This Week’s Message
Bless Our Fathers
By Tony Rossi
Heavenly Father,
we ask you to bless our earthly fathers
for the many times they reflected the love,
strength, generosity, wisdom, and mercy
that you exemplify in your relationship
with us, your children.
We honor our fathers for putting our needs
above their own comfort and convenience;
for teaching us to show courage and determination in adversity;
for challenging us to move beyond self-limiting boundaries;
for modeling the qualities that would turn us
into responsible, principled, and caring adults.
Not all fathers live up to these ideals.
Give them the grace to acknowledge and learn from mistakes.
Give us the grace to offer them
the same forgiveness that you offer us.
Help us to resist the urge to stay stuck in past bitterness,
instead moving forward with humility and peace of heart.
We ask your blessing on those men
who serve as father figures in our lives
when our biological fathers were unable to do so.
May the love and selflessness they showed us
be returned to them in all their relationships,
and help them to know that their influence
has changed us for the better.
Give new and future fathers the guidance needed
to raise holy and happy children,
grounded in a love for God and other people,
and remind these fathers that treating their wives
with dignity, compassion, and respect
is one of the greatest gifts they can give to their children.
We pray that our fathers who have passed away
have been welcomed into your loving embrace,
and that our family will be reunited
one day in your heavenly kingdom.
In union with Saint Joseph,
whom you entrusted with your Son,
we beg your generous blessings
today and every day. Amen.
CCGR Weekly Newsletter (6-18-23)
Bringing Home the Word (6-18-23)
The Kids Bulletin (6-18-23)
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The Assisi Project
Saints for All Seasons 2023
Begins Saturday, July 1st
Summer is a good time of year to step back from the business and busyness of daily life and focus on our relationships with Jesus and those we are called to love. Unfortunately, few among us are able to leave behind home, work, and family for a real retreat from the responsibilities of the world. For this reason and for the second straight year, the Assisi Project is pleased to announce a special series of summertime mini-retreats called Saints for All Seasons.
Throughout his long priestly ministry, Pope Francis has called people of all ages and backgrounds to learn about and pray with the saints. The Holy Father believes in his heart that the saints bring us closer to Christ, closer to the Church, and closer to each other. He says: “The saints are still here, not far from us; and their images [and relics] in our churches evoke the ‘cloud of witnesses’ that always surrounds us (cf. Hebrews 12:1)…The saints remind us that even in our lives, however weak and marked by sin, holiness can unfold (4-7-21).”
In this spirit of unfolding holiness, all are invited to join us in July, August, and September for a series of two-hour mini-retreats. These mornings of prayer, reflection, and adoration will focus on the lives of three amazing saints: Saint Veronica Giuliani, Saint Mary Major, and Saint Teresa of Calcutta. Each mini-retreat will begin with the celebration of Holy Mass at 8:00am in Saint Anthony Chapel. After Mass, Father Jim and-or Cliff Garvey will offer a reflection on the life and veneration of a saint whose life of holiness has inspired men and women all around the world. There will be time for questions and faith sharing, too.
After each reflection, we will pray in silent adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and in venera- tion of the holy relics of each saint of the day. At 9:30am, we will conclude by praying the Holy Rosary and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Here’s our upcoming schedule:
Saint Veronica Giuliani
Saturday, July 1st
Begins with Mass at 8:00am
Saint Anthony Chapel
Saint Mary Major
Saturday, August 5th
Begins with Mass at 8:00am
Saint Anthony Chapel
Saint Teresa of Calcutta
Begins with Mass at 8:00am
Saint Anthony Chapel
We hope and pray that you and your family will be able to join us for all or even just part of this special series in celebration of the saints which was so popular last summer! You do not need to be a member of the Assisi Project to join us for these special mornings of prayer and reflection! For more information about the Assisi Project and its good work in our parishes, please contact Cliff Garvey at cgarvey@ccgronline.com. Save the dates! Spread the word! Bring a friend! All are invited! All are welcome!
Learn More: The Assisi Project
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Pastor’s Note
End of Fiscal Year Fundraising
Urgent Deadline – June 30th
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).
Holy Family Parish
Grand Annual Collection
Goal — $75,000
Raised — $68,174
Need — $6,826
Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish
Front Steps Restoration
Goal — $35,000
Raised — $23,595
Need — $11,405
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. We simply must reach our goals by the end of the fiscal year on June 30th!
Donation envelopes are available at the entrances of our churches and upon request from the parish office. During the coming weeks, let’s pray together that each of us, according to our means, will give generously to these fundraising campaigns! Every donation, large or small, can make a big difference! Please help us!
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 repair and maintain our historic church buildings, please remember that you are always welcome to contact me. Thank you for your ongoing and generous support!
Reverend James M. Achadinha, Pastor
Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport
frjim@ccgronline.com
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Saint Peter’s Fiesta
Outdoor Mass & Procession
Sunday, June 25th at 10am
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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Saint Peter’s Fiesta
Call for Procession Volunteers
Sunday, June 25th at Noon
In order to ensure the success of our part in Saint Peter’s Fiesta, we are in need of volunteers to carry the statue of Our Lady of Fatima and to assist in distributing Our Lady’s Roses. If you are able and willing to help with this important ministry of service, please contact Michael Horgan at 978-869-9017 or leave a message at 978-281-4820. Please join with your friends and fellow parishioners for the procession through the streets of our beloved city! Spread the word! Bring your family! All are invited! All are welcome! Viva San Pietro!
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WeShare
Safe & Easy Electronic Giving
We must give alms. Charity wins souls and draws them to virtue. — Saint Angela Merici
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