Our Pastor’s Message
A Most Beautiful Prayer
By Father Jim
Not long ago, Pope Francis reflected on the Book of Psalms during a General Audience in Saint Peter’s Square. The Holy Father encouraged all the faithful to pray with the psalms; to memorize some favorite psalms; and to make them an essential part of our everyday spiritual lives. By doing these things, the pope proclaimed that the Catholic Church will become a true “symphony of prayer.”
We know, of course, that the psalms are already a fundamental component of our community’s shared worship. We sing or proclaim a psalm at every celebration of the Holy Eucharist; and we pray with psalms every time we offer the Liturgy of the Hours. When we regularly read, recite, or sing the psalms, whether alone or together, they become part of our lives. Words, phrases, whole verses, and perhaps entire psalms become part of the spiritual soundtrack of our lives.
This weekend, we pray with Psalm 85. In a reflection published by the National Catholic Reporter, Father John Dear, an author and peace activist who has been nominated multiple times for the Nobel Peace Prize, writes: “Psalm 85 is one of the most beautiful prayers, one of the most imaginative poems, one of the greatest pieces of writing in all of literature…It combines our best prayer for God’s mercy upon humanity, our best hope for God’s word of peace, and our best vision of what peace might look like (7-24-12).”
In Psalm 85, God’s peace looks joyful. It looks like paradise restored. God’s truth rises from the earth like spring flowers. God’s mercy shines like the summer sun. God’s blessings are harvested like bountiful crops on a country farm. And because we read the psalms in light of the Good News of Jesus, the loving embrace of God’s justice and peace becomes a living fraternity of fairness, decency, harmony, and mutual respect among all peoples. Imagine a world that truly welcomes such blessings!
By including this psalm in the Liturgy of the Word at Mass, the Church reminds us that God’s peace, God’s joy, and God’s justice are ours for the asking. This weekend’s responsory is our prayer for these blessings: “Lord, let us see your kindness and grant us your salvation!” Once our prayers are answered (always in unexpected ways), we are then beckoned to live God’s blessings in thought, word, and deed. Once we actually see and experience God’s kindness in action, in our own lives, we are then called to share it with friends, loved ones, and even strangers. And once we do this through our prayers and good works, we can be confident of our place in heaven.
During the darkest days of the coronavirus pandemic, Pope Francis said: “In the psalms, the believer finds an answer. The believer knows that even if all human doors are barred, God’s door is open. Even if the whole world has issued a verdict of condemnation, there is salvation in God (10-14-20).” These days, when tension and tumult are on the rise all around the world, Psalm 85 provides a promising path toward peace and friendship in our homes, workplaces, neighborhoods; in our country and commonwealth; and all around the world. And so, we cry out again: “Lord, let us see your kindness and grant us your salvation!” Amen! Amen!
Reverend James M. Achadinha, Pastor
Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport
Contact: frjim@ccgronline.com
CCGR Weekly Newsletter (7-14-24)
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The Pope Video – July 2024
Praying with Pope Francis
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Call to Prayer
Psalm 85
Let’s Pray Together!
O Lord, you once favored your land
and revived the fortunes of Jacob,
you forgave the guilt of your people
and covered all their sins.
You averted all your rage,
you calmed the heat of your anger.
Revive us now, God, our helper!
Put an end to your grievance against us.
Will you be angry with us forever,
will your anger never cease?
Will you not restore again our life
so that your people may rejoice in you?
Let us see, O Lord, your mercy
and give us your saving help.
I will hear what the Lord God has to say,
a voice that speaks of peace,
peace for his people and his friends
and those who turn to him in their hearts.
His help is near for those who fear him
and his glory will dwell in our land.
Mercy and faithfulness have met;
justice and peace have embraced.
Faithfulness shall spring from the earth
and justice look down from heaven.
The Lord will make us prosper
and our earth shall yield its fruit.
Justice shall march before him
and peace shall follow his steps.
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.
Pray: The Liturgy of the Hours
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Our Lady of Good Voyage
Christmas in July
Carillon Concert
Rescheduled to Friday, July 26th at 6:30pm
All friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport are invited to join our talented carillonneurs, Luann Pallazola, Cynthia Cafasso, and Thomas Dort, for a Christmas in July Carillon Concert on Friday, July 26th from 6:30pm until 7:30pm at Our Lady of Good Voyage (rain or shine). This special concert of traditional Christmas carols will be recorded for a limited edition compact disc that will help raise funds for the parish. Our Lady’s Guild will offer snacks and cold drinks for sale during the concert.
Installed in 1922, the carillon bells in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church were the first toned set in the United States. The carillon’s thirty-one bronze bells hang from a steel beam within the bell-shaped west tower. Our bells range in weight from 16 to 3,000 pounds.
Our carillon bells were forged by the Taylor Foundry in Loughboro, England. In order to avoid import taxes upon their arrival in Gloucester, the church was declared a bonded warehouse by the Collector of Customs in Boston, who happened to be a friend of the local congressman. Soon after, a bill declaring them “works of art” was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Warren G. Harding. Although the bells can be heard from blocks away, the sound is always best near the church.
In addition to this special Christmas in July Concert, please mark your calendars for our annual summer concert series scheduled for Friday, August 9th at 6:30pm; Friday, August 16th at 6:30pm; Friday, August 23rd at 6:30pm; and Friday, August 30th at 6:30pm. All summer carillon concerts are rain or shine! For more information, please contact Luann Pallazola at lpallazola@gmail.com. Save the dates! Spread the word! Please join us! All are invited! All are welcome! Always!
Watch: Luann Plays the Carillon
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Saint Vincent de Paul Society
Special Second Collection
July 20th & 21st
In the tradition of its patron and founder, the Saint Vincent de Paul Society is a Roman Catholic fraternity that leads men and women to work together and grow spiritually by offering person-to-person service to families and individuals in need. Here are four important ways that you can help us help others:
First, please give generously to our special second collection during all Masses on Saturday, July 20th and Sunday, July 21st in both Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish. All donations will support the good work of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society and go directly to those in need of our help.
Second, all are invited to donate clothing (new or used in good condition) to our Clothes Closet (Saint Ann Church Hall) which is open on the second, third, and fourth Saturdays of each month from 9:00am until 12:00pm. A donation bin is conveniently located in the parking lot near the Saint Ann School Building.
Third, your ongoing financial support is always much appreciated. Donation envelopes are located at the entrances of all churches in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport. Every donation, large or small, makes a big difference in our ability to help our friends and neighbors in need.
Fourth, new members and volunteers are always welcome! For more information about the Saint Vincent de Paul Society and its good work in our parishes, please contact Harry Miller at 978-281-8672 or Robert Weeks at svdpmember1@gmail.com.
Last but not least, if you or someone you know ever needs our help, please call us at 978-281-8672. Thank you for your ongoing and generous support for the Saint Vincent de Paul Society! Saint Vincent de Paul, pray for us! May God bless you and your family!
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The Assisi Project
Intercessory Prayer Ministry
We Never Stop Praying for You!
Founded in 2007 by Father Jim and Brother Patrick, 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 backgrounds more faithfully live the Gospel of Christ in the spirit of Saint Francis and Saint Clare of Assisi.
Members of the Assisi Project, ranging in age from 15 to 99, pray each and every day for all who ask us to pray for them. If you would like our fellowship to pray for you or your special intention, please contact Brother Patrick at brpatrick@assisiproject.com. Last week we prayed for more than one hundred special intentions! Saint Francis and Saint Clare of Assisi, pray for us! Our Lady of the Angels, pray for us! New members are always welcome! May the Lord give you peace!
Learn More: The Assisi Project
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WeShare
Safe & Easy Electronic Giving
The righteous give generously. — Psalm 37
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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