Grand Annual Collections
By Father Jim
Being a priest and pastor has its moments. Both joys and challenges. Joys like hearing the cry of an infant when holy water is poured on their forehead at Baptism. Joys like teaching our young disciples to sing “His Banner Over Me Is Love” as they prepare for First Holy Communion. Joys like encouraging our Confirmation Candidates to open their hearts and minds to the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Joys like hearing a young couple exchange vows at their wedding. Joys like consoling a homebound neighbor as we celebrate the Sacrament of the Sick. So many joys with so many people over so many years!
With these joys come challenges, especially about parish finances. While seminary instructors focused on theology and pastoral counseling in preparing me and my brother seminarians for ministry, balancing our budgets continues to be a learning experience. No one at the seminary taught us about payroll, insurance, frozen pipes, lighting problems, rising utility bills, and all that comes with caring for our historic churches and parish buildings.
In addition to rising costs for basic necessities, we are always watching the weather with worries about high winds, heavy snows, and torrential rains. These conditions can cause havoc with our parish budgets. Meanwhile, our senior priests and pastoral team members must be compensated for their good work. Although our staff is small compared with other collaboratives, we work tirelessly with our dedicated volunteers and limited resources to provide inspiring music and creative programs for parishioners of all ages and backgrounds.
Needless to say, we do all we can to control costs. But the short and long-term financial security of Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish is in our hands. We are solely responsible for our own fundraising and for paying our own bills. Our beloved parishes were built by past generations of faithful and hardworking men and women. But the futured depends entirely on parishioners like you and me. It is all up to us!
Each year, our Grand Annual Collections bridge the gap between our weekly gifts and the overall costs of providing for the spiritual and sacramental needs of our parishioners. This year in Holy Family Parish, our overall goal is to raise $75,000 before the end of the fiscal year on June 30th. Our short-term goal is to raise $30,000 by January 31st. In Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish, our overall goal is to raise $30,000 by the end of the fiscal year. Our short-term goal is to raise $15,000 by March 1st.
What does this mean for you? Well, if every registered parish family gives $25 between this weekend and our short-term deadlines, then we will reach our goals and ensure the financial stability of our parishes. Gift envelopes have been mailed to every registered household and are also available at the entrances of our churches. Your gifts can be mailed to the parish office; or placed in the collection basket during any weekend Mass.
If you have questions or need information about how your family can further support the good works of our faith community, please see me or contact me at frjim@ccgronline.com. Let’s pray together that each one of us, according to our means, will give as generously as we can to the Grand Annual Collections in Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish. Thank you! Peace and blessings to all!
Reverend James M. Achadinha, Pastor
Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport
Contact: frjim@ccgronline.com
CCGR Weekly Newsletter (1-19-25)
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New!
The America to Come
A Vatican News Editorial
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A Prayer for Tomorrow
By Brother Patrick
Most High God,
look upon our divided country
with love and compassion.
Teach us again to be kind;
teach us again to be humble;
teach us again to be generous
at all times, in all things,
to all people.
In your goodness,
help us and our leaders
to build up, listen for wisdom,
and strengthen what remains.
In your justice,
help us and our leaders
to see each other as your family,
brothers and sisters all,
fellow and faithful citizens,
humble workers in your vineyard.
In your love,
help us and our leaders
to defend democracy,
serve the poor and the sick,
and care for the young and the old.
Compelled by conscience,
bound by sacred oaths,
and inspired by the Holy Spirit,
help us and our leaders
to do good, speak truth,
pursue peace and reconciliation,
and weave communion
between all peoples everywhere.
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. Amen.
Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, pray for us!
Pray More: Brother Patrick’s Prayer for America 2024
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Youth Faith Formation
First Penance & Reconciliation
Saturday, January 25th
As the new year begins, fifty-six young disciples from Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish are continuing to prepare for First Holy Communion. As part of their ongoing formation to receive the Body & Blood of Christ, these young fellow parishioners will soon participate in the Sacrament of Penance & Reconciliation (Confession) for the first time.
This celebration is an important milestone in every child’s faith journey. It teaches them and reminds us all about conscience, forgiveness, humility, and God’s boundless gifts of love, mercy, and friendship. As our young disciples make their first confession, we entrust them into God’s loving care:
All good and gracious God,
help our children to be kind and patient.
Do not let pride or envy take root in their hearts.
Keep them from being angry and hateful.
Help them to forgive others
and to let go of grudges and rivalries.
Help our children preserve family ties,
love each other, hope for the future,
and build up their community
in prayer, fellowship, and service.
We make this prayer through Christ Jesus,
our Risen Lord and Savior. Amen.
Our celebration of First Penance & Reconciliation is scheduled for Saturday, January 25th at 9:00am in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. For more information about youth faith formation in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport, please contact Betsy Works bworks@ccgronline.com. As our children, godchildren, and grandchildren continue to prepare for the Sacraments of First Penance and First Eucharist, please pray for them and for their families. May God bless God’s family with hope, good health, and happiness during the new year! Peace and blessings to all!
Learn More: Sacrament of Reconciliation (1 Minute Video)
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Living the Gospel
Sacrament of Confirmation
Saturday, January 25th
Along with Baptism and Eucharist, Confirmation is one of the three Sacraments of Initiation in the Roman Catholic Church. The Sacrament of Confirmation completes the grace of Baptism through the outpouring of the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Courage, Knowledge, Wisdom, Reverence, Right Judgment, Understanding, and Wonder & Awe of the Lord. These powerful gifts seal or confirm the mystical union between the candidates and Christ; and they prepare them to actively participate in the prayer, fellowship, and service of God’s family in their home parish and beyond.
This year, fifty-four high school students from Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish have successfully completed the requirements of our Confirmation Preparation Program. During the past two years, they prayed together, attended Mass together, and completed a rigorous program of formation as a community of young disciples. These students are now well-prepared to publicly renew their baptismal vows, profess their faith, and lives as faithful and faith-filled Catholic Christians.
The Very Reverend Brian McHugh, Episcopal Vicar for the North Region of the Archdiocese of Boston, will join us as special guest celebrant and homilist for our annual celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation on Saturday, January 25th at 4:00pm in Saint Ann Church. And Bishop Mark O’Connell, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Boston, will join us as special guest celebrant and homilist on Sunday, February 2nd at 11:45am in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. Welcome back to Gloucester and Rockport, Father Brian and Bishop Mark!
As we make ready for these celebrations, we pray for all of our candidates, sponsors, parents, and catechists. In a special way, we pray in thanksgiving for Betsy Works, Associate Minister for Youth Faith Formation, for her good work, dedication, and creative spirit. Congratulations to all! Come Holy Spirit! Enkindle in us the fire of your love!
Learn More: Sacrament of Confirmation (1 Minute Video)
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The Assisi Project
Sophie Scholl and the White Rose
Saturday, February 1st
A Jubilee Morning of Prayer & Reflection
During this Jubilee Year of Hope, which began on Christmas Eve, Pope Francis calls us to become Pilgrims of Hope. He beckons us to be hopeful, to be peacemakers, and to be what he calls “weavers of communion” in our sick, suffering, and strife riven world.
The Holy Father writes: “We must fan the flame of hope that has been given to us. We must help everyone gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, trusting heart, and prophetic vision. The jubilee can contribute abundantly to the restoration of an atmosphere of hope and trust, and to the rebirth and renewal that we all so urgently desire.” Hope, then, is less about our personal happiness and more about working together for a better world and a common good.
In this spirit, the Assisi Project will spend the jubilee year reflecting on men and women from across the ages who have fulfilled the pope’s call to become Pilgrims of Hope. Some of our subjects may be saints. Some may be everyday saints or sinners with unusual courage or an unshakeable commitment to making the world a better place. Among these pilgrims of hope are saints like Saint Jude and Saint Peregrine; others are modern figures like Dorothy Day and Dietrich Bonhoeffer. All of them have a great deal to teach us about living together in faith, hope, and love during challenging times.
Our commemoration of the jubilee year will continue with the celebration of Holy Mass on Saturday, February 1st at 8:00am in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. After Mass, Father Jim and Brother Patrick will reflect on the life and martyrdom of Sophie Scholl (1921-1943), a courageous student who stood up to Adolph Hitler, called her fellow citizens to an examination of conscience, and paid the ultimate price of martyrdom. After our reflection, we will pray a Rosary for Hope that will include the official prayer of the jubilee year. And as always, we will have plenty of time for questions and faith sharing.
Founded in 2007, the Assisi Project is a Fellowship of Franciscans in Spirit that is dedicated to helping men and women of all ages more faithfully live the Gospel of Christ in the spirit of Saint Francis and Saint Clare of Assisi. Our members range in age from 16 to 100. We gather on the First Saturday of every month for Mass, followed by a period of prayer, reflection, and discussion. Check out the Assisi Project complete schedule of events and topics for reflection at assisiproject.com/programs.
For more information about the Assisi Project and its good work in our parishes, please contact Brother Patrick at brpatrick@assisiproject.com. New members and friends are always welcome! Save the date! Spread the word! Bring a friend! All are invited! All are welcome! May God bless you! May the Lord give you peace!
Learn More: The Assisi Project
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Winter Weather Advisory
The Season of Winter is well underway! For the latest information about weather related cancelations during the coming months, please visit this website. All are reminded that if public schools are closed due to inclement weather, all parish programs (including Weekday Masses) are canceled, too. Stay safe! Stay warm! Peace and blessings to all for a Merry Christmas! God bless us, everyone!
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Words of Wisdom on Hope
From Pope Francis
Christian hope does not deceive or disappoint
because it is grounded in the certainty
that nothing and no one can ever separate us
from God’s love (12-24-24).
Learn More: Vatican News Service
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We Share
Safe & Easy Electronic Giving
Do good and share what you have (Hebrews 13:16)
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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