Candlelight of Humanity
By Brother Patrick
In The Joy of the Gospel, Pope Francis (1936-2025) writes: “Often it seems that God does not exist: all around us we see persistent injustice, evil, indifference, and cruelty. But it is also true that in the midst of darkness, something new is always springing to life and sooner or later produces fruit (EG 276).” Our beloved pope could be pointing to a long list of modern tragedies: war, racism, gun violence, ecological sin, health and economic inequalities, domestic and international terrorism, and callous treatment of immigrants and refugees.
At the same time, Pope Francis could be referring to the collective sins of the near and distant past. His prophetic wisdom could be applied to every era of human history. And yet, we cannot lose our hope. We cannot lose our joy. We cannot lose sight of the something new that is always springing to life, that sooner or later produces fruit. We cannot forget humanity’s capacity for truth, beauty, and justice. And we cannot forget that in the midst of every crisis, in the shadows of every dark age, someone somewhere is ready, willing, and able to reach out, raise spirits, hold fast to what is good, and build upon what endures.
Saint Benedict of Nursia (480-547) was this kind of person. He was born and raised in a rural mountain village in central Italy. In adolescence, he was sent to Rome for schooling, but he was disappointed in his teachers and disgusted by the worldly corruption of the capital of a declining empire. Benedict fled into the mountains and encountered a monk, Romanus of Subiaco, who gave him food, water, and a religious habit. Saint Romanus also led Benedict to a isolated cave where he could pray and live as a hermit.
Word of the young hermit’s holiness soon spread far and wide. Many people came to him for prayers and spiritual direction. A community of monks begged him to become their abbot. Benedict agreed. But because of his penchant for rigorous prayer and discipline, the monks tried to poison him. So Benedict returned to his cave. Over time, however, he founded twelve monasteries. He helped to save cultural treasures from the Dark Ages. And he wrote a rule of life that became the model for all of western monasticism.
Saint Benedict is a patron of farmers and agricultural workers, monks and religious orders, the sick and the dying, and many other causes and places around the world. He is perhaps best remembered for his rule and for its emphasis on work, prayer, and community. But Benedict was also focused on finding joy in life. Indeed, his complete instruction for living the good life is simply: Pray, work and be not sad!
In the book, All Saints, Robert Ellsberg writes: “There are some persons whose great gift, in a dark age, is simply to maintain a candlelight of humanity and so to guarantee that darkness should not have the final word.” Saint Benedict is among God’s greatest gifts to the human family. He was a guardian of goodness, a prophet of joy, and a light in the darkness of our world. Now more than ever, we cry out: Saint Benedict, pray for us!
Brother Patrick Garvey
Associate Minister & Diocesan Hermit
Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport
Contact: brpatrick@ccgronline.com
CCGR Weekly Newsletter (7-6-25)
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The Pope Video – July 2025
Praying for Formation in Discernment
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Call to Prayer
A Prayer of Saint Benedict
Feast Day – Friday, July 11th
All holy and gracious God,
give us wisdom to know you,
intelligence to understand you,
diligence to seek you,
patience to wait for you,
eyes to behold you,
a heart to meditate upon you,
and a life to proclaim you.
To the power of the Spirit of Jesus Christ: Amen!
May we see the face of Christ in others: Amen!
May we listen to others with the ear of our heart: Amen!
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Words of Wisdom
From the Rule of Saint Benedict
One who never stops talking cannot avoid falling into sin.
There are times when good words are to be left unsaid
out of an esteem for the silence.
Renounce yourself in order to follow Christ;
discipline your body; do not pamper yourself, but love fasting.
You must relieve the lot of the poor,
clothe the naked, visit the sick, and bury the dead.
Help the troubled and console the sorrowful.
Your way of life should be different from the world’s way.
Your love for Christ must come before all else.
Let all guests who arrive be received like Christ,
for he says to you:
‘I came as a guest and you received me.’
In the salutation of all guests,
whether arriving or departing,
let all humility be shown to them.
Let the head be bowed
or the whole body prostrated on the ground
in adoration of Christ,
who indeed is received in their persons.
Listen: Saint of the Day – Saint Benedict (1.5 Minutes)
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Holy Family Women’s Guild
Summer Sundae Social
Tuesday, July 8th
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 Summer Ice Cream Sundae Social on Tuesday, July 8th at 6:00pm in Our Lady’s Hall. After a brief business meeting, we will make our own ice cream sundaes and enjoy a wonderful opportunity to catch up, deepen friendships, and exchange fundraising ideas.
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. If you plan to join us for the ice cream social, please contact Lydia Bertolino at lbbglosta1929@outlook.com. New friends, members, and volunteers are always welcome!
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Catholic Social Teaching
On Immigrants & Refugees
In advocating on behalf of migrants, immigrants, and refugees, it is important to understand that the Roman Catholic position is based on Catholic Social Teaching, which is derived from the Gospels and the words of Christ; statements and encyclicals of the popes; and statements and pastoral letters of bishops around the world.
In Strangers No Longer (2003), the bishops of Mexico and the United States declared: “Our common faith in Jesus Christ moves us to search for ways that favor a spirit of solidarity. It is a faith that transcends borders and bids us to overcome all forms of violence and discrimination so that we may build relationships that are just and loving.”
There is a long biblical foundation for hospitality, but nowhere is it made more clear that persons on the move are special in the eyes of God than in the life and words of Jesus Christ in the Holy Gospel. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus instructs us to welcome the stranger: “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me (Matthew 25:35).” Jesus himself was not welcomed by his own people: “He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him (John 1:11).”
When we welcome the stranger into our midst, we welcome Christ, for in the migrant, immigrant, and refugee, we must see the face of Christ. In the Gospel of Luke, this is made clear in the experience of the disciples on the road to Emmaus as they become witnesses to the truth by welcoming the stranger, who is Christ (Luke 24:13-15).
Learn More: Catholic Legal Immigration Network
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Words of Wisdom
From Pope Benedict XVI
Every migrant is a human person who possesses
fundamental, inalienable rights that must be respected
by everyone in every circumstance.
Learn More: Encyclical – Charity in Truth (2009)
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A Pastor’s Note
Our Online Community
Celebrating One Million Visitors
Eleven years ago, I asked Brother Patrick to create new websites for the Assisi Project and the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport. Our websites initially attracted a few hundred visitors each week. During the pandemic, traffic more than doubled to approximately one thousand visitors each week. Five years later, visits to our online community have doubled again to more than two thousand visitors every single week.
Needless to say, one small fellowship and one large collaborative cannot compare with CNN, Google, or the New York Times. But recently, we reached a combined milestone of one million visitors to our online community! The success of our websites is a testament to your ongoing interest, the rich content offered, and the user-friendly and welcoming atmosphere of both websites. No ads. No pop-ups. No sign-ins. All of our online resources are free. And there is something new and interesting every single week! Here is a small sampling of some of the resources recently linked or added to our websites:
- Lord’s Day Reflection
Vatican News Weekly Series
ccgronline.com/resources - Global Sisters Report
Women Reflect on the Sunday Scriptures
globalsistersreport.org - Margaret Chase Smith – Pilgrim of Hope
An Assisi Project Podcast
assisiproject.com/podcast
Thank you, Brother Patrick, for your ongoing stewardship of our online community. Thank you, one and all, for your ongoing support! Peace and blessings! — Father Jim
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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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Words of Wisdom
From Saint John Paul II
Love for others,
and in the first place, a love for the poor,
in whom the Church sees Christ himself,
is made concrete in the promotion of justice.
Justice will never be fully attained
unless people see in the poor person,
who is asking for help in order to survive,
not an annoyance or a burden,
but an opportunity for showing kindness
and a chance for greater enrichment.
Learn More: Saint John Paul II
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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
Safe & Easy Electronic Giving
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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