This Week’s Message
A Prayer for Labor Day
As the sun rises to bring in a new day:
We remember those who descend into the earth;
their work begins in darkness,
pulling from the earth, the resources that we steward.
We remember those who work inside buildings,
away from the light and brightness of the day.
We remember those who work outdoors
in the harsh elements of our world,
especially the bitter cold and the sweltering heat.
We remember those who are unemployed
or struggling to make ends meet,
for whom the day becomes long and arduous.
As the sun sets to bring in the evening of rest:
We remember those who work during the night.
We remember those who are recovering
from the stress and toil of a long workday.
We remember those who are called to dangerous work.
We pray for a renewed sense of dignity
in the lives of all workers everywhere.
God, in your goodness,
you made a home for the worker.
Make a place in our hearts
for compassion toward those men and women
who labor tirelessly for basic necessities.
Ensure a place for those who struggle to find work.
Grant us wisdom to care for those
who are unable to work due to disability or illness.
Be with children who cannot run or play,
but must work to help their families afford to eat.
Christ Jesus, be with us
as we go about the busyness of our daily work.
Hold us accountable for our own actions.
Hold us accountable for our neighbor’s good.
May we work together
to bring about your kingdom!
We beg this in your holy name,
through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
CCGR Weekly Newsletter (9-4-22)
Bringing Home the Word (9-4-22)
The Kids Bulletin (9-4-22)
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Our Lady of Grace Club
Annual Mass & Benediction
Thursday, September 8th
The Mother of Grace Club invites all members, friends, and fellow parishioners within and beyond the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport to join us for our Annual Mass in Honor of the Nativity of the Blessed Mother on Thursday, September 8th at 8:00am in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. After Mass, we will pray the Holy Rosary during a peri- od of Eucharistic Adoration; and we will conclude with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. For more information about this special morning of prayer and devotion, please contact Margherita at 978-281-0012. Please join us! Bring a friend! All are invited! All are welcome!
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Saints of Summer
Mini-Retreat Series
Thursday, September 15th
Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows
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 the rest of our summer schedule of mini-retreats:
Saints of Summer 1
Saint Ann – Grandmother to the World
Assisi Project Podcast
Listen Now!
Saints of Summer 2
Saint Mary Magdalen – Apostle for the Rest of Us
Assisi Project Podcast
Listen Now!
Saints of Summer 3
Saint Clare of Assisi – Consumed by Love
Assisi Project Podcast
Listen Now!
Saints of Summer 4
Saint Rose of Viterbo
Assisi Project Podcast
Coming Soon!
Saints of Summer 5
Our Lady of the Angels — Leaning In
Assisi Project Podcast
Coming Soon!
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
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The Way
Sacramental Preparation for Adults
Begins Saturday, October 15th
I am the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6).
The Way was the among the earliest names for followers of the Risen Christ. The Way also appears as a biblical reference for the earliest Christian communities in the Acts of the Apostles. In addition, tradition teaches that both before and after his conversion, Saint Paul referred to the disciples of Christ as part of the Way. More than two thousand years later, Catholic Christians are still part of the Way of Jesus Christ. But as we all know, a life of discipleship is not a hobby or pastime. It is a vocation, a way of life that lays claim to our whole heart, mind, and strength. As disciples, our lives should be focused on and inspired by our faith in Christ, who is our merciful redeemer, friend, and brother. And as his disciples, we are called to reach out to those who need our help in growing closer to Christ and the Church.
If you are an adult (age 18 and over) and have not received all of the Sacraments of Initiation in the Roman Catholic Church (Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation), then please consider joining The Way, a new adult faith formation program that will begin this fall. The Way (typically called the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) is a seven month program that prepares adults to be received into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil. As part of this same program, we will prepare adults for the Sacrament of Confirmation (to be received at either the Easter Vigil or at a regional archdiocesan celebration). Other parishioners who have received the Sacraments and are interested in renewing their spiritual lives are also very welcome to join us!
Our group will gather for fellowship, formation, and faith sharing. As a community of disciples, we will learn together about the basic beliefs, teachings, and traditions of the Church; and we will explore the methods of prayer and spirituality that have brought centuries of believers closer to Christ Jesus and to the Church. In addition, we will talk openly and honestly about the challenges of living an authentic life of faith, hope, and love in the modern world. Our first gathering will be Saturday, October 15th at 8:00am. If you would like to learn more about this journey of faith and become part of a unique fellowship in preparation for the sacraments of God’s Church, then please contact Cliff Garvey at cgarvey@ccgronline.com. Please join us! Spread the word! All are invited! All are welcome!
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Sacrament of Baptism
Gateway to Life in the Spirit
The Sacrament of Baptism is the first of the three Sacraments of Initiation in the Roman Catholic Church. The two others are Eucharist and Confirmation. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church: “Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway 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 August, Father Jim baptized the following children with holy water in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit:
Leila Rose Blanchard
Ivy Rose Bruni
Jackson Macallan Hall
Jaxson Lucido
Zoe Lee Opris
George Andrew Roberts
In the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport, the Sacrament of Baptism is celebrated during any 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. If you are an adult and have not been baptized, and would like to prepare for the Sacraments of Initiation, please contact Cliff Garvey at cgarvey@ccgronline.com. May God bless our newly baptized young disciples and their families!
Watch: Sacrament of Baptism (1 Minute)
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WeShare
Safe & Easy Electronic Giving
The Only Safe Rule is to Give More Than We Can Spare
C.S. Lewis
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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