This Week’s Message
God So Loved the World
By Pope Francis
Today’s Gospel on the Feast of the Most Holy Trinity demonstrates with the apostle John’s succinct language the mystery of God’s love for the world, for all of creation. In the brief dialogue with Nicodemus, Jesus presents himself as the one who brings to fulfillment the Father’s plan of salvation for the world. Jesus says: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life (John 3:16).”
These words indicate that the action of the three divine persons — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — is all a single plan of love that saves humanity and the world. It is a plan of salvation for us. The world that God created is good and beautiful, but after sin, the world is also marked by evil and corruption; and we are all sinners. Therefore, God could intervene to judge the world, destroy evil, and castigate sinners. Instead, God loves the world despite its sins. God loves every one of us even when we make mistakes that distance ourselves from him. God the Father loves the world so much that, in order to save it, he gives what is most precious to him — his only Son, who gives his life for humanity, rises again, returns to the Father, and with him sends the Holy Spirit.
The Trinity, therefore, is love in service of the world, which God wants to save and recreate. And today, thinking about the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, we think of God’s love! It is beautiful to feel that we are loved! God loves me! This is today’s message!
When Jesus affirms that the Father has given his only-begotten Son, we spontaneously think of Abraham and his offering of his son, Isaac, about whom the Book of Genesis speaks (See Genesis 22:1-14). This is the measure without measure of God’s love. Let us also think about how God reveals himself to Moses — full of mercy, tenderness, compassion; slow to anger and full of grace and fidelity. This is what the Book of Exodus tells us. The encounter with God encourages Moses, who was not afraid to stand between God and the people, saying to him: “Although this is a stiffnecked people, forgive our wickedness and our sins, and take us as your inheritance (Genesis 34:9).” God did just this by sending his Son. We are children in the Son with the strength of the Holy Spirit. We are God’s legacy.
Brothers and sisters, today’s feast invites us to let ourselves be fascinated by the beauty, goodness, and inexhaustible truth of God. But also, the beauty, goodness, and humble truth that is close to us, which became flesh in order to enter into our lives, into our histories, so that every man and woman may encounter it and have eternal life. This is faith. This is our faith — to welcome God as Love; to welcome God as Love who gives himself in Christ and who moves us in the Holy Spirit. We must let ourselves encounter him and trust in him. This is Christian life — to encounter God and search for God. But he seeks us first. He encounters us first. May the Virgin Mary, dwelling place of the Holy Trinity, help us welcome the love of God with an open heart. It is a love that fills us with joy and gives meaning to our journey in this world, always guiding us toward our destination which is heaven.
Watch: The Pope Video (June 2023)
CCGR Weekly Newsletter (6-4-23)
Bringing Home the Word (6-4-23)
The Kids Bulletin (6-4-23)
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Call to Prayer
God So Loved the World
In the Name of Love
In the Name of Love, we have come.
In the Name of Love, we are here.
And in the Name of Love, we will go.
Knowing in our hearts and in our souls
that what we have experienced is truly divine.
(Dennis Yount)
Resting in God’s Love
God of Goodness,
I come into your presence
so aware of my human frailty
and yet overwhelmed by your love for me.
I thank you that there is no human experience
that I might walk through
where your love cannot reach me.
If I climb the highest mountain, you are there.
If I find myself in the darkest valley, you are there.
Teach me today to love you more.
Help me to rest in the love that asks nothing more
than the simple trusting heart of a child.
Amen. (Anonymous)
Bless Us with Your Love
Bless us with love, O Merciful God:
That we may love as you love!
That we may show patience,
tolerance, kindness,
and caring and love for all!
Give me knowledge, O Giver of Knowledge:
That I may be one
with the universe and mother earth!
O Compassionate One, give compassion to us:
That we may help all fellow souls in need!
Bless us with your love, O God.
Bless us with your love!
Amen! (Anonymous)
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.
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Pastor’s Note
End of Fiscal Year Fundraising
As we enter the final weeks of the fiscal year, all friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport are encouraged to prayerfully consider a gift to the Grand Annual Collection at Holy Family Parish or the Pastor’s Challenge at Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish (to ensure that we are able to replace the front steps of the church).
Our weekly offerings and these special fundraising campaigns are essential components of our parish budgets; and they are both vitally important to the financial stability of our beloved home parishes. Donation envelopes are available at the entrances of our churches and upon request from the parish office. For more information about how you, your family, or your business can help ensure that our parishes end the year with balanced budgets and enough funding to maintain our historic church buildings, please contact me. Thank you for your ongoing and generous support!
Reverend James M. Achadinha, Pastor
Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport
Contact: frjim@ccgronline.com
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Weekday Worship
Let’s Pray Together!
In the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport, the celebration of Holy Mass 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 to receive Holy Communion in accordance with a personal examination of conscience and the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. In addition to our weekend schedule, we also pray together throughout the week.
Wednesday Evenings
- Rosary at 5:00pm
- Mass at 5:30pm
- Followed by Eucharistic Adoration & Confessions
- Our Lady of Good Voyage Church
Thursday & Friday Mornings
- Rosary at 7:30am
- Mass at 8:00am
- Our Lady of Good Voyage Church
First Saturday of the Month
- Rosary at 7:30am
- Mass at 8:00am
- Followed by Assisi Project
- Our Lady of Good Voyage Church
Always Available
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Saint Peter’s Novena
Call to Prayer & Devotion
Begins Monday, June 12th
In prayerful anticipation of the 96th Annual Saint Peter’s Fiesta, all friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners are invited to pray the Nine Day Novena to Saint Peter from Monday, June 12th through Tuesday, June 20th at 7:00pm in the American Legion Hall which is located at 8 Washington Street in Gloucester. This beautiful tradition affords us an opportunity to offer our prayers and petitions for the intercession of Saint Peter, Apostle of the Apostles and Patron of Fishermen. For more information about this special event, please contact Joe Novello at 978-283-4367. Save the dates! Spread the word! Please join us! All are welcome!
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Saint Peter’s Fiesta
Outdoor Mass & Procession
Sunday, June 25th
This year, Saint Peter’s Fiesta runs from Wednesday, June 21st through Sunday, June 25th. All are invited to join Father Jim and Father Anthony Luongo of Ave Maria Parish in Lynnfield for an outdoor celebration of Holy Mass on Sunday, June 25th at 10:00am at Saint Peter’s Square in Gloucester. After Mass, all are welcome to join friends and fellow parishioners for the procession through the streets of our beloved city.
Trailers are still available for groups, families, and individuals who wish to participate in the procession with a religious-themed float in celebration of Saint Peter’s Fiesta. For more information about the 96th Saint Peter’s Fiesta, please contact Rose Aiello at 978-283-1664. Spread the word! Bring a friend! Please join us! All are welcome! Viva San Pietro!
Learn More: Saint Peter’s Fiesta
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Living the Gospel
Sacrament of Baptism
Basis of the Christian Life
The Sacrament of Baptism is the first of the three Sacra- ments 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 April and May, Father Jim baptized the following children with holy water in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit:
Luca Charles Castiello
Gabriella Ribeiro DaSilva
Florence Teresa Day
Sayler Michael Grammas
Evan Frederick Juden
Nicholas Anido Mackesy
Jacob Robert McGrath
Joseph Frank McGrath
Sloan Elizabeth Murphy
Nico Anthony Napolitano
Xavier Pacheco
Everett Nicholas Parisi
Finley Doyle Parisi
Nicholas Joseph Scuderi
Boston Smith
Raiden Clark Villaroel
Khaliya Breeze Worcester
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. For more information, please contact Sheila McCarthy-Durkin at smccarthy@ccgronline.com. Peace and blessings to all!
Watch: Sacrament of Baptism (1 Minute)
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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!
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