This Week’s Message
Never Leave Them Alone
By Brother Patrick
Father Jim and I have known each other for twenty-five years. We are good friends. We work well together. We agree on most issues. Over the years, however, we have often disagreed about the enduring conflict between Israel and Palestine. More often than not, I have instinctively sided with the Israelis. Father Jim has been more pragmatic, more open to the plight of the Palestinian people. Even after the current conflict began, we retreated into our corners and repeated talking points from the two sides.
A change of heart happened for me in light of news reports about the daily calls between Pope Francis and Father Gabriel Romanelli, Pastor of Holy Family Church, the only Catholic Church in Gaza. Almost every evening, the Holy Father spoke by phone or facetime with the pastor, frightened parents, elderly parishioners, and sometimes even children. In one conversation, Father Romanelli spoke about the urgent need for food, clothing, clean water, and medical supplies for the six hundred people who have taken refuge on the parish campus. Most refugees are Christian, but nearly one hundred are Muslim.
Father Romanelli said that the people of Gaza carry a “heavy cross.” It is one of most densely populated territories in the whole world. Gloucester and Rockport are a combined 59 square miles with a population of 36,721. That’s only 622 people per square mile. By contrast, Gaza is about 141 square miles with a population of more than two million people. That’s nearly 14,000 people per square mile. No one is allowed to enter. No one is allowed to leave. The basic necessities of life are becoming more and more scarce. Humanitarian assistance is complicated by both governments and the horrors of war.
In a recent interview, Father Romanelli said: “Gaza is a prison. It has become a cage, a giant cage. We help everyone, Christians and non-Christians alike. We try to be truly instruments of peace for all…We count on the help of the Lord and on people of goodwill who truly desire peace.” Despite promises of peace from all sides, people continue to suffer unspeakable hardship. According to the United Nations, 57,680 Gazans and 1,195 Israelis have died since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023. Nearly 18,000 of these deaths have been children. Many deaths can be attributed to hunger, lack of clean water, inadequate sanitation, and disruptions in primary and emergency health care services.
Just last week, Holy Family Church was damaged by an Israeli tank attack that killed three parishioners and injured ten others, including Father Romanelli. Although the Israel Defense Forces called it a mistake, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, questioned how the church, well known as a place of last refuge for innocent civilians, could be surrounded by tanks and mistaken for a military target. The cardinal then assured parishioners: “We will certainly never leave them alone.”
In his prayer for peace, Pope Francis begs the Blessed Mother: “Make us realize once again the importance of the role we play; strengthen our sense of responsibility for the cause of peace as men and women called to pray, worship, intercede, and make reparation for the whole human race.” In this spirit, all are invited to join me in giving whatever we can to this week’s special collection for Holy Family Parish in Gaza. Every penny raised will go directly to support the good works of that suffering faith community. Thank you for your support! May God bless you! May the Lord bring us peace!
Brother Patrick Garvey
Associate Minister & Diocesan Hermit
Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport
Contact: brpatrick@ccgronline.com
CCGR Weekly Newsletter (7-27-25)
Bringing Home the Word (7-27-25)
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Art Credit: Our Lady Protectress of the Most Vulnerable by Kelly Latimore
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Call to Prayer
A Prayer for Peace
By Pope Francis
Holy Mary,
how many times have you come,
urging prayer and repentance.
But caught up in our own needs
and distracted by the things of this world,
we have turned a deaf ear to your appeals.
Blessed Mother,
in your love for us, you never abandon us.
Lead us by the hand and bring us to conversion;
help us once again to put God first.
Help us to preserve unity in the Church
and to be artisans of communion in our world.
Make us realize once again
the importance of the role we play;
strengthen our sense of responsibility
for the cause of peace
as men and women called to pray,
worship, intercede, and make reparation
for the whole human race.
By ourselves, we cannot succeed.
Without your Son, we can do nothing.
But you bring us back to Jesus,
who is our peace.
Therefore, Mother of God and our Mother,
we come before you and we seek refuge
in your Immaculate Heart.
Mother of Mercy, we appeal for mercy!
Queen of Peace, we appeal for peace!
Touch the hearts of those imprisoned by hatred;
convert those who cause and provoke conflict.
Dry the tears of the countless children who weep.
Be present to those who are elderly and alone.
Strengthen the wounded and the sick.
Protect those forced to leave their lands and loved ones.
Console the crestfallen.
Awaken new hope. Amen.
Pray: A Prayer for Peace (Full English Text)
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Special Weekend Collection
Holy Family Parish in Gaza
July 26th & 27th
The Church of the Holy Family is the only Roman Catholic parish and place of worship in Gaza, Palestine. From October 2023 until his death in April 2025, Pope Francis called Father Romanelli, the pastor, every evening to inquire about the health and needs of more than 600 people who are sheltering on the parish campus.
Quite often, the Holy Father also spoke face-to-face via Facetime with elderly parishioners, frightened parents, and even children about the hardships of life during a time of bitter and seemingly endless armed conflict. And in his will, the Holy Father directed that his popemobile be retrofitted, reequipped, and donated as a mobile health clinic to serve the medical needs of Gazans.
For more than a decade, the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport’s longstanding mission has been to live the Gospel, share God’s love, and rebuild the Church. And we remain inspired by the life, legacy, and good example of Pope Francis. In this spirit, we will have a special second collection on July 26th and 27th. All proceeds will go directly to support Holy Family Parish in Gaza.
Caring about people is neither partisan nor political. We do not take a side in an impossible war. We are simply answering the late pope’s call to pray for peace and to become “instruments of peace” and “artisans of communion” in our sick, suffering, and war-torn world. As a small token of gratitude for your prayers and support for our brothers and sisters in Gaza, all parishioners will receive a relic prayer card of Saint Ann and Saint Joachim, the patrons of our own Holy Family Parish, whose feast is celebrated on Saturday, July 26th.
For more information about this special weekend of prayer, devotion, and generosity, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com. Thank you in advance for your prayers, goodwill, and generous support!
Learn More: Gaza Church Damaged in Strike
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Words of Wisdom
from Cardinal Pizzaballa
Christ is not absent from Gaza:
crucified in the wounded, buried under the rubble,
and yet present in every act of mercy,
every candle in the darkness,
every hand extended to the suffering (7-22-25).
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa serves as Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem.
Learn More: Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem
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The Assisi Project
A Morning of Prayer for Peace
Saturday, August 2nd
All friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport are invited to join Father Jim, Brother Patrick, and the Assisi Project for a Morning of Prayer for Peace on Saturday, August 2nd beginning with the celebration of Holy Mass at 8:00am in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church.
After Mass, we will offer a Rosary for Peace featuring prayers by Pope Francis (1936-2025) during which we will invoke the late Holy Father’s powerful intercession for peace in places known and unknown, for peace in this nation and between all nations, and for peace in our hearts, homes, and hometowns.
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 welcome! Saint Francis of Assisi, pray for us! Saint Clare of Assisi, pray for us! Our Lady of the Angels, pray for us! Pope Francis, pray for us! May the Lord give you peace!
Learn More: The Assisi Project
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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!
Pray Together: Our Daily Prayers
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Our Lady of Good Voyage
Summer Carillon Concerts
Begin Friday, August 8th
A popular summer tradition is returning to Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish and the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport! Our Summer Carillon Concerts begin on Friday, August 8th at 6:30pm! This year, Luann Pallazola, Cynthia Cafasso, and Thomas Dort have prepared programs that include patriotic melodies, popular hymns and songs, and classical and international music, along with selections especially for children!
Installed in 1922, the carillon at Our Lady of Good Voyage Church are the first toned bell set ever in the United States. The carillon’s thirty-one bronze bells hang from a steel beam within the west tower. And our bells range in weight from 16 pounds to 3,000 pounds.
The carillon bells at Our Lady of Good Voyage Church were forged by the Taylor Foundry in Loughboro, England. In order to avoid the payment of a tariff upon their arrival in Gloucester, the church was declared a bonded warehouse by the Collector of Customs in Boston, who happened to be a friend of the local congressman. Soon after, a bill declaring them a “work of art” was passed by the United States Congress and signed into law by President Warren G. Harding.
Although our bells can be heard from blocks away, the sound is always best near the church. Once again this year, Our Lady’s Guild will be selling snacks, cold drinks, and raffle tickets to support the parish. Our Summer Carillon Concerts are an awesome opportunity for the whole family to gather and enjoy the gift of music with friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners!
Additional concerts are scheduled for Friday, August 15th at 6:30pm; Friday, August 22nd at 6:30pm; and Friday, August 29th at 6:30pm. For more information, please contact Luann Pallazola at lpallazola@gmail.com. Save the dates! All are invited! All are welcome!
Watch & Listen: America the Beautiful
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Call to Worship
The Assumption of Mary
Friday, August 15th
A Holy Day of Obligation
Since the fifth century, God’s faithful people have believed in their hearts that upon her passing from this life, the Blessed Virgin Mary was raised body and soul into heaven. This ancient faith tradition, however, was not defined as a magisterial teaching of the Roman Catholic Church until 1950. In commemoration of the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport will celebrate Holy Mass according to the following schedule:
Friday, August 15th
- Saint Joachim Church at 8:00am
- Saint Ann Church at 12:00pm
- Our Lady of Good Voyage Church at 5:30pm
For more information about the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, please click the link below or contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com. Save the date! Please join us! All are invited! All are welcome!
A Franciscan Prayer for the Intercession
of Our Lady of the Angels
Our Lady of the Angels,
bless our homes, bless our work,
and bless our rest.
Give us the serene peace that comes with love;
where hate, blame, and tears
are turned into a song of joy
with the choir of your holy angels
and the powerful prayers of Saint Francis.
Help those who lack support and sustenance.
Help those who find themselves
in danger or temptation, in sadness or despair,
in sickness or close to death. Amen.
Our Lady of the Angels, pray for us!
Our Lady of the Assumption, pray for us!
Learn More: Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
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We Share
Safe & Easy Electronic Giving
It is in giving that we receive. — Prayer of 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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