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Read: Scripture for Life by Mary McGlone
Our Pastor’s Message
We Are Not Powerless
By Father Jim
Almost every evening from October 2023 until his final days of life, Pope Francis (1936-2025) spoke by phone or facetime with the pastor, frightened parents, elderly parishioners, and sometimes even children at Holy Family Parish in Gaza. Father Gabriel Romanelli often spoke with the Holy Father about the urgent need for food, clothing, clean water, and medical supplies for hundreds of people who have taken refuge at the parish in the midst of ongoing bombings of their neighborhood.
Gaza is one of the most densely populated places in the world. Gloucester and Rockport are a combined 59 square miles with a population of 37,000 people. That is about 624 people per square mile. By contrast, Gaza is about 141 square miles with a population of about two million people. That is nearly 14,000 people per square mile. The basic necessities of life are scarce. Humanitarian assistance remains complicated by violence and rival governments.
Last year, Father Gabriel said that the people of his parish carry a “heavy cross.” In a more recent interview, he said that “disaster” is an inadequate word to describe the conditions faced by his fellow parishioners. Father Gabriel then said: “When people say the situation here is disastrous, believe me, it really is disastrous. But if anything, it calls for an even stronger word.” As Americans lament the rising cost for food, fuel, and medicine, Father Gabriel points out that price is not the primary problem in Gaza. Most goods are just not available. For example, the parish is making fuel for its only operating vehicle from nylon and recycled plastics.
Father Gabriel considered replacing the parish car with a donkey and wagon, but the cost of even that is now prohibitive. Before the war, the price of a donkey was about $600. It has now risen to $16,000. Holy Family Parish in Gaza cannot buy fuel for its only vehicle. It cannot even afford a donkey to pull a wagon. In spite of so many challenges, however, the parish continues to provide food, shelter, clean water, basic health care, and even faith formation to hundreds of people.
In his beautiful and compelling Prayer for Peace (2024), Pope Francis begged the Blessed Mother: “Make us realize once again the importance of the role we play; strengthen our sense of responsibility for the cause of peace as men and women called to pray, worship, intercede, and make reparation for the whole human race.” It is almost impossible to grapple with the pain and suffering of a people on the other side of the planet. It is equally challenging to consider how we might help them from our small corner of the world.
We are not powerless. We can pray for peace, truth, and justice. We can urge our leaders to forge a just and lasting reconciliation between all parties in the Holy Land. Despite distance and cultural differences, we can also embrace the reality that we are all brothers and sisters of the good people of Holy Family Parish in Gaza, which we should now consider our sister parish. Now more than ever, our friends there need our love, our heartfelt prayers, and our generous support.
This weekend, the Catholic Church commemorates the Feast of Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta (1910-1997). In this spirit and with the help of her powerful prayers, all are invited to join me in giving what we can to this week’s second collection for Holy Family Parish in Gaza.
If you are unable to join us for Mass this weekend but would like to make a donation to this worthy cause, please make checks payable to either Holy Family Parish or Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish with a note “For Gaza.” All donations, small or large, can be sent to the following address:
Gaza Collection
c/o Father Jim Achadinha
74 Pleasant Street
Gloucester, Massachusetts 01930
Every penny raised will be sent directly to support the good works of that long suffering community. Last year, we raised $10,000 for Holy Family Parish in Gaza. Let’s do it again this year! Thank you in advance for your support! Peace and blessings to all, now and always!
CCGR Weekly Newsletter (9-6-26)
Bringing Home the Word (9-6-26)
The Kids Bulletin (9-6-26)
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Mystery of Salvation – Loving Our Enemies
An Assisi Project Podcast
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Call to Solidarity
A Prayer from Gaza
By Held Joseph Ayyad
O Jesus, you who tasted
the bitterness of separation, piercing and death,
look upon Gaza.
Look upon my brother,
in whose eyes I left a parting glance
that could shatter stone.
If my departure to Jordan
is my resurrection from death,
then make it a complete resurrection.
Do not leave my family
in the darkness of the tomb.
I am here, a body that survived,
but my heart is there,
trembling with every airstrike,
beating inside my brother’s chest.
O Lord, roll away the stone from Gaza,
so that my family may come out into the light,
so that my split soul may be made whole again,
and we may chant together:
“O Death, where is your sting?
O Hades, where is your victory?” Amen.
About the Author: Helda Joseph Ayyad is a parishioner of Holy Family Parish in Gaza, who is now a refugee living in the Kingdom of Jordan. Learn more about Joseph, his family, and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza at Vatican News.
Learn More: Interview with Father Gabriel
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Words of Wisdom from Pope Leo XIV on Gaza
Dear friends, I appreciate your initiative
that expresses closeness to our brothers and sisters
who are suffering in that tormented land.
Together with you and pastors in the Holy Land,
I repeat: there is no future based on violence, forced exile, or revenge.
The people need peace;
those who truly love them work for peace (9-21-25).
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Holy Family Women’s Guild
Bakeless Bake Sale
Month of September
During September, the Holy Family Women’s Guild is sponsoring a Bakeless Bake Sale! Why? Because now more than ever, our parish needs your support, especially in light of rising utility costs. Every dollar makes a difference! Checks should be made payable to Holy Family Parish. All donations (cash or check) should be mailed to the following address:
Lydia Bertolino
Holy Family Women’s Guild
10 Orchard Street
Gloucester, Massachusetts 01930
Established in 2005, the Holy Family Women’s Guild brings together women of all ages in prayer, fellowship, and service. New members are always welcome. For more information about the Women’s Guild and its good work in our parish, please contact Lydia at lbbglosta1929@outlook.com. May God bless you! Thank you for your generous support!
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Holy Family Women’s Guild
Annual Fall Meeting
Tuesday, September 8th
All friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners are invited to join the Holy Women’s Guild for their Annual Fall Meeting on Tuesday, September 8th at 6:00pm in Our Lady’s Hall. New members and volunteers are welcome!
After a brief business meeting and election of officers (including president and treasurer), we’ll play a friendly game of Bingo ($5 per card). Annual dues of $20 per person will be collected. Refreshments will be served, too. For more information about the Holy Family Women’s Guild and its good work in our parish, please contact Lydia Bertolino at lbbglosta1929@outlook.com. Please join us! Bring a friend! All are welcome!
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Special Invitation
Diaconate Ordination of Peter Brau
Saturday, September 12th
On Saturday, September 12th, our friend and fellow parishioner, Peter Brau, will be ordained as a permanent deacon at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston by Archbishop Richard Henning. This is a moment of prayer and celebration for all who live, work, and worship in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport.
All are invited to join Father Jim and members of our pastoral team in attending the ordination Mass at 10:00am. A bus will depart at 8:30am sharp from Our Lady of Good Voyage Church and return immediately afterward. The requested donation is $25 per person. If you would like to reserve a seat on the bus, please contact Father Jim frjim@ccgronline.com by Monday, August 31st at 5:00pm.
For those unable to join us due to age, illness, or disability, Brother Patrick will lead Morning Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours and the Franciscan Rosary from 9:00am until 10:00am in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. Everyone who joins us will also have an opportunity to venerate a relic of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
A Prayer for Our Deacons
Lord Jesus Christ,
send your Holy Spirit upon our deacons
as they serve the Church.
Give them eyes to see the needs of your family.
Give them generous spirits to serve when needed.
Give them humble hearts as they labor in your vineyard.
Give them good health so they may serve with strength.
Give them wisdom and peace of mind.
Give them discerning minds to know your truth.
Make their lives sing of faith, hope, and love.
Make their hearts like yours
so that they may love your people. Amen.
We hope that you will be able to join us for this special morning of prayer and celebration for Peter Brau and his family! Congratulations, Peter! May God bless you! Peace and blessings to all!
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Our Lady’s Guild
Celebrating Our 82nd Year
Begins Saturday, September 12th
Since 1944, Our Lady’s Guild has worked to build community among women of all ages and backgrounds in Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish through prayer, good works, social events, and exciting fundraising campaigns. The Guild begins its 82nd year by inviting all friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners to join us for Holy Mass on Saturday, September 12th at 6:00pm in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. During Mass, Father Jim will recognize our board members and offer a special blessing for the upcoming year.
Our opening supper is scheduled for Monday, September 14th at 6:30pm in Our Lady’s Hall. The requested donation is $20 per person. Annual dues of $20 will also be collected, fundraising ideas will be brainstormed, and our new schedule will be discussed. Please RSVP by contacting Cecelia Doucette at 978-281-2031. 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! Spread the word! Bring a friend! New members and volunteers are always welcome!
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Words of Wisdom from Mother Teresa
Be the living expression of God’s kindness:
kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes,
kindness in your smile.
Learn More: Saint Teresa of Calcutta (1910-1997)
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First Holy Communion
Family Mass & Workshop
Sunday, September 20th
The Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport offers a creative and innovative way for children to prepare for the Sacraments of Reconciliation (Confession) and First Holy Communion. Our program, called Seeds of Faith, is designed to prepare both second graders and their parents for the sacraments, encourage lifelong relationships with Jesus and the Catholic Church, and help every family grow in prayer, fellowship, and service.
First, our primary focus is to invite all families to attend one of our six Weekend Masses, especially our Faith & Family Masses throughout the school year. Second, all second grade students are asked to attend seven Young Disciples Workshops. Third, all children and parents are asked to attend seven Faith & Family Workshops.
During the Young Disciples Workshops in Our Lady’s School, all students will gather with Betsy Works and our team of catechists. During our Faith & Family Workshops in Our Lady’s Church, students and parents will meet together with Father Jim, Betsy, and our team.
Throughout Seeds of Faith, our young disciples will prepare for the sacraments by learning about the Mass, the Bible, reading faith-based children’s literature, and engaging in hands-on activities with art, crafts, food, dance, music, and prayer.
All second graders and their parents (or guardians) are invited and encouraged to attend our Fall Faith Mass & Workshop on Sunday, September 20th beginning at 11:00am in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. As always, Mass will begin at 11:45am. For more information about youth faith formation in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport, please contact Betsy Works at bworks@ccgronline.com. Every child and every family is a gift from God. So, please pray for all of our young disciples and their families! All are invited! All are welcome!
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Words of Wisdom from Saint Francis of Assisi
Happy are those who endure in peace.
By you, Most High, they will be crowned.
Listen: Peace Prayer of Saint Francis
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We Share
Safe & Easy Electronic Giving
Giving liberates the soul of the giver. — Maya Angelou
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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