This Week’s Message
Christ’s Kingdom of Love
By Pope Francis
Dear Brothers and Sisters! Greetings! The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, which we celebrate today, is placed at the end of the liturgical year and recalls that the life of creation does not proceed by chance. Rather, it proceeds to a final end: the final manifestation of Jesus Christ, the Lord of all history and the Lord of all creation. The conclusion of history will be his eternal sign. The scriptures tell us about the Kingdom of Christ and the Kingship of Christ; recounting the humiliating situation in which Jesus finds himself after being arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane: bound, insulted, accused, and led before the authorities in Jerusalem. Jesus is presented to the Roman Procurator as someone seeking political power, seeking to become the King of the Jews. Pilate carries out his investigation with a dramatic interrogation. Pilate asks him twice if he is a king. At first, Jesus answers that his kingdom is not ofthis world. Then Jesus affirms: “You say that I am a king (John 18:37).”
It is evident from his life that Jesus does not have political ambitions. We recall that after the multiplication of the loaves, the people, excited by the miracle, want to proclaim him their king, overturn the Roman power, and reestablish the Kingdom of Israel. For Jesus, however, the kingdom is something else — certainly not brought about by revolt, violence, and force of arms. Therefore, Jesus retreats to the hillside in order to pray by himself. In answering Pilate, Jesus prompts him to notice that the disciples do not fight to defend him. He says: “If my kingship were of this world, my servants would fight, so that I might not be handed over to the Jews (John 18:36).”
Jesus wants to make it clearly understood that above political power is another power; a greater power which is not obtained by human means. Jesus comes to earth to exercise this power, which is love and bearing witness to the truth. It is about divine truth that in the end is the essential message of the Gospel: “God is love (1 John 4:8).” Jesus wants to establish in this world his kingdom of love, justice, and peace. This is the kingdom of which Jesus is king and which extends to the end of time. History teaches us that kingdoms founded on the power of arms and lies are fragile and collapse sooner or later. But the Kingdom of God is founded on love and rooted in hearts. It confers on us peace, freedom, and fullness of life. We all want peace. We all want freedom. We all want fullness of life. But how does this new kingdom come about? Let the love of God, the Kingdom of God, and the love of Jesus take root in your heart! Then you will have all peace, freedom, and fullness of life!
On this day, Jesus asks us to let him become our king; a king that with his word, example, and sacrificial life on the cross has saved us from death. This king leads the way for the lost. He gives new light to lives marked by doubt, fear, and everyday trials. We must not forget that the Kingdom of Jesus is not of this world! He can give new meaning to our lives (sometimes harshly tried by our mistakes and sins) on the condition that we do not follow the logic of this world and its “kings.” May the Virgin Mary helpus to welcome Jesus as King of our lives and to share his Kingdom by giving witness to the truth which is always love (Angelus Address; 11-25-18)!
CCGR Weekly Newsletter (11-24-19)
Bringing Home the Word (11-24-19)
Learn More: Vatican News Service
Learn More: Solemnity of Christ the King
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Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish
Annual Turkey Giveaway
Monday, November 25th
All are invited to join Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish for its Annual Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway on Monday, November 25th at 7:00pm in Our Lady’s Hall. This year, we will have turkeys for raffle, along with our famous homemade sweetbread, cider, vegetables, and all the trimmings for a delicious holiday feast! In addition, we will have a 50-50 Raffle! Pizza and soft drinks will be available, too! So, please join us for this fun and exciting holiday tradition! For more information, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com. Please join us! All are invited! All are welcome!
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Thanksgiving Mass Schedule
November 27th & November 28th
All parishioners, friends, and guests of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport are invited to join us as we gather as God’s family for the celebration of Holy Mass in commemoration of the upcoming Thanksgiving Holiday according to the following schedule:
- Thanksgiving Eve
Wednesday, November 27th at 6:30pm
Our Lady of Good Voyage Church - Thanksgiving Day
Thursday, November 28th at 8:00am
Saint Joachim Church
For more information, please see Father Jim or contact him at frjim@ccgronline.com. We pray that you and your family will join us in giving praise and thanks for God’s abundant blessings on our community! Please join us! Spread the good news! All are invited! All are welcome! Happy Thanksgiving!
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The Assisi Project
Saturday Morning with Saint Francis
Saturday, November 30th
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 God’s Holy Church through the inspiration and intercession of Saint Francis and Saint 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 forNovember 30th beginning at 8:00am. This month, we will continue our discussion and study of Father Murray Bodo’s beautiful book of spiritual reflections, “Surrounded by Love: Seven Teachings from Saint Francis of Assisi.”
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! Our Lady of Angels, pray for us! Please join us! Spread the word! All are invited! All are welcome!
Learn More: The Assisi Project
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Advent Faith & Family Mass
Youth Faith Formation Special Event
Saturday, November 30th
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 9:14).” In response to the Lord’s call, all children, parents, grandparents, godparents, and guardians are invited to join Father Jim for our Fifth Annual Advent Faith & Family Mass on Saturday, November 30th at 4:00pm in Saint Ann Church. During Mass, Father Jim will offer a special homily about the Christmas Tree and a special blessing for all of God’s children and their families. In addition, every child will receive a small gift.
Please save these dates for our upcoming Faith & Family Masses: 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. For more information about our Advent Faith & Family Mass, please contact Betsy Works at bworks@ccgronline.com. Let us affirm once again that Mass is our class! Jesus is our Teacher! Every child is a precious gift from God! And all families are always welcome to join us for Mass! Spread the word! All are invited! All are welcome!
Learn More: Lifelong Faith Formation
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Advent & Christmas Concert
An Annual Holiday Tradition
Sunday, December 8th
All parishioners, friends, and guests of Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish are invited to join Tom Misuraca, Lucy Pallazola, Patricia Natti, and our Adult & Youth Music Ministries for our Fifteenth Annual Advent & Christmas Concert on Sunday, December 8th at 2:00pm in Saint AnnChurch. As always, this year’s musical selections have been carefully chosen tohelp prepare our hearts to celebrate more faithfully the Holy Season of Advent and the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ at Christmas. For more information about this beautiful holiday tradition in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport, please contact Tom Misuraca, Associate Minister of Music, at tmisuraca@ccgronline.com. Please join us as we share the gift of sacred music during the upcoming holiday season! Spread the good news! Bring your families and friends! All are invited! All are welcome!
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Advent Mission & Retreat
Punching Holes in the Darkness
December 11th-December 13th
Especially at this time of year, darkness is all around us. Days are short. Nights are long. Too many days seem bleak and gloomy. And in the world around us, darkness abounds. Divisions are deep. Too many people suffer. Too many people seem ambivalent and cynical. Too many people seem hunkered down, hoping beyond hope that the darkness will pass away all by itself.
Father Jim and Cliff recently read a little book called “Punching Holes in the Darkness” by Robert Benson, a Christian author and retreat leader. He writes: “Where there is darkness, we are to raise our fists and punch holes in it — as hard as we can, as often as we can. The size of the hole does not matter, the fact of it is what counts more than everything.” Benson means that each one of us, inspired by the Holy Spirit, can transcend the darkness and bring the Light of Christ into our world with every thought, word, and deed. By punching holes in the darkness, we bring brightness back into our world and our good works shine like stars in the night!
In this spirit, all parishioners, friends, and guests of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport are invited to join us for our “Advent Mission & Retreat: Punching Holes in the Darkness” from Wednesday, December 11th through Friday, December 13th beginning with Mass at 7:00pm in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. Each evening will also feature a reflection, followed by comments, questions, and faith sharing. Although we will not read all of Robert Benson’s book, copies will be available for purchase. For more information, please contact Cliff Garvey at cgarvey@ccgronline.com. Please join us! Spread the word! Bring a friend! All are invited! All are welcome!
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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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