Our Pastor’s Message
Holy Family 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, Holy Family 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; our music ministries; and our weekly newsletter and website. In addition, both parishioners and summer visitors frequently share favorable comments about the dedication of our pastoral team and the untold good works of our volunteers. As a community of disciples, we should rejoice and give thanks to God for our many blessings.
Best of all, I am happy to report that our annual parish budget is balanced! After all of our bills were paid and accounts reconciled, we ran a net surplus which lays a strong financial foundation for the current fiscal year. In no small measure, our balanced budget depended on the overwhelming success of the Grand Annual Collection. Thanks to your generous support we exceed- ed our goal by more than $12,000! Needless to say, we still face challenges ahead related to increasing costs of heating, insuring, maintaining, repairing, and restoring 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 Holy Family Parish Finance Council for their dedicated service, good advice, and wise counsel: Joseph Grella, Robert Krause, and Rosa Ladd. 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 Holy Family Parish a spirit-filled and vibrant faith community. On a more personal note, your ongoing kindness and encouragement 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 generosity and support! Peace and blessings to all!
Reverend James M. Achadinha, Pastor
Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport
Contact: frjim@ccgronline.com
Holy Family Parish Financial Report (FY2019)
CCGR Weekly Newsletter (9-29-19)
Bringing Home the Word (9-29-19)
Watch: The Pope Video (September 2019)
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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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The Blessings of the Animals
Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi
Saturday, October 5th
Saint Francis of Assisi is venerated throughout the world as the patron of animals and the environment. Through- out his lifetime, Saint Francis is credited with countless miracles, many of them involving animals. Whether he was preaching to birds or taming a ferocious wolf, he has been regarded as the friend and protector of animals and pets for more than eight centuries. In belated celebration of the Feast of Saint Francis, all parishioners, friends, and guests of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport are invited to join Father Jim for the traditional “Blessing of the Animals” on Saturday, October 5th at 2:00pm in Our Lady’s Rectory Parking Lot. All family-friendly pets are welcome (but must be leashed or secured in carriers). For more information about this beautiful annual tradition, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com. Please join us! Bring your family and friends! All are invited! All are welcome! Saint Francis of Assisi, pray for us!
Watch: The Blessing of the Animals
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Holy Family Parish
Harvest Bake & Craft Sale
Weekend of October 5th & 6th
In celebration of the new fall season, the Holy FamilyWomen’s Guild is hosting a Harvest Bake Sale on Saturday, October 5th and Sunday, October 6th after all weekend Masses in Holy Family Parish. Our offerings will include freshly baked pies, cakes, cookies, and a variety of harvest crafts. All proceeds will support Holy Family Parish. For more information, please contact Jane Marshall at 978-283-5111 or Janet Lucido at 978-515-7286. Please join us! Spread the word! All are invited! All are welcome!
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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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Youth Faith Formation
First Eucharist Preparation Program
Begins October 12th – 13th
The Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport offers a creative and innovative way for children to prepare for the Sacraments of Penance & Reconciliation (Confession) and First Holy Communion. Our program is designed to prepare both children and their parents for these sacraments; to encourage lifelong relationships with Jesus Christ and the Roman Catholic Church; and to help families grow together in prayer, fellowship, and service.
Our program is simple and family-friendly! First, our top priority is to invite all families to attend one of our seven weekend Masses. Second, all second grade children and their parents, grandparents, or guardians are asked to attend two 90 minute workshops during the fall season and three 90 minute workshops during the winter-spring seasons. Each of these “Faith & Family Workshops” is offered at three different times so that each family can choose which option works best for them.
Our program begins during the weekend of October 12th-October 13th! Calendars and registration materials are posted below. Registration forms can be returned by mail or hand-delivered to our parish offices (located at 74 Pleasant Street in Gloucester). If you have questionsor need assistance with youth faith formation in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport, please contact Betsy Works at bworks@ccgronline.com. Please join us! Spread the word! All are invited! All are welcome!
Second Grade Registration & Schedule 2019-2020
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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