Our Pastor’s Message
Up to Eleven
Celebrating Our 11th Anniversary
By Father Jim
As I prayed about our eleven years together as the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport, I was reminded of an old movie. In the 1984 comic rock film, This Is Spinal Tap, the phrase “up to eleven” means to raise the volume on a speaker to its highest level. Since then, the term has taken on more meanings: to push boundaries, think outside of the box, and transcend the limits of a system. This is us. We are “up to eleven.”
To be sure, there is room for improvement in our parishes. We can always do more. We can always do better. We can always push “up to eleven” and strive to “beyond eleven.” For example, we have not done enough to reach out to young families. We have not done enough to explore alternative energy sources. We have not done enough to face the challenge of maintaining and making the best use of our eleven old buildings.
From the beginning, our collaborative has been inspired by the good example of Pope Francis. Our core values of prayer, fellowship, and service are rooted in the pope’s generous sacrifice of his life for the People of God. Our mission to live the Gospel, share God’s love, and rebuild the Church is inspired by The Joy of the Gospel, the pope’s apostolic exhortation, which was the blueprint of his pontificate. Everything we do as a community is empowered by our core values and our mission statement. We have much to celebrate.
Our parish organizations bring people together to pray, serve the poor, console the sick, and raise necessary funds to support the good works of our parishes. The Assisi Project, Our Lady’s Guild, Holy Name Society, Holy Family Women’s Guild, Knights of Columbus, and Saint Vincent de Paul Society are effective and welcoming fellowships. They are not stuck in the past or resistant to new ways of doing God’s work. We can do more. We can do better. But these groups deserve our time, talent, and treasure. They deserve our thanks.
Our adult and youth faith formation programs are laser focused on bringing people closer to Christ, closer to the Church, and closer to each other. These programs are always about cultivating personal relationships with Jesus and building community; not just doctrinal instruction. When Cardinal Sean personally approved our pastoral plan, one of the most favorable comments was our goal to make our parishes into “schools of prayer” for disciples of all ages and backgrounds. We can do more, but we have made much progress.
In The Joy of the Gospel, Pope Francis writes: “It is a wonderful thing to be God’s faithful people. We achieve fulfillment when we break down walls and when our hearts are filled with faces and names (EG 274).” As my 50th birthday approaches, my heart is filled to overflowing with love and gratitude for the faces and names that fill my prayers each day. These are the faces and names of my friends and family. These are the faces and names of my parish family, my fellow disciples, all of you, humble workers in the Lord’s vineyard.
In his inaugural homily, Pope Leo XIV calls us to continue our good work. He says: “With the light and strength of the Holy Spirit, let us build a Church founded on God’s love, a sign of unity, a missionary Church that opens its arms to the world, proclaims the word, allows itself to be made restless by history, and becomes a leaven of harmony for humanity.” This is our calling. This is who we are. This is who we can become. This is what is means to be “up to eleven” and beyond. From my heart, thank you for your boundless love, support, and generosity. Happy 11th Anniversary! Peace, blessings, and sincere thanks to all!
Reverend James M. Achadinha, Pastor
Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport
Contact: frjim@ccgronline.com
CCGR Weekly Newsletter (6-1-25)
Bringing Home the Word (6-1-25)
The Kids Bulletin (6-1-25)
New!
A Pope In Muddy Boots
By Brian Roewe
National Catholic Reporter
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Come, Holy Spirit!
Crowning Feast
Begins Monday, June 2nd
All friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners are invited to join Father Jim, imperators Fitz and Ellen Lufkin, the Holy Name Society, Our Lady’s Guild, Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish, and the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport in celebrating the Crowning Feast of the Holy Spirit from Monday, June 2nd through Sunday, June 8th. Here’s our schedule of events for this beautiful and inspiring annual tradition:
Monday, June 2nd
- Mass & Holy Hour at 8:00am (OLGV Church)
- Holy Rosary at 6:30pm (OLGV Church)
- Followed by Azorean Catered Supper
Father Jim’s 50th Birthday Celebration (OLGV Hall)
Tuesday, June 3rd
- Mass & Holy Hour at 8:00am (OLGV Church)
- Holy Rosary & Supper at 6:30pm (OLGV Hall)
Wednesday, June 4th
- Holy Rosary at 5:30pm (OLGV Church)
- Holy Mass at 6:00pm (OLGV Church)
- Soup & Bread Supper at 6:30pm (OLGV Hall)
Thursday, June 5th
- Mass & Holy Hour at 8:00am (OLGV Church)
- Holy Rosary & Supper at 6:30pm (OLGV Hall)
Friday, June 6th
- Mass & Holy Hour at 8:00am (OLGV Church)
- Sung Rosary in Portuguese at 6:30pm (OLGV Hall)
- Followed by Azorean Catered Supper
Saturday, June 7th
- Holy Rosary at 5:15pm (OLGV Church)
- Holy Mass at 6:00pm (OLGV Church)
Pentecost Sunday, June 8th
- Holy Mass & Crowning at 11:45am (OLGV Church)
- Crowning Luncheon at 1:00pm (OLGV Hall)
Tickets for Sunday’s Crowning Luncheon are available after all Weekend Masses in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church or through the parish office. A donation of $25 per person is requested. Donations of gift cards for the Crowning Raffle are also appreciated! Pre-orders for the traditional Rosquilhas (round sweet bread) are now being accepted. For more information about donations and reservations for the Crowning Luncheon, please contact Matt Parisi at mparisi101@gmail.com; Beth Fosberry at jcbf33@yahoo.com; or our parish office at 978-281-4820. Save the date! Spread the word! Bring your family and friends! All are invited! All are welcome! Come, Holy Spirit!
Learn More: Pentecost – The Church’s Birthday
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The Assisi Project
Becoming Pilgrims of Hope
Saturday, June 7th
Praying with Pope Francis (1936-2025)
During this Jubilee of Hope, Pope Francis called us to be “pilgrims of hope.” He beckoned us to be hopeful, to be peacemakers, and to be what he called “weavers of communion” in our suffering world. The Holy Father wrote: “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 of all that we so urgently desire.”
In a unique and often breathtaking way, Pope Francis himself embodied what it means to be a pilgrim of hope and weaver of communion in an often dark and confusing world. During his twelve year papacy, the Holy Father visited sixty-eight countries, made thirty-four pastoral visits in Italy, and traveled nearly 300,000 miles. In thought, word, and deed, he exemplified the heart and soul of Christian discipleship in the modern world.
Throughout this year, the Assisi Project is focusing all of its prayers and reflections on men and women from across the ages, like Pope Francis, who have fulfilled the call to be pilgrims of hope. Our celebration of the jubilee continues on Saturday, June 7th beginning with Mass at 8:00am in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. After Mass, Brother Patrick and Father Jim will lead us in a reflection and conversation about the life and legacy of Pope Francis.
For more information about the Assisi Project and its good work in our parishes, please contact Brother Patrick at brpatrick@assisiproject.com. Please join us! All are invited! All are welcome! Pope Francis, pray for us! Saint Francis of Assisi, pray for us! Saint Clare of Assisi, pray for us! Our Lady of the Angels, pray for us! May the Risen Lord give you peace!
Learn More: Pope Francis Prayers & Resources
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Pastor’s Note
Special Message of Thanks
By Father Jim
Some years ago, Pope Francis (1936-2025) preached on the mission of the twelve apostles and our role as missionary disciples in the modern world. He said: “A disciple who does not serve others is not a Christian…There are no loopholes. If a disciple does not walk in order to serve, then his walking is of no use. If his life is not in service, then his life is of no use as a Christian.”
Here in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport, we are blessed to have a pastoral team that is dedicated to service and the walk of discipleship. As pastor, however, I often fail to thank our pastoral team members for their hard work and dedication. I often fail to recognize their extraordinary contributions to our parishes.
Sheila Durkin, Wally Durkin, Jane Russo, and Melissa Unis do remarkable work in cleaning our buildings, keeping our records, managing our office, scheduling baptisms, weddings, and funerals, and maintaining our historic churches and parish buildings. Almost always working behind the scenes, these amazing people keep the proverbial trains running on schedule. They are the backbone of our pastoral team. They deserve our prayers, gratitude, and appreciation.
Betsy Works, Tom Misuraca, and Brother Patrick are the imaginative force behind all that we do here. They are always creative. They are always thinking outside of the box. They are always striving to be better at what they have been called to do. Sometimes I need to reign them in. Sometimes they need to push me forward.
After more than two decades as a priest, Betsy, Tom, and Brother Patrick, along with Patty Natti and LuAnn Pallazola, are the most inspired and innovative lay ministers that I have ever known. We are lucky to have them. They, too, deserve our praise, prayers, and deepest thanks for all that they do for all of us.
When you see members of our pastoral team this week, please express our shared thanks for their good work. Happy 11th Anniversary! May God bless our pastoral team! Peace, blessings, and thanks to all!
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Pastor’s Note
Grand Annual Collections
Holy Family Parish – $52,420 (70%)
Our Lady’s Parish – $30,150 (100%)
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 begin the final quarter 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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Celebrating Saint Anthony
Mass & Holy Hour
Friday, June 13th
Saint Anthony (1195-1231) is a patron of our parishes, the patron of lost things, the patron of fishermen and mariners, and the patron of the poor and the hungry. The beloved saint once said: “In this murky world, the saints shine like the firmament of heaven. And just as shoes protect the feet, so the example of the saints protects our souls, by giving us the strength to trample on the tempter’s deceit and the world’s seduction.”
In this spirit and in prayerful anticipation of the Feast of Saint Anthony, all friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport are invited to join Father Jim for a Mass and Holy Hour for Peace on Friday, June 13th beginning at 8:00am in Saint Anthony Chapel.
After Mass, Father Jim and Brother Patrick will lead us in prayer including Eucharistic Adoration and a Rosary for Peace featuring prayers by Pope Francis (1936-2025). This special morning of prayer and devotion will conclude with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament at 9:30am.
For more information about this special event, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com. Please join us! Bring a friend! All are invited! All are welcome! Saint Anthony, pray for us! Saint Anthony, pray for peace! Saint Anthony, pray for our suffering world!
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Into the Deep
Mass & Eucharistic Procession
Saturday, June 21st
Welcome Archbishop Richard Henning
Begins with Mass at 8:30am
Our Lady of Good Voyage Church
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Words of Wisdom from Pope Leo XIV
We are often preoccupied with teaching doctrine,
the way of living our faith,
but we risk forgetting that our first task is to teach
what it means to know Jesus
and to give witness to our closeness to the Lord (2023)
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We Share
Safe & Easy Electronic Giving
It is in giving that we receive. — Saint Francis of Assisi
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 Father Eugene Alves