Our Pastor’s Message
Ten Years Together
By Father Jim
Not long ago, Cardinal Sean wrote a beautiful book called Wanted: Friends & Footwashers. The title is inspired by the way Jesus describes his disciples at the Last Supper. He calls them his friends and commands them to love and serve each other. The Cardinal writes: “[Jesus] wanted his apostles, his friends, to stop fighting over the first place at the table and start fighting over the towel (12).” In other words, Jesus does not want us to rush for seats at the head table, but instead to fall on our knees, then wash and dry the dirty feet of our brothers and sisters.
During our decade as the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport, we have lived through so much together. We experience the joys, fears, sorrows, and challenges of living during a unique moment in history. Week by week, year after year, we celebrate with children receiving First Holy Communion. We celebrate with teenagers embracing the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit at Confirmation. We celebrate with couples promising to love and cherish each other in the Sacrament of Marriage. We mourn the passing of friends and family members. We comfort those who mourn and must somehow carry on. And sadly, we gather more and more to pray for peace in a world at war.
After ten years, what strikes me most about our fellow parishioners is that most of us do not need to be reminded of our calling as disciples — as friends and footwashers. Most of us do not need to be reminded of our summons to be friends of the Lord and humble laborers in the Lord’s vineyard. Most of us do not need to be reminded of our commitment to prayer, fellowship, and service. Most of us do not need to be reminded of our mission to live the Gospel, share God’s love, and rebuild the Church. And most of us do not need to be reminded that we stand together as a “sign of contradiction.”
Indeed, when we pray together, we are a sign of contradiction in a society that is increasingly secular. When we celebrate together, we are a sign of contradiction in a world that is increasingly disillusioned. When we serve the poor, visit the sick, and reach out to those who feel forgotten, we are a sign of contradiction to whose who are indifferent or believe that their feigned strength is remedy for everyone else’s weakness. And when we say “all are welcome” and really mean it, we are a sign of contradiction among those who build walls, slam doors, and thrive on detraction and division.
Saint Edith Stein once wrote: “More than ever the cross is a sign of contradiction.” She then writes: “The Savior today looks at us, solemnly probing us, and asks each one of us: Will you remain faithful to the Crucified? Consider carefully!…If you decide for Christ, it could cost you your life.” A fitting response to this challenge can be summed up by Cardinal Sean who writes: “The faith is not spread by pundits or even by teachers, but by teachers who are witnesses. Martyr means witness (37).” In this way, we are all called to martyrdom. We are all called to give witness. We are all called to sacrifice our lives for others. We are all called to be friends and footwashers for Christ!
Someday, some bishop will ask me to serve another community up the line. I hope and pray that it won’t be anytime soon! Until then, let us continue the journey together. Let us continue to be a community of friends and footwashers. Let us continue to stand together as a sign of contradiction. Let us continue to serve as a sign of God’s closeness, compassion, and tenderness in a sometimes lonely world. And let us continue to pray together, work together, mourn together, and celebrate together as brothers and sisters who love the Lord, love the Church, and love each other. Together, always together! Thank you for your kindness and support! Happy Anniversary! Peace and blessings to all!
Reverend James M. Achadinha, Pastor
Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport
Contact: frjim@ccgronline.com
CCGR Weekly Newsletter (6-2-24)
Bringing Home the Word (6-2-24)
The Kids Bulletin (6-2-24)
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Saints for All Seasons – Joan of Arc
An Assisi Project Podcast
assisiproject.com
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Our 10th Anniversary
Masses of Thanksgiving Schedule
Begins Saturday, June 1st
Last August, during his apostolic journey to Portugal for World Youth Day, Pope Francis said: “We are a community of brothers and sisters, sons and daughters of the same Father…In the Church no one is surplus, there is room for everyone. Just as we are. All of us.”
Since then, the Holy Father has repeated again and again in many nations and languages that there is a place for everyone in God’s Church — no matter who we are, no matter where we are from, and no matter what we have done in life. The pope loves to remind us that God blesses all of his children: “Everyone! Everyone! Everyone!”
In this spirit and in celebration of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport’s 10th Anniversary, all friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners are invited to join me in celebrating four Masses of Thanksgiving in gratitude for God’s many blessings upon our parishes:
- Mass of Thanksgiving I
Saturday, June 1st at 4:00pm
Saint Ann Church - Mass of Thanksgiving 2
Friday, June 7th at 6:00pm
Saint Anthony Chapel - Mass of Thanksgiving 3
Sunday, June 16th at 10:00am
Saint Joachim Church - Mass of Thanksgiving 4
Sunday, June 23rd at 11:45am
Our Lady of Good Voyage Church
We hope and pray that you and your family will be able to join us for one of these Masses of Thanksgiving to celebrate the ongoing faith and good works of Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish. Please join us! Bring a friend! All are invited! All are welcome!
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Pope Francis
Between Heaven & Earth
A Note from Brother Patrick
At Easter, Father Jim gave me permission to ask our fellow parishioners to help me purchase custom carved and hand painted wood signs for each of our four churches with the following prayer by Pope Francis:
Let us ask the Lord
for the grace to be simple & humble people,
the grace to be able to weep,
the grace to be meek,
the grace to work for justice & peace,
and above all,
for the grace to let ourselves be forgiven by God,
so as to become instruments of his mercy.
The response was overwhelming! We raised enough funds to purchase the signs for the churches. We also raised enough to purchase prayer cards for every friend and fellow parishioner who attends one of the Masses of Thanksgiving in celebration of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport’s 10th Anniversary.
The image on the front of these prayer cards is a beautiful and compelling portrait of Pope Francis which was painted by a dear friend, Ann Tygett Jones, an artist from Missouri who also serves as a lay minister in her home parish. Ann calls her work, Pope Francis, Between Heaven & Earth. She writes: “Behind Pope Francis and to the left is earth, depicted by modern mid-century style of stars and blue space. On the right side of the canvas or where the Holy Father is facing is solid gold leaf that depicts heaven. Pope Francis is the liaison between our world and heaven. Let’s all pray for him every day!”
Father Jim and I hope that you will like the prayer cards and Ann’s artwork which will be displayed at each of our Masses of Thanksgiving. The signs should be delivered by the end of the month. Thank you for your generous support! May the Lord give you peace!
Learn More: Art of Ann Tygett Jones
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Call to Prayer
A Prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary
By Pope Francis
Mary, Mother & Virgin,
moved by the Holy Spirit,
you welcomed the word of life
in the depths of your humble faith:
as you gave yourself completely to the Eternal One,
help us to say our own ‘yes’
to the urgent call, as pressing as ever,
to proclaim the Good News of Jesus.
Filled with Christ’s presence,
you brought joy to John the Baptist,
making him exult in the womb of his mother.
Brimming over with joy,
you sang of the great things done by God.
Standing at the foot of the cross with unyielding faith,
you received the joyful comfort of the resurrection,
and joined the disciples in awaiting the Spirit
so that the evangelizing Church might be born.
Obtain for us now
a new passion born of the resurrection,
so that we may bring to everyone
the Gospel of life that triumphs over death.
Give us a holy courage to seek new paths,
so that the gift of unfading beauty may reach every person.
Virgin of listening and contemplation,
Mother of Love, Bride of the eternal wedding feast,
pray for the Church, whose pure icon you are,
so that she may never be closed in on herself,
or lose her passion for establishing God’s kingdom.
Star of the new evangelization,
help us to bear radiant witness to communion,
service, ardent and generous faith,
justice and love for the poor,
so that the joy of the Gospel
may reach to the ends of the earth,
illuminating even the fringes of the world.
Mother of the Living Gospel,
wellspring of happiness for God’s little ones,
pray for us!
Watch: The Pope Video – June 2024
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Special Message of Thanks
to Some Very Special People
A Note from Father Jim
Saint Anthony of Padua once said: “Charity is the soul of faith. It gives it life. Without love, faith dies.” As we celebrate our tenth anniversary as a community united in prayer, fellowship, and service, the virtues of faith, hope, and love are alive and well here in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport!
Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish recently celebrated the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost with its truly inspirational Crowning Feast. The Assisi Project continues to bring people of all ages together for moments of prayer and reflection with its Saints for All Seasons Mini-Retreats and Saturday Mornings with Saint Francis.
Meanwhile the Holy Family Women’s Guild just hosted a very successful Spring Bake & Plant Sale during Memorial Day Weekend. Last but certainly not least, the Knights of Columbus and Saint Vincent de Paul Society continue their good works by serving our friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners in need.
Needless to say, it is impossible to thank everyone who made these events and programs so special. So, let us pray together in gratitude for the Assisi Project, Holy Name Society, Our Lady’s Guild, Holy Family Women’s Guild, Knights of Columbus, and Saint Vincent de Paul Society for their ongoing dedication and support for Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish.
Let us also pray in heartfelt thanksgiving for our pastoral team and their hard work for all of us. And let us pray for each and every one of our fellow parishioners who enrich our lives day by day with a kind word or helping hand. May God bless all who live, work, and worship in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport! Thank you! Happy 10th Anniversary! Peace and blessings for a safe and happy summer season! — Father Jim
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WeShare
Safe & Easy Electronic Giving
We can work miracles through generosity. — 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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