This Week’s Message
Never Again War!

By Andrea Tornielli

“Never again war! Never again war!” Sixty years have passed since Pope Saint Paul VI raised his cry for peace at the United Nations. It was Monday, October 4, 1965. Only twenty years out of the immense tragedy of the Second World War, the world was divided into two blocs and had just begun a period of dialogue and thawing with the first attempts at agreements on nuclear arms control.

“These are the words you are looking for us to say,” the pope said, “and the words we cannot utter without feeling aware of their seriousness and solemnity: never again one against the other, never, never again! Was not this the very end for which the United Nations came into existence: to be against war and for peace?” He added: “Listen to the clear words of a great man who is no longer with us, John F. Kennedy, who proclaimed: ‘Mankind must put an end to war or war will put an end to mankind.’

President Kennedy’s judgment reveals all its tragic realism especially in the dark hour the world is currently experiencing. The crisis of multilateralism and institutions like the United Nations is plain for all to see. The Third World War, begun in pieces, which Pope Francis began denouncing more than ten years ago, now seems to be approaching in a sinister way. Humanity seems to have lost memory of its recent history. We are overwhelmed by millions of so-called pieces of information in the digital age that make us feel like the most aware generation, yet we are surrounded by fake news, war propaganda, and the undisclosed interests of arms manufacturers and merchants of death.

The fratricidal war in the heart of Christian Europe triggered by Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, and the fratricidal war in the heart of the Holy Land unleased by the brutal terrorist act of Hamas and now being carried out with unjustified violence by the Israeli army, are just two of the many conflicts being fought in the world — conflicts that remain forgotten, off the radar. The tragedy of Gaza, the detention and killing of hostages, the massacre of civilians — tens of thousands of children, women, and elderly — as well as many civilian victims of the war in Ukraine represent a disgrace, a black hole for the moral conscience of the world.

International and humanitarian laws are invoked, then twisted according to the advantage of the strongest. In the face of rulers who speak of war, prepare for war, and invest enormous sums in weapons, the appeal of Saint Paul VI echoes again today, more perilously relevant than it was sixty years ago. These are words in deep harmony with the sentiments of the people who continue to be outraged by daily massacres…[but] hope that diplomacy, negotiation, creativity in dialogue, [and] the ability to pursue new paths of peace [will] finally find those willing to walk them, rather than surrender to basest war propaganda.

To proclaim the purpose of the United Nations, Saint Paul VI wanted to “recall that the blood of millions, countless unheard of sufferings; useless massacres; and frightening ruins have sanctioned the agreement that unites you with an oath that ought to change the future history of the world: never again war, never again war! It is peace that must guide the destiny of all the nations!” Let us not forget  — especially today.

About the Author

Andrea Tornielli is an Italian Catholic author and religious writer. He currently serves as editorial director of Vatican News. He lives in Rome with his wife and three children.

CCGR Weekly Newsletter (10-12-25)
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The Holy Rosary
Pope Leo’s Call to Pray for Peace
Month of October 2025

A Rosary for Peace
Saturday, October 11th 

The Roman Catholic Church traditionally dedicates the Month of October to the Our Blessed Mother and her Holy Rosary. In the face of war, division, and violent conflicts all around the world, Pope Leo XIV has called all Catholics to pray the Rosary for peace every day throughout the month. He said: “I invite everyone, each day of the coming month, to pray the Rosary for peace: personally, in the family, and in your community.”

In this spirit, all are reminded that the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport prays the Holy Rosary on Wednesdays at 5:00pm; Thursdays at 7:30am; and Fridays at 7:30am in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. In addition, Brother Patrick will lead a Rosary for Peace (Featuring Prayers by Pope Francis) on Saturday, October 11th at 5:00pm; Saturday, October 25th at 5:00pm in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church; Friday, October 31st at 8:30am (after Mass) in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church.

Whether you pray alone or with family and friends, all are also invited to pray with our various online prayer resources that are dedicated to the Blessed Mother:

• Watch: Holy Rosary with Father Jim
• Listen: A Rosary for Peace with Brother Patrick

By praying the Holy Rosary, we grow closer to Jesus by meditating on the mysteries of his life, death, and resurrection; and we grow closer to our Blessed Mother by begging her powerful intercession for ourselves, for our community, and for peace in our suffering world. Now more than ever, let’s pray together! Please join us! All are invited! All are welcome! Holy Mary, Mother of God and Queen of Peace, pray for us!

Learn More: Pope Leo XIV’s Call to Prayer

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Knights of Columbus
Annual Mass & Breakfast
Sunday, October 12th

All friends and fellow parishioners of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport are invited to join the Knights of Columbus (Council 215) for Mass on Sunday, October 12th at 8:15am in Saint Ann Church. After Mass, all are welcome to join the Knights in Saint Ann Hall for a delicious breakfast!

Since 1897, the Knights of Columbus (Council 215) has sponsored countless acts of charity in Gloucester, Rockport, and beyond. If you have twenty-fours to volunteer for charity, the Knights of Columbus can transform that commitment into meaningful results for you, your family, and our community. For more information about the Knights of Columbus and their good work in our parishes, please contact Mark Natti at info@kofc215.com.Please join us! New members and volunteers are always welcome!

Learn More: Knights of Columbus – Council 215

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Our Lady’s Guild
Baked Beans & Linguiça
Saturday, October 18th

All friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport are invited to join Our Lady’s Guild for a Baked Bean & Linguiça Supper on Saturday, October 18th from 7:00pm until 9:00pm in Our Lady’s Hall. Our delicious and delectable menu includes: Linguiça, hot dogs, baked beans, coleslaw, fresh rolls, and cornbread! We’ll have coffee, soft drinks, desserts, and a cash bar! We’ll also have a 50-50 raffle! And entertainment will be provided by the Gloucester Student Band!

A donation of $20 is requested for each adult and $10 for each child age 10 and under. All proceeds will benefit Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish. Tickets are available in advance or at the door. For more information, please contact Beth Fosberry at jcbf33@yahoo.com; Linda Galvin at lingalv2010@gmail.com; or leave a message. Please join us! All are welcome!

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Halloween Faith & Family Mass
A Youth Faith Formation Special Event
Sunday, October 26th

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus says: “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them, for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.” In response to the Lord’s call, all parents, grandparents, and children of all ages are invited to join Father Jim for our annual Halloween Faith & Family Mass on Sunday, October 26th at 11:45am in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church.

Halloween is often described as a pagan holiday, but this is contrary to its true meaning and authentic origins. The word “hallo” actually means holy. All Hallows Eve is really a Catholic holiday with roots in both celebrating the lives of the saints and praying for the souls of our departed brothers and sisters. At sunset on October 31st, the Catholic Church begins its celebration of the Solemnity of All Saints. So, from the Vigil of All Saints on October 31st through the Solemnity of All Saints Day on November 1st, and the Commemoration of All Souls on November 2nd, we pray with the saints and we pray for the souls of our loved ones.

Over the years, French, Irish, and English immigrants brought a variety of local Catholic customs to the United States. Dressing up in costumes for Halloween comes from France. Jack-O-Lanterns are from Ireland, where the faithful originally carved turnips, not pumpkins. And the tradition of going from door to door begging for sweets and treats was born in England, where children were given “soul cakes” in exchange for the promise to pray for the souls of departed loved ones. Eventually, these traditions came together in the American Melting Pot and became part of almost every family’s Halloween tradition.

Now it’s our turn to continue this annual tradition! On Sunday, October 26th at 11:45am, we will celebrate Holy Mass in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. After Mass, all are invited to join us outside on the church lawn where our pastoral team and parish service organizations will offer treats to the kids! All parishioners, especially parents, grandparents, and their children are invited and encouraged to wear costumes!

If celebrated with hearts filled with faith, hope, and love, Halloween can be an enjoyable and wholesome experience for your family and our entire community! It offers a unique opportunity to teach our children and grandchildren about the realities of good and evil, light and darkness, and the ultimate triumph of God’s love and mercy in our world!

For more information about the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport’s Halloween Faith & Family Mass, please see Father Jim or contact him at frjim@ccgronline.com. Save the date! Spread the word! Bring your family! Bring your friends! All are invited! All are welcome! Peace and blessings to all for a safe and holy Halloween!

Learn More: Christian Roots of Halloween

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A Message of Thanks

By Brother Patrick

Last Friday, more than 125 friends and fellow parishioners of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport gathered in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church to join Father Jim and Bishop Mark O’Connell for a moment of prayer and blessing of a beautiful icon of Pope Francis that has been donated to our parishes by the Assisi Project. We were also blessed to welcome Kelly Latimore, the world renowned iconographer, who created this sacred image of our much loved “people’s pope” who has inspired so much of our ministry here on Cape Ann.

After Mass, we adjourned to the parish hall for a light supper where Father Jim surprised me with a cake in celebration of three important milestones: my 60th birthday, my 20th anniversary in parish ministry, and my 2nd anniversary as a consecrated diocesan hermit. While I am deeply grateful to Father Jim, Bishop Mark, and so many good friends and well-wishers, some research revealed that many others deserve our praise, prayers, and gratitude for their good work among us.

Our pastoral team is among the smallest for a collaborative of our size in the Archdiocese of Boston. What we lack in size, we celebrate in teamwork and experience. Just consider the combined years of service of our pastoral team: Tom Misuraca, 54 years; Jane Russo, 30 years; Luann Pallazola, 25 years; Melissa Joseph, 14 years; Betsy Works, 10 years, Sheila Durkin, 7 years; and Wall Durkin, 6 years.

That’s 166 years of faithful service in the Lord’s vineyard! Add to that the priestly ministries of Father Jim, Father Ben, Father Bill, and Father Bruce, our priests and pastoral team have nearly 300 years of combined pastoral service. Thank you, Lord, for bringing and keeping us together!

On behalf of our pastoral team, thank you for your prayers, your kind and generous support, and your ongoing encouragement as we work with you and among you to live the Gospel, share God’s love, and rebuild the Church. May God bless you! May the Lord give you peace!

Brother Patrick Garvey
Associate Minister & Diocesan Hermit
Contact: brpatrick@ccgronline.com

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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 Saint Teresa of Avila

Be gentle to all and firm with yourself.

Always think of yourself as everyone’s servant.

Look for Christ our Lord in every person and you will have respect and reverence for all people.

It is love alone that gives worth to all things.

Listen: Saint of the Day – Teresa of Avila

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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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