This Week’s Message
Everyone! Everyone! Everyone!
By Pope Francis
We are the community of those who are called; not people who are better than others, but called as sinners. Let us think seriously about this for a moment. We are called as we are with our problems and limitations, our overflowing joy, our desire to be better, and our desire to get ahead in the world. We are called as we are. Think about this. Jesus calls me as I am, not as I would like to be. We are the community of the brothers and sisters of Jesus, sons and daughters of the same Father.
Friends, I want to be clear because you are allergic to falsity and empty words. In the Church, there is room for everyone. Everyone! In the Church, no one is left out or left over. There is room for everyone! Just the way we are. Everyone! Jesus says this clearly. When he sends the apostles to invite people to the banquet that a man has prepared, he tells them: Go out and bring in everyone (See Matthew 22:1-14). Young and old. Healthy and infirm. Righteous and sinners. Everyone! Everyone! Everyone!
In the Church, there is room for everyone. You might say: Father, but I am a wretch. Is there room for me? There is room for everyone! Everyone! Everyone! Everyone! That is the Church, the Mother of all. The Lord does not point a finger; he opens his arms…He embraces us all. He shows us Jesus on the cross, who opened his arms wide in order to be crucified and die for us. Jesus never closes the door. He invites you to enter. Come and see. Jesus receives. Jesus welcomes. In these days, each of us transmits the love of Jesus. God loves you. God calls you. How lovely this is! God loves me. God calls me. God wants me to be close to him.
Friends, do not stop asking questions. Asking questions is good. It is often better than giving answers because asking questions is a sign of restlessness and restlessness is the best remedy for mere routine, which can sometimes dull the soul. Each of us has his or her own questions. Ask them. Let us bring our questions and share them in conversation with one another. Let us bring our questions and pray together in God’s presence. As life goes on, our questions get answered; we just have to wait. Here is something interesting: God loves surprises! God is not a robot. His love is always surprising. He loves to surprise us. He always keeps us alert and he always keeps us surprised.
I encourage you all to reflect on the beautiful fact that God loves us. God loves us as we are, not how we want to be or how society wants us to be. God loves us as we are! He calls us with our faults and failings, our limitations and hopes in life. This is how God calls us. Trust God because God is a Father, the Father who loves us. This is not easy. For this reason, we need a great help, the Mother of the Lord. She is our Mother, too. This is all that I want to tell you. Do not be afraid. Do not be afraid, take heart, and move forward, knowing that all of us are mortgaged by the love God has for us. God loves us. Let us say it all together: God loves us!
CCGR Weekly Newsletter (8-13-23)
Bringing Home the Word (8-13-23)
The Kids Bulletin (8-13-23)
Pastor’s Note: This week’s message is excerpted from the Holy Father’s Welcoming Address for the 37th World Youth Day in Lisbon, Portugal on August 3, 2023. For more resources related to Pope Francis and World Youth Day, please visit our resources page: ccgronline.com/resources. As a community united in prayer, fellowship, and service, the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport prays for Pope Francis and for all who humbly serve in the Lord’s vineyard. Peace and blessings to all! — Father Jim
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Call to Worship
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Tuesday, August 15th
A Holy Day of Obligation
Since the fifth century, God’s faithful people have believed that upon her passing from this life, the Blessed Virgin Mary was raised body and soul into heaven. This ancient tradition, however, was not defined as an official teaching of the Roman Catholic Church until 1950. In celebration of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport will celebrated Mass according to the following schedule:
Saint Joachim Church at 8:00am
Saint Ann Church at 12:00pm
Our Lady of Good Voyage Church at 6:00pm
For more information, please see Father Jim before or after Mass; or please feel welcome to contact him at frjim@ccgronline.com. Please join us! Bring a friend! All are invited! All are welcome! Saint Ann, pray for us! Saint Joachim, pray for us! Saint Anthony, pray for us! Saint Peter, pray for us! Saint Francis of Assisi, pray for us! Our Lady of Good Voyage, pray for us! Our Lady of the Angels, pray for us! Our Lady of the Assumption, pray for us!
Saint of the Day – Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
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Call to Prayer
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Tuesday, August 15th
A Prayer to Our Lady of the Assumption
Immaculate Virgin Mary,
Mother of Jesus and our Mother,
we believe in
your triumphant assumption into heaven
where the angels and saints
acclaim you as our queen.
We join them in praising you
and bless the Lord
who raised you above all creatures.
With them, we offer you
our devotion and our love.
We are confident that you watch over
our daily needs and labors,
and we take comfort from our faith
in the promise of the resurrection.
We look to you, our life,
our sweetness, and our hope.
After this earthly life, show us Jesus,
the blessed fruit of your womb.
O kind, O loving,
O sweet Virgin Mary. Amen.
A Prayer to Our Lady of the Angels
Our Lady of the Angels,
bless us, your children;
and with a mother’s love,
bless the innocent and the guilty,
the faithful and the lost,
the believers and the doubters.
Bless all peoples everywhere,
so that recognizing ourselves
as the Children of God
and your children,
we may discover true love,
true peace, and the one true God. Amen.
Our Lady of the Angels, pray for us!
Our Lady of the Assumption, pray for us!
Our Lady of Good Voyage, pray for us!
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Holy Family Women’s Guild
Christmas Fair Planning Meeting
Tuesday, August 15th
Mark your calendar for Saturday, November 18th! It may still be summer, but the Holy Family Women’s Guild is coming soon! Our Christmas Fair is the biggest fundraising event of the year! Much work lies ahead to ensure its success! On Tuesday, August 15th at 6:30pm in Our Lady’s Hall, the Holy Family Women’s Guild is hosting its first Christmas Fair Planning Meeting. Each of us has a unique gift or talent! Let yours shine at the Christmas Fair! For more information about how you can help us help our beloved parish, please contact Lydia Bertolino at 978-271-4279 or bertolino4@msn.com. Please join us! New members and volunteers are always welcome! All are invited! All are welcome!
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The Gift of Music
Our Lady of Good Voyage
Summer Carillon Concerts
Begins Friday, August 11th!
Mark your calendars! Save the dates! A much-loved summer tradition returns next month to Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish and the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport! Our Summer Carillon Concerts will begin on Friday, August 11th at 6:30pm (rain or shine)!
This year, Luann Pallazola, Cynthia Cafasso, and Thomas Dort have prepared programs that include familiar classical and international pieces, popular hymns and songs, patriotic melodies, and selections especially for children!
Installed in 1922, the carillon bells in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church were the first toned set in the United States. The carillon’s thirty-one bronze bells hang from a steel beam within the bell-shaped west tower. Our bells range in weight from 16 pounds to 3,000 pounds.
The carillon bells at Our Lady of Good Voyage were forged by the Taylor Foundry in Loughboro, England. In order to avoid import taxes upon their arrival in Gloucester, the church was declared a bonded warehouse by the Collector of Customs in Boston, who happened to be a friend of the local congressman. Soon after, a bill declaring them “works of art” was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Warren G. Harding.
Although the bells can be heard from blocks away, the sound is always best near our church. This year, Our Lady’s Guild will be selling cold drinks, snacks, and even Super Raffle tickets to support our parish. Our Summer Carillon Concerts are a great opportunity for the whole family to gather with friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners to enjoy the gift of music.
Additional concerts are scheduled for Friday, August 18th at 6:30pm; Friday, August 25th at 6:30pm; and Friday, September 1st at 6:30pm. For more information, please contact Luann Pallazola at lpallazola@gmail.com. Spread the word! All are invited! All are welcome!
Read: GDT Coverage of OLGV Carillon Concerts
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Rebuilding God’s Church
Synod on Synodality 2023
Communion, Participation & Mission
A synod is an assembly of believers. Synodality is a way of looking at the Catholic Church whereby we are all on a journey together as the People of God. And the Synod on Synodality is a worldwide meeting of church leaders de- signed to help us listen for the Holy Spirit’s guidance as we build and strengthen God’s Church for the future. As a community united in prayer, fellowship, and service, we raise our hearts and voices in prayer for this process:
A Prayer for the Synod
Jesus Christ, Lord of History,
we are the Church
that walks with you, by you and in you.
What a great grace!
Because you become pilgrim with us
like the pilgrim of Emmaus.
You dwelt among us, and you feed us,
making yourself bread and wine.
We belong to you, we are for you,
and this gives meaning to our walk together.
Although we are many,
we are only one Bread and one Body,
for we all partake of you, the only Living Bread.
Give us the docility we need
to be transformed by communion with you
into more compassionate brothers and sisters
among ourselves. Amen.
This fall, hundreds of priests, bishops, deacons, and lay people will gather in Rome for the 16th General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops. For the first time, lay men and women will be given a voting voice in the process. Two basic questions will guide the synod: How does our journey inspire us to live and proclaim the Good News of Jesus to the world? And how does the Holy Spirit invite us to become a Church that listens and reaches out to all people everywhere?
Learn More: Bishop Stowe on Synodality
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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!
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In Memory of Joe Favazza