A Prayer for Our Mothers
We pray for young mothers,
who give life and count toes and tend to our needs:
May they be blessed with patience and tenderness
to care for their families and themselves with great joy.
We pray for our own mothers,
who have nurtured and cared for us.
May they continue to guide us
in strong and gentle ways.
We remember mothers who are separated
from their children because of cruelty, poverty, or war.
May they feel the loving embrace of God,
who wipes away every tear.
We pray for women who are not mothers,
but still love us and shape us with care and compassion
We remember our mothers and grandmothers,
who are no longer with us,
but live forever in our memories,
and still nourish us with their love and prayers. Amen.
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!
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Spring Mission & Retreat
Healing God’s Family & Rebuilding Our Church
May 15th through May 17th
SPECIAL GUEST: MARY ANN McLAUGHLIN
All parishioners, friends, and guests of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport are invited to join us for our “Spring Mission & Retreat: Healing God’s Family & Rebuilding Our Church” from Wednesday, May 15th through Friday, May 17th in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. Each evening of our retreat will begin with Mass at 7:00pm. After Mass, we will be blessed to welcome Mary Ann McLaughlin as our special guest and spiritual director, who will lead us in prayer, reflection, and faith sharing.
In 1972, studies showed that only 5% of Americans claimed that they did not hold or did not practice any kind of religious faith. Just recently, however, a new study found that 23% of our fellow citizens now think of themselves as “nones.” This group includes atheists, agnostics, and those who choose not to affiliate themselves with any organized religious practices or traditions. Perhaps more troubling is the new reality that more than 40% of adults under age 50 self-identify as “nones.” This means that for the so-called GenExers (age 55-75) and Millennials (age 25-39), the most common religion is no religion at all.
When we combine this trend with the ongoing crisis of confidence in the Catholic Church, we have cause to worry, pray, and fear for the souls of our brothers and sisters, children and grandchildren, friends and neighbors. So what can we do? How can we treat old wounds, fix what is broken, and bring home those who are lost? How can we heal God’s family and rebuild our church? To be sure, there is no single strategy that will bring our friends and families back to church. There is no easy answer. But there is hope! Through a renewed commitment to Christ and his gospel of love and mercy, all things are possible!
For more than four decades, Mary Ann McLaughlin has been helping adults of all ages and backgrounds encounter Jesus Christ in their day-to-day life experiences. She has proclaimed the gospel as a lay minister, retreat leader, and spiritual director; and she has lived the gospel as a wife, mother, grandmother, and working professional. Mary Ann’s unique experience and prophetic voice will help us grow closer to Christ, to the Church, and perhaps even to those who have chosen a different path. For more information, please contact Cliff Garvey at cgarvey@ccgronline.com. Please join us! Bring a friend! Spread the word! All are invited! All are welcome!
CCGR Weekly Newsletter (5-12-19)
Bringing Home the Word (5-12-19)
Watch: The Pope Video (May 2019)
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Youth Faith Formation
Mother’s Day Mass for Families
Saturday, May 11th
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus says: “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is such as these 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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Youth Faith Formation
Celebrating First Holy Communion
Sunday, May 12th
On behalf of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport, Father Jim and our pastoral team wish to congratulate the seventy-five young disciples from Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish who have successfully completed our program of preparation and who will receive their First Holy Communion in the coming weeks. During these past seven months, these seventy-five young fellow parishioners and their parents have prayed, studied, and grown together in prayer, fellowship, and service. They have learned together that disciples of all ages are called to live the Gospel, share God’s love and mercy, and rebuild the Church. They are all well-prepared to receive the Body & Blood of the Risen Lord and to become faithful and faith-filled disciples!
These children wish to sincerely thank their parents, families, and friends for their love, prayers, and support. In addition, the children also wish to express their deep appreciation for those who worked so hard to prepare them for their First Holy Communion: Father Jim Achadinha, Olga Alves, Fernanda Brown, Phyllis Comeau, Angelica Duran, Mary Duran, Donna Lupo, Mary Ellen McLeod, and especially Betsy Works. Please pray for all of our young fellow parishioners, their parents, and families so that they will continue to grow in faith, hope, and love; and that they will continue to join us for Mass on a regular basis. Please also pray in thanksgiving for our pastoral team and our dedicated volunteers who make these celebrations possible. Thank you for your prayers and support! May God bless you and your family!
Watch: Sacrament of Holy Eucharist
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Youth Faith Formation
The Way for Kids
Begins Saturday, May 18th
If your family includes a child, grandchild, or godchild who has completed the second grade but has not received the Sacraments of Baptism and/or First Holy Communion, we have a special program just for them: “The Way for Kids.” Beginning on Saturday, May 18th from 4:30pm until 5:45pm in Our Lady’s School, Betsy Works and a team of volunteers will lead a five-week series of work- shops for young disciples who have not received the Sacraments of Initiation. After each workshop, the children and their families will attend Mass at 6:00pm in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. For more information about this special youth faith formation program, please contact Betsy Works at bworks@ccgronline.com. Please pray for our young disciples and their families! Please join us! All are invited! All are welcome!
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Brain-Teasing Special Event
Trivia Night with Father Jim
Saturday, May 18th
All parishioners, friends, and guests of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport are invited to join us for a brain-teasing, mind-blowing, and fast-paced special event: “Trivia Night with Father Jim” on Saturday, May 18th from 7:00pm until 10:00pm in Saint Ann Church Hall. Throughout the evening, Father Jim (who is secretly a quiz master and aspiring game show host) will ask a series of questions on a wide array of topics ranging from music and sports, movies and television, books and history, religion and good, old-fashioned trivia.
Tickets are $20 per person. Participants will be organized into teams of eight, so all are welcome to organize a team in advance or take your chance at the door! Tickets will be available at the door, in our parish office, or by contacting Father Jim. All are invited to bring food and snacks. Coffee, tea, bottled water, and soft drinks will be offered for sale (along with a cash bar). Father Jim promises cool prizes and raffles, too!
Don’t miss this chance to impress your friends and neighbors with your knowledge of facts, figures, and trivia! Don’t miss this chance to share a few laughs with family and fellow parishioners! Don’t miss your chance to win a great prize! And don’t miss this chance to raise much needed funds for Holy Family Parish! For more information, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com. 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