This Week’s Message
Real Presence
By Brother Patrick
Half a lifetime ago, I was a graduate student in the Department of Politics at the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. Because I developed some breathing problems caused by the heat and humidity of the nation’s capital, the university assigned me a room in Caldwell Hall, the residence for priests and religious brothers who pursue advanced degrees in various disciplines.
One day, I was reading in my room with the door open. A priest, who just happened to be from the Archdiocese of Boston, stopped and invited me to attend the Daily Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Although I was not then a regular church goer, I accepted the invitation. Father Michael and I soon became good friends. He patiently answered my many questions about the Eucharist, the Order of the Mass, and the Church’s teachings and traditions. Before too long, I was attending Mass regularly on my own.
At some point, though, conscience kicked in. Although in my late twenties, I had only participated in the Sacrament of Penance & Reconciliation once — shortly before receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation in the sixth grade. Good conscience prompted me to consider whether it was right to receive the Eucharist without going to confession. Father Michael and Sister Maryann, another new friend, encouraged but did not pressure me into confession. In fact, Sister Maryann strongly urged me to continue receiving holy communion. She said: “Be patient. The real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist will lead you to the real presence of Jesus in the confessional.” She was right.
Many months later, I was visiting Father Michael and other friends in Boston. I spent an afternoon at the Prudential Center. I browsed in some shops, drank too much coffee, had lunch in the food court, and bought a few books at Barnes & Noble. At various points during the day, I walked passed Saint Francis Chapel, which is located near the entrance to the Hynes Convention Center and is operated by the Oblates of the Virgin Mary. Perhaps a dozen people were in the chapel. They were praying in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. I decided to join them.
After settling into a pew, I simply rested with Jesus in silence. I did not offer any prayers or petitions. I just closed my eyes, quieted my thoughts, and placed myself in the Lord’s presence. And I waited. Although I cannot claim any special insight, the Lord called me to confession. Not with words. Not with visions. Not even with intense desire for mercy. But I felt an almost magnetic pull toward the confessional. When I looked up, the green light over the door was shining brightly. It seemed to say: “Come in, little one. Come and see.”
Pope Francis once said: “Do we let ourselves be transformed by Christ in the Eucharist? Do we let the Lord, who gives himself to us, guide us?” As sinners, sometimes the best we can do is be open to the Lord’s mysterious work in our lives. Sometimes the best we can do is pry open our hearts, even for a moment, so that God can enter into our lives, love us, and lead us forth. My first confession in two decades was not an act of my will. It was an act of God’s pure, active, and amazing grace. May the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist touch our hearts and change our lives!
Brother Patrick Garvey
Associate Minister & Diocesan Hermit
Contact: brpatrick@ccgronline.com
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Words of Wisdom from Pope Leo XIV
Look to Christ!
Come closer to him!
Welcome his word that enlightens and consoles!
Listen to his offer of love
and become his one family.
In the one Christ, we are one.
This is the path to follow together, among ourselves
but also with our sister Christian churches,
with those who follow other religious paths,
with those who are searching for God,
with all women and men of good will,
in order to build a new world where peace reigns (5-18-25).
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Call to Prayer
Patient Trust
By Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, SJ
Above all,
trust in the slow work of God.
We are quite naturally impatient with everything,
to reach the end without delay.
We should like to skip the intermediate stages.
We are impatient of being on the way
to something unknown or something new.
And yet, it is the law of all progress
that it is made by passing through some stage of instability,
and that it may take a very long time.
And so, I think it is with you:
your ideas mature gradually — let them grow.
Let them shape themselves without undue haste.
Do not try to force them on,
as though you could be today
what time, grace, and circumstances
will make of you tomorrow.
Only God can say
what this new spirit
gradually forming within you will be.
Give our Lord the benefit of believing
that his hand is leading you,
and accept the anxiety of feeling yourself
in suspense and incompleteness.
Learn More: Life of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, SJ
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Saint Peter’s Fiesta
Outdoor Mass & Procession
Sunday, June 29th
Saint Peter’s Fiesta begins on Wednesday, June 25th and concludes on Sunday, June 29th. On that final day, all friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport are invited to join Father Jim for the annual outdoor celebration of Holy Mass at 10:00am at Saint Peter’s Square in Gloucester. After Mass, all are welcome to join us for the traditional procession through the streets of our beloved city with Saint Peter! For more information, please contact Rose Aiello at 978-283-1664 or visit stpetersfiesta.org. Spread the word! All are invited! All are welcome!
A Prayer for the Intercession of Saint Peter
O Saint Peter the Apostle,
you are the rock
upon which Jesus built his church.
Obtain for us, we pray:
a lively faith, firm hope, and burning love;
complete detachment from self-interest;
contempt for the world and the ways of corruption;
patience in adversity, humility in prosperity,
recollection in prayer and adoration,
purity of heart, right intention in all of our actions,
diligence in fulfilling the duties of our vocations,
constancy in our resolutions to do good,
perseverance in God’s grace unto death;
so that by means of your powerful intercession,
we may be worthy to appear
before the chief judge and eternal shepherd
of our souls, who is the Lord Jesus Christ,
our merciful redeemer, friend, and brother.
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: The Fatherhood of Saint Peter
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Saint Vincent de Paul Society
Help Us Help Others
The Saint Vincent de Paul Society is an international organization that is dedicated to responding to any request from any person or family in need. Here on Cape Ann, we work through Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish to serve the poor and the needy. Help us help others! Donations can be pushed through the mail slot in the parish office, dropped in the collection basket at any Weekend Mass, or mailed to:
Saint Vincent de Paul Society
74 Pleasant Street
Gloucester, Massachusetts 01930
New members and volunteers are always welcome! For more information about the Saint Vincent de Paul Society and its good work in our parishes and hometowns, please contact Harry Miller at 978-281-8672 or Robert Weeks at svdpmember1@gmail.com. If you or someone you know needs our help, please call 978-281-8672. Thank you for your generous support for the Saint Vincent de Paul Society! May God bless you!
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Saint Vincent de Paul Society
Our Clothes Closet
Open 2nd, 3rd & 4th Saturdays
The Saint Vincent de Paul Clothes Closet is now open for business in Saint Ann Church Hall on the second, third, and fourth Saturdays of every month from 9:00am until 12:00pm. All friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners are welcome to drop by and check out the Clothes Closet by entering through the Pleasant Street doors of Saint Ann Church Hall.
Donations of gently worn clothing and shoes are now gratefully accepted during our regular hours and in the bin located in the Saint Ann School parking lot. Please note that we cannot accept donations of books, toys, or household items. For more information about the Saint Vincent de Paul Clothes Closet, please contact Bridget Nelligan at 781-572-4752 or Cathy Kyrouz at 978-290-1756. Thank you for your generous support!
Learn More: Saint Vincent de Paul
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The Assisi Project
We Never Stop Praying For You!
Founded in 2007 by Father Jim and Brother Patrick, the Assisi Project is a Fellowship of Franciscans in Spirit with friends and followers from around the world. We are dedicated to helping believers of all ages more faithfully live the Gospel of the Poor Christ in the spirit of Saint Francis and Saint Clare of Assisi. We are now also dedicated to promoting Pope Francis as a patron of peace, mercy, and fraternity in our suffering world.
Members of the Assisi Project range in age from 17 to 100. We pray every day for peace, for an increase in faith, hope, and love; and for all who ask for our prayers. If you would like our fellowship to pray for you, your family, or your special intention, please contact Brother Patrick at brpatrick@assisiproject.com. May God bless you! May the Lord give you peace!
Learn More: The Assisi Project
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We Share
Do not forget to do good and share with others. — 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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