Our Pastor’s Message
Our Lady of Good Voyage
Pastor’s Challenge
Urgent Goal: $17,500 by June 30th!
Property insurance bills are up 14%. Electric bills are up 40%. Gas and oil bills are up an almost unbelievable 47%. Meanwhile, gifts and donations are down 12% from last year. And I don’t need to tell you about inflation because you already know all about it. Anyone who has been to the grocery store knows that these are difficult times. Across the country and around the world, faith communities like ours are struggling to survive. Some are making ends meet. Some are not.
Here at home, our beautiful church is open and our summer garden is beginning to blossom. Babies are being baptized. Confessions are being heard. Masses, funerals, and weddings are being celebrated. Our young disciples are receiving the Sacraments of First Holy Communion and Confirmation. Our sick and suffering brothers and sisters are being anointed and brought the Eucharist. Our online ministries are attracting more than 2,000 visitors every week. And given all that has happened during the past two years, we continue to count every blessing and confront every challenge in a spirit of faith, hope, and charity.
As Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish enters the final few weeks of the fiscal year, all of our bills are being paid. But we face the clear and present danger of a budget deficit for the first time in eight years. Given the rising costs of basic necessities and utilities, this is not surprising. In addition, we were forced to invest approximately $26,000 to replace the heating systems in Our Lady’s Hall; and nearly $4,000 to replace its commercial refrigerator. And we must remember that our weekly offerings simply do not cover the costs of everyday expenses and essential parish ministries.
For these reasons, I need your urgent help to raise $17,500 by the end of the fiscal year on June 30th. If every parish family gives $25 between now and then, we will reach our goal, balance our budget, and ensure the financial security of Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish. We are solely responsible for our own fundraising and for paying our own bills. And believe me, we are doing everything we can to control expenses, but the future of our beloved parish is in our hands. It depends on parishioners like you and me.
During the next week, every registered parish family should receive a do- nation envelope by mail. please place your donation in the collection basket at any Weekend Mass; or return it by mail to Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish, 74 Pleasant Street, Gloucester, Massachusetts 01930. If you have questions or need more information about how you and your family can support our parish, please remember that you are always welcome to contact me. Thank you for your generous support! Peace and blessings to all for a happy and healthy summer season! — Father Jim
Reverend James M. Achadinha, Pastor
Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport
Contact: frjim@ccgronline.com
CCGR Weekly Newsletter (5-22-22)
Bringing Home the Word (5-22-22)
The Kids Bulletin (5-22-22)
__________
Ascension of the Lord
A Holy Day of Obligation
Thursday, May 26th
On Thursday, May 26th, the Roman Catholic Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, which commemorates Christ’s elevation into heaven in the presence of the disciples on the fortieth day after his resurrection. On this Holy Day of Obligation, the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport will celebrate Holy Mass according to the following schedule:
- Saint Joachim Church at 8:00am
- Saint Ann Church at 12:00pm
- Our Lady of Good Voyage Church at 5:30pm
As we continue our spiritual journey through the Season of Easter and prepare for the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, let us join together as a family of disciples and pray in the words of Saint Augustine:
Look upon us, Lord,
and let all the darkness of our souls
disappear before the beams
of your divine light.
Fill us with your holy love,
and open to us
the treasures of your wisdom.
We seek your holy face,
turn toward us now
and show us your glory.
Then our longing will be satisfied
and our peace
will be complete. Amen.
For more information about the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com. Spread the word! Please join us! All are invited! All are welcome!
Listen: Ascension of the Lord with Father Greg
__________
Holy Family Women’s Guild
Spring Marketplace
Saturday, May 27th
All friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport are invited to join the Holy Family Women’s Guild for a Spring Marketplace on Saturday, May 28th from 9:00am until 1:00pm at Saint Ann Church. This outdoor market will feature baked goods, outdoor plants, florals made by our members, and pre-ordered cemetery baskets.
Working with Cressey & Sons Nursery in Rowley, the Guild is now accepting pre-orders for Memorial Day Cemetery Baskets for $28 each; and 10” Hanging Baskets of Mixed Petunias for $25 each. If you would like to place an order for a basket, please contact Jane Marshall at 978-283-5111 or Celia Gray at 978-281-2072.
All basket orders must be placed in advance on or before Monday, May 23rd; and all baskets can be picked up at the Spring Marketplace. For more information about the Holy Family Women’s Guild, please contact Arlene Lesch at arlene.lesch@outlook.com. Please join us! All are welcome!
__________
Memorial Day
Prayers for Our Fallen Heroes
Monday, May 30th
Celebration of Holy Mass at 8:00am
On Monday, May 30th, we remember the sacrifice of those who gave their lives in service to our country and to the causes of freedom, justice, and peace around the world. As a community united in prayer, fellowship, and service, we raise our hearts and voices in prayer for all who have served our nation, for all who have died, and for peace in our sick and suffering world:
A Prayer for Memorial Day
Good and gracious God,
on Memorial Day,
we pray for those men and women
who courageously laid down their lives
for the cause of freedom.
May the example of their sacrifice
inspire in us the selfless love
of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
Bless the families of our fallen troops.
Fill their home and hearts
with your peace and strength.
In union with people of good will
from every nation around the world,
embolden us to answer the call
to work for peace and justice,
and to seek an end to all war,
conflict, and violence. Amen.
All friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport are invited to join Father Jim for the celebration of a Memorial Day Mass on Monday, May 30th at 8:00am in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. Both before and after Mass, we will pray the Holy Rosary for peace in our world and for the souls of our fallen heroes and their families. Spread the word! Bring a friend! Please join us! All are welcome!
Watch: Memorial Day: A Catholic Perspective (3 Minutes)
__________
Our Lady of Good Voyage
Crowning Feast of the Holy Spirit
Begins Monday, May 30th
All are invited to join Father Jim, Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish, and the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport in celebrating the Crowning Feast of the Holy Spirit from Monday, May 30th through Sunday, June 5th. Due to the ongoing threat posed by the coronavirus, we plan to celebrate this beautiful parish tradition in a new way in order to protect the health and safety of all fellow parishioners and friends!
- Monday, May 30th
The Holy Rosary in English
Our Lady of Good Voyage Church at 6:30pm - Tuesday, May 31st
The Holy Rosary in English
Our Lady of Good Voyage Church at 6:30pm - Wednesday, June 1st
Celebration of Mass
Followed by the Holy Rosary in English
Our Lady of Good Voyage Church at 5:30pm - Thursday, June 2nd
The Holy Rosary in English
Our Lady of Good Voyage Church at 6:30pm - Friday, June 3rd
Sung Holy Spirit Rosary in Portuguese
Our Lady of Good Voyage Church at 6:30pm - Saturday, June 4th
Outdoor Sweet Bread Sale & Fried Dough Breakfast
Our Lady’s Rectory Parking Lot at 10:00am - Pentecost Sunday, June 5th
Mass & Crowning Ceremony
Our Lady of Good Voyage Church at 11:45am
Followed by Outdoor BBQ Lunch
Our Lady’s Rectory Parking Lot
All friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners of Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish and the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport are invited to join us for the Outdoor BBQ Lunch on Sunday, June 5th. Donations for Sunday’s Auction & Grand Raffle will be much appreciated. If you would like to offer a donation or volunteer, please contact Fitz Lufkin at fitzlufkinappraiser@gmail.com; Beth Fosberry at jcbf33@yahoo.com; Linda Galvin at lingalv2010@gmail.com; Matt Parisi at mparisi101@gmail.com; or leave a message at 978-281-4820. All are invited! All are welcome!
Pray & Reflect: The First Pentecost
__________
The Way for Kids
Sacramental Preparation for Older Kids
Begins Saturday, May 21st
If your child, grandchild, or godchild has completed the second grade but has not received the Sacraments of Baptism and-or First Holy Communion, we have a special program just for them! It’s called The Way for Kids!
Beginning on Saturday, May 21st from 4:00pm until 5:45pm in Our Lady’s School, Betsy Works and a team of volunteers will lead a four-week series of workshops for young disciples who have not received the first two Sacraments of Initiation. After each workshop, the children and their families are invited to attend our 6:00pm Mass.
For more information about The Way for Kids and other ways that your children can learn about the faith and be involved in the life and work of our parishes, please see Father Jim or contact Betsy Works at bworks@ccgronline.com. God bless our young disciples!
Learn More: Sacrament of Holy Eucharist (Short Video)
__________
WeShare
Safe & Easy Electronic Giving
A generous person will be enriched (Proverbs 11:25).
Electronic giving has become an essential component of parish support in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport; and it is available in both Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish. It is safe and easy to make online donations to your home parish using a credit card, debit card, or electronic check.
Donations can be made on a weekly, monthly, or one-time-only basis; and it takes just a few minutes to set up a secure personal account. In additional to the weekly offering, you can also give electronically to our church restoration funds which helps us plan for the repair and maintenance of our beloved and historic churches.
During these challenging times, Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish need your support more than ever before! Please prayerfully consider enrolling in our ‘We Share!’ electronic giving program! For more information about setting up a new account or for assistance with your existing account, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com. Thank you for your generous support for our parishes! May God bless you and your family, now and always!
Support Holy Family Parish
Support Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish
__________
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 & Mary Garvey