Our Pastor’s Message
The Next New Normal
By Father Jim
In his book, Let Us Dream, Pope Francis writes that everyone experiences a “personal Covid” during their lifetime. These are times when life as we know it stops; and we are called to change or begin again. The pope points to a time of serious illness when he was a young man as his first such moment. He says: “What I learned was that you suffer a lot, but if you allow it to change you, you come out better. But if you dig in, you come out worse (44).”
During the past fifteen months, face masks, hand washing, and social distancing have become the new normal. All of us have been forced to live differently, shop differently, work differently, pray differently, and interact differently with our friends and families. Almost all of us know someone who has been sick. Almost all of us know someone who has died. We can only weep at the staggering losses inflicted upon our sick and suffering world. But through our tears, we see better days ahead.
Thanks to the small sacrifices we have made together and to the miraculous vaccines made by scientists, Governor Baker has announced that as of Saturday, May 29th, face masks are no longer mandated for vaccinated people in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Non-vaccinated people are urged to continue wearing their masks. In the Archdiocese of Boston, Cardinal Sean has lifted restrictions on seating capacity in all of our churches for sacramental celebrations and special events.
In the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport, this means that we will resume celebrating our 6:00pm Vigil Mass on Saturday, June 5th in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. We will resume celebrating our Daily Mass according to a new schedule (see below) on Wednesday, June 2nd. All pastoral ministry and service organizations can begin meeting again. And our Bilingual Sunday Evening Mass will resume sometime during the summer. Please note, however, that our parish office will remain closed; but pastoral assistance is always available by contacting us at 978-281-4820 or office@ccgronline.com.
As a result of these changes, we can expect that both vaccinated and non-vaccinated people will enter our churches and church buildings. We will not ask or judge anyone about their vaccination status. At the same time, we are mindful of guidance offered by Pope Francis, who says: “I believe that morally everyone must take the vaccine. It is the moral choice because it is about your life but also the lives of others.”
These are challenging times. There are no easy one-size-fits all answers to this next new normal. Face masks, hand sanitizer, and social distancing are still encouraged in our churches and church buildings, especially for families with children, those in poor health, and those who cannot be vaccinated because of certain pre-existing conditions.
For my part, I will continue to practice basic safety protocols before, during, and after all liturgical celebrations for the foreseeable future. Our pastoral team will do the same. We encourage you and your family to join us. Wearing masks and practicing social distancing on a voluntary basis are signs of solidarity and support for our brothers and sisters who are sick, afraid, or anxious about the future.
Even though most restrictions have been lifted, it is important to remember that the pandemic is not over. Our parish communities are not completely safe from the threat posed by the coronavirus. During the coming weeks, every parishioner and every family should prayerfully consider when to take off their masks and when to return to church.
Until then, Cardinal Sean’s dispensation from the Sunday Obligation remains in effect. We will continue to celebrate Sunday Mass for our YouTube community. We will offer socially distant seating in Saint Ann Church. And we will continue to pray for each other, look out for each other, and take care of each other. Working together, always together, we will persevere! With God’s help, we will prevail! Peace and blessings to all!
Reverend James M. Achadinha, Pastor
Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport
Contact: frjim@ccgronline.com
CCGR Weekly Newsletter (5-30-21)
Bringing Home the Word (5-30-21)
The Kids Bulletin (5-30-21)
Home Prayer Service
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Call to Prayer
We Asked
By Colleen Hanycz, PhD
In the Name of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Loving Creator,
we asked for strength
and you gave us difficulties
to make us strong.
We asked for wisdom,
and you gave us problems to solve.
We asked for prosperity,
and you gave us purpose
and brains to use.
We asked for courage,
and you gave us fears to overcome.
We asked for patience,
and you gave us situations
where we were forced to wait.
We asked for love,
and you gave us troubled people to help.
We asked for justice,
and you called us to be just
and to lead with integrity.
Lord, we have received nothing
that we asked for or wanted.
And yet,
we received everything
that we needed.
For this, we give thanks.
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.
Saint Ann, pray for us!
Saint Joachim, pray for us!
Our Lady of Good Voyage, pray for us!
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Our Weekend Mass Schedule
Saturday Vigil Mass
- 4:00pm in Saint Ann Church
- 6:00pm in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church
Resumes on Saturday, June 5th
Sunday Mass
- 7:00am in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church
- 8:15am in Saint Ann Church
- 10:00am in Saint Joachim Church
- 11:45am in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church
Sunday Mass Online
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Our New Daily Mass Schedule
Begins Wednesday, June 2nd
Mondays & Tuesdays
- No Masses Scheduled
Wednesdays
- Mass at 5:30pm
Our Lady of Good Voyage Church
Followed by Eucharistic Adoration
Thursdays & Fridays
- Mass at 8:00am
Our Lady of Good Voyage Church
First Saturdays (Only)
- Mass at 8:00am
Our Lady of Good Voyage Church
Learn More: Sacrament of Holy Eucharist
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Our New Confessions Schedule
Begins Wednesday, June 2nd
Wednesday Evenings
- Confessions Begin at 6:05pm
Last Confession at 6:45pm
Our Lady of Good Voyage Church
And By Appointment
Learn More: Making a Good Confession
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The Assisi Project
Saturday Morning with Saint Francis
Saturday, June 5th
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 North America, Europe, and Africa. Our mission is to help believers of all ages and backgrounds better live the Gospel of Christ through the inspiration and intercession of Saint Francis and Saint Clare of Assisi.
Our first Saturday Morning with Saint Francis in fifteen long months is scheduled for Saturday, June 5th beginning with Mass at 8:00am in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. With God’s help, we will gather in-person to pray and to renew the bonds of faith, friendship, and mutual support that have sustained us for more than a decade! If you haven’t joined us before, please prayerfully consider joining us now!
After Mass, we will adore the Blessed Sacrament and pray the Franciscan Rosary (based on the Seven Joys of the Blessed Virgin Mary) in heartfelt praise and thanksgiving for God’s mercy, healing, and protection from the coronavirus; and we will remember all those we have lost during the past year, especially two long-time members of our fellowship.
If you plan to join us, please register via our parish we 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 the Angels, pray for us! May the Risen Lord give you peace — now and always!
Learn More: The Assisi Project
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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
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In Memory of Colleen Harnish