FOURTH WEEK OF LENT

This Week’s Message
A Father’s Heart

By Cliff Garvey

Believe it or not, something called Catholic Manhood is big business. Blogs, books, podcasts, retreats, websites, phone apps, conferences, magazine articles, social media feeds, online dating services, and a long list of speakers for hire are lined up to teach us what is means to be a real Catholic man. Some of these resources are free, but many come with a price. All of them, one supposes, has their place in the marketplace of ideas about what it means to be a good man, a good person, and a good Catholic. But no one among us needs to pay for a definition of Catholic Manhood, because it is embodied by the life and example of Saint Joseph.

In December 2020, Pope Francis commemorated the 150th Anniversary of Saint Joseph as a Patron of the Universal Church. Two years later, the Holy Father said: “In the Gospels, Joseph is consistently presented as the guardian of the Virgin Mary and the Child Jesus. Just as Joseph protects the Holy Family, so too he continues to love and protect the Body of Christ, which is the Church, especially the poor, the sick, and the dying whom the Lord calls the least of his brothers and sisters (2-16-22).” In this sense, Saint Joseph is the holy one who loves, defends, nurtures, shelters, and cares for the young and the old, the sick and the suffering, and all those cast aside by a selfish world.

According to Pope Francis, Saint Joseph is a good man not because he fathered children, but because he has a father’s heart. In the Apostolic Letter, Patris Corde (which translates from Latin as A Father’s Heart), the pope writes: “Fathers are not born, but made. A man does not become a father simply by bringing a child into the world, but by taking up the responsibility to care for that child. Whenever a man accepts responsibility for the life of another, in some way he becomes a father to that person (Patris Corde, 7).” In the fullest sense, Catholic manhood is not then about growing a beard, smoking cigars, and quoting Chesterton, it is about taking responsibility for one’s own life and for the lives of those we are called to love.

One of those Catholic dating portals says that being a good Catholic man is about a seemingly miraculous combination of hard work, kindness, gentleness, modesty, tenderness, prayerfulness, self-restraint, and a willingness to sacrifice oneself for another. Here again, Saint Joseph personifies this miracle. He has all of these qualities, along with patience, tranquility, and an abiding trust in God’s plan for his life. While so many among us are desperately seeking riches, power, and influence, Saint Joseph simply wants to give of himself. Pope Francis says: “Joseph found happiness not in mere self-interest but in self-gift (Patris Corde, 7).”

In the end, I’m not so sure that we need to worry about slogans like Real Catholic Manhood, or for that matter, Real Catholic Womanhood. Instead, we can all strive to be faithful and faith-filled disciples — better men, better women, and better human beings. We should aspire to live the Gospel in thought, word, and deed. We should try harder to share God’s love in God’s style — with closeness, compassion, and tenderness. And we should work harder to build up the Church by giving more from our wallets and more of ourselves. All of the Gospels refer to Jesus as the Son of Joseph (See Luke 4:22; John 6:42; Matthew 13:55; and Mark 6:3). If Jesus is our merciful redeemer, friend, and brother, then all of us are Saint Joseph’s spiritual children. On his feast day and every day, we his children fervently call to him with abiding confidence: Saint Joseph, pray for us! Saint Joseph, protect us!

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

Patris Corde – A Father’s Heart by Pope Francis
CCGR Weekly Newsletter (3-19-23)
Bringing Home the Word (3-19-23)
The Kids Bulletin (3-19-23)

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Who Do You Say I Am?
Lent Bible Study & Retreat
March 19th-March 22nd

Each year, the Season of Lent invites us to turn back to the Lord with hearts, minds, and souls renewed by our prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Our prayer during Lent should include daily reading of the sacred scriptures during Mass or with assistance from a prayer book, spiritual director, or some other worthy resource. Sacred scripture is the Holy Word of God that continues to speak and reveal God’s love and mercy to a sick and suffering world. This year during Lent, the Church offers us three Sunday Gospel passages that feature life changing encounters with Jesus:

  • The Woman at the Well (John 4:5-42)
  • The Man Born Blind (John 9:1-41)
  • The Raising of Lazarus (John 11:1-45)

These gospel encounters manifest Jesus’s power to heal those who seek him; and how he satisfies hearts that long for God’s amazing grace, forgiveness, and reconciliation in their lives. Our study will include a brief introduction to each passage; an exegesis (or explanation) of each passage from various disciplines and perspectives; and a reflection on how each passage affects our daily lives — especially during Lent.

All are invited to join Father Jim for a four-night Lent Bible Study & Retreat beginning on Sunday, March 19th in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. Each evening will begin with Evening Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours at 6:00pm. After this period of shared prayer, Father Jim will offer a reflection on Jesus as the Living Water; Jesus as the Light of the World; and Jesus as the Life & Resurrection. Each evening will include time for questions and faith sharing; and will conclude with Night Prayer.

Our Lent Bible Study & Retreat will conclude on Wednesday, March 22nd with the Holy Rosary at 5:00pm and Holy Mass at 5:30pm, followed by Eucharistic Adoration and the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) for those who feel called to participate. We will be blessed to welcome guest priests to assist with confessions. This program is free to all! Copies of the Catholic Prayer Bible will be available for a $30 donation to support our adult and youth faith formation programs. For more information about our Lent Bible Study & Retreat, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgonline.com. Spread the word! Bring a friend! Please join us for all or even just part of the retreat! All are invited! All are welcome!

Listen: Sharing the Word

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Call to Prayer
Solemnity of Saint Joseph
Monday, March 20th

Rosary at 7:30am – Mass at 8:00am

For more than 1,000 years, the Roman Catholic Church has venerated Saint Joseph as patron of fathers, protector of children (born and unborn), and guardian of single mothers. He is also venerated as patron of carpenters, laborers, immigrants, sick people, and those who doubt their faith. Last but not least, Saint Joseph is venerated as patron and protector of the Universal Church. This year, the Church around the world celebrates the Solemnity of Saint Joseph on Monday, March 20th.

Here in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport, traditional devotions to Saint Joseph remain strong and vibrant. In this spirit, all of our friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners are invited to join Father Jim in praying the Holy Rosary at 7:30am and in celebrating Holy Mass at 8:00am on Monday, March 20th in Saint Anthony Chapel. All are invited! All are welcome!

A Prayer to Saint Joseph
By Pope Francis

Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer,
Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary!
To you God entrusted his only Son;
in you Mary placed her trust;
with you Christ became man.

Blessed Joseph, to us too,
show yourself as a father
and guide us in the path of life.
Obtain for us grace, mercy, and courage,
and defend us from every evil.

Glory to the Father,
to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning,
is now and will be forever. Amen.

Saint Joseph, pray for us!
Saint Joseph, protect us!

Watch: Saint Joseph – A Righteous Man

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Sharing God’s Love
Prayer & Worship During Lent
Let’s Pray Together!

Lent is a season for prayer, fasting, and almsgiving; a time to grow closer to Christ, to the Church, and to each other; and a moment to begin, renew, or restart our spiritual journeys with the Poor Christ. The Holy Eucharist is the wellspring of our community’s joy and the guiding light of our shared life of prayer, fellowship, and service. All are welcome to join us for Mass and receive Holy Communion in accordance with a personal examination of conscience and the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. During Lent, we also gather together in prayer throughout the week.

The Light Is On For You!
Wednesday, March 22nd

  • Rosary at 5:00pm
  • Mass at 5:30pm
  • Followed by Eucharistic Adoration & Confession
  • Last Confession at 6:45pm
  • Our Lady of Good Voyage Church
  • Guide to Making a Good Confession

Weekday Mass Schedule
Thursday & Friday, March 23rd & 24th

  • Rosary at 7:30am
  • Mass at 8:00am
  • Our Lady of Good Voyage Church

The Way of the Cross
Friday, March 24th

  • Begins at 3:00pm
  • Our Lady of Good Voyage Church

First Saturday of the Month
Saturday April 1st

  • Rosary at 7:30am
  • Mass at 8:00am
  • Followed by the Assisi Project
  • Our Lady of Good Voyage Church

Always Available

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Our Lady’s Guild
Spring Yard Sale
Saturday, March 25th

All are invited to join Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish for a Spring Yard Sale with Sweet Bread & Fried Dough on Saturday, March 25th from 9:00am until 12:00pm in Our Lady’s Hall. Our famous freshly baked sweet bread and fried dough will be offered for sale! Check out our sale tables for unique treasures! Take a chance with one of our raffles! All proceeds will benefit Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish. For more information, please contact Beth Fosberry at jcbf33@yahoo.com. Save the date! Please join us! All are welcome!

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Our Lady’s Guild
Bakeless Bake Sale
Month of March

Our Lady’s Guild is sponsoring a Bakeless Bake Sale during the Month of March! Why? Because now more than ever, our beloved home parish needs your support, especially because of rising gas and electricity bills! Every small donation makes a big difference! Checks should be made payable to Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish. Any and all donations should be mailed to:

Jean Madruga
Our Lady’s Guild
8 Sunrise Court Gloucester, Massachusetts 01930

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 like this one. For more information about Our Lady’s Guild and its good work in our parish, please contact Beth Fosberry at jcbf33@yahoo.com. New members are always welcome! Thank you for your support!

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Sharing God’s Love
Saint Vincent de Paul Society
We Need Your Support!

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!

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Red Cross Blood Drive
Thursday, April 20th

Our Lady of Good Voyage Hall
1:00pm until 6:00pm
Register at redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS
Thank you for your support!

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WeShare
Safe & Easy Electronic Giving

Generosity enlarges the heart.
Pope Francis

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

This Week’s Homepage
In Memory of Mary Lou Joseph