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SECOND WEEK OF LENT

cropped-pray-for-one-another.jpegCORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC UPDATE
Friday, March 13, 2020 – Updated 4:15pm

Pastor’s Note: In cooperation with medical experts and local and state authorities, Cardinal Sean O’Malley has suspended all public Masses in the Archdiocese of Boston until further notice. The Cardinal has also issued a dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass for all Roman Catholics in the Archdiocese. Funeral and wedding services will continue as scheduled for now.

In order to do what we can locally to safeguard the health of all friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners, the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport also announces the following changes to our parish programs and ministries:

  • Our parish office is closed on Friday, March 13th.
  • Friday Night Bingo is suspended until further notice.
  • Stations of the Cross is canceled on Friday, March 13th.
  • All pastoral visits by the Legion of Mary are suspended.
  • All pastoral visits by the Saint Vincent de Paul Society are suspended.
  • Our Morning Morning Communion Service is suspended until further notice.
  • All adult & youth faith formation programs are suspended until further notice.
  • All other parish programs, meetings & events are suspended until further notice.

This crisis is real. Everyone is encouraged to make every effort to protect themselves, their families, and their neighbors. We must confront it by believing in God, trusting in science, taking precautions, and praying — now more than ever. All are encouraged to pray for healing, mercy, and protection by using the resources below. Additional resources coming soon! Let us now pray for each other! Stay tuned for further updates! Peace & blessings to all! — Father Jim.

Pray: The Way of the Cross
Pray: Saint Joseph, Hope of the Sick
Watch: Daily Mass with Pope Francis
Watch: Catholic TV Daily Mass
Learn More: WHO Coronavirus Q&A 

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Prayer Resources

In addition to participating in the sacramental life of our parishes, all Catholics are called to holiness through daily prayer. As one way of encouraging members of our community to grow closer to Christ through prayer, we recommend the following online resources for daily prayer and reflection which can be accessed by clicking on the links below:

If you have questions or need further suggestions about daily prayer during these difficult and uncertain times, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com or Cliff Garvey at cgarvey@ccgronline.com.

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Liturgy of the Hours

In his First Letter to the Thessalonians, Saint Paul writes: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Thess 5:16).” For centuries, Christians have puzzled over what it means to pray without ceasing. But one ancient practice provides us with an answer: the Liturgy of the Hours.

Since the middle ages, the Church has used a daily practice of prayer called the “Divine Office” or “Liturgy of the Hours” to mark and sanctify the various hours or times of the day: morning, afternoon, evening, and night. It uses a four-week cycle of psalms, canticles, and scripture read- ings to draw us into deeper relationship with Christ and the Church by uniting us with the Lord and each other through prayers of petition, praise, and thanksgiving.

At ordination, our deacons and priests make solemn promises to pray with the Divine Office each and every day. However, the Liturgy of the Hours is not just for deacons, priests, and those consecrated to religious life. Countless lay men and women around the world make the Liturgy of the Hours the foundation of their daily prayer and worship. Indeed, in Canticum Laudis, the Apostolic Constitution of the Church, we read: “The purpose of the Divine Office is to sanctify the day and all human activity. The Divine Office is the prayer not only of the clergy but of the whole People of God.” The Liturgy of the Hours can be prayed alone or in community. If you are interested in praying online, please click on the link below:

If you have questions or need further suggestions about daily prayer during these difficult and uncertain times, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com or Cliff Garvey at cgarvey@ccgronline.com.

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Grand Annual Collections
Help Us Balance Our Budgets
Every Dollar Makes a Difference!

Last year, thanks to your generous support, both Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish balanced their fiscal year budgets. Two big reasons for these accomplishments are the success of our Grand Annual Collections. In each of our parishes, the Grand Annual Collection bridges the gap between our weekly gifts and our financial obligations (such as salaries and benefits, insurance premiums, utility bills, snow plowing, and essential parish programs). The Grand Annual Collections also enable us to repair and improve our historic, but very expensive to maintain, church buildings.

In order for each parish to balance its budget and ensure its long-term financial stability, we must meet our goals of $75,000 for Holy Family Parish and $45,000 for Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish. These fundraising campaigns are essential components of our annual parish budgets. So each year, we ask all parishioners to contribute what they can to our Grand Annual Collections. Every gift, large or small, helps us to achieve our goals and balance our budgets. Offertory envelopes are located at the doors of all of our churches. Please place your offering in the collection basket during Mass or mail it directly to me.

We have made some good progress toward reaching our goals, but we have much work ahead before the end of the fiscal year on June 30th. So, all parishioners are encouraged to prayerfully consider giving to the Grand Annual Collection at either Holy Family Parish or Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish. Every penny raised goes directly to the parish of your choice.

Please join me in praying that each of us, according to our means, will give generously to one of these all-important fundraising efforts. For more information about the Grand Annual Collections in either Holy Family Parish or Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com. Thank you in advance for your prayers and generous support for the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport!

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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
Support the Catholic Appeal

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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