This Week’s Message
An Affront to God
By Bishop Mark Seitz
The Catholic Church is committed to defending the sanctity of every human life and the God-given dignity of each person, regardless of nationality or immigration status. Church teaching recognizes a country’s right and responsibility to promote public order, safety, and security through well-regulated borders and just limits on immigration. However, as shepherds, we cannot abide injustice, and we stress that national self-interest does not justify policies with consequences that are contrary to the moral law.
The use of sweeping generalizations to denigrate any group, such as describing all undocumented immigrants as criminals or invaders, to deprive them of protection under the law, is an affront to God, who has created each of us in his own image. Pope Francis has stated: “No one will ever openly deny that [migrants] are human beings, yet in practice, by our decisions and the way we treat them, we can show that we consider them less worthy, less important, less human. For Christians, this way of thinking and acting is unacceptable.”
While an emphasis on anti-trafficking is welcomed, several of the executive orders signed by President Trump this week are specifically intended to eviscerate humanitarian protections enshrined in federal law and undermine due process, subjecting vulnerable families and children to grave danger.
The open-ended deployment of military assets to support civil immigration enforcement along the United States-Mexico border is especially concerning. Meanwhile, policies barring the consideration of any humanitarian claims, including those of unaccompanied children and trafficking victims, have repeatedly failed to reduce irregular migration in a legal, sustainable, and humane manner.
Preventing any access to asylum and other protections will only endanger those who are most vulnerable and deserving of relief, while empowering gangs and other predators to exploit them. Likewise, indefinitely halting refugee resettlement is unmerited, as it is already proven to be one of the most secure legal pathways to the United States. Even non-legal immigration and naturalized persons are targeted by these policies in support of a so-called unified American identity.
Finally, the proposed interpretation of the Fourteenth Amendment [to the United States Constitution] to limit birthright citizenship sets a dangerous precedent, contradicting the Supreme Court’s longstanding interpretation.
We urge President Trump to pivot from these enforcement-only policies to just and merciful solutions, working in good faith with members of Congress to achieve meaningful, bipartisan immigration reform that furthers the common good with an effective, orderly immigration system. My brother bishops and I will support this in any way we can, while continuing to accompany our immigrant brothers and sisters in accordance with the Gospel of Life.
About the Author
The Most Reverend Mark J. Seitz serves as Bishop of El Paso, Texas. He also serves as Chair of the Committee on Migration for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). For more information about the Catholic Church’s teachings on human rights and immigration, please visit the website of the Catholic Legal Immigration Network by clicking here.
CCGR Weekly Newsletter (2-2-25)
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Call to Prayer
A Pope’s Prayer for Immigrants
By Pope Francis
Merciful God,
we pray to you for all men, women, and children
who have died after leaving their homelands
in search of a better life.
May we never forget them,
but honor their sacrifice with deeds more than words.
We entrust to you all those who have made this journey,
enduring fear, uncertainty, and humiliation,
in order to reach a place of safety and hope.
Just as you never abandoned your Son
as he was brought to a safe place by Mary and Joseph,
so now be close to these, your sons and daughters,
through our tenderness and protection.
In caring for them, may we seek a world
where none are forced to leave their homes,
and where all can live in freedom, dignity, and peace.
Merciful God and Father of all people,
wake us from the slumber of indifference,
open our eyes to their suffering
and free us from the insensitivity
born of worldly comfort and self-centeredness.
Inspire us, as nations,
communities and individuals,
to see that those who come to our shores
are our brothers and sisters.
May we share with them
the blessings we have received from your loving hand,
and recognize that together, as one human family,
we are all immigrants,
journeying in hope to you, our true home,
where every tear will be wiped away,
where we will be at peace and safe in your embrace.
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: Vatican News Service
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Living the Gospel
Sacrament of Confirmation
Welcome, Bishop Mark!
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.
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. Last weekend, Father Brian McHugh, Episcopal Vicar for the North Region of the Archdiocese of Boston, joined us as special guest celebrant and homilist for our annual celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation. Thank you, Bishop Mark and Father Brian!
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
Rescheduled: Sunday, February 16th
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 16th (rescheduled due to inclement weather) 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!!
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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).
Pray: Official Jubilee 2025 Prayer
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We Share
Safe & Easy Electronic Giving
We are all one body. We are all one. — Dorothy Day
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!
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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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