by

20TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

This Week’s Message
The World As It Should Be

By Paige Byrne Shortal

The world changes and it is changing faster all the time. My husband and I like to make note of the things we say today that would make no sense to people just fifty years ago. For example: “I googled it.” Or “You can read about it on Facebook.” Or my husband’s favorite: “I can’t find my phone.” Some time ago, I read a note from my children’s school that would have mystified my grandparents. It read: “We are asking you to provide a non-perishable snack to be stored in your child’s homeroom in the event of a security lockdown.” Security lockdown?

A few days later, I was talking with some other parents. One remarked that her son is still terrified of the school fire drill because he hates noise, but he does not have any trouble with the lockdown drill. I must have looked confused, so she elaborated. When the principal announces a “Code Red” over the speaker system, the teacher dims the lights and locks the door while the kids hurry into a closet. In rooms without a closet, there is a designated hiding place where they cannot be seen through the glass in the hallway door. The teacher then closes the blinds and joins the huddled kids until the “all clear” is sounded.

Maybe the world does not change nearly enough. Our elders endured their own version of 9-11 that they called Pearl Harbor. It was followed by another “war to end all wars.” And they coped with their own economic meltdown that they called the “crash.” It was followed by the Great Depression. Today we prepare for terrorist attacks and send snacks for our children to eat in a closet. When I was in elementary school, we practiced “duck and cover” drills in the event of a nuclear attack. I realize now that I was not traumatized by those rehearsals because the adults in charge did a good job of maintaining a sense of normalcy.

We are made for peace and goodwill, and if we cannot have peace and goodwill, then we at least try to keep our children innocent and untroubled — even if it means making a game out of the unthinkable and providing a snack for the end of the world.

God promises to make all things new. As forecasted in the Book of Isaiah (25:8) and confirmed in the Book of Revelation, we are assured that God will wipe away every tear from our eyes and “there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain (Revelation 21:4).” Until then, we must be as much like God as possible: creating peace, feeding our little ones, and doing the best we can to make the world as it should be.

About the Author

For four decades, Paige Byrne Shortal served as a pastoral minister in two parishes. She is now semi-retired and living with her husband and three children in rural Missouri. She is also a regular contributor to Bringing Home the Word. A new edition is posted every week at the link below.

CCGR Weekly Newsletter (8-17-25)
Bringing Home the Word (8-17-25)
The Kids Bulletin (8-17-25)

New!
Catholic Sisters March for Justice
National Catholic Reporter
ncronline.org

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Call to Prayer
The World As It Should Be

The Peace Prayer of Saint Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love.
Where there is injury, pardon.
Where there is doubt, faith.
Where there is despair, hope.
Where there is darkness, light.
Where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not
so much seek to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.

Inspired by the Peace Prayer of Saint Francis

Creator of all, make me a person of peace.
Where there is oppression, let me bring equality.
Where there is abuse, dignity.
Where there is fragmentation, unity.
Where there is exploitation, justice.
Where there is conflict, resolution.
Where there is discrimination, mutuality.
Where there is violence, vision.
Where there is powerlessness, power.
Grant that I may not so much seek to compete,
as to collaborate;
to exclude as to include,
to dominate as to complement.
For it is in healing that we are healed.
It is in reconciling that we are reconciled.
It is in our common bond that we become whole. Amen.

Pray: The Assisi Project’s Daily Prayer

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Our Lady of Good Voyage
Summer Carillon Concerts
Friday, August 23rd

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 23rd 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!

Our final concert for the season is scheduled for Friday, August 29th at 6:30pm. For more information about this special summer series, 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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Pastor’s Note
Welcome, Father Jude Friday!
August 23rd & 24th

During the weekend of August 23rd and 24th, the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport is blessed to welcome Father Jude Friday of the Archdiocese of Tororo in Uganda, who will preach about the good works of the Missionary Co-Operative Program and the Society for the Propagation of the Faith. The Society for the Propagation of the Faith is one of four mission societies in the Archdiocese of Boston. Its mission is to support priests, lay ministers, and religious orders in the work of missionary evangelization.

Father Jude will speak at all Masses on Saturday, August 23rd and Sunday, August 24th about his missionary work and about building spiritual communion between us and those whose daily lives may be very different from our country, customs, and culture. In support of these ministries, Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish will take a special second collection next weekend. Your generous support is much appreciated! On behalf of our pastoral team and all fellow parishioners, we welcome Father Jude to Gloucester & Rockport! Peace and blessings to all!

Reverend James M. Achadinha, Pastor
Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport
Contact: frjim@ccgronline.com

Learn More: Propagation of the Faith – Boston

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Saint Michael’s Lent
Fasting As Whole Body Prayer

By Brother Patrick

As everyone knows by now, Father Jim and I, along with some friends and fellow parishioners, have entered into the ancient season of prayer and fasting known as Saint Michael’s Lent. We undertake this penitential season for the intention of an increase of peace, truth, and justice in our suffering world as articulated by Pope Leo XIV in the opening days of his papacy.

In a culture dominated by greed, self-interest, and self-gratification, it is sometimes difficult to discuss and promote the practice of fasting. In the book, Fasting: The Ancient Practices, Scott McKnight writes: “Urging folks today to fast is like urging them to milk their own cows — just as there are no cows in their backyards, so there is no body in their perception of spirituality.”

McKnight explains that our personal spiritualities are all too often dominated by the intellect. The body is left out of the prayer process. But God did not create just our minds and imaginations. God created our bodies, too. God created us, body and soul, in his image and likeness. So, it is good, holy, and holistic to engage both our minds and our bodies in the discipline of prayer.

We see the connection between body, mind, and spirit as we genuflect and bless ourselves before the Holy Eucharist. We see this connection when we pray during Mass while kneeling, singing, sitting, and standing. We see this connection when we pray a chaplet or rosary with the help of a beaded prayer rope. We see this connection when we are inspired to offer some act of kindness that requires us to engage our strength and our senses.

In this way, fasting is our body’s response to a sacred moment or grievous situation in the life of God’s family. Through the act of fasting, however much we are able to do it, we unite our bodies and souls in prayer for a particular intention — not to change the world, but to unite ourselves with those who long for peace, truth, and justice. Now more than ever, let’s pray and fast together!

Brother Patrick Garvey
Associate Minister & Diocesan Hermit
Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport
Contact: brpatrick@ccgronline.com

Saint Michael’s Lent Prayers & Resources

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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 Father Thomas Ryan

The tendency is to think
that God will love us if we change,
but God loves us so that we can change…
Penitential practices and disciplines [like fasting]
enable us to appropriate and make real in our lives
the freedom given through grace.

Learn More: Father Thomas Ryan, CSP

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We Share
Safe & Easy Electronic Giving

Do good and share what you have (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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In Memory of Arthur Sheehan