This Week’s Message
Our Children
By Cameron Bellm
Our children will want to know
when they’re grown,
what we did from half a world away.
They’ll want to know
what we said, how we acted
in the face of so much horror.
We felt powerless,
we’ll tell them,
but still we cried out:
For an end to violence,
an end to hatred, to war,
until we were hoarse from screaming.
Even if no one heard us, we’ll tell them,
we wept for others’ children
as if they were our own.
Ours, ours, we called them,
in our broken voices,
from half a world away.
About the Author: After completing her doctorate in Russian literature from the University of California – Berkeley in 2011, Cameron Bellm traded the academic life for the contemplative life, informed by Catholic Social Teaching and the spirituality of Saint Ignatius of Loyola. Cameron is an author and retreat leader. She lives in Seattle with her husband and children. Learn more about Cameron Bellm and her ministry by visiting her website.
About the Artist: Kelly Latimore began writing icons in 2010 with encouragement of a friend and priest. Since then, his prayerful and thought provoking icons have been displayed throughout the world, including here in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport. Learn more about Kelly Latimore and his iconography by visiting his website.
CCGR Weekly Newsletter (11-19-23)
Bringing Home the Word (11-19-23)
The Kids Bulletin (11-19-23)
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Happy Thanksgiving
Celebration of Holy Mass
November 22nd & 23rd
All friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport are invited to come together as God’s family for the celebration of Holy Mass in commemoration of Thanksgiving:
Thanksgiving Eve
Wednesday, November 22nd at 5:30pm
Our Lady of Good Voyage Church
Thanksgiving Day
Thursday, November 23rd at 8:00am
Our Lady of Good Voyage Church
On behalf of Father Jim, our pastoral team, and all who live, work, and worship in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport, may you and your family enjoy a Happy Thanksgiving! Peace and blessings to all!
A Prayer for Thanksgiving
By Reverend Samuel F. Pugh (1904-2007)
O God,
when I have food,
help me to remember the hungry.
When I have work,
help me to remember the jobless.
When I have a home,
help me to remember those
who have no home at all.
When I am without pain,
help me to remember those who suffer.
And when remembering,
help me to destroy my complacency,
bestir my compassion,
and be concerned enough to help
by word and deed
those who cry out for what
we take for granted. Amen.
Live the Gospel: Ten Ways to Be Thankful
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Saint Vincent de Paul Society
Christmas Giving Trees
November 25th & 26th
The Saint Vincent de Paul Society is once again sponsoring the Christmas Giving Trees in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport! During the weekend of November 25th & 26th, the Giving Trees will be located at the entrances of our three churches. Each tree will be decorated with stars that include a Christmas wish for a local child or family in need. If you can make their wish come true, then please take the star!
Every donated gift should be new, unused, unwrapped, and placed under a Giving Tree no later than Sunday, December 10th. For more information, please contact Lori Thorstensen at lorithor@hotmail.com. As we begin to deck the halls and celebrate the season, let’s all work together to share God’s boundless love with local children and families who need our help! Thank you for your generous support of our Giving Trees! May God bless us, everyone!
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Signposts
Conversations with Brother Patrick
November 30th & December 2nd
A signpost is something that provides information or points in a particular direction. A signpost offers clear guidance or important facts about how to proceed on a journey. In the spiritual life, a signpost can be a chance encounter, a special memory, or a moment of grace that brings us closer to Christ, closer to the Church, and closer to each other. It might be a book, hymn, poem, prayer, pilgrimage, or more likely, the living witness of a fellow disciple who changes our lives.
Whatever or whoever has served as a signpost in our lives should be remembered, treasured, and shared with others, so that our experience may help someone else grow in their personal relationship with Jesus and the Church.
Just two months ago, more than 200 friends and fellow parishioners watched as Brother Patrick was consecrated as a Diocesan Hermit by Bishop Mark O’Connell in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. At that Consecration Mass, Brother Patrick took perpetual vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. He was also required to compose a rule of life and to set aside parts of each day, week, and month to pray for Pope Francis, Cardinal Sean, and the Church around the world.
Since the Consecration, Brother Patrick has received countless questions about his journey and his calling to a life of prayer, silence, and solitude. Now is our chance to ask questions and listen for answers! Ask him anything related to his new life! All friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport are invited to join Father Jim and Brother Patrick for two conversations about grace, conversion, and the unique call to the eremitic life.
On Thursday, November 30th at 6:00pm in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church, we will begin with Evening Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours, followed by a brief reflection, then a period of questions and faith sharing. On Saturday, December 2nd at 8:00am in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church, we will begin with Holy Mass, followed by another brief reflection, questions, and faith sharing. Join us for one or both conversations! For more information, please contact Brother Patrick at brpatrick@ccgronline.com. Spread the word! Bring a friend! All are invited! All are welcome! May the Lord give you peace!
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Advent Faith & Family Mass
Youth Faith Formation Special Event
Sunday, December 3rd
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus says: “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them, for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs (Mt 9:14).” In response to the Lord’s call, all children, parents, grandparents, and godparents are invited to join Father Jim for our Advent Faith & Family Mass on Sunday, December 3rd at 11:45am in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church.
During Mass, Father Jim will offer a special homily about the Christmas Wreath and a special blessing for all of God’s children and their families. In addition, every child in attendance will receive a small gift! Please save the dates for our other upcoming Faith & Family Masses: Saturday, January 6th at 4:00pm in Saint Ann Church; Sunday, February 18th at 11:45am in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church; Sunday, March 24th at 11:45am in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church; and Satur- day, May 11th at 4:00pm in Saint Ann Church.
For more information about our youth faith formation programs in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport, please feel contact Betsy Works at bworks@ccgronline.com. Mass is our class! Jesus is our teacher! Every child and every family are precious gifts from God! Please join us! All are invited! All are welcome!
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Advent & Christmas Concert
An Annual Holiday Tradition
Sunday, December 3rd
All friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport are invited to join Tom Misuraca, LuAnn Pallazola, Patricia Natti, and the Adult Music Ministry for our 17th Annual Advent & Christmas Concert on Sunday, December 3rd at 2:00pm in Saint Ann Church.
As always, this year’s musical selections have been carefully chosen to help prepare our hearts to faithfully celebrate the Holy Season of Advent and the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ at Christmas. For more information about this special event, please contact Tom Misuraca at tmisuraca@ccgronline.com. Spread the word! Bring a friend! All are invited! All are welcome!
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Our Lady of Good Voyage
Annual Christmas Fair
Saturday, December 9th
All friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport are invited to join Our Lady’s Guild for our Annual Christmas Fair with Homemade Fried Dough, Sweet Bread, Pizza Lunch, and a visit from Santa Claus on Saturday, December 9th from 9:00am until 1:00pm in Our Lady’s Hall.
All are welcome to browse our yard sale tables for unique treasures! In addition, the fair will feature our famous freshly baked sweet bread, cookies, jewelry, and religious books and gifts! We will also have numerous raffles including the Super Raffle with a chance to win over 60 gift cards from generous local businesses! Last but not least, Santa Claus will join us for lunch and photographs with our children from 12:00pm until 12:30pm!
For more information about the Christmas Fair at Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish or Our Lady’s Guild and its good work in our community, please contact Beth Fosberry at jcbf33@yahoo.com. Spread the word! Bring your family! Bring a friend! All are invited! All are welcome!
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Pray Together
Rosary for Peace
Saturday, November 25th at 5:00pm
Our Lady of Good Voyage Church
Please join us! All are invited! All are welcome!
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WeShare
Safe & Easy Electronic Giving
The righteous are always generous (Psalm 37:26)
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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