Our Pastor’s Message
The Bread of Sinners
By Father Jim
Poor Jesus. He cannot win. He walks on water. He feeds five thousand people with five loaves of bread. But the disciples are not satisfied. They follow him. They want more. They expect more food. They expect more miracles. Jesus says to them: “You are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled. Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life (John 6:27).” In other words, do not worry so much about the next meal; concern yourselves instead with the next life!
In response, the disciples press him further. What’s next? What more will you do for us? What must we do to get it? The disciples cannot yet grasp that their teacher is not a carnival act. He is not a conjurer. Jesus takes pity on their disbelief. He is patient and unassuming. He speaks to them as a parent speaks with young children: clearly and directly. In response to their hunger, an appetite that they do not truly understand, Jesus says: “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst (John 6:35).”
With these spare and straightforward words, Jesus reveals a great mystery of the Eucharist. Yes, it is the source and summit of our faith. Yes, it is the Body and Blood of Christ. Yes, it is the Real Presence of Jesus under cover of bread and wine. And yet, it is also the fragile, humble, and simple gift of eternal love. Pope Francis says: “With simplicity, Jesus gives us the greatest sacrament…We find the greatness of God in a piece of bread, in a fragility that overflows with love, that overflows with sharing…Jesus becomes fragile like the bread that is broken and crumbled. But his strength lies precisely there, in his fragility. In the Eucharist, fragility is strength — the strength of a love that becomes so small it can be welcomed, not feared; the strength of a love that is broken and shared so as to nourish and give life; the strength of a love that is split apart so as to join us all in unity (6-6-21).”
In the great drama of human history and in the pomp and circumstance sometimes associated with our devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, we often overlook the radical simplicity, profound vulnerability, and life-changing promise that Jesus offers us. In the Bread of Life Discourse (John 6), we learn that Jesus is holy; Jesus is love; Jesus is divine; and Jesus longs to abide in us through the distribution of a crust of bread and a sip of wine. In addition, Jesus offers this gift of himself to all people, especially those of us who are bruised and broken by sin and sadness. Pope Francis says: “There is another strength that stands out in the fragility of the Eucharist: the strength to love those who make mistakes…When we receive the Eucharist, Jesus does the same with us: he knows us; he knows we are sinners; and he knows we make mistakes, but he does not give up on joining his life to ours. He knows that we need it, because the Eucharist is not a reward for saints, no, it is the Bread of sinners (6-6-21).”
Studies show that some Catholics do not understand the true nature of the Eucharist as the Body and Blood of Christ. But I wonder whether we only fail to understand due to the preoccupation with who should receive Holy Communion and how we should receive it. Perhaps we should be more fervent in sharing the Good News that Jesus gives himself for all of us and that all of us are called to his table. And so, with Pope Francis, we pray together: “May the Blessed Virgin, in whom God became flesh, help us to embrace the Eucharist with a grateful heart and to make a gift of our lives, too. May the Eucharist make us a gift for all people! Amen!”
Reverend James M. Achadinha, Pastor
Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport
Contact: frjim@ccgronline.com
New!
The Pope Video – August 2024
Praying for Political Leaders
CCGR Weekly Newsletter (8-4-24)
Bringing Home the Word (8-4-24)
The Kids Bulletin (8-4-24)
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Call to Prayer
Eucharistic Revival Prayer
By Most Reverend Jose Gomez
Archbishop of Los Angeles
Heavenly Father,
we thank you for the gift
of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,
who promised to stay with us always,
until the end of the age.
Reawaken our wonder
at his presence in the Most Holy Eucharist.
May our hearts burn within us
as he opens the scriptures
and breaks the bread.
Give us the eyes of faith
to recognize his presence
in our brothers and sisters,
especially in the face
of the poor and the suffering.
Nourished by the Eucharist,
send us forth to walk faithfully
as missionary disciples,
proclaiming the Gospel to every heart
and extending your kingdom
to every land.
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.
Learn More: Holy Eucharist (Short Video)
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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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Living the Gospel
Sacrament of Baptism
The Sacrament of Baptism is the first of the three Sacraments of Initiation in the Roman Catholic Church. The two others are Holy Eucharist and Confirmation. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church: “Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit, and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism, we are freed from sin and reborn as children of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission (CCC 1213).” During July, Father Jim baptized the following young disciples:
Scarlett Louise Burnham
Enzo Elias Michael DePaula
Cole Kenneth Horgan
Daniel Londono-Yacaman
The Sacrament of Baptism is celebrated during any Sunday Mass at 10:00am in Saint Joachim Church; on the second Saturday of the month at 11:30am in Saint Ann Church; and on the third Saturday of the month at 11:30am in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church.
For more information about having your child or grandchild baptized in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport, please contact Sheila McCarthy-Durkin at smccarthy@ccgronline.com. If you are an adult (age 18 and over) and have not received the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, First Eucharist, and Confirmation), please contact Brother Patrick at brpatrick@ccgronline.com. Our sacramental preparation program for adults, called The Way, will begin in October and meets twice each month for prayer, fellowship, and instruction.
As a community united in prayer, fellowship, and service, we pray for all of our newly baptized young disciples; and for all of their parents, godparents, and grandparents! Peace, blessings, and congratulations to all!
Learn More: Baptism (Short Video)
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Call to Worship
Solemnity of the Assumption
August 14th-15th
Since the fifth century, God’s faithful people have believed in their hearts that upon her passing from this life, the Blessed Virgin Mary was raised body and soul into heaven. This ancient faith tradition, however, was not defined as a magisterial teaching of the Roman Catholic Church until 1950. In celebration of the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport will celebrate Holy Mass according to the following schedule:
- Wednesday, August 14th
Our Lady of Good Voyage Church at 5:30pm - Thursday, August 15th
Saint Joachim Church at 8:00am
Saint Ann Church at 12:00pm
Saint Anthony Chapel at 6:00pm
For more information about the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com. Please join us! All are invited! All are welcome! Our Lady of the Assumption, pray for us and for our suffering world!
Learn More: Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
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WeShare
Safe & Easy Electronic Giving
Generosity enlarges the heart. — Pope Francis
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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