This Week’s Message
Lead Me Forth
By Brother Patrick
Growing up in a family where attending Mass was reserved for Christmas and Easter, my first attempts as a young adult to grow closer to Christ were shallow and ineffective. But my first roommate belonged to a Christian community that prized studying the scriptures above all else. Impressed by his faith and commitment, I purchased a copy of the Living Bible and tried to read it like a novel or biography. Soon frustrated by the names and places of the Old Testament, I tossed the bible to the floor. By some small miracle, it opened to the passage that would change my life: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21).”
Since then, whenever I feel challenged by the petty tyrannies of life, I turn to Saint Paul and the Letter to the Romans. Whenever I feel tempted by greed, lust, anger, or envy, I pray with this passage of sacred scripture. I chose it as the First Reading for the Mass during which Bishop Mark O’Connell consecrated me as a diocesan hermit and religious brother. Year in and year out, it has become part of the basic foundation of my faith, my prayer, and my spiritual journey.
Despite Saint Paul’s clarity, I was curious about how evil and darkness work in my life and the life of the world. Father Mark Noonan (1933-2025), my beloved spiritual director who died a few weeks ago, cautioned me against pursuing this line of inquiry. Father Mark was a good man and holy priest. He was one of God’s great blessings in my life. Always calm, cool, and collected, he was never eager to recommend books or prayers. He was never eager to give advice. But on the subject of trying to understand evil, Father Mark was crystal clear. Do not go there, ever. Instead, he reminded me of Saint Paul’s good counsel and offered a simple prayer: “Lord, lead me forth.”
Whatever the question or challenge, Father Mark repeated this prayer. During the last years of our work together, when I was discerning a vocation to prayer, silence, and solitude, Father Mark added a second succinct piece of advice: “Live into the life.” These two phrases can be applied to anyone of us, whether we are single, married, ordained, or consecrated. Live into the life. Lord, lead me forth. Taken together, these words have become part of the soundtrack of my spiritual life.
The deaths of Father Mark and Pope Francis, along with my dad’s recent health crisis, have been difficult for me. Whatever is true and holy in me is the result of their love, guidance, and good example. In a unique and powerful way, Pope Francis taught me what it means to be a Christian disciple, a deeply flawed person who nevertheless seeks to love and walk with Christ. Pope Francis once said: “The secret of Christian living is love. Only love fills the empty spaces caused by evil.” These beautiful words belong with the other living stones that strengthen my poor faith.
We now have a new pope! As Catholic Christians, an essential component of our shared faith is to love the pope. He is the Vicar of Christ in our midst. Whether or not our new pope looks like us, sounds like us, or sees the world like us, we are all called to follow him. So, let us help our new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, to live into the life, overcome evil with good, and fill the empty spaces with love. And let us cry out together: “Lord, lead me forth!”
Brother Patrick Garvey
Associate Minister & Diocesan Hermit
Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport
Contact: brpatrick@ccgronline.com
Learn More: Pope Leo XIV
CCGR Weekly Newsletter (5-11-25)
Bringing Home the Word (5-11-25)
The Kids Bulletin (5-11-25)
New!
Watch: Mass with Pope Leo XIV
From Sistine Chapel (English)
Art Credit: Vatican Media
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The Footprints of Pope Francis
By Jonathan Safran Foer
There are people who do not merely walk the earth, but whose steps leave footprints for us to follow. At a time when theology so often becomes a slogan or abstraction, when speed is valued above significance, and when the will to power risks dominating every aspect of life, Pope Francis embodied compassion. He walked in the path of the prophets — not to foretell, but to remind. He reminded us of what we continually forget: goodness is not an idea but a practice.
Pope Francis called for a revolution of tenderness. As I understand it, this revolution is not bound to any particular set of beliefs, but to being perpetually disturbed. To risk opening one’s eyes enough to see the world as it is; and to ache for what it must become. As each of us is part of the world, we must also see ourselves as we are. Consciousness is not a privilege but a summons. When we encounter injustice or suffering, we must hear the echoes of Sinai: “You must not remain indifferent!”
Francis did not speak merely to Catholics, nor even to Christians alone. As a Jewish person, I found him to be the most inspiring and the most disturbing leader of my lifetime. He spoke to the human soul at a historical moment when we have been encouraged to believe we no longer have souls and so no longer have responsibilities. In his voice, there was an echo of the ancient cry: “What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God?”
If only we knew where God was! Without knowing, we often walk in the wrong directions — toward signifiers of achievement, fleeting pleasures, and relief from our insecurities; or we feel too lost to move at all, and so we find ways to distract ourselves from our souls. The footsteps of Pope Francis give us a path — not yet fulfilled, but bravely begun. We must become human enough to follow.
About the Author: Jonathan Safran Foer is an American novelist. This essay first appeared on Vatican Media’s website.
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Youth Faith Formation
Celebration of First Eucharist
Begins Saturday, May 3rd
As Catholics, we believe that the Holy Eucharist is “the source and summit of the Christian life (CCC 1324).” We believe that the Eucharist is the Body and Blood of Christ. And like Pope Francis, we believe in our hearts: “The Eucharist is essential for us. It is Christ who wishes to enter into our lives and fill us with his grace. The Eucharist, although it is the fullness of the sacramental life, is not a prize for the perfect, but a powerful medicine and nourishment for the weak (Evangelii Gaudium, 47).”
In this spirit, fifty-four of our young disciples have completed their preparations and are now ready to receive the Holy Eucharist for the first time. As our annual celebrations of First Holy Communion draw near, all are encouraged to be mindful of our upcoming schedule:
- First Holy Communion Mass
Saturday, May 10th at 4:00pm
Saint Ann Church - First Holy Communion Mass
Sunday, May 11th at 10:00am
Saint Joachim Church - First Holy Communion Mass
Sunday, May 18th at 11:45am
Our Lady of Good Voyage Church
If your child has completed second grade and has not received the Sacraments of Baptism or Eucharist, we have a special program just for them called The Way for Kids! beginning on Saturday, May 3rd from 4:30pm until 5:45pm. For more information, please contact Betsy Works at bworks@ccgronline.com. Let’s pray together for our young disciples and their families! Peace, blessings, and congratulations to all!
Watch: Holy Eucharist (1 Minute)
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Saints for All Seasons
Saint Josephine Bakhita
Saturday, May 17th
Perhaps now more than ever, we need to step back from the business and busyness of daily life and to focus on our relationship with Jesus and those we are called to love. Unfortunately, few among us are able to leave behind home, work, and family for a real retreat from the responsibilities of daily life. For this reason and for the fourth consecutive year, we are happy to continue our special series of mini-retreats called “Saints for All Seasons.”
Pope Francis (1936-2025) always encouraged us to learn about and pray with the saints. He believed that the saints bring us closer to Christ, closer to the Church, and closer to each other. He once said: “The saints are still here, not far from us; and their images [and relics] in our churches evoke the ‘cloud of witnesses’ that always surrounds us…The saints remind us that even in our lives, however weak and marked by sin, holiness can unfold.”
In this spirit of unfolding holiness, all are invited to join us for a series of two hour mini-retreats. This year, these times of prayer, reflection, and adoration will focus on the lives of amazing holy men and women like Saint Frances of Rome, Saint Teresa of the Andes, Blessed Jacopane of Todi, Blessed Helen Enselmini, and Saint Lazarus of Bethany.
Our next mini-retreat is scheduled for Saturday, May 17th beginning with Holy Mass at 8:00am in Our Lady of Good Voyage. After Mass, Father Jim and Brother Patrick will lead a reflection on the life and good works of Saint Josephine Bakhita (1869-1947), a former slave and religious sister who became the first black female saint of modern times. As a young girl, Josephine Bakhita was kidnapped and sold into slavery. After winning her freedom, she became a religious sister and impressed the world with her deep faith, good works, constant prayer, and profound humility.
After our reflection, we will pray in silent adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. And we will conclude with the Holy Rosary and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. For more information about this special series of mini-retreats, please see Brother Patrick at brpatrick@ccgronline.com. Please join us! All are welcome!
Listen: Saints for All Seasons Podcasts
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Holy Family Women’s Guild
Spring Plant & Bake Sale
Saturday, May 24th
All friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport are invited to join the Holy Family Women’s Guild for a Spring Plant & Bake Sale on Saturday, May 24th from 9:00am until 1:00pm at Saint Ann Church. We will be offering raffles, baked goods, cemetery baskets (see below), colorful hanging baskets, and various seasonal plants and flowers. All proceeds will benefit the ministries and good works of Holy Family Parish.
Established in 2005, the Holy Family Women’s Guild brings together women of all ages and backgrounds in prayer, fellowship, and service to our parish and the wider community. For more information, please contact Lydia Bertolino at lbbglosta1929@outlook.com or Celia Gray at 978-281-2072. Please join us! All are welcome!
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Memorial Day Cemetery Baskets
Now Accepting Orders
Pick Up on May 24th
In prayerful preparation for Memorial Day Weekend, Our Lady’s Guild and the Holy Family Women’s Guild are working together with Cressey & Sons in Rowley to offer Memorial Day baskets in honor of our fallen heroes. A donation of $30 each is requested for each one of these beautifully decorated log shaped baskets.
We are now accepting orders! Baskets can be picked up on Saturday, May 24th from 9:00am until 1:00pm at the Spring Plant & Bake Sale (see above). To place an order, please contact Celia Gray at 978-281-2072; Jane Marshall at 978-283-5111; or Beth Fosberry at 978-790-0196. As always, thank you for your generous support!
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Pastor’s Note
Grand Annual Collections
Along with our weekly offerings, the Grand Annual Collection is a crucial component of our efforts to balance our budgets and ensure the financial stability of our beloved home parishes. As we approach the end of the fiscal year, all friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners are encouraged to prayerfully consider a gift to the Grand Annual Collections in either Holy Family Parish or Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish.
Consider this fact: Even though attendance at Sunday Mass is steady, if not growing, in both parishes, weekly offerings are down 5% in Holy Family Parish. This stark reality makes it increasingly difficult to balance our budget and ensure the financial stability of our parish.
Grand Annual envelopes are available at all the entrances of our churches. Please join me in praying that each one of us will give what we can to these vitally important fundraising campaigns. For more information, please contact me at frjim@ccgronline.com. Thank you! Peace and blessings to all!
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Words of Wisdom from Pope Francis
The Eucharist is not a prize for the perfect,
but a powerful medicine and nourishment for the weak (2021).
Learn More: We Are Pope Francis!
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We Share
Safe & Easy Electronic Giving
We can make miracles through our generosity. — 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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