Imagine What Could Happen
By Kathleen M. Basi
On Easter Sunday, anything seems possible. The triumph of life over death and heaven over hell seems to resound throughout a world poised on the cusp of spring. But it is hard to hold on to the euphoria of the resurrection for fifty days. White lilies fade and are discreetly removed from the altar while the rush of baseball and soccer starts. As the planet spins from one day to the next, we get caught up in ordinary life until one day that newness of purpose is gone altogether.
Faith is like a muscle: healthier when exercised. In the years after the resurrection, the Church flourished because Christianity was not just something you did on Sundays and holidays. It was something radical. It was something so powerful and so threatening that claiming it could get your fed to wild animals. That kind of commitment changes what you do and think and say every day.
You and I will probably never face execution for our beliefs, but the reality of the resurrection should still impact the way we live — not just on the holy day itself, but throughout the Easter Season and beyond. It should illuminate what endeavors are worthwhile and which are not. It should challenge us to temper our anger and expand our willingness to sacrifice for others. Nobody needs a longer to-do list. But living the faith does not require commitments of epic proportions.
Imagine what could happen if every one of us celebrated the fifty days of Easter by doing one thing each day to grow, demonstrate, or share our faith. It does not have to be earth shattering in importance. It just needs to be real. Set aside five minutes for quiet, contemplative prayer. Count to ten before reacting to that inflammatory post. Dig into the mystery of death and resurrection with your children [or grand- children]. Read the Acts of the Apostles and figure out one concrete way that you can imitate their fervor in the context of your life. Read a book about the saints. Pick up that fast-food bag blowing around the mall marking lot. Send a donation to a crisis pregnancy center. Buy a can of coffee and deliver it to the homeless shelter.
Doing one thing every day may not change the world, but it will change us. Our souls and our bodies are made to work in harmony to reflect God’s image. Our ac- tions shape our inner reality. The more we act as Christ would have us act, the more our view of the world reflects his view. In short, by doing as God does, we become more like God. And that can change the world.
About the Author: Kathleen M. Basi is a composer, musician, essayist, and disability rights activist. She is also a wife and mother of four children, one of whom lives with Down Syndrome. Kathleen is a regular contributor to Bringing Home the Word, a weekly newsletter that features suggestions for prayer and reflection for the home church. A new edition is posted each week at the link below.
CCGR Weekly Newsletter (4-7-24)
Bringing Home the Word (4-7-24)
The Kids Bulletin (4-7-24)
The Pope Video (April 2024)
__________
Divine Mercy Sunday
A Celebration of God’s Love
Sunday, April 7th
In 2000, Saint John Paul II canonized Sister Faustina Kowalska 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)
__________
Call to Prayer
The Annunciation of the Lord
Monday, April 8th
In his book, The World’s First Love: Mary, Mother of God, Archbishop Fulton Sheen writes: “Our free will is the only thing that is really our own. Our health, our wealth, our power: all of these God can take from us. But our freedom, he leaves to us…Because our freedom is our own, it is the only perfect gift that we can make to God.” God gives Mary the same gift of freedom that he gives to us. And Mary gives it all back — humbly, lovingly, willingly, and completely. It is the perfect gift!
In this spirit, all are invited to join us in celebrating the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, the moment when the Blessed Mother embraces her vocation as Mother of God. On Monday, April 8th in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church, we will begin with the Rosary at 7:30am; followed by the celebration of Holy Mass at 8:00am. As we prepare our hearts to sing Mary’s song of acceptance, let us pray:
Annunciation
A Prayer by Cameron Bellm
Don’t we all need a visit from an angel today,
amidst our ample weariness and woe,
to gently encourage us, ‘Do not fear,’
even though the world is full of fearful things?
Don’t we all need a voice from heaven today,
when all paths forward appear treacherous,
reminding us that nothing is impossible with God,
even if all we can muster is incredulity?
Don’t we all need the presence of Holy Mystery today,
as we amble through this life of grief and gratitude,
facing all that remains unknown,
all that remains unseen?
Gabriel, kindest angel, don’t tarry!
Come and speak to us in the lambent light of God,
that we, too, may say with Mary:
May it be done to me according to your word.
Amen. Amen.
After completing a 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 Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius of Loyola. Cameron is an author and retreat leader. She lives in Seattle with her husband and children. Learn more about her ministry at cameronbellm.com.
For more information about the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com. Please join us! All are invited! All are welcome! Our Lady of the Annunciation, pray for us!
Read: The Power of the Annunciation
__________
Year of Prayer
A Holy Hour for Peace
Friday, April 12th
In preparation of next year’s jubilee, Pope Francis has called all Catholics to join him in a Year of Prayer for Peace and Unity in the Church and around the world. The Holy Father asks us “to rediscover the great value and absolute need for prayer — prayer in our personal lives, prayer in the life of the Church, and prayer in the world. The pope also asks us pray for peace, for unity, and for the victims of conflict and violence — especially children. He says: “Let us all be aware of our responsibility to pray and to build peace.”
In this spirit, all friends and fellow parishioners are invited to join the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport for a Holy Hour for Peace on Friday, April 12th from 3:00pm until 4:00pm in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. Our time together will begin with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. During Eucharistic Adoration, Father Jim and Brother Patrick will lead a Rosary for Peace featuring prayers by Pope Francis. We will conclude with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. For more information, please contact Brother Patrick at brpatrick@ccgronline.com. Please join us! All are welcome!
Listen: A Rosary for Peace – Sorrowful Mysteries
__________
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
__________
Pastor’s Note
Special Message of Thanks
to Some Very Special People
By Father Jim
As we continue to celebrate the Easter Season, we join together in sincere thanksgiving for those parishioners and pastoral team members who offered their time, talent, and treasure to help us celebrate Holy Week and the Easter Triduum in a spirit of faith, hope, and love for our Crucified and Risen Lord.
On behalf of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport, our thanks go to Nina Groppo, Suzanne McGlauflin, Jane Russo, Lucy Sheehan, and Lori Thorstensen, who decorated our churches so beautifully for the Easter Season. We also thank those adult and young disciples who served as greeters, lectors, ushers, acolytes, and Eucharistic ministers during the Easter Triduum.
In addition, we are deeply grateful to Thomas Misuraca, LuAnn Pallazola, Patty Natti, Kathleen Adams, Cynthia Cafasso, Thomas Dort, Luz Mazo, Victor Mazo, and every member of our adult choir and music ministry for sharing the gift of so much amazing music with us.
Last but not least, I wish to thank a poor hermit and three rambunctious dachshunds for keeping me grounded and on track during Holy Week and the Easter Triduum! May God bless them and all who live, work, and worship in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport! This is the day the Lord has made! Let us rejoice and be glad! Peace and blessings to all! Alleluia! Alleluia!
__________
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!
__________
WeShare
Safe & Easy Electronic Giving
Charity, by which God and neighbor are loved,
is the most perfect friendship. — Saint Thomas Aquinas
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
For the Intentions of Pope Francis