This Week’s Message
O Holy Apostle!
A Prayer for the Intercession of Saint Peter
O Holy Apostle,
you are the Rock
upon which Almighty God
has built his Church.
Obtain for me, I pray to you:
lively faith, firm hope,
and burning love;
complete detachment from myself,
contempt for the world,
patience in adversity,
humility in prosperity,
recollection in prayer,
purity of heart,
a right intention in all my works,
diligence in fulfilling
the duties of my state of life,
constancy in my resolutions,
resignation to the will of God
and perseverance in the grace of God
even unto death;
so that by means of your humble prayers
I may be made worthy
to appear before Christ Jesus,
Eternal Shepherd of Souls,
who lives and reigns
with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
God, forever and ever. Amen.
Blessed Saint Peter,
to whom God has given
the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven
and the power to bind and loose,
grant that we may be saved
through the help of your prayers
from the bondage of our sins. Amen!
Saint Peter, pray for us!
Saint Peter, pray for our suffering world!
Viva San Pietro! Viva!
CCGR Weekly Newsletter (6-26-22)
Bringing Home the Word (6-26-22)
The Kids Bulletin (6-26-22)
Art Credit: Copyright Antoine Mekary 141391518 | Dreamstime.com
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Saint Peter’s Fiesta
Outdoor Mass & Procession
Sunday, June 26th
This year, Saint Peter’s Fiesta runs from Wednesday, June 22nd through Sunday, June 26th. All are invited to join Father Jim for an outdoor celebration of Holy Mass next Sunday, June 26th at 10:00am at Saint Peter’s Square in Gloucester. After Mass, all are welcome to join friends and fellow parishioners for the procession through the streets of our beloved city.
Trailers are still available for groups, families, and individuals who wish to participate in the procession with a religious-themed float in celebration of the fiesta. For more information about the 95th Saint Peter’s Fiesta, please contact Rose Aiello at 978-283-1664 or visit the fiesta website: stpetersfiesta.org. Spread the word! Bring a friend! All are welcome!
Watch: History of Saint Peter’s Fiesta (8 Minutes)
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Mass Intentions Book
Thursday, June 30th
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!
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Saint Vincent de Paul Society
All New Clothes Closet
Second & Fourth Saturdays
After many months of hard work and renovations, the All New Saint Vincent de Paul Clothes Closet is now open for business in Saint Ann Church Hall on the Second and Fourth Saturdays of every month from 9:00am until 12:00pm. All are welcome to drop by and check out the All New Clothes Closet by entering through the Smith Street doors of Saint Ann Church Hall.
Donations of gently worn clothing and shoes are now gratefully accepted during our regular hours and in the bin located in the Saint Ann School parking lot. Please note that we cannot accept donations of books, toys, or household items. For more information about the Saint Vincent de Paul Clothes Closet, please contact Bridget Nelligan at 781-572-4752 or Cathy Kyrouz at 978-290-1756. Thank you for your generous support!
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Saint Vincent de Paul Society
Help Us Help Others!
New Volunteers Always Welcome!
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. Help us help others! Donations can be pushed through the mail slot in the parish office, dropped in the collection basket at any Weekend Mass, or mailed to:
Saint Vincent de Paul Society
74 Pleasant Street
Gloucester, Massachusetts 01930
New members and volunteers 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 Robert Weeks at svdpmember1@gmail.com. If you or someone you know needs our help, please call 978-281-8672. Thank you for your generous support for the Saint Vincent de Paul Society! May God bless you and your family!
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Pastor’s Note
Special Message of Thanks
By Father Jim
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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WeShare
Safe & Easy Electronic Giving
The righteous give generously (Psalm 37:21).
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
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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 James Greely III