33RD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

This Week’s Message
Little Details of Love

By Cliff Garvey

In the Christian tradition, the heart is the core of our being. It is not just an organ that circulates blood and sustains life. It also contains the essence of our humanity and individual identity. The human heart contains our gifts and talents. It contains our passions and personalities (which sometimes need to be checked and disciplined). And it contains our desire for God, our longing for holiness, and our yearning for heaven. The heart is also the seat of what Pope Francis calls an “inner strength” that enables and inspires us to transcend the gloom of our suffering world; to act with humility and kindness toward our neighbors; to be patient with the faults and failings of our brothers and sisters; and to persevere in faith, hope, love, and prayer.

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus says: “By your perseverance, you will secure your lives (Luke 21:19).” To persevere is to forge ahead in the face of difficulty without concern for riches or recognition. To persevere is to persist, carry on, and stick it out regardless of what happens next in our lives on this earth. According to the Holy Father, perseverance is a sign of holiness that lays the foundation, then builds and fortifies the “inner strength” that can empower us to choose love, mercy, and goodwill in everyday situations.

In a spiritual context, people who persevere are steadfast, determined, and tenacious in their need and longing for prayer; their need and longing for God’s love and mercy; and their need and longing for nurturing relationships with others. People who persevere acknowledge and understand the shadows all around us, but guard the gates of their hearts with faith, hope, love, prayer, and good works. People who persevere turn away from darkness and turn toward, then run toward, and finally flee into the arms of Jesus. Once there, embraced by the Lord’s boundless love and friendship, persevering people are strengthened for the road ahead, regardless of whether the journey is paved with joy, hardship, or suffering.

In Rejoice & Be Glad, Pope Francis writes: “The first of the great signs [of holiness] is solid grounding in the God who loves and sustains us. This source of inner strength enables us to persevere amid life’s ups and downs, but also to endure hostility, betrayal, and failings on the part of others (GE 112).” The pope goes on: “Inner strength, as the work of grace, prevents us from becoming carried away by the violence that is so much a part of life today (GE 116).” Pope Francis is not referring here just to the violence associated with street crime, mass shootings, or wars between nations. He is also talking about the verbal violence that we commit against each other through lies, gossip, and the petty nastiness that is so common nowadays.

In the face of such darkness, we can find light and refuge with each other. We can find comfort and reassurance among the people who love and support us. We can find strength and sup- port in communities of faith like this one. Pope Francis writes: “A community that cherishes the little details of love, whose members care for one another, and create an open and evangelizing environment, is a place where the Risen Lord is present, sanctifying it in accordance with God’s plan (GE 145).” Eight years ago, this is the kind of community that I found here in Gloucester and Rockport. This is the kind of community that we have been and it is the kind of community that God calls us to be. Now is not the time to relent, give up, or compromise our mission. Forever and always, now is the time to persevere in the little details of love!

Cliff Garvey
Associate Minister
Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport
Contact: cgarvey@ccgronline.com

CCGR Weekly Newsletter (11-13-22)
Bringing Home the Word (11-13-22)
The Kids Bulletin (11-13-22)

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Call to Prayer
The Power of a Whisper

By Father Austin Fleming

Lord, slow me down today,
and whisper a word or two — or more,
in the quiet of my mind and heart.

When I am cursing myself or others,
whisper words of blessing.

When I am judging another’s words and deeds,
whisper words of patience.

When I am saying too much,
whisper words to shut me up.

When I have failed and when I have sinned,
whisper words of pardon.

When I am facing loss and grief,
whisper words of consolation.

When I am stuck in my own foolishness,
whisper words of wisdom.

When I am confounded and confused,
whisper words of counsel.

When I am caught up in my lies,
whisper words of truth.

When life is just too tough to take,
whisper words of hope.

When my heart is broken, hurt, and wounded,
whisper words of healing.

When I am at war with my neighbor or myself,
whisper words of peace.

Lord, slow me down,
and help me find a quiet place
to hear the whisper of your words.

Lord, slow me down, today,
and whisper a word or two — or more,
in the quiet of my mind and heart. Amen.

Learn More: Father Fleming’s Blog

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Our Lady of Good Voyage
Yard Sale with Fried Dough & Sweet Bread
Saturday, November 12th

All friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport are invited to join Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish for a Fall Yard Sale with Sweet Bread & Friend Dough on Saturday, November 12th from 9:00am until 12:00pm in Our Lady’s Hall. All are welcome to browse our yard sale tables for various treasures! In addition, fresh fried dough and our famous freshly-baked sweet bread will be offered for sale. We’ll also have a 50-50 raffle! All proceeds will benefit Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish!

Since 1944, Our Lady’s Guild has worked to build community among women of all ages in Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish through prayer, good works, social activities, and fundraising events. New members are always welcome. For more information about the Yard Sale or Our Lady’s Guild, please contact Beth Fosberry at jcbf33@yahoo.com or leave a message at 978-281-4820. Spread the word! Bring a friend! Please join us! All are invited! All are welcome!

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Holy Family Parish
Christmas Fair & Marketplace
Saturday, November 19th

All are invited to join the Holy Family Women’s Guild for our Annual Christmas Fair & Marketplace on Saturday, November 19th from 9:00am until 2:00pm at Saint Ann Church. It’s our biggest fundraiser of the year! So mark your calendar! Save the date! Please spread the word! Bring your family and friends!

In order to make this year’s fair our best ever, the Guild is calling for volunteers to help set up, work the tables, and clean up that Saturday morning. The Guild is also asking for donations from local artists, crafters, and knitters, along with donations of fresh evergreens like spruce, pine, pine cones, and holly. If you are able to help out, please call Arlene Lesch at 978-491-7543.

Established in 2005, the Holy Family Women’s Guild brings together women of all ages in prayer, fellowship, and service to our parish and the wider community. Throughout the year, the Guild sponsors various fundraising events and social gatherings, including the Christmas Fair — our largest fundraiser of the year! New members and volunteers are always welcome! For more information, please contact Arlene Lesch at arlene.lesch@outlook.com. Please join us! All are welcome!

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Holy Family Parish
Christmas Fair & Marketplace
Cemetery Baskets & Kissing Balls

Mark your calendar! Save the date! The Holy Family Women’s Guild is hard at work with preparations for our Annual Christmas Fair & Marketplace on Saturday, November 19th from 9:00am until 2:00pm in Saint Ann Church! In this spirit, the Guild is working with Cressey & Sons in Rowley to Holiday Cemetery Baskets and Christmas Kissing Balls! The log-shaped baskets are $30 each and decorated fifteen-inch kissing balls are $35 each. Orders will be accepted until Monday, November 14th by calling Cecelia Gray at 978-281-2072.

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Holy Family Parish
Christmas Raffles

In addition to the Christmas Fair & Marketplace, Holy Family Parish is also sponsoring a Christmas Raffle! A donation of $2 per ticket or six for $10 will buy you a chance to win these amazing prizes:

  • One Cash Prize of $500
  • Four Cash Prizes of $100 Blackstone
  • 4 Burner Griddle ($500 Value)

Special thanks to Greely Funeral Home and the Goodhue and Sabia Families for making possible these great prizes! Raffle tickets have been mailed to every registered parish family! Please complete your tickets and return them by Friday, December 2nd. If everyone participates, we will raise $20,000 for Holy Family Parish! If you have not received your tickets or for more infor- mation about supporting Holy Family Parish, please con- tact Father Jim at 978-281-4820 or frjim@ccgronline.com. Thank you in advance for your generous support for Holy Family Parish and our Christmas Raffles!

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Saint Vincent de Paul Society
Christmas Giving Trees
Sharing God’s Love at Christmas

The Saint Vincent de Paul Society is once again sponsor- ing the Christmas Giving Trees in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport! During the weekend of November 19th and 20th, the Giving Trees will be located at the entrances of our three churches; and each tree will be decorated with stars that include a special Christmas wish for a child or family in need. If you can make this wish come true, then please take the star!

Every donated gift should be new, unused, unwrapped, and placed back under a Giving Tree no later than Sunday, December 4th. For more information, please contact Lori Thorstensen at lorithor@hotmail.com or leave a mes- sage at 978-281-4820. During the coming Season of Advent, let’s work together to share God’s love with local families who need our help! Thank you for your generous support! May God bless us, everyone!

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Saint Vincent de Paul Society
All New Clothes Closet
Open Second & Fourth Saturdays

The all new Saint Vincent de Paul Society 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 Clothes Closet by entering through the Pleasant Street doors of Saint Ann Church Hall. Donations of gently worn clothing and shoes are now gratefully accepted during our regular house and in the bin located in the Saint Ann School parking lot. Please note that we cannot accept any donations of toys, books, or household items. For more information about the Saint Vincent de Paul Society 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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Month of All Souls
Masses of Remembrance

All are invited to join us for the celebration of Holy Mass on the Commemoration of All Souls, Wednesday, November 2nd, at 5:30pm in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. During November, the Month of All Souls, the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport will also celebrate three Masses of Remembrance for friends, families, and fellow parishioners whose funerals were celebrated in our parishes during the past year:

  • Mass of Remembrance I
    Saturday, November 5th at 4:00pm
    Saint Ann Church
  • Mass of Remembrance II
    Sunday, November 13th at 11:45am
    Our Lady of Good Voyage Church
  • Mass of Remembrance III
    Sunday, November 20th at 10:00am
    Saint Joachim Church

For more information about the Month of All Souls in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com. Please join us! Bring a friend! Bring your family! All are invited! All are welcome!

Learn More: Commemoration of All Souls

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Thanksgiving Holiday
Celebration of Holy Mass
November 23rd & 24th

All friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport are invited to come together as God’s family for the celebration of Holy Mass in commemoration of the Thanksgiving Holiday. Here’s our worship schedule:

  • Thanksgiving Eve
    Wednesday, November 23rd at 5:30pm
    Our Lady of Good Voyage Church
  • Thanksgiving Day
    Thursday, November 24th at 8:00am
    Our Lady of Good Voyage Church

If you are unable to be with us for Mass, please join with us in a prayerful thanksgiving for all of God’s gifts and blessings upon our community:

A Prayer for Thanksgiving

O God, when I have food,
help me to remember the hungry.
When I have work,
help me to remember the jobless.
When I have a home,
help me to remember the homeless.
When I am free from pain,
help me to remember those who suffer.
And by remembering,
help me to destroy my complacency,
arouse my compassion,
and inspire me to lend a helping hand,
by word and deed,
to those who cry out
for what we take for granted. Amen.

On behalf of our pastoral team, we wish you and your family a blessed, safe, and very Happy Thanksgiving! Peace and blessings to all! — Father Jim

Read: Thanksgiving – A Feast for the Soul

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The Assisi Project
Rebuild My Church Campaign
Goal: $15,000 – So Far: $11,745

Founded in 2007, the Assisi Project is a Fellowship of Franciscans in Spirit with members, friends, and followers throughout the world. Our mission is to help believers of all ages more faithfully live the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the spirit of Saint Francis and Saint Clare of Assisi.

In celebration of our 15th anniversary, we are seeking to raise $15,000 for our Rebuild My Church Campaign. Your generous gift will enable us to create a guest speakers program, offer scholarships for pilgrims and students, assist local parishes with special projects, and support our podcasts and faith formation programs.

The Assisi Project is a non-profit, tax-exempt charitable organization. You can support our ministries and programs via GoFundMe or by sending a donation to the Assisi Project, Post Office Box 3158, Gloucester, Massachusetts 01931-3158. All donations are tax-deductible. For more information, please contact Cliff Garvey at cgarvey@assisiproject.com. Thank you! May the Lord give you peace!

Learn More: The Assisi Project

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WeShare
Safe & Easy Electronic Giving

It is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35).

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 Joseph Brancaleone