Watch: Sunday Mass with Father Jim (2-15-26)
Listen: Pray As You Go Daily Meditations
Read: Scripture for Life by Mary McGlone (2-15-26)

This Week’s Message
God Is My Only God

By Paige Byrne Shortal

On the First Sunday of Lent, we will hear about Jesus preparing for his ministry by going out into the desert and being tempted by the devil. Some years ago, my middle son, upon learning that Jesus was offered the power to turn stones into bread, mumbled under his breath that Jesus should have taken the deal. I was shocked, not so much by what he said, but that he was listening at all. Before he could lapse back into his teenage taciturnity, I asked him to explain. He said, in a voice reserved for his parents and idiots, that there is a lot of hunger in the world. Point well taken.

What would be so wrong with taking the deal? Three times, Satan offers Jesus power. First, power over hunger. A man who can turn stones into bread need never be hungry again. He could feed the world. He could feed all those little children whose faces haunt us, stretching out their bowls for their one poor meal per day.

Second, political power over the kingdoms of the world. This is the power we long for when we say: “If I were the president…If I were the pope…” Think of how much good you could do! Third, power over death and the suffering that precedes it. Don’t we all seek this power in some way? Jesus always responds in the same way: God is my only God.

The devil’s way is to do big things in a big way. God’s way seems to be to do the next little thing: Feed the one person placed on our path, not the whole world. Do the good that is in our power to do, not long for more power. Accept the powerlessness of suffering and death. The sustenance of the disciple is supposed to be the Word of God. We are to devour it as a hungry child devours bread. We are to listen to the gospel like passengers stranded at an airport, on the edge of their seats, straining to hear every announcement, desperate for word of how and when they will finally get home.

Too often, I listen to the readings as I do the stories of a garrulous old uncle: outwardly polite, but thinking of other things because, no offense, I have heard this story before. Or have I? A little girl heard the parable of the sheep and goats and the Lord’s astonishing identification with the poor: what we do for the least ones, we do for him. Her startled response: “Do other Catholics know about this?” Her question echoes the words of John Carr, Former Secretary of the Department of Social Development and World Peace for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

In a talk on the social doctrine of the Church, Carr said that this parable is the only place in the Gospel where Jesus tells us what we need to do to get into heaven. You want to read it now, don’t you? It is Matthew 25:31-36. I need Lent. I need the desert of quiet where I can hear God’s word like I have never heard it before. I need to listen like a weary, worn-out passenger who just wants to find her way home.

About the Author

For four decades, Paige Byrne Shortal served as a pastoral minister in two parishes. She is now retired and living with her husband and family 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 (2-15-16)
Bringing Home the Word (2-15-26)
The Kids Bulletin (2-15-16)

New!
All Is Blessing
Blessed Jacoba of Settesoli
An Assisi Project Podcast
assisiproject.com

Art Credit: Rido – 125353502 – Dreamstime

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Call to Prayer
Gone From My Sight

By Reverend Luther F. Beecher

I am standing at the seashore.
A ship, at my side,
spreads her white sails to the moving breeze
and starts for the blue ocean.
She is an object of beauty and strength.
I stand and watch her until, at length,
she stands like a speck of white cloud
just where the sea and sky come
to mingle with each other.

Then, someone at my side says,
“There, she is gone.”
Gone where? Gone from my sight. That is all.
She is just as large in mast, hull, and spar
as she was when she left my side.
And she is just able to bear her load
of living freight destined for port.
Her diminished size is in me — not in her.

And just at the moment when someone says,
“There she is gone,”
there are other eyes watching her coming,
and other voices ready to take up the glad shout,
“Here she comes!” And that is dying.

Read: Understanding Your Grief (Parts 1-4)

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Words of Wisdom from Saint Augustine

O God, full of compassion,
you who dwell in the highest,
grant perfect rest to the souls of your servants
who have passed from this life.
In your mercy, may they find eternal peace
in the company of your saints.
Wipe away the tears of those who mourn.
Comfort the sorrowful with the hope of resurrection.
Strengthen us all to live in faith
until we are reunited in your heavenly kingdom.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Learn More: Saint Augustine of Hippo

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Lent – Ash Wednesday
A Holy Day of Prayer & Fasting
Wednesday, February 18th

The Holy Season of Lent is a time of prayer, penance, and almsgiving, during which all Christians are called to renew their faith in preparation for the celebration of the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ at Easter. Lent begins on Wednesday, February 18th, which is a Holy Day of Prayer & Fasting for all Roman Catholics. Here in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport, we will celebrate Mass and distribute ashes according to the following schedule:

• Mass at 8:00am in Saint Joachim Church
• Mass at 12:00pm in Saint Ann Church
• Mass at 5:30pm in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church

Members of our pastoral team will also distribute ashes from 9:30am until 11:00am and from 2:30pm until 4:00pm in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. For more information about Ash Wednesday and the Holy Season of Lent in Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com. Please join us! All are welcome!

Watch: Ash Wednesday Reflection (2.5 Minutes)

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Lent – The Way of the Cross
The Traditional Devotion
Begins Friday, February 2oth

For more than five hundred years, the Way of the Cross has been among the most moving devotions in the Catholic Church. By uniting our humble prayers with the Poor Christ in both words and images, we make a spiritual pilgrimage with the Lord as he experiences the Passion of the Holy Cross. During Lent, all friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport are invited to join us in praying the Way of the Cross on seven consecutive Friday afternoons from February 20th through April 3rd at 12:00pm in Saint Ann Church. For more information, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com. Please join us! All are welcome!

Watch: Way of the Cross with Pope Francis (English; 1.5 Hours)

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Lent – Litany of the Sacred Wounds
Saint Clare’s Timeless Devotion
Begins Friday, February 20th

Pope Francis (1936-2025) spoke often about his devotion to the Five Wounds of the Poor Christ. During one homily, the Holy Father shared the advice of a spiritual director who once said: “Look at the wounds. Enter into the wounds. By these wounds, we are healed. Do you feel bitter? Do you feel sad? Do you fell that life is not going the right way? Look there, into the wounds, in silence.”

In this spirit, all are invited to join us on six consecutive Fridays from February 20th through March 27th at 3:00pm in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. We will begin with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, followed by a Franciscan Vespers and the Litany of the Sacred Wounds by Saint Clare of Assisi. Our Holy Hour will conclude with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. For more information, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com. Please join us! All are welcome!

Pray & Listen: The Litany of the Sacred Wounds

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Trivia Night with Father Jim
A Brain Teasing Special Event
Saturday, February 21st

All friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport are invited to join us for a brain-teasing, mind-blowing, fast-paced Trivia Night with Father Jim on Saturday, February 21st from 6:30pm until 9:30pm in Our Lady’s Hall.

Throughout  the evening, Father Jim (who secretly longs to be a game show host) will ask a series of questions on a wide variety of topics that will include music and sports, books and history, movies and television, politics and religion!

Participants will be organized into teams of eight players each. All are encouraged to  organize a team or take your chance on joining the winning team at the door. Tickets are $25 per person and are available at our parish office, at the door, or by contacting Father Jim, Beth Fosberry, or Lydia Bertolino. All are welcome to bring food and snacks. Coffee, tea, bottled water, and soft drinks will be offered for sale, along with a cash bar. In addition, Father Jim promises several raffles with great prizes!

Don’t miss this opportunity to impress your friends and fellow parishioners with your knowledge of facts, figures and trivia! Don’t miss this opportunity to share some laughs with friends and family! Don’t miss the chance to win a prize! All proceeds will support both Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish!

For more information about Trivia Night, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com; Beth Fosberry at jcbf33@yahoo.com; or Lydia Bertolino at lbbglosta1929@outlook.com. Save the date! Bring a friend! All are welcome!

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Lent Faith & Family Mass
A Youth Faith Formation Special Event
Sunday, February 22nd

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 (9:14).” In response to the Lord’s call, all young disciples and their families are invited join Father Jim for our Lent Faith & Family Mass on Sunday, February 22nd at 11:45am in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church.

During Mass, Father Jim will offer a special homily about Lent and how we can grow closer to Jesus through prayer, sacrifice, and good works. Every child who joins us will also receive a Lent Grab Bag! In addition, please save these dates for our upcoming Faith & Family Masses:

• Palm Sunday Faith & Family Mass
  Sunday, March 29th at 11:45am
  Our Lady of Good Voyage Church
• Easter Season Faith & Family Mass
  Sunday, April 12th at 11:45am
  Our Lady of Good Voyage Church

For more information about our youth faith formation programs in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport, please contact Betsy Works at bworks@ccgronline.com. Mass is our class! Jesus is our teacher! Every family who joins us is a special blessing from God! All are invited! All are welcome! Always!

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Youth Choir & Music Ministry
Wednesday, February 25th

All young disciples, boys and girls, ages 8 through 17, are invited to share their musical talents with our parishes! Rehearsals begin on Wednesday, February 25th at 5:30pm in Saint Ann Church! Being a part of our youth music ministry is a great way to make new friends and learn about the Lord! For more information, please contact Patty Natti at pnatti@comcast.net. Save the date! Spread the word! Please join us! All are welcome!

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Bakeless Bake Sale
Month of February

During the Month of February, Our Lady’s Guild and the Holy Family Women’s Guild are sponsoring a Bakeless Bake Sale! Why? Because now more than ever, our parishes need your support, especially in light of rising costs for gas, oil, and electricity! Every dollar makes a difference! Checks should be made payable to either Holy Family Parish or Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish. All donations (cash or check) can be placed in the collection basket; or mailed to the parish office:

The Bakeless Bake Sale
74 Pleasant Street
Gloucester, Massachusetts 01930

Our Lady’s Guild and the Holy Family Women’s Guild bring together women of all ages and backgrounds in prayer, fellowship, and service to our parishes and the wider community. New members and volunteers are always welcome! For more information about the guilds’ good work in our home parishes, please contact Beth Fosberry at jcbf33@yahoo.com or Lydia Bertolino at lbbglosta1929@outlook.com. As always, thank you for your generous support for the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport! May God bless you!

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Words of Wisdom from Pope Leo XIV

In a divided and troubled world,
the Holy Spirit teaches us to walk together in unity.
The earth will rest, justice will prevail,
the poor will rejoice, and peace will return,
once we no longer act as predators, but as pilgrims.
No longer each of us for ourselves,
but walking alongside each other (6-7-25).

Learn More: Vatican News

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