Called to Be Better
By Cardinal Joseph Tobin
In Pope Francis’s apostolic exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium (aka The Joy of the Gospel), the Holy Father invites us, as individuals and as communities, to a profound pastoral conversion. He writes: “Before all else, the Gospel invites us to respond to the God of love who saves us, to see God, and to go forth from ourselves to seek the good of others (EG 39).”
Pope Francis does not hesitate to call attention to the ways that we are soft, lazy, or self-indulgent, but he does it in ways that give us hope and encouragement. Through the Holy Father’s words of challenge and hope, we are invited to move beyond our self-imposed boundaries and to be zealous missionaries for Christ.
We are called to be better, the Holy Father says. We are meant to do more and be more than simply stay inside where it is safe and warm. We are called to “go forth from our own comfort zones in order to be missionary disciples for Christ (EG 20).” The pope writes: “Life in the Spirit, which has its source in the heart of the Risen Christ” is the opposite of the anxious, guilt-ridden, and superficial way of life that far too many of us experience. “That is no way to live a dignified and fulfilled life,” the Holy Father tells us. “It is not God’s will for us (EG 2).” The alternative is the joy-filled and meaningful way of life that Christ taught us by his words and his example.
In his final chapter, Pope Francis exclaims: “How I long for the right words to stir up enthusiasm for a new chapter of evangelization full of fervor, joy, generosity, courage, boundless love, and attraction! Yet I realize that no words of encouragement will be enough unless the fire of the Holy Spirit burns in our hearts (EG 261).” The pope challenges all of us, no matter who we are, to be Spirit-filled evangelizers, disciples of Jesus Christ whose hearts are on fire, who have a keen sense of mission, and who never hesitate to proclaim the Good News (EG 259). Come, Holy Spirit, enkindle in our hearts the fire of your love!
We have come to think of missionaries as clergy, consecrated religious, or lay people who travel to distant lands and endure many hardships in order to preach the Gospel to those who do not know Jesus Christ. This image is not wrong, but it is incomplete. We are all called to be missionaries, disciples of Jesus Christ who bring his Good News to others in our homes and workplaces, in our parishes and neighborhoods, and in our personal contributions of time, talent, and treasure to the Church’s worldwide mission.
In the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation, we received the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. We are members of the community of faith and we have accepted the responsibility that Christ entrusted to all of his disciples: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you (Matthew 28:19-20).” This great commission belongs to each one of us individually and to the Church as a whole. We fulfill this responsibility, each in our own way, according to the gifts and talents given to us as stewards of our baptismal calling.
About the Author
Cardinal Joseph Tobin serves as Archbishop of Newark, New Jersey. For more than five decades, he has been a member of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (aka Redemptorists). He previously served as Archbishop of Indianapolis (2012-2017) and as Superior General of the Redemptorists (1997-2009). His episcopal motto is Gaudete in Domino or Rejoice in the Lord!
CCGR Weekly Newsletter (7-21-24)
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Saint Veronica – A Truth That Prevails
An Assisi Project Podcast
assisiproject.com
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Call to Prayer
Mother of the Living Gospel
A Prayer by Pope Francis
Mary, Virgin and Mother,
you were moved by the Holy Spirit
and 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,
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 Holy Spirit,
so that the evangelizing Church might be born.
Obtain for us now a new ardor
born of the resurrection,
so that we may bring to all people
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 man and woman.
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!
Amen! Alleluia!
Read: The Joy of the Gospel by Pope Francis
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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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Our Lady of Good Voyage
Christmas in July
Carillon Concert
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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The Assisi Project
The Mother’s Heart
Our Lady, Queen of the Clergy
Saturday, August 3rd
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 are focusing 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 image of Mary.
In this spirit, all are invited to join us for the Mother’s Heart: A Morning of Prayer with Our Lady, Queen of the Clergy on Saturday, August 3rd beginning with Mass at 8:00am in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. After Mass, Father Jim will offer a brief reflection on Our Lady, Queen of the Clergy. We will also have plenty of time for questions and faith sharing.
In 2009, Pope Benedict XVI noted: “The Second Vatican Council invites priests to look to Mary as the perfect mod- el for their vocation, invoking her as ‘Mother of the supreme eternal priest, as Queen of Apostles, and as protector of their ministry.’ The Council continues: ‘priests should always venerate and love her, with a filial devotion and worship.’” And so, we turn to the Mother’s Heart to guide and protect our pastor and all priests.
For more information about the Assisi Project and its good work in our parishes, please contact Brother Patrick at brpatrick@assisiproject.com. Save the date! Spread the word! Bring a friend! Please join us! All are invited! All are welcome! Our Lady, Queen of the Clergy, pray for us! May the Lord give you peace!
Learn More: The Assisi Project
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WeShare
Safe & Easy Electronic Giving
Give and it will be given to you. — Luke 6:38
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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