Our Pastor’s Message
Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish
Annual Financial Report
By Father Jim
Just over five years ago, the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport was founded as a collaborative of two historic parishes: Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish. Although our parishes share one pastor and pastoral team, each parish remains fully independent under canon law; has its own finance council; maintains its own accounting procedures; pays its own bills; and maintains its own buildings. The collaboration between our communities was not easy at first. But more and more, parishioners at Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish are praying together, working together, and helping each other to live the Gospel, share God’s love, and rebuild the Church in a true spirit of prayer, fellowship, and service.
During the past year, Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish has been blessed in many ways. Attendance at our weekend Masses is good. Some young adults and young families are joining us, too. Parishioners offer very positive feedback about our adult and youth faith formation programs. Special events like the penny sales, seasonal fairs, and the Crowning Feast of the Holy Spirit are successful both by raising funds and by building and strengthening the bonds of community in our parish. And last year, we met and surpassed our goal for the Grand Annual Collection which is an all-important measure of our financial health and well-being. We hoped to raise $45,000, but thanks to you, we collected $46,013. Thank you!
Best of all, I am happy to report that for the second consecutive year, our annual parish budget is balanced! After all of our bills were paid and accounts reconciled, we ran a net surplus of $18 which was deposited into our savings account. Although our budget surplus is very small, our balanced budget is a very big accomplishment. Needless to say, we still face challenges ahead related to increasing costs of heating, insuring, maintaining, and repairing our church buildings. But I am optimistic about the long-term financial stability of our parish. Working together as a family of disciples, we can face every challenge with confidence, determination, and good spirits. Of course, your support makes all the difference! So, please join me in praying that each of us, according to our means, will continue to give generously to our parish.
Finally, please join me in thanking the members of the Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish Finance Council for their dedicated service, good advice, and wise counsel: Patricia Bertero, Jean Madruga, and Ann Marie Noble. Their commitment and hard work throughout the year ensures that we are always focused on making the best use of our limited financial resources. Finally, my deepest thanks go to our parishioners for their ongoing prayers and support. Your generosity makes possible all that we do together to make Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish a spirit-filled and vibrant faith community. On a more personal note, your ongoing prayers and kindness humble me and sustain me in my ministry. Please know that you and your family are always in my prayers. Thank you again for your support! Peace and blessings to all!
Reverend James M. Achadinha, Pastor
Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport
Contact: frjim@ccgronline.com
OLGV Financial Report (FY2019)
CCGR Weekly Newsletter (9-22-19)
Bringing Home the Word (9-22-19)
Watch: The Pope Video (September 2019)
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Youth Faith Formation
Fall Faith & Family Mass
Saturday, September 22nd
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus says: “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them: for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs (Matthew 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 annual Fall Faith & Family Mass on Sunday, September 22nd at 11:45am in OurLady of Good Voyage Church.
During Mass, Father Jim will offer a special blessing and homily for all families and their children about we can all work together to heal God’s family and rebuild our Church. During this new school year, we will celebrate four more Faith & Family Masses on the following dates and times: Saturday, November 30th at 4:00pm in Saint Ann Church; Saturday, December 28th at 4:00pm in Saint Ann Church; Sunday March 1st at 11:45am in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church; and Saturday, May 9th at 4:00pm in Saint Ann Church.
Mark your calendar! Save the dates! Spread the word! Bring your families and friends! Now more than ever, let us reaffirm that Mass is our class! Jesus is our teacher! Let us remember that every child in our pews is precious blessing from God! Every family that joins us for worship is a special gift from God! For more information, please see Father Jim; or contact Betsy Works at bworks@ccgronline.com. Please join us! All are invited! All are welcome! Always!
Learn More: Lifelong Faith Formation
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Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish
Our Lady’s Guild Penny Sale
Monday, September 23rd
All parishioners, friends, and guests of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport are invited to join Our Lady’s Guild for a “Penny Sale” on Monday, September 23rd at 7:00pm in Our Lady’s Hall. As always, the Penny Sale will feature great prizes, a 50-50 raffle, and our famous homemade sweetbread, along with other delicious homemade foods and snacks. Donations are being accepted at our parish offices (located at 74 Pleasant Street in Gloucester) until the day of the Penny Sale. All proceeds are donated to Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish. For more information, please contact Julia Garcia at 978-281- 2678 or Beth Fosberry at jcbf33@yahoo.com. Please join us! Bring a friend! All are invited! All are welcome!
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Fall Day of Prayer & Reflection
Rebuilding the Church with Saint Francis
Saturday, October 5th
More than eight centuries ago, the Crucified Christ called out to the young man who would become Saint Francis of Assisi: “Go! Rebuild my church which as you can see is falling into ruin!” Francis took the Lord’s command literally and set out to repair small chapels in and around his hometown. Over the years, however, Francis came to understand more fully that his vocation to live the Gospel and share God’s love was vital to rebuilding the Church throughout the world.
In this spirit and in celebration of the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, all parishioners, friends, and guests of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport are invited to join Father Jim and Cliff Garvey for a “Fall Day of Prayer & Reflection: Rebuilding the Church with Sainty Francis of Assisi” on Saturday, October 5th in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. During this four-hour morning retreat, we will reflect on what Saint Francis can teach us about healing God’s family and rebuilding the Church during this time of crisis. We will also consider how the Franciscan message of humility, simplicity, and peacemaking can strengthen the bonds of love and community in our neighborhoods, parishes, and all around the world.
Our day of prayer and reflection will proceed according to the following schedule: Celebration of Holy 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 scheduled program, all are invited to join us for a delicious potluck harvest lunch in the Our Lady’s 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. During Mass, a collection will be taken up to support the adult and youth faith formation programs in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport. If you would like to join us for this special day of prayer and reflection, please contact Cliff Garvey at cgarvey@ccgronline.com. In addition, if you are able and willing to help with our potluck lunch, please contact Cliff as soon as possible! Please join us! Spread the word! Bring a friend! All are invited! All are welcome!
Learn More: Saint Francis of Assisi
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Adult Faith Formation
The Way
Begins Sunday, October 6th
“The Way” was the among the earliest names for followers of the Risen Christ. The Way also appears as a biblical reference to the earliest Christian communities in the Acts of the Apostles. In addition, tradition teaches that both before and after his conversion, Saint Paul referred to the disciples of Christ as part of the Way. More than two thousand years later, Catholic Christians are still part of the Way of Jesus Christ. But as we all know, a life of discipleship is not a hobby or pastime. It is a vocation, a way of life that lays claim to our whole heart, mind, and strength. As disciples, our lives should be focused on and inspired by our faith in Christ, who is our merciful redeemer, friend, and brother. And as disciples, we are called to reach out to those who need our help in growing closer to Christ and the Church.
If you are an adult (age 18 and over) and have not received all of the Sacraments of Initiation in the Catholic Church (Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation), then please consider joining “The Way”, an adult faith formation program that will meet on Sunday mornings after our 8:15am Mass beginning on Sunday, October 6th in Saint Ann House of Prayer. The Way (typically called the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) is a seven month program that prepares adults to be received into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil. As part of this same program, we will prepare adults for the Sacrament of Confirmation (to be received at either the Easter Vigil or at a regional archdiocesan celebration).
Our group will meet every other week for fellowship, formation, and faith sharing. As a community of disciples, we will learn together about the basic beliefs, teachings, and traditions of the Church; and we will explore the methods of prayer and spirituality that have brought centuries of believers closer to Christ Jesus and to the Church. In addition, we will talk openly and honestly about the challenges of living an authentic life of faith, hope, and love in the modern world. If you would like to learn more about this journey of faith and become part of a unique fellowship in preparation for the sacraments of God’s Church, then please contact Cliff Garvey at cgarvey@ccgronline.com. Please join us! Spread the word! All are invited! All are welcome!
Learn More: An Introduction to the Sacraments
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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!
Follow us on Twitter: @CCGRonline