This Week’s Message
The Greatest Common Good
By Pope Francis
Our world is increasingly a place of violent conflict, hatred, and brutal atrocities, committed even in the name of God and religion. We know that no religion is immune from forms of individual delusion or ideological extremism. This means that we must be especially attentive to every type of fundamentalism, whether religious or any other kind. A delicate balance is required to combat violence perpetrated in the name of a religion, an ideology, or an economic system, while also safeguarding religious, individual, and intellectual freedom.
But there is another temptation that we must especially guard against: the simplistic reductionism that sees only good or evil; or if you will, the righteous and sinners. The contemporary world, with its open wounds which affect so many of our brother and sisters, demands that we confront every form of polarization which would divide it into these two camps. We know that in the attempt to be freed of the enemy without, we can be tempted to feed the enemy within. To imitate the hatred and violence of tyrants and murderers is the best way to take their place. That is something which you as a people must reject.
Our response must instead be one of hope and healing, of peace and justice. We are asked to summon the courage and intelligence to resolve today’s many geopolitical and economic crises. Even in the developed world, the effects of unjust structures and actions are all too apparent. Our efforts must aim at restoring hope, righting wrongs, maintaining commitments, and thus promoting the well-being of both individuals and peoples. We must move forward together, as one, in a renewed spirit of fraternity and solidarity, cooperating generously for the common good.
The challenges facing us today call for a renewal of that spirit of cooperation, which has accomplished so much good throughout the history of the United States. The complexity, gravity, and urgency of these challenges demand that we pool our resources and talents, and resolve to support one another with respect for our difference and convictions of conscience…It is important that today, as in the past, the voice of faith continues to be heard, for it is voice of fraternity and love that tries to bring out the best in each person and in society. Such cooperation is a powerful resource in the battle to eliminate new global forms of slavery, born of grave injustices that can be overcome only through new policies and new forms of social consensus.
Here I think of the political history of the United States, where democracy is deeply rooted in the mind of the American people. All political activity must serve and promote the good of the human person and be based on respect for his or her dignity…If politics must truly be at the service of the human person, it follows that it cannot be a slave to the economy and finance. Politics is instead an expression of our compelling need to live as one, in order to build as one the greatest common good: a community that sacrifices particular interests in order to share, in justice and peace, its goods, its interests, its social life…
A nation can be considered great when it defends liberty as Lincoln did; when it fosters a culture that enables people to dream of full rights for all their brothers and sisters as Martin Luther King sought to do; when it strives for justice and the cause of the oppressed as Dorothy Day did by her tireless work; and the fruit of faith that becomes a dialogue and sows peace in the contemplative style of Thomas Merton. In these remarks, I have sought to present some of the richness of your cultural heritage and the spirit of the American people. It is my desire that this spirit continue to develop and grow, so that as many young people as possible can inherit it and dwell in a land which has inspired so many people to dream. God bless America!
CCGR Weekly Newsletter (1-26-25)
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The Kids Bulletin (1-26-25)
Watch!
Pope Francis Address
Joint Session of Congress (2015)
This week’s message is an excerpt from the Holy Father’s address to the U.S. Congress.
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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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Living the Gospel
Sacrament of Confirmation
Sunday, February 2nd
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.
This weekend, Father 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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Sharing God’s Love
Grade 8 Faith & Family Mass
Sunday, February 9th
Almost ten years ago, Holy Family Parish, Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish, and the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport embarked on a spiritual and catechetical journey to rebuild and reimagine our youth faith formation programs, including our preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Our parishes now offer a two-year program of preparation for students beginning in Grade 8 who wish to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. During the first year, your child will participate in the celebration of Sunday Mass; and must attend workshops designed to help them grow in prayer; prepare them to receive the Gifts of the Holy Spirit; and jumpstart their lives as faithful and faith-filled young adult disciples.
All students currently enrolled in eighth grade are welcome to enroll in our spring program. We will begin with a brief registration workshop for both new candidates and their parents on Sunday, February 9th at 11:00am, followed by our Faith & Family Mass at 11:45am in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. During the workshop, we will share important information about registration, an explanation of our program, our schedule, and our expectations for the candidates, their parents, and their sponsors.
If your son or daughter feels sincerely called to prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation, then please be sure to attend our Faith & Family Mass & Workshop on Sunday, February 9th in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church! Registration forms are available at ccgronline.com/formation!
For more information about our youth faith formation programs in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport, please contact Betsy Works at bworks@ccgronline.com. Please join us! All are invited! All are welcome! And let us pray together for all of our prospective candidates, their parents, and their sponsors! Come Holy Spirit! Enkindle in us the fire of your love! Amen! Amen!
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Holy Family Women’s Guild
Bakeless Bake Sale
Month of February 2025
During the Month of February, the Holy Family Women’s Guild is sponsoring a Bakeless Bake Sale! Why? Because now more than ever, our parish needs your support — especially in light of rising gas and electric costs! Every dollar makes a difference! Checks should be made payable to Holy Family Parish. All donations (cash or check) should be mailed to:
Lydia Bertolino
10 Orchard Street
Gloucester, Massachusetts 01930
Established in 2005, the Women’s Guild brings together women of all ages in prayer, fellowship, and service. New members are always welcome! For more information about the Women’s Guild and its good work in our parish, please contact Lydia at bertolino4@msn.com. Thank you for your generous support!
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Our Lady’s Guild
Cakeless Cake Sale
Month of February 2025
During the Month of February, Our Lady’s Guild is sponsoring a Cakeless Cake Sale! Why? Because now more than ever, we need your support to continue our efforts to preserve our historic church. Every dollar makes a difference! Checks should be made payable to Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish. All donations (cash or check) should be mailed to:
Jean Madruga
8 Sunrise Court
Gloucester, Massachusetts 01930
Since 1944, Our Lady’s Guild has worked to build community among women in Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish through prayer, fundraising, and social events. New members are always welcome! For more information about Our Lady’s Guild and its good work in our parish, please contact Beth Fosberry at jcbf3@yahoo.com. Thank you for your generous support!
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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
May this year be for Christians and non-Christians
an opportunity to rethink the relationships
that bind us as human beings and political communities.
Let us overcome the logic of confrontation
and embrace the logic of encounter
in order to build a future of peace (1-15-25).
Learn More: Vatican News Service
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We Share
Safe & Easy Electronic Giving
God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7).
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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In Memory of Garibaldina Luis