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SECOND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Our Pastor’s Message
Love Your Neighbor: Get Vaccinated

By Father Jim

Last March, as our world began to shutdown because of the growing threat from the coronavirus, I heard from an old friend, someone trustworthy, who works as a public health specialist in Philadelphia. He told me that the virus was highly contagious, dangerous, and deadly. He told me to urge my parents to self-isolate; to do whatever was possible to protect myself and our fellow parishioners; and to prepare myself, my family, and our parishes for a “new abnormal” that could last for one or perhaps even two years. My friend’s hard advice has proven all too true.

Ten months later, we continue to do whatever we can with limited resources to comply with all archdiocesan and state government safety guidelines. Meanwhile, we continue to offer our parishioners opportunities to pray together on our websites and YouTubeChannel. This remote form of shared prayer is certainly not our first choice, but it remains the best choice for now. And it has created a powerful spiritual communion that brings us closer to Christ, closer to the Church, and closer to each other.

Thanks to the miracle of modern science, a vaccine is now becoming available that can protect us from this deadly virus. This week, I am happy to share several Catholic perspectives about the coronavirus vaccines. These resources come from the Vatican News Service, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), and the National Catholic Reporter. All are invited to read these resources and share them with your families, friends, and neighbors. In particular, I encourage you to reflect on Sister Mary Catherine Redmond’s essay entitled: Catholics Should Love Their Neighbor By Getting Vaccinated. See links below.

It may be many more months before all of us are vaccinated. It may be many more months before we are able to gather again safely in our churches and parish halls as we did before the pandemic. Until then, we have a unique opportunity to learn the facts about the vaccine; then to love God and love our neighbor by getting the vaccine, by continuing to wear masks and practice social distancing, and by praying for each other every single day. Now more than ever, let’s keep together by praying together for God’s mercy, healing, and protection. Peace and blessings to all!

Reverend James M. Achadinha, Pastor
Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport
Contact: frjim@ccgronline.com

CCGR Weekly Newsletter (1-17-21)
Bringing Home the Word (1-17-21)
The Kids Bulletin (1-17-21)
Home Prayer Service

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Pastor’s Note
Our Lady of Good Voyage
Grand Annual Collection

OUR WINTER GOAL – $22,500

As a sad year passes into history and a new year begins, we look ahead with hope and we pray for better days. This is also a good time to count our blessings and confront our challenges with courage and honesty. On the bright side, our churches are open (albeit with limited seating capacity and strict safety guidelines). Our young disciples are preparing remotely for First Holy Communion and Confirmation. Babies are being baptized. Confessions are being heard. Funerals and weddings are being celebrated in small, more intimate ceremonies. Our online ministry now attracts 2,000 visitors every week. And new technologies allow us to pray with the sick and the lonely in ways that keep everyone safe. Last but not least, thanks to your ongoing generosity, our bills are being paid and our budget is balanced as we end the first half of the fiscal year.

But winter is upon us. Regardless of how many parishioners can be welcomed into Our Lady of Good Voyage Church during the pandemic, the church and other parish buildings must be heated, insured, and maintained. Parking lots must be plowed. Sidewalks must be shoveled and kept clear of ice. The remaining members of our pastoral team (including me), who are working harder than ever, must be paid. And we simply must be ready — on day one — to resume our ministries and programs when this crisis passes.

Anyone who knows me knows that economy and thrift were taught to me at an early age. My parents worked day and night to provide for our family and make ends meet. Believe me, we are doing everything we possibly can to control costs and reduce expenses. But the short and long-term financial stability and pastoral viability of Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish is in our hands. We are solely responsible for our own fundraising and for paying our own bills. The future of our beloved and historic home parish depends entirely on parishioners like you and me. It’s all up to us!

Each year, the Grand Annual Collection bridges the gap between our weekly gifts and the overall costs of operating our parish. This year, we must raise $45,000 by the end of the fiscal year. Our goal right now is to raise $22,500 by Easter Sunday, April 4th. If every parish family gives $37 to our Winter Grand Annual Collection, then we will reach our goal by Easter Sunday, balance our budget, and ensure the financial security of our parish. Giving and praying together, we can make this happen!

Every family that is registered with Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish has been mailed a gift envelope that can be returned at Mass or by mail. Additional envelopes are also available in the church vestibule. If you did not receive an envelope and would like to be added to our parish census, please contact me as soon as possible. Thank you in advance for your prayers and generous support of Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish! Be smart! Stay safe! Wear a mask! Peace and blessings to all! — Father Jim

Reverend James M. Achadinha, Pastor
Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport
Contact: frjim@ccgronline.com

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A Prayer for America

By Cliff Garvey

All good and gracious God,
you are the creator
of heaven and earth,
master of the universe,
and parent of all human hearts.

Help us understand,
once and for all,
that all of our liberties,
all of our rights,
and all of our riches belong to you.
They are only entrusted to us:
to be used well
and to help us do what is right.

Help us to understand,
once and for all,
that all of our hopes,
all of our dreams,
and all of our passions belong to you.
They are only entrusted to us:
to be lived well and tempered
by your gifts of reason and conscience.

Help us to understand,
now and always,
that we are only free,
we are only great,
and we are only exceptional
when we do what we are called to do,
not just what we want to do.

Help us to understand,
now and always,
that we are one people,
children of the same God,
brothers and sisters,
neighbors and friends,
beckoned to serve not ourselves,
but your good,
the only good,
the common good.

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.

Assisi Project Podcast
Listen: A Prayer for America

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Sharing God’s Love
Sanctuary Candles & Gifts

At each of our churches in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport, sanctuary candles and gifts (hosts and wine) can be donated for a special intention or in memory of a friend or loved one. The requested donation for both sanctuary gifts and candles is now $25 per week. Each week, donations can be offered at:

  • Saint Ann Church
  • Saint Joachim Church
  • Our Lady of Good Voyage Church
  • New! Chapel of the Archangels

Please note that Cardinal Sean has given permission to create a Eucharistic Chapel in Our Lady of Good Voyage Rectory. The Chapel of the Archangels, dedicated to Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, is located on the first floor of the rectory. You can see the sanctuary candle from the street. In addition to their better-known patronages, Archangel Michael is venerated as a patron of the sick and suffering; Archangel Raphael is a patron of medical professionals; and Archangel Gabriel is patron of priests. We need their prayers and protection like never before!

If you would like to donate a sanctuary candle or sanctuary gifts at Saint Ann Church, Saint Joachim Church, Our Lady of Good Voyage Church, Saint Anthony Chapel, or our new Chapel of the Archangels, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com. Thank you for your generous support! May God bless you!

Learn More: The Archangels

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WeShare
Safe & Easy Electronic Giving

Electronic giving is available at both Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish. It is safe and simple to make online donations to your home parish using a credit cared or debit card. Donations can be made on an ongoing or one-time-only basis. And it takes just a few minutes to set up a secure personal account. For assistance or more information about this important fundraising resource for the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com. Thank you for your generous support for our parishes during these difficult times! Peace, blessings, and many thanks to all!

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

This Week’s Homepage
In Memory of Ann Moceri