SEVENTH WEEK OF EASTER

Our Pastor’s Message
Twenty Years

By Father Jim

Twenty years ago, I processed to the altar at Saint Anthony Church in Cambridge in order to celebrate my First Mass as a priest. I reverenced the altar, stepped up to the presider’s chair, and waited for the conclusion of the opening hymn. I greeted everyone with a thunderous “Good morning!” And then it happened. The people responded with an equally thunderous “Good morning, Father Jim!” They nearly knocked me over with their enthusiasm! I literally took a step a back and took a deep breath as the reality hit me: “Father Jim!” Oh! My! God!

One day earlier, Bishop Richard Lennon (1947-2019) ordained me to the diocesan priesthood. I knew well that the Sacrament of Holy Orders bestowed upon me the grace of priesthood. However, it was at this First Mass in my beloved home parish that the reality of my vocation became truly real for me. And everyday since then, the beauty and responsibility of God’s calling has been continually renewed and strengthened by God’s love and by the love and support of my friends, my family, and my fellow parishioners.

Looking back over these past twenty years, I can safely say that I have celebrated more than 15,000 Masses; more than 6,000 baptisms, more than 1,000 funerals, and more than 400 weddings. I have heard countless confessions, offered countless Our Fathers and Hail Marys, given and received an untold numbers of hugs, smiles, and words of comfort and encouragement. I have prayed the covers off of the breviary that my parents gave to me shortly before my ordination. And I have wiped away more tears than there are stars in the sky.

My class of seminarians was ordained during a dark moment in the Catholic Church’s long and storied history. The clergy abuse crisis destroyed so many lives and drove an untold num- ber of our brothers and sisters from our faith communities. We may never see them again, but we must always pray for them and we must be ever-ready to care for them.

On the day of my ordination, I was interviewed by Eric Convey of the Boston Herald. So many years later, I am surprised that my answers to his questions would be the same now as they were back then. To one question, I responded: “I love the idea of faith and how people respond to God in different ways.” In answer to another question, I said: “I am going to go out there to meet people at whatever parish I am assigned and show them who I am as a person and that I am striving to be holy just as they are striving to be holy.” My job is not to preach at you. My job is to share God’s boundless love and mercy with you and with anyone and everyone who enters our churches. My job is to welcome them home.

It is difficult to know whether or not this priest in middle age measures up to the young priest with the full head of hair. It hard to know whether or not I have failed or succeeded in living up to God’s plan for my life. Sometimes I move too fast. Sometimes I work too hard. Sometimes I think you deserve better. More often, I feel so blessed that we found each other on life’s long journey home to heaven. In the end, I hope that I have helped every person, every family, and every parish reach out to grasp the hand of God, who loves us all so very much. As our journey together continues, I pray that we will continue to help each other as we strive to live the Gospel, share God’s love, and rebuild the Church. From my heart, thank you for helping me to be a better man and a better priest. Peace, blessings, and much love to all!

Reverend James M. Achadinha, Pastor
Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport
Contact: frjim@ccgronline.com

With hearts full of love and gratitude, our pastoral team, in communion with our friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners, wishes to thank Father Jim for his selfless, tireless, and energetic service to the People of God in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport. If you would like to congratulate our pastor with a card or gift, please mail it to the following address: Father Jim Achadinha, 74 Pleasant Street, Gloucester, MA 01930. May God bless you, Father Jim! Thank you for all you do for all of us!

CCGR Weekly Newsletter (5-21-23)
Bringing Home the Word (5-21-23)
The Kids Bulletin (5-21-23)

Art Credit: Bernardo Ramonfour – Dreamstime – Image 61827121

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Call to Prayer
A Prayer by Saint Anthony

From Father Jim’s Ordination Prayer Card

O God,
send forth your Holy Spirit into my heart
that I may perceive, into my mind
that I may remember, and into my soul
that I may meditate.

Inspire me to speak with piety,
holiness, tenderness, and mercy.
Teach, guide, and direct
my thoughts and senses from beginning to end.

May your grace ever help and correct me,
and may I be strengthened now
with wisdom from on high,
for the sake of your infinite mercy. Amen.

Saint Anthony of Lisbon, pray for us!
Saint Anthony of Padua, pray for us!

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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!

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The Assisi Project
Pray for Me – A Personal Witness
Saturday, June 3rd

Special Guest – Reverend Anne Deneen

Saint Paul writes: “I urge you…to pray for all people. Ask God to help them, intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them (1 Timothy 2:1).” To pray in this way is to ask God for a blessing or benefit on behalf of another person. To pray for others carries us beyond ourselves. It brings us to the doorstep of a neighbor in need. It brings us face to face with the struggles of our brothers and sisters. It makes the needs of others a priority in a world that is often selfish and self-serving.

Few people have experienced the grace of intercessory prayer more deeply than our good friend, Reverend Anne Deneen. For nearly two decades, Anne served as Pastor of Saint Paul Lutheran Church in Gloucester. She is now a retreat leader and spiritual director. But even Anne’s long experience as a pastor, spouse, and mother could not prepare her for the challenge of caring for her husband after he was diagnosed with cancer. In her grief and struggle, Anne learned valuable lessons about the blessings of prayer in our lives.

On Saturday, June 3rd, all are invited to join Father Jim, Cliff Garvey, and Anne Deneen for a compelling discussion about the beauty and power of intercessory prayer in our lives. Our morning of prayer and reflection will begin with the Holy Rosary at 7:30am and Holy Mass at 8:00am in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. After Mass, Anne will share her family’s experiences with intercessory prayer and lead us in a period of questions and faith sharing. Our gathering will conclude with prayer at 9:45am.

For more information about the Assisi Project and its good work in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport, please visit our website at assisiproject.com; or contact Cliff at cgarvey@ccgronline.com. Please join us! All are invited! All are welcome! May the Risen Lord give you peace!

Learn More: The Assisi Project

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Madonna del Rosario Society
Mother’s Day Luncheon
Saturday, June 3rd

The Madonna del Rosario Society will celebrate its Annual Mother’s Day Luncheon on Saturday, June 3rd beginning at 12:00pm at the Rose Baker Senior Center (located at 6 Manuel Lewis Street in Gloucester). After a brief business meeting, a delicious buffet will be served. Tickets are $15.00 for members and must be purchased by May 30th. For more information about tickets or about the Madonna del Rosario Society and its good work in our parishes, please contact Jolene Erickson at 978-435-1116; Marie Silva at 978-283-7820; or Grace Brancaleone at 978-283-8133. Please join us! All are invited! All are welcome!

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WeShare
Safe & Easy Electronic Giving

It is in giving that we receive. — Prayer of Saint 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

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In Memory of Millard & Marion Solomon