TWENTY-FIRST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

This Week’s Message
Sharing Wisdom

By Pope Francis

For some time now, I have been carrying a thought in my heart. I feel that this is what the Lord wants me to say: that there should be an alliance between young and old people. This is the time when grandparents must dream so that the young can have visions. This idea became clear to mewhen I considered the words of the prophet Joel, who says, in God’s name, I will pour out my spirit upon everyone, and your sons and daughters will become prophets; your elders will dream dreams, your young people will see visions (Joel 3:1).

What does this mean? Only if our grandparents have the courage to dream, and our young people imagine great things, will our society go on. If we want to have a vision for our future, let our grandparents tell us, let them share their dreams with us. We need grandparents who dream! They will be able to inspire young people to move forward creatively as they envision a future. Today, young people need the dreams of the elders so they can hope in a future. Older people and young people move forward together and they need each other…

Today more than ever, the future generates anxiety, insecurity, mistrust, and fear. Only the testimony of their elders will help young people look above the horizon to see the stars. Just learning that it was worth fighting for something will help young people face the future with hope. What do I ask of the elders among whom I count myself? I call us to be memory keepers. We grandfathers and grandmothers need to form a choir, I envision elders as a permanent choir of a great spiritual sanctuary, where prayers of supplication and songs of praise support the larger community that works and struggles in the field of life.

I also urge that we take action! I ask that we push back, in any way we can, against the “culture of waste” that is imposed on us worldwide. There is something terribly wrong in this addiction to the culture of waste. When we get old, we recognize the gaps and lacks of a society so bent on efficiency. As elders, we can thank the Lord for the many benefits we have received. We can fill the void of ingratitude that surrounds us. Not only that: we can honor the memory and sacrifices of the past. We can remind today’s young people, who have their own blend of heroic ambitions and insecurities, that a life without love is an arid life. We can tell fearful young people that anxiety about the future can be overcome. We can teach those young people, sometimes so focused on themselves, that there is more joy in giving than in receiving and that love is not only shown in words but also in actions. Clearly, we elders at this time and moment of our lives need to reinvent ourselves, because old age, as it is today, is a new phenomenon. That is what pushes us to be creative.

And what do I ask of young people? I feel sorry for a young person whose dreams are mired in bureaucracy, who, like the wealthy young man of the gospel, goes through life sad and empty. I ask them to listen to and bond with their elders. I ask them not to pull back into a quiet “desktop existence” that hems them in with projects that have no hope and no heroism. I ask them to look up at the stars. I ask that they dream of a better world and let that dream inspire and energize them…To walk toward the future, the past is needed; deep roots are needed to help live the present and its challenges. Memory is needed, courage is needed, a healthy vision for the future is needed. Here is what I would like: a world that lives in a new alliance of young and old (Source: Sharing the Wisdom of Time by Pope Francis).

CCGR Weekly Newsletter (8-25-19) 
Bringing Home the Word (8-25-19)

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Our Summer Retreat
Sharing the Wisdom of Time with Pope Francis
August 26th through August 30th

The summer season is a great time of year for stepping back from the business and busy- ness of daily life in order to focus on our personal relationships with Christ, with each other, and with our Church. Unfortunately, few among us are able to leave behind work, family, and friends for a real retreat from the world. For this reason, the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport is pleased to announce our Sixth Annual Summer Retreat: Sharing the Wisdom of Time with Pope Francis.

From Monday, August 26th through Friday, August 30th, all are invited to join Father Jim and Cliff Garvey for a unique opportunity to experience the spiritual peace and renewal of a week-long retreat without leaving home. Each night of our summer retreat will begin at 7:00pm in Saint Anthony Chapel 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. We will conclude promptly at 8:30pm with Night Prayer. During each day of the retreat, Saint Anthony Chapel will open at 12:00pm for silent personal prayer and devotion.

This year’s retreat will be something like a week-long conversation with Pope Francis and some friends from all around the world about five important topics that inevitably touch every human life: work, struggle, love, death, and hope. In his book, “Sharing the Wisdom of Time”, the pope reminds us that to fully embrace the present and face thefuture, we must better understand our past. To illustrate this point, the Holy Father has collected memories, stories, and words of wisdom from more than thirty countries and all walks of life. Every life story can offer us a compelling witness to the power of faith, hope, love, and trust in divine providence!

Between each night of the retreat, participants will be asked to read brief selections fromthe Holy Father’s beautifully illustrated book, “Sharing the Wisdom of Time”, and re-flect on some timeless wisdom from the four corners of the world. If you would like to join us for all or even just part of our Sixth Annual Summer Retreat, please contact Cliff at 978-281-4820 or cgarvey@ccgronline.com. A donation of $30 per person is requested from those who can afford it. Copies of the book and cold drinks will be provided. Please join us! Spread the word! All are invited! All are welcome!

Learn More: Sharing the Wisdom of Time

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The Assisi Project
Saturday Morning with Saint Francis
Saturday, August 31st

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 Saints Francis and Clare of Assisi.

The Assisi Project meets on the last Saturday of every month in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church for Mass, formation, fellowship, and faith sharing. Our next “Saturday Morning with Saint Francis” is scheduled forAugust 31st beginning at 8:00am. This month, we will conclude our discussion of the Franciscan Saints. In particular, we will focus on Saint Clare of Assisi, the best friend and perhaps most faithful follower of Saint Francis.

All parishioners, friends, and guests of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport are invited to join us this month and every month! You don’t need to travel with us to be part of the Assisi Project! For more information about the Assisi Project and its good work in our parishes, please contact Cliff at cgarvey@ccgronline.com. Saint Francis of Assisi, pray for us! Saint Clare of Assisi, pray for us! Saint Anthony of Padua, pray for us! Our Lady of Angels, pray for us! Please join us! Spread the word! All are invited! All are welcome!

NEED PRAYERS?

Members of the Assisi Project range in age from 16 to 94; and we live in Holy Family Parish, Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish, throughout the United States, and also in Canada, Brazil, Italy, Spain, and Angola. Part of our work together is our prayer together. So, we pray every day for those who ask for our prayers all around the world. If you would like the Assisi Project to pray for you, your family, your special intention, or the soul of a deceased friend or loved one, please see Father Jim before or after any Mass; or contact Cliff Garvey at cgarvey@ccgronline.com. May the Lord give you peace!

Learn More: The Assisi Project

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Summer Carillon Recitals
An Our Lady of Good Voyage Tradition
Saturday, August 31st

An annual tradition returns this summer to Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish! Our Summer Carillon Recitals begin on Saturdays in August at 5:15pm (rain or shine). Once again, LuAnn Pallazola, our very talented organist-keyboardist has prepared programs that include familiar classical and international pieces, popular hymns and songs, patriotic melodies, and even selections especially for kids! Installed in 1922, the carillon bells in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church were the first toned set of carillon bells in the United States. Although our bells can be heard from blocks away, the sound is best near the church. Our final carillon recital is scheduled for Saturday afternoon, August 31st. For more information, please contact LuAnn Pallazola at lpallazola@gmail.com. Please join us! Bring your family! All are invited! All are welcome!

Video: LuAnn Pallazola Plays the Carillon

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WeShare
Electronic Giving Made Safe & Easy
Available at Both Parishes

Electronic giving is available at both Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish. It is easy, simple, and safe to make online donations to your home parish using a credit card, debit card, or electronic check. Donations can be made on a one-time-only or ongoing basis. And it takes just a few minutes to set up a secure personal account. Just choose the appropriate link below and click “Make a Donation.” Please prayerfully consider supporting your parish by giving electronically! For more information about electronic giving in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com. Thank you for your generous and ongoing support!

Support Holy Family Parish
Support Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish

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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!

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