This Week’s Message
Worthy of the Glories of Heaven

By Brother Patrick

Pope Francis once said: “The saints are not supermen (or superwomen), nor were they born perfect. They are like us, like each one of us. They are people, who before reaching the glory of heaven, lived normal lives with joys and sorrows, hopes and struggles. What changed their lives? When they recognized God’s love, they followed it with their whole heart, without reserve or hypocrisy. They spent their lives serving others. They endured suffering and adversity without hatred. And they responded to evil with goodness, spreading joy and peace. This is the life of the saint (11-1-13).”

One saint, all but overlooked nowadays, is Saint Didacus of Alcalá (1400-1463). Didacus was born into a poor but faithful family in a small village in Spain. While still an adolescent, he was accepted into the Third Order of Saint Francis, which was founded as a movement for lay people seeking to live holy lives. For several years, Didacus lived as a hermit, but found himself longing for a more apostolic life. He was received into the Order of Friars Minor. As a lay brother, he worked at various trades and odd jobs to support the friary. At some point, however, he felt called to live and preach among God’s people.

At first, Didacus preached in the rural villages around the cities of Seville and Cordoba, where he became well known for his life of penance, simplicity, and generosity to the poor and the sick. Acknowledging his holiness and its effect on people, his superiors sent Didacus as a missionary to the Canary Islands where his preaching and good example inspired countless conversions to the Gospel of the Poor Christ.

In 1450, Didacus returned to Spain, but was soon sent to Rome to represent his friary at the jubilee year celebrations and the canonization of Saint Bernardine of Siena (1380-1444) who is remembered for his fiery sermons and is still venerated as the “Apostle of Italy.” Not long after his arrival in the Eternal City, an epidemic of plague ravaged the crowds who had gathered for the jubilee. Didacus distinguished himself as a kind and selfless caregiver. His prayers and healing touch are credited with countless cures and miracles.

Didacus spent his final years in prayer, silence, and solitude at the Franciscan friary in his hometown. After Didacus died, his body remained incorrupt. It did not decay or undergo any rigor mortis. Instead, his remains emitted the sweet smell of flowers which is often called the “odor of sanctity.” A chapel was built as a place for the faithful to venerate his relics and to pray for miracles of healing. In 1588, Saint Didacus became the first lay brother among the Franciscans to be canonized by the pope. His feast day is November 13th.

Although Saint Didacus is venerated as a patron of the Third Order of Saint Francis, he remains a powerful intercessor for all people who seek healing and consolation during times of trial, illness, and suffering. Saint Didacus was not a superhero. He was a child of the poor who simply opened his heart to the Lord and strived to live the Gospel and share God’s love with those he met along life’s way. Inspired by his faith and good works, we pray: Good and gracious God, you choose the weak of this world to confound the strong. Hear our humble prayers. Grant that those of your faithful servant, Saint Didacus, will make us worthy of the glories of heaven. We make this prayer through Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

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

CCGR Weekly Newsletter (11-9-25)
Bringing Home the Word (11-9-25)
The Kids Bulltein (11-9-25)

New!
Listening to Catholic Women
With Bishop Mark O’Connell
Episode 10 – Lorna DesRoses

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Call to Prayer
A Prayer for the Prevention of Suicide

By Pope Leo XIV

Following in the footsteps of his predecessor, Pope Leo XIV offers a special prayer intention each month and invites all believers and people of goodwill around the world to pray with him. In November, the Holy Father calls us to pray for people struggling with suicidal thoughts so that they may be open to the beauty of life; and find the care, love, and support that they need. In spiritual communion with the pope, we pray:

Lord Jesus, you who invite
the weary and burdened to come to you and rest in your heart,
we pray for all people who live in darkness and despair,
especially for those struggling with suicidal thoughts.
May they always find a community that welcomes them,
listens to them, and accompanies them.
Give all of us an attentive and compassionate heart,
capable of offering comfort and support,
also with the necessary professional help.
May we know how to be close with respect and tenderness,
helping to heal wounds, build bonds, and open horizons.
Together may we rediscover that life is a gift,
that there is still beauty and meaning,
even in the midst of pain and suffering.
We are well aware that those who follow you
are also vulnerable to sadness without hope.
We ask you to always make us feel your love,
so that through your closeness to us,
we can recognize and proclaim to all people
the infinite love of the Father who leads us by the hand
to renew our trust in the life you give us. Amen.

Watch: The Pope Video – November 2025

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Words of Wisdom from Pope Leo XIV

Wanting to inaugurate a kingdom of justice, fraternity, and solidarity,
God has a special place in his heart for those
who are discriminated against and oppressed,
and he asks us, his Church, to make a decisive and radical choice
in favor of the weakest.

Learn More: Vatican News

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Mass of All Souls
Final Mass of Remembrance
Sunday, November 9th

During November, the Month of All Souls, all are invited to join Father Jim and the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport as we celebrate Masses of Remembrance for family, friends, and parishioners whose funerals were celebrated in our parishes this year.

So far this month, we have already gathered in Saint Ann Church and Our Lady of Good Voyage Church to pray for our deceased friends, loved ones, and fellow parishioners. But there is one more Mass of Remembrance to come! All are invited to join Father Jim for our final Mass of Remembrance on Sunday, November 9th at 10:00am in Saint Joachim Church. All are welcome!

A Prayer for Our Departed Loved Ones

Into your hands, O Lord,
we humbly entrust the souls
of our departed brothers and sisters.
In this life, you embraced them
with your tender love and mercy.
Deliver them now from every evil
and bid them eternal rest.
The old order has passed away:
welcome them into paradise,
where there will be no sorrow,
no weeping or pain,
but only the fullness of peace and joy
with your Son and the Holy Spirit,
forever and ever. Amen.

For more information about the Month of All Souls in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com. Please join us in praying for all of deceased friends, relatives, and benefactors. May God bless those who mourn! May the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace! Peace and blessings to all!

Listen: Commemoration of All Souls (1.5 Minutes)

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Holy Family Parish
Annual Christmas Fair
Saturday, November 22nd

All are invited to join Holy Family Parish for our Annual Christmas Fair on Saturday, November 22nd from 9:00am until 2:00pm in Saint Ann Church Hall. This year’s fair will feature various sale tables including homemade holiday baked goods, Bea’s Raffle, Christmas decorations, and our world famous basket wheel.

In addition, raffle tickets are now available for cash prizes, a homemade quilt, an Apple iPad and Smartwatch. Please join us in helping to make this year’s fair our most successful ever! For more information please contact Lydia Bertolino at lbbglosta1929@outlook.com. Save the date! All are invited! All are welcome!

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Holy Family Parish
Christmas Fair Basket Wheel
Now Accepting Donations

Our world famous basket wheel is the biggest moneymaker at our biggest fundraising event of the year! But our success depends on donations from friends and fellow parishioners! So, all are invited to create and donate a $25 theme basket for crafts, movie nights, school snow days, holiday gift wrap, or summer barbecues. For more information, please contact Stephanie Tashj at 978-857-7994. Help us keep the basket wheel spinning! Thanks in advance for your generous support!

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Holy Family Parish
Cemetery Baskets & Kissing Balls
Now Accepting Orders

As part of the Christmas Fair, the Holy Family Women’s Guild is working again with Cressey & Sons in Rowley to offer for sale both Christmas Cemetery Baskets and Christmas Kissing Balls! Each log-shaped basket is $30 and each decorated kissing ball is $35. Orders are now being accepted until November 16th. For more information or purchases, please contact Cecelia Gray (HFP) at 978-281-2072 or Beth Fosberry (OLGV) at jcbf33@yahoo.com. Thank you!

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Christmas Giving Trees
Begins November 22nd & 23rd

This year, the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport is once again sponsoring the Christmas Giving Tree! During the weekends of November 22nd and 23rd and November 29th and 30th, a Christmas Giving Tree will be placed at the entrances of Saint Ann Church, Saint Joachim Church, and Our Lady of Good Voyage Church.

Each tree will be decorated with stars that include a Christmas wish for a local child or family in need. If you can make their wish come true, then please take the star! Every donated gift should be new, unused, unwrapped, and placed under any Christmas Giving Tree no later than Sunday, December 7th.

For more information about the Christmas Giving Tree, please contact Lori Thorstensen at lorithor@hotmail.com. As we deck the halls and celebrate the season, let’s work together to share God’s love with children and families who need our help! Thank you! May God bless us, everyone!

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Happy Thanksgiving
A Celebration of Holy Mass
November 26th & 27th

All friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport are invited to gather as God’s pilgrim family for the celebration of Holy Mass in commemoration of the Thanksgiving Holiday. Here’s our upcoming worship schedule:

Thanksgiving Eve
Wednesday, November 26th at 5:30pm
Our Lady of Good Voyage Church

Thanksgiving Day
Thursday, November 27th at 8:00am
Saint Joachim Church

A Prayer of Thanksgiving
By Reverend Samuel F. Pugh

O God, when I have food,
help me to remember the hungry.
When I have work,
help me to remember the jobless.
When I have a home,
help me to remember those who have no home.
When I am without pain,
help me to remember those who suffer.
And by remembering,
help me to destroy my complacency,
and be concerned enough to help,
by word and deed,
all those who cry out
for what we take for granted. Amen.

On behalf of Father Jim, Father Ben, Father Bill, Father Bruce, our pastoral team, and all who live, work, and worship in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport, we wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving! Please join us! Bring a friend! Bring your family! All are welcome! Peace and blessings to all!

Learn More: Thanksgiving – A Feast for the Soul

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Words of Wisdom from Dorothy Day

My prayer from day to day
is that God will so enlarge my heart
that I will see you all,
and live with you all, in his love.

Learn More: Dorothy Day – Model of Mercy

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We Share
Safe & Easy Electronic Giving

The best things to do with the best things in life is to give them away. — Dorothy Day

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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