This Week’s Message
A Mother’s Love
Happy Mother’s Day!
There are times when only a mother’s love
can understand our tears,
soothe our disappointments,
and calm our fears.
There are times when only a mother’s love
can share the joy we feel,
when something we have dreamed about
quite suddenly is real.
There are times when only a mother’s faith
can help us on life’s way
and inspire in us the confidence
we need from day to day.
For a mother’s heart and a mother’s faith
and a mother’s steadfast love
were fashioned by angels
and sent from God above.
Saint Monica, Patron of Mothers, pray for us!
Saint Ann, Patron of Grandmothers, pray for us!
Our Lady of Good Voyage, pray for us!
CCGR Weekly Newsletter (5-14-23)
Bringing Home the Word (5-14-23)
The Kids Bulletin (5-14-23)
Photo Credit: Alamy | Image W78217
__________
Our Pastor’s Message
Holy Family Parish
Grand Annual Collection
Goal – $75,000 by June 30th
No one needs to remind you about inflation because you already know all about it. Anyone who has stepped into a grocery store knows that these are challenging times. So far this year, property insurance premiums are up 11%. Electric bills are up 26%. Heating costs are up an almost unbelievable 48%. Meanwhile, gifts and donations to Holy Family Parish are down 17% from last year. All across the country and around the world, faith communities like ours are struggling to survive. Some are making ends meet; and some are not. Almost every parish is struggling to cover costs and balance budgets.
On the bright side, our churches are fully open. Babies are being baptized. Confessions are being heard. Funerals and weddings are being celebrated. Our sick and suffering brothers and sisters are being anointed. Our young disciples are receiving Confirmation and First Holy Communion. Our service organizations are raising funds and performing good works in our community. Our online ministries attract more than 2,000 visitors every week. And thanks to your generous support, our bills are being paid as we enter the final weeks of the fiscal year.
For the past two years, we have been blessed by rental payments from the City of Gloucester for Saint Ann School. This income will soon end and has been set aside for any necessary repairs that may be needed at our historic churches and parish buildings. In addition, we should remember that our weekly offerings simply do not cover the costs of basic expenses and essential parish ministries. So far this year, our Grand Annual Collection has raised $64,000! Thank you! But I still need your help in raising $11,000 by the end of the fiscal year on June 30th! If every parish family gives another $20 between now and then, we will reach our goal, balance our budget, and ensure the financial security of our parish for another year!
Anyone who knows me knows that economy and thrift were taught to me at an early age. My parents worked day and night to provide for our family and make ends meet. Believe me, we are doing all we can to control expenses. In the end, however, the long-term financial stability and pastoral viability of Holy Family Parish is in our hands. We are solely responsible for our own fundraising and for paying all of our own bills. The future of our beloved home parish depends entirely on parishioners like you and me! Your support matters more than ever!
During the next seven weeks, please pray that each one of us, according to our means, will give generously to this all-important fundraising effort. Every small donation makes a big difference! You can place your donation in an envelope marked Holy Family Grand Annual Collection and drop it in the basket at any weekend Mass; or mail it to the following address: Holy Family Parish, 74 Pleasant Street, Gloucester, Massachusetts 01930. As always, if you have questions or need more information, please remember that you are always welcome to contact me at frjim@ccgronline.com. Finally, please pray for me and for our pastoral team. Be assured of our daily prayers for you and your family. May God and all who live, work, and worship in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport! Happy Mother’s Day! Peace, blessings, and heartfelt thanks to all! — Father Jim
Reverend James M. Achadinha, Pastor
Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport
Contact: frjim@ccgronline.com
__________
Call to Worship
Ascension of the Lord
Thursday, May 18th
A Holy Day of Obligation
On Thursday, May 18th, the Roman Catholic Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, which commemorates Christ’s elevation into heaven in the presence of the disciples on the fortieth day after his resurrection. On this Holy Day of Obligation, the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport will celebrate Masses according to the following schedule:
- Wednesday, May 17th
Mass at 5:30pm in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church - Thursday, May 18th
Mass at 8:00am in Saint Joachim Church
Mass at 12:00pm in Saint Ann Church
For more information about the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com. Please join us! All are welcome!
__________
Congratulations, Father Jim!
Celebrating 20 Years of Priesthood
Weekend of May 20th & 21st
Twenty years ago this month, our pastor was ordained to the diocesan priesthood by Bishop Richard Lennon at Holy Cross Cathedral in Boston. Since then, Father Jim has served as Parochial Vicar at Saint Charles Borromeo Parish in Woburn, Parochial Vicar of Saint Anthony of Padua Parish in Cambridge, and as pastor of both Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish. In commemoration of his two decades of faithful priesthood, Father Jim will celebrate two Masses of Thanksgiving here in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport:
- Mass of Thanksgiving
Saturday, May 20th at 4:00pm
Saint Ann Church - Mass of Thanksgiving
Sunday, May 21st at 11:45am
Our Lady of Good Voyage Church
On Saturday, May 20th, we will be pleased to welcome Father Paul Ritt as Guest Concelebrant & Homilist at the Vigil Mass in Saint Ann Church. Father Ritt currently serves as Pastor of Ave Maria Parish in Lynnfield and Vicar Forane of the North Region of the Archdiocese of Boston. For many years, Father Ritt also served as Director of the Pre-Theology Program at Saint John Seminary, so he knows our pastor very well! As we prepare to welcome Father Ritt and celebrate Father Jim’s anniversary, we pray for all of our priests:
Gracious and Loving God,
we thank you for the gift of our priests.
Through them, we experience your presence
in the holy sacraments.
Help our priests to be strong in their vocations.
Set their souls on fire with love for your people.
Grant them wisdom, understanding, and strength
so that they may follow in the footsteps of Jesus.
Inspire our priests with the vision of your kingdom.
Give them the necessary words to preach the Gospel.
Enable them to experience joy in their ministries.
Assist them in becoming instruments of divine grace.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
God forever and ever. Amen.
If you and your family would like to express your appreciation for Father’s Jim’s ministry as both priest and pastor, please feel welcome to place cards, gifts, and-or messages in the collection basket along with your weekly offering; or mail them to our parish office at the following address:
Father Jim Achadinha
Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport
74 Pleasant Street
Gloucester, Massachusetts 01930
As Father Jim’s 20th Anniversary approaches, please pray for him, for his brother priests, and for all who live, work, and worship in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport. Congratulations, Father Jim! Thank you for all you do for all of us!
__________
Holy Family Women’s Guild
Memorial Day Cemetery Baskets
Now Accepting Orders!
The Holy Family Women’s Guild is accepting orders for Memorial Day Cemetery Baskets until Monday, May 22nd. Once again, the Guild is working with Cressey & Sons in Rowley to provide these beautiful baskets in memory of our fallen heroes. Baskets are available for $30 each and may be picked up on Saturday, May 27th from 10:00am until 12:00pm at Saint Ann Church. For more information or to place an order, please call Celia Gray at 978-281-2072 or Jane Marshall at 978-283-5111.
Established in 2005, the Holy Family Women’s Guild brings together women of all ages and backgrounds in prayer, fellowship, and service to our parish and the wider community. Throughout the year, the Women’s Guild sponsors social gatherings and fundraising events including our seasonal bake sales and the Christmas Fair. For more information about the Holy Family Women’s Guild and its good work in our parish, please contact Arlene Lesch at arlene.lesch@outlook.com. Please join us! New friends, members, and volunteers are always welcome!
__________
Our Lady of Good Voyage
Crowning Feast of the Holy Spirit
Begins Monday, May 22nd
All are invited to join Father Jim, the Holy Name Society, Our Lady’s Guild, Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish, and the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport in celebrating the Crowning Feast of the Holy Spirit from Monday, May 22nd through Sunday, May 28th. Here’s our schedule of events for this beautiful annual tradition:
- Monday, May 22nd
Holy Rosary at 6:30pm
Carillon Concert & Outdoor Social at 7:00pm Our Lady of Good Voyage Church - Tuesday, May 23rd
Holy Rosary at 6:30pm
Our Lady of Good Voyage Church - Wednesday, May 24th
Holy Rosary at 6:30pm
Holy Mass at 7:00pm
Our Lady of Good Voyage Church - Thursday, May 25th
Holy Rosary at 6:30pm
Our Lady of Good Voyage Church - Friday, May 26th
Sung Rosary in Portuguese at 6:30pm
Outdoor Supper & Concert by TimeSync at 7:00pm - Saturday, May 27th
Holy Rosary at 5:15pm
Holy Mass at 6:00pm - Pentecost Sunday, May 28th
Holy Mass & Crowning Ceremony at 11:45am
Crowning Luncheon at 1:00pm
Our Lady of Good Voyage Church & Hall
Tickets for Sunday’s Crowning Lunch are available after all Weekend Masses in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church or through our parish office. A donation of $20 per person is requested. Donations of gift cards for the Crowning Raffle are also appreciated! Pre-orders for the tradi- tional Rosquilhas (round sweet bread) are now being accepted. For more information, please contact Matt Parisi at 978-360-2357 or mparisi101@gmail.com; Beth Fosberry at 978-790-0196 or jcbf33@yahho.com; or our parish office at 978-281-4820. Save the date! Spread the word! Bring your family and friends! All are invited! All are welcome! Come, Holy Spirit!
__________
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
__________
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 Dawn Koller