Our Pastor’s Message
Welcome Home for Christmas!
By Father Jim
As Pope John XXIII opened the Second Vatican Council in 1962, he cried out: “I wish to throw open the windows of the Church so that we can see out and the people can see in!” Years later, in 1978, at the beginning of Pope John Paul II’s long pontificate, he declared: “Do not be afraid! Let us open wide the doors!” Decades later, in 2013, Pope Francis prayed: “May the Church be the place of God’s love and mercy, where everyone can feel themselves welcomed, loved, forgiven, and encouraged to live according to the good life of the Gospel. In order to make others feel welcomed, loved, and forgiven, we must open our doors so that all may enter and we must go out of those doors and proclaim the Gospel!”
In their own way and in their own time, these three popes gave witness to the need for the Roman Catholic Church to rebuild itself, renew itself, and reach out to those who are detached, distant, and feeling isolated from their brothers and sisters in faith. Now it is our turn! As Holy Family Parish, Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish, and the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport celebrate the Christmas Season, we remind our friends, families, fellow parishioners, and guests that we are a people united in prayer, fellowship, and service. Our mission is to live the Gospel of Christ, share God’s love and mercy, and rebuild the Church in our small corner of the world.
In this spirit, the celebration of Holy Mass is the source and summit of our community’s joy and the object of our shared worship. All are welcome to gather with us for Mass and to participate in Holy Communion in accordance with a personal examination of conscience and the teachings of the Catholic Church. At the same time, like Pope Francis, we believe that “the Eucharist is not a prize for the perfect but a powerful medicine and nourishment for the weak.” It is long past time for us to throw open the windows, unlock the doors, reach out to those in need of solace, and shout from the rooftops: “All are welcome!”
Our doors are open to every saint and every sinner. Our doors are open to the rich and the poor, to the young and the old, and to everyone in between. Our doors are open to married couples, single men and women, to straight people and gay people, and to anyone who is trying to find their way in this long-suffering world. Our doors are open to every citizen and non-citizen and to all people of goodwill who seek to belong to a community of prayer. Our doors are open to healthy people and sick people and to all who long for the Lord’s healing presence in their lives. Again and again and again, you and your family are welcome here — today, tomorrow, and always! So, let us throw open our doors and windows! Let us open our arms and our hearts and our minds! Let us make room in the pew! Let us make room for the Poor Christ among us! Let us welcome the neighbor & the stranger! Let us cry out together with the angels of the heavenly host: “Welcome Home for Christmas!”
Reverend James M. Achadinha, Pastor
Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport
Contact: frjim@ccgronline.com
CCGR Weekly Newsletter (12-25-19)
Bringing Home the Word (12-22-19)
Watch: The Pope Video (December 2019)
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Call to Prayer
Will You Let Me In?
A Prayer for Christmas
Lord, you split no sky
when you were born among us.
And you rose not from the sea.
A star was seen in the heavens,
but only by those who looked.
A choir of angels was heard,
but only by those who listened.
Just the cry of a poor refugee,
turning to no one,
turning to everyone,
saying:“Will you let me in?”
And so, when every night is winter,
and every town is Bethlehem,
and every inn seems full,
and on every ear those words are heard:
“Will you let me in?”
May we have eyes to see the star.
May we have ears to hear the choir.
May we have hearts that finally speak:
“Yes! Yes! By all means, come in!
Come and stay with us!”
Glory to the Father,
to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and will be forever.
Amen! Amen!
Source: Catholic Relief Services
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Welcome Home!
Our Christmas Worship Schedule
The Celebration of Holy Mass is the source and summit of our community’s joy and its life of prayer, fellowship, and service. All are welcome to gather with us for Mass and to participate in Holy Communion in accordance with a personal examination of conscience and the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. In a spirit of radical welcome to all people, the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport joyfully invites you and your family to join us for Mass in celebration of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ at Christmas!
- Christmas Eve – Tuesday, December 24th
Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ
Saint Ann Church at 4:00pm
Our Lady of Good Voyage Church at 6:00pm
Our Lady of Good Voyage Church at Midnight
- Christmas Day – Wednesday, December 25th
Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ
Saint Ann Church at 8:15am
Saint Joachim Church at 10:00am
Our Lady of Good Voyage Church at 11:45am
- New Year’s Eve – Tuesday, December 31st
Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
Saint Ann Church at 4:00pm
- New Year’s Day – Wednesday, January 1st
Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
Our Lady of Good Voyage Church at 8:00am
Saint Joachim Church at 10:00am
At Christmas and always, are doors are open to every saint and every sinner. Our doors are open to the rich and the poor, to the young and the old, and to everyone in between. Our doors are open to married couples and single people, to straight people and gay people, and to all who are discerning their way in the world. Our doors are open to every citizen and every non-citizen, and to all who seek a community of prayer, fellowship, and service. Our doors are open to healthy people and sick people and to all who long for the Lord’s healing presence in their lives. Again and again and again, you and your family are welcome! At Christmas and beyond, let us open wide the doors! Let us open our arms! Let us open our hearts and minds! And let us cry out together, forever and always: “Welcome Home for Christmas!”
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Youth Christmas Pageant
Special Event for Families & Children
Saturday, December 28th
Each year, the Catholic Church celebrates the Season of Christmas from December 25th through the Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord on January 5th. During Christmastime, we commemorate the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ; the choir of angels praising God in heaven; the call of the shepherds; and the adoration of the Magi with their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
As part of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport’s celebration of the Christmas Season, we invite children from Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish to participate in our Youth Christmas Pageant on Saturday, December 28th at 4:00pm in Saint Ann Church. This dramatization of the Nativity of the Lord depends on the participation of young angels and shepherds, along with those children interested in portraying the Magi and the Holy Family.
Being a part of this special holiday event is an excellent way for children to participate in the life of their home parish and learn about the teachings and traditions of the Catholic Church. If your child, grandchild, or godchild would like to participate in this year’s Christmas Pageant, please contact Betsy Works at bworks@ccgronline.com. Please join us! Spread the word! All are invited! All are welcome!
Video: The First Nativity Scene
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Special Event
Trivia Night with Father Jim
Saturday, February 8th
All parishioners, friends, and guests of the Catholic Com- munity of Gloucester & Rockport are invited to join us for a brain-teasing, mind-blowing, and fast-paced “Trivia Night with Father Jim” on Saturday, February 8th from 7:00pm until 10:00pm in Our Lady’s Hall. Throughoutthe evening, Father Jim (who secretly longs to be a game show host) will ask a series of questions on a wide array of topics including music and sports, movies and televi- sion, books and history, politics and religion!
Participants will be organized in teams of eight, so all are welcome to form a team in advance or take your chances at the door! Tickets are $20 per person and are 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 also promises raffles with very cool prizes!
Don’t miss this opportunity to impress your friends andfellow parishioners with your knowledge of facts, fig-ures, and trivia! Don’t miss this chance to share a few laughs! Don’t miss the chance to win a great prize! And don’t miss this chance to raise some much needed fundsfor Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish! For more infor- mation, please contact Father Jim at 978-281-4820 or frjim@ccgronline.com. Please join us! Spread the word! All are invited! All are welcome! Merry Christmas!
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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