Our Pastor’s Message
We Must Walk in Unity
By Father Jim
More than two decades ago, during his tenure as Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Pope Francis preached at an Easter Vigil Mass and reflected on the Gospel of Mark’s account of the three women who find the empty tomb of Jesus of Nazareth (See Mark 16:1-7). He said that the women went to the tomb not because they doubted, but because they were certain. They were certain, absolutely certain, that Jesus had been taunted, tortured, and hung upon a tree to die. They were certain, absolutely certain, that Jesus was buried behind a great and heavy stone.
Like anyone who reflects on this scene, Cardinal Bergoglio then points to the stone that has been rolled back, the empty tomb, and the angelic figure who says to the women: “He is not here; for he has been raised (Mark 16:6).” But then the cardinal expands the vision. The three women are all of us. The three women are all of the world. The three women are all of the good people who suffer in mourning, sickness, poverty, violence, and the horrors of war. The good and holy priest who is now our pope says: “The world needs this encounter, this world has become a cemetery.”
It is not an easy, feel-good message. But it is sadly all too true. Death and destruction are all around us. Gaza. Haiti. Ukraine. Russia. Yemen. Israel. Syria. South Sudan. Nicaragua. Burkina Faso. War. Hunger. Addiction. Division. Pandemic. Violence. Terrorism. Climate change. Unspeakable inequalities. Unimaginable poverty. The suffering also happens in our own country, the richest in the world. The suffering also happens in our commonwealth, the best educated in the land. It happens in our own parishes and neighborhoods. It sometimes seems like the large stone has been rolled back across the broken and open heart of the whole world. What can we do?
Day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year, Pope Francis asks us to pray for peace, unity, and reconciliation. He calls us to care for each other and for our common home. He exhorts us to tolerance, generosity, and mutual understanding. He beckons us to become instruments of God’s mercy, fraternity, and solidarity in a world that has lost its way. He reminds us that we are all connected, that we all need each other, and that no one is ever saved alone.
In his new autobiography entitled simply, Life, the Holy Father writes: “To this end, we must walk in unity, with our gaze fixed on forgiveness, shining a beam of light among the many clouds that obscure the sky these days.” Imagine again the three women walking to the tomb. Grieving the savage murder of their friend and teacher, they do not respond with anger, hatred, or violence. They respond with love. They respond with what the pope describes as a simple work of mercy: anointing the body and tending to the grave of Jesus with love and compassion.
As this tumultuous year unfolds, let us walk in unity with the women who discover the saving grace of resurrection. Let us beg the Risen Jesus for the grace to be kind, for the grace to be patient, for the grace to be generous, for the grace to be compassionate, for the grace to be welcoming, for the grace to be understanding, and for the grace to think before we act, speak, or press send on our phones. Let us pray for Pope Francis and for each other. Let us pray for peace and goodwill among all peoples. And let us pray for our long-suffering world. Amen. Alleluia.
Reverend James M. Achadinha, Pastor
Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport
Contact: frjim@ccgronline.com
CCGR Weekly Newsletter (3-31-24)
Bringing Home the Word (3-31-24)
The Kids Bulletin (3-31-24)
__________
Let Us Ask for the Grace
Our Prayer for Easter & Beyond
By Pope Francis
Let us ask the Lord
for the grace to be simple and humble people.
Let us ask the Lord
for the grace to be able to weep.
Let us ask the Lord for the grace to be meek.
Let us ask the Lord
for the grace to work for justice and peace.
And above all,
let us ask the Lord for the grace
to let ourselves be forgiven by God
so as to become instruments of his mercy.
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.
Easter Triduum with Pope Francis
Watch: Holy Thursday – Mass of the Lord’s Supper (1 Hour)
Watch: Good Friday – Service of the Lord’s Passion (2 Hours)
Watch: Way of the Cross with Meditations by Pope Francis (1.5 Hours)
Watch: Easter Vigil Mass (2.5 Hours)
Watch: Easter Sunday Mass (2 Hours)
Watch: Holy Father’s Easter Blessing (35 Minutes)
__________
Pastor’s Note
Grand Annual Collection
Every Dollar Makes a Difference!
Along with our weekly offerings, the Grand Annual Collection is a crucial component of our efforts to balance our budgets and ensure the financial stability of our beloved home parishes. As we begin the final quarter of the fiscal year, all friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners are encouraged to prayerfully consider a gift to the Grand Annual Collection in either Holy Family Parish or Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish. Donations can be mailed to the following address:
Holy Family Parish
or Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish
74 Pleasant Street
Gloucester, Massachusetts 01930
Please join me in praying that each one of us will give what we can to these vitally important fundraising campaigns. For more information, please contact me at frjim@ccgronline.com. Thank you for your generous support! May God bless you! Peace and blessings for a Happy Easter!
__________
A Hermit’s Request
Let Us Ask for the Grace
A Note from Brother Patrick
If you love Our Prayer for Easter & Beyond by Pope Francis (see above), please prayerfully consider helping me raise $400 to purchase four signs of these beautiful and challenging words for each of our four churches. Each sign costs $100 and is custom carved and hand painted on wood.
Please give first priority to our Grand Annual Collections (see above)! But please prayerfully consider giving what you can so that we can display the Holy Father’s prayer throughout the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport. Donations can be mailed to the following address:
Let Us Ask for the Grace
Attention: Brother Patrick
74 Pleasant Street
Gloucester, Massachusetts 01930
Checks can be made payable to either Holy Family Parish or Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish. For more information, please contact Brother Patrick at brpatrick@ccgronline.com. Thank you! May the Risen Lord give you peace! Happy Easter!
__________
Our Lady’s Guild
An Evening with 4EverFab
Saturday, April 6th
On Saturday, April 6th from 7:00pm until 10:00pm, all friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport are invited to join Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish for an Evening of Music with 4EverFab in Our Lady’s Hall.
As New England’s Premier Beatles cover band, 4EverFab is enjoying their 12th season of playing local venues including the Cabot and the Topsfield Fair. Tickets are $30 per person and include a light buffet supper, along with dessert, water, coffee, and soft drinks. A cash bar and raffles will also be available. All proceeds will benefit Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish.
For more information about 4EverFab, check our their website at 4everfab.net. For more information about this special evening of food, fellowship, and fine music, please contact Beth Fosberry at jcbf33@yahoo.com or Linda Galvin at lingalv2010@gmail.com. Save the date! Spread the word! Bring a friend! All are invited! All are welcome!
__________
Divine Mercy Sunday
A Celebration of God’s Love
Sunday, April 7th
In 2000, Saint John Paul II canonized Sister Faustina Kow- alska and designated the Second Sunday of Easter as the Feast of Divine Mercy. This devotion reflects a message from Jesus that Saint Faustina shared with the world: “Humanity will never find peace until it turns with trust to Divine Mercy. This is the Easter gift that the Church receives from the Risen Christ and offers to all people.”
In this spirit, all are invited to join Father Jim and the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport for Divine Mercy Sunday on April 7th from 2:00pm until 4:00pm in Saint Ann Church. Here’s our schedule: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at 2:00pm; Holy Rosary at 2:15pm; Divine Mercy Chaplet at 3:00pm; and Daytime Prayer & Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament at 3:30pm.
A Divine Mercy Prayer
Eternal Father,
I offer you the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity
of your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ,
in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.
For the sake of his sorrowful Passion,
have mercy on us and on the whole world.
Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One,
have mercy on us
and on the whole world. Amen.
We hope and pray that you and your family can join us for all or at least part of this special afternoon of prayer and devotion. For more information, please contact Jane Russo at jlrusso333@hotmail.com. Now more than ever, let’s pray together! All are invited! All are welcome!
Watch: Learning to Trust in God’s Mercy (3 Minutes)
__________
The Mother’s Heart
A Morning with Our Lady of Fatima
Saturday, April 13th
For more than one hundred years, the stained glass windows in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church have inspired men and women of faith to reflect on the Blessed Virgin Mary under her various titles and patronages. Under her mantle, generations of good and hardworking people have found comfort, consolation, and the strength to carry on during challenging times.
Throughout this year, Father Jim, Brother Patrick and the Assisi Project will focus our prayers and reflections on the Blessed Mother as she is depicted in the windows of our beloved church. We will not focus so much on the art and architecture of the windows, but on the deep devotion and spirituality inspired by each depiction of Mary.
In response to the Holy Father’s call to pray for peace and unity during this Year of Prayer, all friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport are invited to join us for The Mother’s Heart: A Morning of Prayer with Our Lady of Fatima on Saturday, April 13th beginning with Mass at 8:00am in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church.
After Mass, Brother Patrick will offer a brief reflection focused on the Blessed Mother’s clear command to the Shepherd Children of Fatima: “Say the Rosary every day to obtain peace for the world.” We will then offer a Rosary for Peace featuring prayers by Pope Francis. We hope and pray that you will be able to join us for this special morning of prayer and devotion!
For more information about the Assisi Project and its good work in our parishes; or if you would like us to pray for you or your special intention, please contact Brother Patrick at brpatrick@assisiproject.com. Save the date! Spread the word! All are invited! All are welcome! Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us! May the Risen Lord give you peace! Happy Easter!
Learn More: The Assisi Project
__________
WeShare
Safe & Easy Electronic Giving
No one has ever become poor by giving. — Anne Frank
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!
Follow us on Instagram!
This Week’s Homepage
In Memory of Maureen Cusumano