The Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport’s Mass Intentions Book (August 2022 through December 2022) will be opened on Thursday, June 30th from 11:30am until 1:00pm in Our Lady of Good Voyage Hall. All parishioners are welcome to book one Sunday Mass and one weekday Mass at Saint Ann Church, Saint Joachim Church, or Our Lady of Good Voyage Church.

Please note that on June 30th, all Mass intentions must be booked in person. No e-mail, fax, or phone requests will be accepted. No exceptions. Any remaining Masses may be booked on or after Friday, July 1st. For more information, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com. Thank you in advance for your cooperation and support! Peace and blessings to all!

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The Saints of Summer
Mini-Retreat Series
Begins Saturday, July 2nd

Summer is a good time of year to step back from the business and busyness of daily life and focus on our relationships with Jesus, our church, and those we are called to love. Unfortunately, few among us are able to leave behind home, work, and family for a real retreat from the responsibilities of the world. For this reason, the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport, in collaboration with the Assisi Project, is pleased to announce a special series of mini-retreats called The Saints of Summer.

Throughout his priestly ministry, Pope Francis has called people of all ages and backgrounds to learn about and pray with the saints. The Holy Father believes in his heart that the saints bring us closer to Christ and to each other. He says: “The saints are still here, not far from us; and their images in our churches evoke the ‘cloud of witnesses’ that always surrounds us (cf. Hebrews 12:1)…The saints remind us that even in our lives, however weak and marked by sin, holiness can unfold (4-7-21).”

In this spirit of unfolding holiness, all are invited to join us twice each month in July, August, and September for a series of two-hour mini-retreats. These moments of prayer, reflection, and adoration will focus on the lives of six amazing saints: Saint Ann, Saint Mary Magdalen, Saint Clare of Assisi, Saint Rose of Viterbo, Our Lady of the Angels, and Our Lady of Sorrows.

Each mini-retreat will begin with the celebration of Holy Mass and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at 8:00am. After our shared prayer, Father Jim and-or Cliff Garvey will offer a reflection on the life, inspiration, and veneration of a saint whose life of holiness has inspired men and women all around the world. There will be time for questions and faith sharing, too. After our reflection and discussion, all are invited to pray in silent adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and in veneration of holy relics of each saint of the day. We will conclude each day of prayer beginning at 9:30am with the Holy Rosary followed by Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Here’s our summer schedule of mini-retreats:

Saints of Summer 1 – Saint Ann
Saturday, July 2nd
Begins with Mass at 8:00am
Saint Ann Church
Gloucester, Massachusetts

Saints of Summer 2 – Saint Mary Magdalen
Feast Day – Friday, July 22nd
Begins with Mass at 8:00am
Our Lady of Good Voyage Church
Gloucester, Massachusetts

Saints of Summer 3 – Our Lady of the Angels
Saturday, August 6th
Begins with Mass at 8:00am
Our Lady of Good Voyage Church
Gloucester, Massachusetts

Saints of Summer 4 – Saint Clare of Assisi
Feast Day – Thursday, August 11th
Begins with Mass at 8:00am
Our Lady of Good Voyage Church
Gloucester, Massachusetts

Saints of Summer 5 – Saint Rose of Viterbo
Saturday, September 3rd
Begins with Mass at 8:00am
Our Lady of Good Voyage Church
Gloucester, Massachusetts

Saints of Summer 6 – Our Lady of Sorrows
Feast Day – Thursday, September 15th
Begins with Mass at 8:00am
Our Lady of Good Voyage Church
Gloucester, Massachusetts

We hope and pray that you and your family will be able to join us for all or even just part of this unique series of mini-retreats in celebration of The Saints of Summer! For more information about this series or about the good work of the Assisi Project in our home parishes, please contact Cliff Garvey at cgarvey@assisiproject.com. Mark your calendar! Spread the word! Bring a friend! Let’s pray together! All are invited! All are welcome!

Learn More: Franciscan Media’s Saint of the Day

Saint Anthony once said: “Charity is the soul of faith. It gives it life. Without love, faith dies.” As we celebrate our shared history of a community united in prayer, fellowship, and service, the godly virtues of faith, hope, and love are very much alive and well here in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport!

Needless to say, it is impossible to personally thank each person who helps to make our home parishes so special. So, let us pray in thanksgiving for the Assisi Project, Holy Family Women’s Guild, Holy Name Society, Knights of Columbus, Our Lady’s Guild, and Saint Vincent de Paul Society for all they do for all of us. We thank our pastoral team for their hard work and dedication. And we thank our team of sweet bread bakers and every single volunteer who helps build up the church in profound, but often quiet ways.

Most of all, we pray for each and every one of our fellow parishioners who enrich our lives with a kind word or helping hand. May God bless all who live, work, and worship in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport! Thank you! Peace and blessings!

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

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