Our Pastor’s Message
Saint Michael’s Lent
By Father Jim
In August 1224, Saint Francis of Assisi climbed to the rugged summit of Mount La Verna in Tuscany for an extended period of prayer, fasting, and solitude that began on the Feast of the Assumption of Mary and concluded on the Feast of Saint Michael the Archangel. According to Saint Bonaventure, Francis “was filled unto overflowing, as never before, with the sweetness of heavenly contemplation.” And it was during this new “lent” that Francis was brought closer to the Lord by receiving the stigmata, the five wounds of the Poor Christ, in his feet, hands, and side.
Like Lent and Advent, an observance of Saint Michael’s Lent can be an intense and spiritually rewarding time for prayer, fasting, and good works. After a period of discussion and discernment over many months, Brother Patrick and I have decided to enter into this ancient practice by beginning a fast for Pope Leo XIV’s intentions of hope, peace, truth, and justice for our suffering world. From August 15th through September 29th, we will fast from eating and speaking from sunset until sunrise. We will not eat meat or sugar. We will not drink alcoholic beverages.
Along with our fast, we will renew our longstanding commitment to the Liturgy of the Hours. In addition, we will pray the Angelus at 12:00pm; the Faster’s Prayer (Psalm 77) at 3:00pm; and the traditional prayer for the intercession of Saint Michael at 6:00pm. Finally, after morning and evening prayers, whether we pray alone or together, we will beg the Blessed Mother to pray for us by reciting Hail Marys for the Holy Father’s four intentions and for all who live, work, and worship in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport. This schedule of prayer and devotion is posted below.
Beginning this week and extending through Saint Michael’s Lent, we will also devote a portion of our homepage and collaborative newsletter to the ancient practice of fasting and to the Holy Father’s intentions for an increase in hope, peace, truth, and justice all around the world. It is our sincere aspiration that this observance of Saint Michael’s Lent will bring us all closer to Christ, closer to the Church, and closer to each other through these collective prayers and personal sacrifices.
Our observance of Saint Michael’s Lent will conclude on Monday, September 29th, the Feast of the Archangels, in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. Our devotions will begin with Morning Prayer at 8:00am, followed by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. The church will then be open for silent prayer and adoration. At 12:00pm, we will gather for Daytime Prayer and a Rosary for Peace. We will conclude with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and Holy Mass at 5:30pm.
Brother Patrick and I invite you to join us in observing Saint Michael’s Lent in any way that you feel called and inspired. If you feel able and willing to join in our fast, please see me or contact Brother Patrick at brpatrick@ccgronline.com. We hope that at least ten fellow parishioners will join us in prayer and fasting for the intentions of Pope Leo XIV and for the sake of those who are poor, persecuted, and suffering in our world. Now more than ever, let’s fast and pray — together!
Reverend James M. Achadinha, Pastor
Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport
Contact: frjim@ccgronline.com
CCGR Weekly Newsletter (8-3-25)
Bringing Home the Word (8-3-25)
The Kids Bulletin (8-3-25)
New!
John Leary – A Man for Others
An Assisi Project Podcast
assisiproject.com
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Call to Prayer
Psalm 77
The Faster’s Prayer
I cry aloud to God,
cry aloud to God that he may hear me.
In the day of my distress, I sought the Lord.
My hands were raised at night without ceasing;
my soul refused to be consoled.
I remembered my God and I groaned.
I pondered and my spirit fainted.
You withheld sleep from my eyes.
I was troubled, I could not speak.
I thought of the days of long ago
and remembered the years long past.
At night I mused within my heart.
I pondered and my spirit questioned.
‘Will the Lord reject us forever?
Will he show us his favor no more?
Has his love vanished forever?
Has his promise come to an end?
Does God forget his mercy
or in anger withhold his compassion?’
I said: ‘This is what causes my grief;
that the way of the Most High has changed.’
I remember the deeds of the Lord,
I remember your wonders of old,
I muse on all your works and ponder your mighty deeds.
Your ways, O God, are holy.
What god is great as our God?
You are the God who works wonders.
You showed your power among the peoples.
Your strong arm redeemed your people,
the sons of Jacob and Joseph.
The waters saw you, O God,
the waters saw you and trembled;
the depths were moved with terror.
The clouds poured down rain,
the skies sent forth their voice;
your arrows flashed to and fro.
Your thunder rolled round the sky,
your flashes lighted up the world.
The earth was moved and trembled
when your way led through the sea,
your path through the mighty waters,
and no one saw your footprints.
You guided your people like a flock
by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
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.
Our Saint Michael’s Lent 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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Living the Gospel
Sacrament of Baptism
Basis of the Whole Christian Life
The Sacrament of Baptism is the first of the three Sacraments of Initiation in the Roman Catholic Church. The two others are Holy Eucharist and Confirmation. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church: “Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit, and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism, we are freed from sin and reborn as children of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission (CCC 1213).” In July, Father Jim baptized the following young disciples:
Juliana Amero
George Carey IV
Fia Caruso
Chiara Clark
Dylan Encarnacion
Theodore Farrell
Jane Hristov
Patrick Leahy
Sofia Lyman
Winston Maize
Samuel Miranda
Warren Radke
Victoria Ventimiglia
The Sacrament of Baptism is celebrated during any Sunday Mass at 10:00am in Saint Joachim Church; on the second Saturday of the month at 11:30am in Saint Ann Church; and on the third Saturday of the month at 11:30am in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church.
For more information about having your child or grandchild baptized in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport, please contact Sheila McCarthy-Durkin at smccarthy@ccgronline.com. United in prayer, fellowship, and service, we pray for our newly baptized young disciples, and their parents, godparents, and grandparents! Peace, blessings, and congratulations to all!
Learn More: Sacrament of Baptism (Short Video)
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The Assisi Project
Our New Weekly Bog
A Message from Brother Patrick
For more than a decade, friends of the Assisi Project have been receiving an electronic mail message every weekend with our increasingly long list of prayer requests, along with a few words of wisdom for the week ahead.
Although this method of communication has been a good way of keeping in touch with our friends and followers across the world, it excludes the hundreds of people who visit our website each week and therefore cannot appreciate or participate in our intercessory prayer ministry. Beginning this weekend and in a spirit of radical welcome to those who may not know about us or about our ministry of prayer, these weekly messages will now be posted on our website at assisiproject.com/blog.
This week, our blog features a prayer and reflection on Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (aka Edith Stein) whose feast will be celebrated on August 9th. It also includes easily printable PDF documents of our current prayer requests, our daily prayer of intercession, and recommended readings for the coming week. If you would like us to pray for you or your special intention, please contact me at brpatrick@assisiproject.com. May God bless you! May the Lord give you peace!
Learn More: The Assisi Project
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Words of Wisdom
From Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross
Do not accept anything as the truth if it lacks love.
And do not accept anything as love if it lacks truth.
Learn More: Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross
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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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In Memory of Ann Marie Kershaw