This Week’s Message
We Are the Mission
By Cardinal Joseph Tobin
Most of us have never considered ourselves to be Spirit-filled evangelizers. The image of evangelizing seems strangely contrary to the Catholic ethos. Something in us protests: We are not fundamentalists. We do not wear our faith on our sleeve. We were taught to be more reserved in our witness to the faith.
Perhaps we are overthinking things. One simple definition of evangelization is “to tell someone who is starving where to find bread.” And isn’t this precisely what we are called to do? To introduce women and men whose hearts are hungry for Jesus, the Bread of Life?
The Gospel challenge to “go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19)” has both a local and global dimension. It begins with introducing Jesus to the people we encounter every day, and it gradually extends outward to our parishes and local communities, to our nation and the whole world. We are challenged to experience a form of “missionary conversion” and “to regard ourselves as sealed, even branded, by this mission of bringing light, blessing, enlivening, raising up, healing and feeling (Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium, 273).”
Pope Francis knows that he is calling us to move into new and uncomfortable territory here, to define ourselves not as Catholics who simply do what is expected of us, but as Spirit-filled evangelizers who acknowledge and accept a very different role for ourselves as missionary disciples of Jesus Christ.
“My mission of being in the heart of the people is not just a part of my life or a badge I can take off,” the pope says. “It is not an ‘extra’ or just another moment in life. Instead, it is something I cannot uproot from my being without destroying my very self. I am a mission on this earth; that is the reason why I am here in the world (EG 273).” As disciples of Jesus Christ, we do not have a mission. We are the mission. We are people called to burn with the fire of God’s love and to live the Gospel in every fiber of our being.
This is an impossible expectation for us fragile, sinful human beings unless we are filled with the grace of the Holy Spirit. “Christ, risen and glorified, is the wellspring of our hope,” the pope assures us. “He will not deprive us of the help we need to carry out the mission which he has entrusted to us (EG 275).” We have received the Holy Spirit, and so we have the power to cast off the chains we have forged for ourselves and to work wonders in Jesus’ name.
As we reflect on the call to pastoral conversion “in a missionary key”, let us look to the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary. “With the Holy Spirit, Mary is always present in the midst of the people. She joined the disciples in praying for the coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:14), and thus made possible the missionary outburst which took place at Pentecost (EG 284).” Mary continues to inspire us, today and always, to be Spirit-filled evangelizers who share the joy of the Gospel with everyone we meet.
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 (7-28-24)
Bringing Home the Word (7-28-24)
The Kids Bulletin (7-28-24)
Last Week’s Message
Called to Be Better
By Cardinal Joseph Tobin
ccgronline.com
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Call to Prayer
Mother of Perpetual Help
A Redemptorist Prayer
Mother of Perpetual Help,
with the greatest confidence,
we come before you to be inspired
by the example of your life.
We think of you
at the moment when,
full of faith and trust,
you accepted God’s call
to be the mother of his Son.
Help us, your children,
to accept with joy
our own calling in life.
When you learned
that your cousin Elizabeth was in need,
you immediately went to serve her
and offer your help.
Help us, like you,
to be concerned for others.
We think of you, Mother,
at the foot of the cross.
Your heart must have bled
to see your Son in agony.
But your joy was great
when he rose from death,
victorious over the power of evil.
Mother of Sorrows,
help us through the trials
and disappointments of life.
Help us not to lose heart.
May we share with you and your Son
the joy of having courageously faced up
to all challenges of life.
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.
Our Lady of Perpetual Help, pray for us!
Read: Cardinal Tobin’s Biweekly Newsletter
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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 model 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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The Assisi Project
Intercessory Prayer Ministry
We’re 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 100, 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!
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Our Lady of Good Voyage
Summer Carillon Concerts
Begins Friday, August 9th
A much-loved summer tradition is returning to Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish and the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport! Our Summer Carillon Concerts begin on Friday, August 9th at 6:30pm! This year, Luann Pallazola, Cynthia Cafasso, and Thomas Dort have prepared programs that include familiar classical and international music, popular hymns and songs, patriotic melodies, and selections especially for children!
Installed in 1922, the carillon bells at Our Lady of Good Voyage Church are the first tone set ever 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 pounds to 3,000 pounds.
The carillon bells at Our Lady of Good Voyage 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 our church. Once again this year, Our Lady’s Guild will be selling cold drinks, snacks, and raffle tickets to support the parish. Our Summer Carillon Concerts are an awesome opportunity for the whole family to gather with friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners to enjoy the gift of music. Additional concerts are scheduled for Friday, August 16th at 6:30pm; Friday, August 23rd at 6:30pm; and Friday, August 30th at 6:30pm.
For more information about these special events, please contact Luann Pallazola at lpallazola@gmail.com. Save the dates! Spread the word! Bring your family! Bring a friend! Please join us! All are invited! All are welcome!
Watch: Luann Plays the Carillon
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WeShare
Safe & Easy Electronic Giving
Lord, everything is yours. — Saint Ignatius of Loyola
Electronic giving has become an essential part 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 addition to the weekly offering, you can also give electronically to our church restoration funds which help us plan for the repair and maintenance of our four beloved and historic churches.
Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish always need your generous support! Please prayerfully considering enrolling in our electronic giving program! For more information about creating a new account or assistance with an existing account, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com. Peace, blessings, and sincere thanks to all!
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 family 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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