Watch: Sunday Mass with Father Jim (5-3-26)
Listen: Pray As You Go Daily Meditations
Read: Scripture for Life by Mary McGlone (5-3-26)
Our Pastor’s Message
A Time to Give
By Father Jim
As a priest and pastor, working long hours is not a problem for me. Celebrating the sacraments is a joy, never a burden. Being called to a hospital or nursing home at all hours of the day or night is often a deeply moving part of my ministry. But asking for money from people who struggle to make ends meet during uncertain times is hardest part of my job. Nevertheless, I write now with an urgent request for your kind support and generosity.
Each year, the Grand Annual Collections at Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish bridge the gaps between our weekly gifts and the overall costs of parish operations. For the past few years, we have divided our Grand Annual Collections by two seasons: winter and spring. This year is no different. Over the course of the winter, both of our parishes met and exceeded their goals for the first phase of this all-important fundraising campaign. But both parishes now face the critical challenge of coping with the costs of a long winter.
Heating, snow plowing, and snow shoveling are facts of life on Cape Ann. And here are the cold facts. Heating costs for our churches and parish buildings increased by more than ten percent. Last year in Holy Family Parish, we spent approximately $20,000 on snow removal at both campuses. This year, we were forced to spend $49,000. Last year, Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish spent approximately, $15,000 on snow removal. This year, we were forced to spend $34,000. Needless to say, these costs create a difficult budgetary problem for both parishes.
So, we are now compelled to raise the goals for the spring phase of our Grand Annual Collections. In order to balance our parish budgets by the end of the current fiscal year on June 30th, it is vitally important that we reach these new goals:
- Holy Family Parish $50,000
- Our Lady’s Parish $20,000
To be sure, reaching these goals will not be easy. But over the years, we have faced every challenge together with faith, hope, and love and with a commitment to our values of prayer, fellowship, and service. During the past year, for example, our community has coped with several tragic losses that touched the hearts of every friend, neighbor, and fellow parishioner of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport. At every turn, we were here for each other — to comfort, console, and encourage; to pray, share, and walk together. Let’s pull together again.
Our parishes were built and sustained by generations of hardworking men and women. Now more than ever, the future of Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish depends on parishioners like you and me. In the coming weeks, every registered parish family will receive a gift envelope by mail. Until then, please pray that each of us will give whatever we can to this important effort to ensure the financial stability of our parishes. Peace, blessings, and thanks for your generous support! May God bless us, everyone!
Reverend James M. Achadinha, Pastor
Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport
Contact: frjim@ccgronline.com
CCGR Weekly Newsletter (5-3-26)
Bringing Home the Word (5-3-26)
The Kids Bulletin (5-3-26)
New!
In the Footsteps of Scripture
Episode 1 – The Desert and the Heart
Vatican News Podcast
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Call to Prayer
The Prayer of Generosity
Saint Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556) was a priest, creator of the Spiritual Exercises, and founder of the Society of Jesus, better known as the Jesuits. His mission was to cultivate a missionary spirit of generous service among his brothers. His spirituality was to find God in every place, in every challenge, in every situation that we face in this life. And his legacy is embodied in the countless schools, colleges, and retreat houses that bear his name or the stamp of the holy order he founded.
The all encompassing basic teaching of Saint Ignatius is found in his motto: Ad Maiorem Dei Gloriam which translates as All for the Greater Glory of God. According to the saint, all that we do, all that we give, all that we have, all that we love, all that we pray for is not for our own sake, but for God and in service to God. In this way, when we serve the Church or give generously to the Church, we do not do so in exchange for a medal, a plaque, or an award. What we do and give, we do and give for God alone. In this spirit, we pray:
A Prayer of Saint Ignatius of Loyola
Lord, teach me to be generous,
to serve you as you deserve,
to give and not to count the cost,
to fight and not heed the wounds,
to toil and not seek for rest,
to labor and not look for any reward,
save that of knowing
that I do your will. Amen.
It should be noted that this Prayer for Generosity of Saint Ignatius was not written by Saint Ignatius. In fact, it does not appear in any of his writings. According to Jesuit scholars, it does not appear in print anywhere until it appears in a French Boy Scout Manual in 1910. In a similar way, the so-called Peace Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi (1182-1226) was not written by Saint Francis. It first appeared in a French magazine in 1912. But whatever their mysterious origins, both of these powerful prayers call us to give, love, serve, forgive, and become instruments of God’s peace. So, now more than ever, we pray together for peace, truth, justice — and generosity in our home parishes and throughout the world. Not for our sake, but for the glory of God!
Learn More: A Mysterious Ignatian Prayer
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Words of Wisdom from Pope Francis
The path of Jesus is charity, generosity,
and the giving of oneself without measure.
He comes into the world to save it.
He gives himself. He forgives.
He does not judge. He speaks ill of no one.
Learn More: Pope Francis Resources
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Youth Faith Formation
First Holy Communion
Begins Saturday, May 2nd
As Catholics, we believe that the Eucharist is the “source and summit” of our shared life of prayer, fellowship, and service. We believe that the Eucharist is the Body and Blood of Christ. And like Pope Francis, we believe in our hearts: “The Eucharist is essential for us. It is Christ who wishes to enter into our lives and fill us with his grace. The Eucharist, although it is the fullness of the sacramental life, is not a prize for the perfect, but a powerful medicine and nourishment for the weak (EG 47).”
In this spirit, fifty-nine of our young disciples have completed their preparations and are ready to receive the Eucharist for the first time. As our annual celebrations of First Holy Communion approach, all are encouraged to be mindful of our upcoming schedule:
- First Holy Communion Mass
Saturday, May 2nd at 4:00pm
Saint Ann Church - First Holy Communion Mass
Saturday, May 3rd at 11:45am
Our Lady of Good Voyage Church - First Holy Communion Mass
Sunday, May 9th at 4:00pm
Saint Ann Church - First Holy Communion Mass
Sunday, May 10th at 10:00am
Saint Joachim Church - First Holy Communion Mass
Sunday, May 17th at 11:45am
Our Lady of Good Voyage Church
If your child has completed the second grade and has not received the Sacraments of Baptism or Eucharist, we have a special program for them called The Way for Kids! which begins on Saturday, April 25th from 4:30pm until 5:45pm. For more information, please contact Betsy Works at bworks@ccgronline.com. Please pray for all of our young disciples and their families! Peace, blessings, and congratulations to all!
Watch: The Eucharist (1 Minute Video)
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Our Lady’s Guild
May Monthly Gathering
Monday, May 4th
Since 1944, Our Lady’s Guild has worked to build a sense of community among women of all ages and backgrounds in Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish through prayer, social events, and fundraising campaigns. All members and friends of Our Lady’s Guild are invited to join us for our next monthly meeting and a spaghetti supper on Monday, May 4th beginning at 6:30pm in Our Lady’s Hall. Please RSVP to Cecelia Doucette at 978 281-2031 by Wednesday, April 29th. For more information about Our Lady’s Guild and its good work in our parish, please contact Beth Fosberry at jcbf33@yahoo.com. Spread the word! Please join us! New members are always welcome!
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Youth Choir & Music Ministry
Wednesday, May 6th
All young disciples, boys and girls, ages 8 through 17, are invited to share their musical talents with our parishes! Rehearsals continue on Wednesday, May 6th 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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Youth Faith Formation
Mother’s Day Mass for Families
Saturday, May 9th
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 (Mt 19:14).” In response to the Lord’s call, all parents, godparents, grandparents, and children of all ages are invited to join Father Jim for a Mother’s Day Mass for Families on Saturday, May 9th at 4:00pm in Saint Ann Church.
During Mass, Father Jim will offer a special homily about Mother’s Day and a special blessing for all mothers, families, and children. In addition, all who gather with us will join in the Crowning of the Blessed Virgin Mary. As Mother’s Day approaches, we renew our beliefs that Mass is our class; Jesus is our best teacher; and every family that joins us is a special blessing from God!
For more information about our annual Mother’s Day Mass for Families, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com. May God bless our mothers, godmothers, and grandmothers! Please join us! Bring your family! All are invited! All are welcome! Always!
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Saints for All Seasons
Saint Paschal Baylon
Wednesday, May 13th
Jubilee of Saint Francis of Assisi
Eight Hundred Years – 1226-2026
All Christians are called to holiness. All Christians are called to be saints. A saint is a person who has lived a courageous and virtuous life: a life lived for God, a life lived for others, a life worthy of imitation and veneration. Pope Leo XIV proclaims: “The lives of the saints teach us that it is possible to live passionately amidst the complexities of the present time without neglecting [Saint Paul’s] mandate to ‘shine like stars in the world (Philippians 2:15).’”
This year, the Catholic Church marks the 800th anniversary of the life and legacy of Saint Francis of Assisi (1226-2026). As part of our commemoration of this Special Jubilee Year, we look not just to Saint Francis but also to those who knew him best, the holy men and women who followed in his footsteps, the shining stars who sought to live the Gospel in thought, word, and deed.
In this spirit, all are invited to join Father Jim and Brother Patrick for our next Saints for All Seasons Mini-Retreat on Wednesday, May 13th beginning with Mass at 5:30pm in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church in Gloucester, Massachusetts. After Mass and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Brother Patrick will offer a reflection on Saint Paschal Baylon (1540-1592), who was called a “Seraph of the Eucharist” by Pope Leo XIII (1810-1903). A seraph is an angelic being of the highest order who is associated with light, love, and purity of mind, body, and spirit. After our reflection, Father Jim will celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation (for those who feel called to confession) during a period of silent Eucharistic Adoration. This special evening of prayer and devotion will conclude with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.
For more information about our Saints for All Seasons Mini-Retreats, please contact Brother Patrick at brpatrick@assisiproject.com; or check out our resources page via the link below. Please join us! Bring a friend! All are welcome! Always! 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! Saint Paschal Baylon, pray for us!
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Holy Family Women’s Guild
Spring Bake & Plant Sale
Saturday, May 23rd
All friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport are invited to join the Holy Family Women’s Guild for a Spring Bake & Plant Sale on Saturday, May 23rd from 9:00am until 1:00pm at Saint Ann Church. We will have raffles, baked goods, cemetery baskets (see below), colorful hanging baskets, and various seasonal plants and flowers. All proceeds will benefit the good works of Holy Family Parish. Thank you for your kind and generous support!
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, please contact Lydia Bertolino at lbbglosta1929@outlook.com or Celia Gray at 978-281-2072. Please join us! All are welcome!
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Holy Family Women’s Guild
Memorial Day Cemetery Baskets
Now Accepting Orders
In prayerful preparation for Memorial Day, the Holy Family Women’s Guild is working with Cressey & Sons in Rowley to offer Memorial Day Baskets in honor of our fallen heroes. A donation of $30 each is requested for each one of the beautifully decorated log-shaped baskets. We are now accepting orders! Baskets will be available for pick-up on Saturday, May 23rd from 9:00am until 1:00pm at our Spring Bake & Plant Sale. If you would like to reserve a Memorial Day Basket, please contact Celia Gray at 978-281 -2072 or Jane Marshall at 978-283-5111. Thank you for your kind and generous support!
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Words of Wisdom from Pope Leo XIV
Let us be inspired by the beauty of love.
Let us become witnesses to the love
that Jesus gives us and teaches us!
Let us show every day that it is beautiful to love!
Read: Africa – The Journey That Reveals the Pontificate
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We Share
Safe & Easy Electronic Giving
It is in giving that we receive. — Prayer of Saint Francis
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 Fern Hilliard