthese that the kingdom of heaven belongs (Mt 19:14).” In response to the Lord’s call, all parents, grandparents, godparents, and children of all ages are invited to join Father Jim for our Mother’s Day Mass for Families on Saturday, May 11th at 4:00pm in Saint Ann Church. During Mass, Father Jim will preach about Mother’s Day and offer a special blessing for all mothers, families, and children. In addition, those who gather for this Mass will join the Legion of Mary in the Annual Crowning of the Blessed Virgin Mary. As our Mother’s Day Mass for Families approaches, let us reaffirm that Mass is our best class! Jesus is our best teacher! And every family that joins us is a gift from God! For more information, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com. Please join us! All are invited! All are welcome!
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Pastor’s Note
Grand Annual Collections
Every Dollar Makes a Difference!
Last year, thanks to your generous support, both Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish were able to balance their respective budgets. Two big reasons for this accomplishment is the success of our Grand Annual Collections. In each of our parishes, the Grand Annual Collection bridges the gap between our weekly gifts and our financial obligations (such as salaries and benefits, insurance premiums, utility bills, snow plowing, and essential parish programs). The Grand Annual Collections also help us to maintain our historic church buildings.
In order for each parish to balance its budget and ensure its long-term financial stability, we must meet our goals of $75,000 for Holy Family Parish and $45,000 for Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish. These fundraising campaigns are essential components of our annual parish budgets. Each year, we ask all parishioners to contribute what they can to our Grand Annual Collections. Every gift, large or small, helps us to achieve our goals and balance our budgets. Offertory envelopes are located at the doors of all of our churches. Please place your offering in the collection basket during Mass or mail it directly to me.
Although we have made good progress toward reaching our goal, we have much work ahead before the end of the fiscal year on June 30th. As we begin the final quarter of the fiscal year, all parishioners are encouraged to prayerfully consider giving to the Grand Annual Collection at either Holy Family Parish or Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish. Every penny raised goes directly to the parish of your choice. Please join me in praying that each of us, according to our means, will give generously to one of these all-important fundraising efforts. Thank you in advance for your generous and ongoing support of our amazing parishes! Peace and blessings to all! — Father Jim
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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