Everyone! Everyone! Everyone!
By Brother Patrick
For more than a quarter century, almost every day of my life has begun in the same way: coffee, prayer, and at least an hour of spiritual reading. On Monday, April 21, 2025 my morning began as usual, except that for some reason I turned first to the Vatican News website and saw this headline: “In the Arms of the Father: Pope Francis Has Died on Easter Monday.” Upon reading these words, I let out what only could be described as a long, loud wail, which was followed by many tears.
Because the Holy Father had been so sick for so long, his passing should not have been a surprise. After watching coverage of his final appearance in Saint Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday, I was deeply worried about his fragile condition. Like many others, however, I was confident that Pope Francis would rebound, recover, and resume his busy schedule of audiences, appointments, and sacred liturgies. For me, he was a force of nature. He was larger than life. He was a living saint.
Having now lived for sixty years, with twenty of those years in parish ministry, and eleven of those years here in Gloucester and Rockport, I have learned that each of us may prefer a different church. Each of us may practice a different devotion. Each of us may venerate a different saint. And even though we are called to love and respect every pope, we all have a favorite. I am not naïve. I realize that not everyone loved Pope Francis as their hero, patron, and inspiration.
At the same time, I must confess that Pope Francis brought to life the Catholic Church of my dreams. Inspired by Good Pope John and the Second Vatican Council, the Holy Father brought to life a Church that is dynamic, never boring, and always open to encounter the world around us. He called us to share God’s love, embody God’s hope, and practice God’s mercy with every thought, word, and deed. He challenged us to transcend the turmoil of these uncertain times; and to treat each other as brothers and sisters, all of us beloved children of the same God.
Pope Francis never congratulated us for bringing Jesus to the privileged and the powerful. Instead, he dared us to bring Jesus to the poor, the prisoner, and the persecuted. He dared us to open wide the doors, go out into the street, and welcome each and every person into our community of prayer, fellowship, and service. He beckoned us to reach out to the lost and left behind. And he reminded us again and again that the Catholic Church is not its buildings, its bank accounts, or its priceless works of art and architecture. The true treasure of the Church is its people: you and me, sinners all, forever falling, and forever rising by the Lord’s love and mercy.
In 2023, Pope Francis traveled to Portugal for World Youth Day. At the opening ceremony, he held a prepared text in his aging hands. He looked out at a crowd of one million teenagers and young adults. Then, as he so often did during his twelve year papacy, the pope tossed aside the script and spoke from the heart. He said: “In the Church, there is room for everyone. In the Church, no one is left out or left behind…Young and old. Healthy and infirm. Righteous and sinners. Everyone! Everyone! Everyone!” Amen, Holy Father! Amen!
This week, as we celebrate the lives of two holy ones called Francis, we pray for peace; we pray for each other; and we pray for a Church that welcomes every person with love and without conditions. We pray, too, for the grace, courage, and perseverance to follow in the footsteps of the Poor Man of Assisi, who once said: “This is our vocation: to heal wounds, to bind what is broken, and to bring home those who are lost.” Saint Francis of Assisi, pray for us! Pope Francis, pray for us!
Brother Patrick Garvey
Associate Minister & Diocesan Hermit
Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport
Contact: brpatrick@ccgronline.com
CCGR Weekly Newsletter (9-28-25)
Bringing Home the Word (9-28-25)
The Kids Bulletin (9-28-25)
New!
Listening to Catholic Women
With Bishop Mark O’Connell
Episode 4 – Eileen McLaughlin
Art Credit: Kelly Latimore – kellylatimoreicons.com
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Call to Worship
Feast of the Archangels
Monday, September 29th
Eucharist Adoration & Holy Mass
The Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport’s forty day observance of Saint Michael’s Lent will conclude on Monday, September 29th, the Feast of the Archangels, in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church.
This special day of prayer and devotion will begin with Morning Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours at 8:00am, followed by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. After Morning Prayer, the church will remain open all day for silent prayer and adoration. At 12:00pm, we will gather again for Daytime Prayer and a Rosary for Peace. We will conclude with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and Holy Mass at 5:30pm.
As the Feast of the Archangels approaches, all are invited to join us in spiritual communion with Pope Leo XIV by offering the following prayers each day: Angelus at 12:00pm; Psalm 77 at 3:00pm; and the following prayer to Saint Michael for the Holy Father’s intentions of peace, truth, and justice in our violent and war torn world:
A Prayer to Saint Michael
For Peace, Truth & Justice
Saint Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle;
be our defense against the wickedness
and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;
and may you, O prince of the heavenly host,
by the power of God,
thrust into hell Satan and all other evil spirits
who prowl about the world
for the ruin of souls. Amen.
For more information about this special event, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com. Please join us! All are invited! All are welcome! Saint Michael, pray for us! Saint Gabriel , pray for us! Saint Raphael, pray for us! Peace and blessings to all!
Saint Michael’s Lent Prayers & Resources
- Read: Father Jim’s Message
- Pray: The Angelus
- Pray: Psalm 77: The Faster’s Prayer
- Pray: Saint Michael Prayer
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We Are Francis!
Celebrating Two Holy Lives
Friday, October 3rd
Welcome, Bishop Mark O’Connell!
In the scriptures, Jesus reaches out to the poor, heals the sick, and breaks bread with the left behind. In the thirteenth century, Saint Francis of Assisi called his followers to “heal wounds, bind what is broken, and bring home those who are lost.” And in the twenty-first century, Pope Francis reminds us: “In the Church, no one is left out or left over. There is room for everyone, just the way we are…The Lord does not point a finger, but opens his arms. He embraces us all.”
In this spirit of universal love, boundless mercy, and radical welcome, all friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners are invited to join Father Jim and the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport on Friday, October 3rd for a special evening of prayer, fellowship, and service in celebration of Pope Francis and Saint Francis of Assisi. We will begin with a Vigil Mass for the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi at 5:30pm in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church.
We are delighted to welcome Bishop Mark O’Connell, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Boston, as principal celebrant. After Mass, Bishop Mark will offer a brief reflection on the life and legacy of Pope Francis. Bishop Mark will then bless a new hand painted icon of Pope Francis that was recently created by Kelly Latimore, a world famous artist and iconographer.
This large and breathtaking icon will be hung in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church beside our much-loved statue of Our Lady of Fatima to whom the Holy Father dedicated his papacy. The icon is a precious gift on loan to us from the Assisi Project which has also paid for new paint and lighting in the hallways on both sides of the church.
When this blessing is complete, we will adjourn to Our Lady’s Hall for a community supper featuring delicious foods provided by the Azorean Restaurant in Gloucester. Desserts will be provided by our pastoral team. A cash bar will be available, too. Although the supper is free and all are welcome, a collection will be taken up during Mass to support the Assisi Project and its good work in our parishes. If you plan to join us for supper, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com. Please join us! Bring a friend! Bring your family! All are welcome!
Donate: Assisi Project – Pope Francis Memorial Fundraiser
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The Assisi Project
Celebrating Saint Francis & Pope Francis
Saturday, October 4th
Welcome Kelly Latimore!
During this Jubilee of Hope, Pope Francis (1936-2025) called us to be “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 that we so urgently desire.”
On Saturday, October 4th, the Assisi Project and the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport will be pleased to welcome Kelly Latimore, a world famous artist and iconographer, as our special guest. This special morning of prayer, reflection, and faith sharing will begin with Holy Mass for the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi at 8:00am in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. After Mass, Kelly will share his personal faith journey and the inspiration behind his beautiful and compelling icons of both Saint Francis and Pope Francis (including the icon of the late pope which will soon be displayed in our church).
After Kelly’s reflection, all are welcome to ask questions and share their own personal devotions to the saint and pope who have long inspired our work together. After our program, we will gather in Our Lady’s Hall for coffee, muffins, and fellowship. For more information about Kelly Latimore, please visit kellylatimoreicons.com. 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! Bring a friend! 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!
Learn More: The Assisi Project
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Celebrating Saint Francis
The Blessing of the Animals
Saturday, October 4th
Saint Francis of Assisi is venerated around the world as the patron of animals and the environment. During his lifetime, Saint Francis is credited with countless miracles, with many of those miracles involving animals. Whether Francis was preaching to birds or taming a wolf, he has been regarded as the friend and protector of pets and animals of all kinds for more than eight hundred years.
On the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, Saturday, October 4th at 11:00am, all friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport are cordially invited to join Father Jim and Brother Patrick for the Blessing of the Animals in Our Lady of Good Voyage Rectory Parking Lot. All family-friendly pets are welcome (but must be leashed or secured in carriers). For more information about this beautiful annual tradition, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com. Please join us! Bring your family! All are welcome!
Listen: Saint of the Day – Saint Francis of Assisi
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Our Lady’s Guild
Fall Meeting & Potluck Supper
Monday, October 6th
Since 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, fundraising, and social events. The Guild’s next meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 6th at 6:30pm in Our Lady’s Hall.
Dinner is potluck! Bring a dish to share! All are encouraged to bring three $1.00 scratch tickets so that we can play “Left, Right, Center” after dinner! 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! Bring a friend! New members are always welcome!
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Holy Family Women’s Guild
Christmas Fair Planning Meeting
Monday, October 6th
The Holy Family Christmas Fair is scheduled for Saturday, November 22nd! Save the date! Our Christmas Fair is the biggest fundraising event of the year! And as autumn begins, planning for the fair is underway! All are invited to join the Holy Family Women’s Guild for a Christmas Fair Planning Meeting on Monday, October 6th at 7:00pm in the Parish Office, which is located at 74 Pleasant Street in Gloucester.
Friends and fellow parishioners are welcome to join us in making this year’s fair our best ever! The Guild is now asking for donations of prizes for Bea’s Raffle Table, crafts, Christmas decorations, homemade baked goods, and baskets for our world famous spinning wheel!
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. For more information about how you can help with this year’s Christmas Fair, please contact Lydia Bertolino at lbbglosta1929@outlook.com. Please join us! New friends, members, and volunteers are always welcome and appreciated!
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Words of Wisdom from Saint Therese
Jesus, my love, I have found at last my vocation:
It is love! I have found my place in the Church’s heart,
the place you have given me, my God.
Yes, there in the heart of Mother Church, I will be love,
so shall I be all things, so shall my dreams come true.
Listen: Saint of the Day – Saint Therese of Lisieux
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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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