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14TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

This Week’s Message
Becoming One in Christ

By Kathleen M. Basi

You would think that in a society that prizes knowledge — in a world shaped by the ability to study the microscopic building blocks of the human person — we would have moved beyond defining people by stereotypes. Yet reality indicates otherwise. It is a sad truth about human nature that we are really good at building walls to divide us from them and not nearly as good at breaking down those walls.

Forwarded emails, written in inflammatory language, make blanket statements about Muslims, Protestants, Catholics, liberals, and conservatives. Neighbors protest in response to a home being built nearby for underprivileged kids or disabled adults. We make assumptions about people’s character based on the way they dress, their political affiliations, or physical characteristics.

We would all like to think that we’re the exception to such subtle bigotry. We would like to think that we respect the gift of life in whatever form God gives it — disabilities and all — but how many of us answer questions about our unborn children with ‘as long as the baby’s healthy’ or forward emails in poor taste?

We readily admit that those people (whoever they may be) are just as important as we are in the eyes of God. But when it comes to making out birthday invitations for our children’s celebrations or expanding our own social circles, does our gaze automatically slide past certain individuals to people who feel a little more…well…like us?

When we separate people into us versus them, we give ourselves permission, however unconsciously, to see them as less than. Jesus asks more from us. In one Gospel story after another, he challenges us to tear down the barriers erected by humanity.

We know that Jesus came for everyone — it is a tenet of our faith. It is a lot easier to say those words, though, than to acknowledge that our hearts aren’t opened as wide as Jesus’ heart. Saint Paul urged the Galatians not to consider themselves as Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female (See Galatians 3:28). A modern litany might speak to religion, race, sexual orientation, or political affiliation.

It is not easy to overcome our biases. But nobody ever said following Jesus would be easy. In fact, Jesus made it clear that the Christian journey involves dying to oneself. What also must die is our own unacknowledged prejudices.

About the Author: Kathleen M. Basi is a composer, musician, essayist, and disability rights activist. She is also a wife and mother of four children, one of whom lives with Down Syndrome. Kathleen is also a regular contributor to Bringing Home the Word, a weekly newsletter featuring suggestions for prayer and reflection at home. Click the link below for this week’s edition!

CCGR Weekly Newsletter (7-4-21)
Bringing Home the Word (7-4-21)
The Kids Bulletin (7-4-21)

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The Call to Prayer
A Prayer for America

By Cliff Garvey

All good and gracious God,
you are 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 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 understand,
once and for all,
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 understand,
once and for all,
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: A Prayer for America

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Sacrament of Baptism
Welcome Young Disciples!

The Sacrament of Baptism is the first of three Sacraments of Initiation in the Roman Catholic Church. The two other Sacraments of Initiation are Eucharist and Confirmation. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church: “Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gate- way to life in the Spirit, and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism, we are freed from sin and reborn as children of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church, and made sharers in her mission (CCC 1213).” During the month of June, Father Jim baptized and blessed the following children with holy water in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit:

Lennox Barry
Savino Cannavo
Leonard Connolly
Santiago Peritore
Emilia Romeo
Austin Sears
Valentina Taormina
Dylan Trefry
Lennon Woundy

Beginning in August, the Sacrament of Baptism will be celebrated according to the following schedule: During Sunday Mass at 10:00am in Saint Joachim Church; on the second Saturday of the month at 11:30am in Saint Ann Church; and on the third Saturday of the month at 11:30am in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church.

If you would like to schedule your child’s baptism in either Holy Family Parish or Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish, please contact Sheila McCarthy-Durkin at smccarthy@ccgronline.com. May God bless our newly baptized young disciples, along with their parents, godparents, & family members! Peace, blessings, and heartfelt congratulations to all!

Learn More: The Sacrament of Baptism

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The Assisi Project
A Franciscan Night Prayer
Let’s Pray Together!

Saint Paul writes: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of the God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Thessalonians 5:16).” For centuries, Christians have puzzled over what it means to pray without ceasing. But one ancient practice provides 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 the Liturgy of the Hours to mark and sanctify the various hours of the day: morning, afternoon, evening, and night. It is based on a four week cycle of psalms, canticles, and scripture readings that calls us into a deeper relationship with Christ and the Church bringing us together through prayers of praise, petition, intercession, and thanksgiving.

At ordination, deacons and priests make a solemn promise to pray the Liturgy of the Hours every day, using a book called the Breviary. But the Divine Office is not just for the clergy and those consecrated to religious life. Countless lay people around the world make the Liturgy of the Hours part of their daily prayer and worship. Indeed, when we pray these prayers, whether alone or in community, we are united in a powerful spiritual communion that helps to heal, redeem, and consecrate our sick and suffering world.

Unlike the other hours of the Divine Office, Compline (or Night Prayer) works on a seven day cycle. Every Sunday, the prayers are the same. Every Monday, the prayers are the same. And so on. According to the General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours: “Night Prayer is the last prayer of the day, said before retiring, even if that is after midnight.” And about this form of prayer, Pope Francis says: “I am very attached to the Breviary…It is the first thing I open in the morning and the last thing I close before going to sleep.”

In this spirit, in solidarity with Pope Francis, and in communion with Christian disciples around the world, the Assisi Project invites you to join us in offering A Franciscan Night Prayer. This newly created version of Night Prayer includes the traditional psalms, readings, and canticle of the day. It also includes antiphons, readings, and a Marian devotion from the spiritual tradition founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. A Franciscan Night Prayer can be prayed by listening to one of our free podcasts or by praying with the printable version. See links below! Let’s pray together! It’s a great way to end the day! Each podcast is less than ten minutes!

For more information about the Assisi Project and its good work in our parishes, please see Father Jim or contact Cliff Garvey 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! May the Lord give you peace!

Pray More: Assisi Project Resources

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Sharing God’s Love
Saint Vincent de Paul Society
Help Us Help Others!

The Saint Vincent de Paul Society is an international organization that is dedicated to responding to any request from any person or family in need. Here on Cape Ann, we work through Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish to serve the poor and the needy. Although our food pantry and clothes closet remain closed, our service to those in need continues! We need your support! Help us help others! Donations can be left at the parish office, dropped in the collection basket at Sunday Mass, or mailed to the following address:

Saint Vincent de Paul Society
74 Pleasant Street
Gloucester, Massachusetts 01930

New members are always welcome! For more information about the Saint Vincent de Paul Society and its good work in our parishes and hometowns, please contact Harry Miller at 978-281-8672 or Bob Weeks at svdpmember1@gmail.com. If you or your family needs assistance, please call us at 978-281-8672. Thank you for your generous support for the Saint Vincent de Paul Society! May God bless you! and your family!

Learn More: Saint Vincent de Paul

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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 John Scola