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21ST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Our Pastor’s Message
The Holy Family Thanks You

By Father Jim

Since 1844, the Apostleship of Prayer (known now as the Pope Video or the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network) has encouraged Catholic Christians around the world to pray each and every day for a particular intention. Each month, the Holy Father asks us to pray for a particular intention. Almost five years ago, Pope Francis called us to pray for our home parishes so that we will have the strength, courage, and perseverance to give witness to the Good News of the Poor Christ in all that we think, say, and do.

In his introduction to that request, Pope Francis said: “Parishes must be in contact with homes, with people’s lives, with the life of society. They must be houses where the door is always open, so as to go forth toward others. And it is important that this going forth follows a clear proposal of faith. The doors must be opened so that Jesus can go out with all the joy of his message. Let us pray for our parishes, so that they not be simple offices, but that animated by a missionary spirit, they may be places where faith is communicated and charity is seen.”

On the other side of the world, Holy Family Parish is the only Roman Catholic parish in Gaza. In the midst of war and starvation, Father Gabriel and his fellow parishioners provide for the most basic needs (food, water, and shelter) of more than six hundred men, women, and children whose lives have been destroyed by the war. As of July 30th, the United Nations reports that more than 63,000 people have been killed in less than two years. Depending on the source, between 12,000 and 18,000 children have died. An increasing number of children are dying due to hunger and lack of medical care.

Needless to say, Holy Family Parish in Gaza gives concrete witness to the kind of parish life envisioned by Pope Francis. Throughout the world, an increasingly loud chorus of prayer and protest is now urgently calling for peace in the holiest of lands. Pope Leo XIV has made peace (along with truth and justice) a primary theme of his young papacy. Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, has spoken bluntly about the “strength of evil” that prolongs the war. And Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, President of the Italian Bishops Conference, recently presided over a seven hour prayer service for peace during which he personally read the names of all the children who have been killed in Gaza.

Here in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport, we pray for peace at every Mass and invoke the intercession of Our Lady Queen of Peace during every Rosary. Last month, we took a special collection for Holy Family Parish in Gaza and raised more than $8,100. When I wrote to Cardinal Pizzaballa to ask about the safest way to transfer these funds, his office responded with a direct link and a message: “On behalf of Cardinal Pizzaballa and the parishioners of Holy Family Parish in Gaza, we send our gratitude for your generous donation! Blessings to your parishes!” Indeed, I have never been more grateful for your generosity and support. Peace, blessings, and deepest thanks to all! The Holy Family thanks you, too!

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

CCGR Weekly Newsletter (8-24-25)
Bringing Home the Word (8-24-25)
The Kids Bulletin (8-24-25)

New!
Pope Francis – An Exquisite Kindness
An Assisi Project Podcast
assisiproject.com

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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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Our Lady of Good Voyage
Summer Carillon Concerts
Friday, August 29th

A popular summer tradition ends this week at Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish and the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport! Our Summer Carillon Concerts conclude on Friday, August 29th 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!

Let us join together in a prayer of thanksgiving for our talented carillonneurs! For more information about this special summer series, please contact Luann Pallazola at lpallazola@gmail.com. Please join us! All are invited! All are welcome! Always!

Read: The Boston Pilot – Gloucester’s Unique Carillon

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Saint Michael’s Lent
The Real Honor of Fasting

By Brother Patrick

Saint John Chrysostom (347-407) was among the most prolific writers of the Early Church. He served as Archbishop of Constantinople. He is venerated as a Doctor of the Church. He is also famous for his asceticism. He lived as a hermit; fasted continuously; memorized the sacred scriptures; and spent nearly two years standing with almost no normal rest or sleep.

The saint’s rigorous spiritual disciplines, however, had a purpose beyond his own conversion. Saint John Chrysostom insisted that our fasting, in particular, should be linked to living out the Gospel. He wrote: “The real honor of fasting consists not in abstinence of food, but in withdrawing from sinful practices. If you see a poor man, take pity on him! If you see an enemy, be reconciled to him! If you see a friend gaining honor, do not envy him!”

Saint John also wrote: “Do not let just your mouth fast, but also the eye and the ear and the feet and the hands and all the members of our bodies. Let the hands fast by being pure from theft and avarice. Let the feet fast by ceasing from running to unlawful spectacles. Let the mouth fast from disgraceful speaking and railing.”

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.

Whether you are joining us in observing Saint Michael’s Lent or not, there has never been a better time for us to look into our hearts; to discern who or what in our lives leads us astray; to turn away from those things; and to turn back to the Lord with some form of prayer, fasting, and-or almsgiving. Now more than ever, let’s pray together for the grace, courage, and perseverance to become peacemakers, truth tellers, and justice seekers! Amen!

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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The Assisi Project
Praying with Dag Hammarskjöld
Saturday, September 6th

During the Jubilee of Hope (2024-2025), Pope Francis called us to become “pilgrims of hope.” He beckoned us to be hopeful, to be peacemakers, and to be what he called “weavers of communion’ in our suffering world. The Holy Father wrote: “We must fan the flame of hope that has been given to us. We must help everyone gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, trusting heart, and prophetic vision. The jubilee can contribute abundantly to the restoration of an atmosphere of hope and trust, and to the rebirth and renewal of all that we so urgently desire.

Although not a canonized saint and unknown to most Catholics, especially in the United States, Dag Hammarskjöld (1905-1961) was a Swedish author, diplomat, and economist who served as Secretary General of the United Nations from April 1953 until his death in a plane crash in September 1961.

Throughout his life and career, and especially in his classic book Markings, Hammarskjöld worked tirelessly for peace and goodwill between nations and peoples throughout the world. He was especially dedicated to the cause of peace in Africa, the Middle East, and between the United States and the Soviet Union. After Hammarskjöld’s tragic death, President John F. Kennedy said: “I realize now that in comparison to him, I am a small man. He was the greatest stateman of our century.”

Throughout this year, the Assisi Project is focusing all of its prayers and reflections on men and women from across the ages who have fulfilled the Holy Father’s call to be pilgrims of hope. Our celebration of the jubilee continues on Saturday, September 6th beginning with Mass at 8:00am in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. After Mass, Father Jim and Brother Patrick will lead us in a reflection and conversation about the life and legacy of Dag Hammarskjöld. We will conclude by offering a Rosary for Peace (featuring prayers by Pope Francis).

For more information about the Assisi Project and its good work in our parishes, please contact Brother Patrick at brpatrick@assisiproject.com. 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! Please join us! Bring a friend! All are invited! All are welcome! May God bless you! May the Lord give you peace!

Learn More: The Assisi Project

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Our Lady’s Guild
Celebrating Our 81st Year
Begins Saturday, September 6th

Sinc 1944, Our Lady’s Guild has worked to build community among women of all ages in Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish through prayer, good works, social activities, and fundraising events. The Guild begins its 81st year by inviting all friends, members, and fellow parishioners to join us for Mass on Saturday, September 6th at 6:00pm in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. During Mass, our board members will be recognized and all members will be offered a special blessing for the upcoming year.

Our opening free supper is scheduled for Monday, September 8th at 6:30pm in Our Lady’s Hall. Please RSVP by contacting Cecelia Doucette at 978-281-2031. Dues will be collected, fundraising ideas will be brainstormed, and our new schedule will be discussed. For more information about Our Lady’s Guild and its good work in our parish, please contact Beth Fosberry at jcbf33@yahoo.com. Please join us! New members are always welcome!

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Holy Family Women’s Guild
Our September Gathering
Tuesday, September 9th

All are invited to join the Holy Family Women’s Guild for its first meeting of the season on Tuesday, September 9th at 6:00pm in Our Lady’s Hall. At this meeting, annual dues of $15 per person will be collected. We will also play a few games of BINGO ($5 per card)! In addition, we will elect officers for the coming year. Current nominations include Lydia Bertolino for President and Arlene Lesch for Treasurer. For more information about the Holy Family Women’s Guild and its good work in our parish, please contact Lydia Bertolino at lbbglosta1929@outlook.com. Please join us! New members are always welcome!

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Words of Wisdom from Dag Hammarskjöld

Our work for peace must begin
within the private world of each one of us.
To build for mankind a world without fear,
we must be without fear.
To build a world of justice, we must be just.
And how can we fight for freedom
if we are not free in our own minds?
How can we ask others to sacrifice
if we are not ready to do so?

Learn More: Biography of Dag Hammarskjöld

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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 Georgiana Zagarella