This Week’s Message
A Master Class in Love
By Saint Teresa of Calcutta
If you judge people, you have no time to love them.
To give until it hurts. This is the true meaning of love.
If we really want to love, we must learn how to forgive.
I am a little pencil in the hand of God,
who is sending a love letter to the world.
Not all of us can do great things,
but we can do small things with great love.
Do not think that love has to be extraordinary in order to be genuine.
What we need is to love without getting tired.
Every labor of love done with a full heart brings people closer to God.
There is a terrible hunger for love.
We all experience this in our lives — the pain, the loneliness.
We must have the courage to recognize it.
The poor you may have right in your own family.
Find them. Love them.
Speak tenderly.
Let there be kindness in your face, in your eyes,
in your smile, and in the warmth of your greeting.
Always have a cheerful smile.
Do not give only your care, but give your heart as well.
A sacrifice to be real must cost something.
It must hurt. It must empty ourselves.
The fruit of silence is prayer.
The fruit of prayer is faith.
The fruit of faith is love.
The fruit of love is service.
The fruit of service is peace.
At the end of our lives,
we will be judged on the basis of our love for each other.
Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come.
We have only today. Let us begin.
Listen: Saint of the Day – Mother Teresa
CCGR Weekly Newsletter (9-3-23)
Bringing Home the Word (9-3-23)
The Kids Bulletin (9-3-23)
__________
Call to Worship
Mother of Grace Club
Annual Mass & Benediction
Friday, September 8th at 8:00am
The Mother of Grace Club invites all members, friends, and fellow parishioners within and beyond the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport to join us for our Annual Mass in Honor of the Nativity of the Blessed Mother on Friday, September 8th at 8:00am in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. Following Mass, we will pray the Holy Rosary during a period of Eucharistic Adoration; and we will conclude with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. For more information about this special morning of prayer and devotion, please contact Margherita at 978-281-0012. Please join us! Bring a friend! All are invited! All are welcome!
A Prayer for the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
All good and gracious God,
give your chosen people
your help and strength.
The birth of the Virgin Mary’s son
was the dawn of our salvation.
May our celebration of her nativity
bring us closer to lasting peace,
and may the virtues that she models
develop in our lives
so that we may love you
and our neighbors more perfectly.
Grant this prayer
through Mary’s Beloved Son,
who is Christ Jesus, our Savior.
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.
Listen: Saint of the Day – Nativity of the Virgin Mary
__________
Our Lady of Good Voyage
Our Lady’s Guild
Monday, September 11th at 6:30pm
Each day, all are invited to join us for a few moments of prayer Since 1944, Our Lady’s Guild has worked to build community among women of all ages in Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish through prayer, good works, fundraising, and social events. The Guild’s first meeting of the fall season is scheduled for Monday, September 11th at 6:30pm in Our Lady’s Hall. Dinner will be catered and served by the officers. An offering of $10 per person is requested. For more infor- mation about Our Lady’s Guild and its good work in our parish, please contact Beth Fosberry at jcbf33@yahoo.com. Spread the word! New members and friends are always welcome! Please join us! All are invited! All are welcome!
__________
Youth Faith Formation
First Holy Communion Preparation
Begins Sunday, September 24th
The Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport offers a creative and innovative way for children to prepare for the Sacraments of Reconciliation (Confession) and First Holy Communion (Eucharist). Our program is designed to prepare both children and their parents for the sacraments, encourage lifelong relationships with Jesus and the Catholic Church, and help each and every family grow together in prayer, fellowship, and service.
First, we focus on inviting families to attend one of our six weekend Masses. Second, all second grade students and their parents or guardians are asked to attend six Faith & Family Workshops and six Young Disciples Workshops. Our Faith & Family Workshops will be held in Our Lady’s Hall; and our Young Disciples Workshops will be held at Our Lady’s School.
During the Young Disciples Workshops, the children will gather with Betsy Works and a team of dedicated catechists and volunteers. At both workshops, the children and their parents will learn about the Bible, the Mass, and the Eucharist by reading children’s literature and engaging in hands-on activities like arts and crafts, food and music, dance and prayer.
All students (beginning in the second grade) are invited to participate in our program. And all families with children eligible for our program are encouraged to attend our Family Mass & Meeting on Sunday, September 24th begin- ning at 11:00am in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. At this meeting, parents can submit a registration form and receive our full workshop schedule.
If you have questions or need more information about youth faith formation in Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish, please contact Betsy Works at bworks@ccgronline.com. Please pray for our young disciples and their families! Please join us! All are invited! All are welcome!
First Holy Communion Registration 2023-24
__________
Adult Faith Formation
The Way
Sacramental Preparation for Adults
Begins Sunday, October 1st at 8:15am
“The Way” was the among the earliest names for the followers of the Risen Christ. The Way also appears as a biblical reference for the earliest Christian communities in the Acts of the Apostles. In addition, tradition teaches that both before and after his conversion, Saint Paul referred to the disciples of Christ as part of the Way. More than two thousand years later, Catholic Christians are still part of the Way of Jesus Christ. But as we all know, a life of discipleship is not a hobby or pastime. It is a vocation, a way of life that lays claim to our whole heart, mind, and strength. As disciples, our lives should be focused on and inspired by our faith in Christ, who is our merciful redeemer, friend, and brother. And as his disciples, we are called to reach out to those who need our help in growing closer to Christ and the Church.
If you are an adult (age 18 and over) and have not received all of the Sacraments of Initiation in the Roman Catholic Church (Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation), then please consider joining “The Way”, a new adult faith formation program that will begin this fall. The Way (typically called the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) is a seven month program that prepares adults to be received into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil. As part of this same program, we will prepare adults for the Sacrament of Confirmation (to be received at either the Easter Vigil or at a regional archdiocesan celebration). Other parishioners who have received the Sacraments and are interested in renewing their spiritual lives are also very welcome to join us!
Beginning on October 1st, our group will gather on the first and second Sunday mornings of each month for Mass at 8:15am in Saint Ann Church, followed by fellowship, formation, and faith sharing. As a community of disciples, we will learn together about the basic beliefs, teachings, and traditions of the Church; and we will explore the methods of prayer and spirituality that have brought centuries of believers closer to Christ Jesus and to the Church. In addition, we will talk openly and honestly about the challenges of living an authentic life of faith, hope, and love in the modern world. If you would like to learn more about this journey of faith and become part of a unique fellowship in preparation for the sacraments of God’s Church, then please contact Cliff Garvey at cgarvey@ccgronline.com. Please join us! Spread the word! All are invited! All are welcome!
__________
The Assisi Project
We’re Praying for You!
Founded in 2007 by Father Jim and Cliff Garvey, the Assisi Project is a Fellowship of Franciscans in Spirit with members, friends, and followers around the world. We are dedicated to helping believers of all ages and back- grounds more faithfully live the Good News of Jesus through the inspiration and intercession of Saint Francis and Saint Clare of Assisi. Members of the Assisi Project, ranging in age from 15 to 99, pray each day for those who ask for our prayers. If you would like our fellowship to pray for your or your special intention, please contact Cliff at cgarvey@ccgronline.com. Saint Francis of Assisi, pray for us! Saint Clare of Assisi, pray for us! Our Lady of the Angels, pray for us! May the Lord give you peace!
Learn More: The Assisi Project
__________
WeShare
Safe & Easy Electronic Giving
Joy is a sign of generosity. — Saint Teresa of Calcutta
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!
This Week’s Homepage
For Pope Francis & His Intentions