Watch: Sunday Mass with Father Jim
Listen: Pray As You Go Daily Meditations
Read: Scripture for Life by Mary McGlone

This Week’s Message
Faithful Stewardship

By Jim & Susan Vogt

Climate change is a hot topic these days. But what does it have to do with our shared faith? “Have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and all the living things that crawl on the earth…God looked at everything he had made, and found it very good…The Lord God then took the man and settled him in the Garden of Eden, to cultivate and care for it (Genesis 1:28, 1:31; 2:15).”

How are we to cultivate and care for the earth? Scripture cannot mean that everyone should become farmers. It does mean, however, that we all have a responsibility to care for our common home. This is easy to agree about in theory. After all, it feels wholesome to commit to caring for the earth. Being good stewards of creation is holy, natural, and reasonable. But it is not as easy as it sounds.

Consider the following: Many scientists identify using automobiles as the single most environmentally damaging consumer behavior. So Jim urged Susan to take the bus to work. He often rode it himself. After all, we live on a bus line, and it would be good for Susan’s soul. Jim explained that she could use the time to pray, read, and commune with those who lack transportation choices. But this quadrupled a twenty minute commute once transfers and waiting times were factored in.

Vegetable gardening is good stewardship. It provides fresh and healthy food. It saves money and trips to the store. It can be satisfying to the spirit, not to mention good exercise. Of course, this assumes that you don’t overdo it and need an appointment with a chiropractor as Susan once did. But what about those pesky critters that can consume the fruits of your hard work more quickly than we can delete email spam? Should we use pesticides on crops? Poison on moles? Or spend more on organic remedies? What if our kids will not eat the apples because they do not look as pretty as the ones in the grocery store?

There are plenty of conundrums for conscientious Christians who want to honor God’s creation by preserving and protecting it. In the end, many of us tire of the complexity and mixed messages, then throw up our hands, and murmur: “What difference does it make if we recycle a few bottles each week?” What each of us does, however, can make a difference. First, we should take personal responsibility for our actions. Whether it is refraining from lying, caring for those in need, or respecting the environment, our actions are the only ones we can control. We should start by responding consistently to God’s call to be faithful stewards of creation. In addition, there is the dimension of prophetic witness. Who knows when someone might see our small efforts at recycling and decide to do the same thing?

Then there is the reality that as members of the human community, we are not isolated beings dependent only on ourselves. Instead of asking What difference will my actions make?, we should be asking, What difference would it make if we all took action? What if everyone just threw their bottles into the trash? What if everyone recycled? The everyone test can help us discern more clearly. Perhaps we should revisit the maxim What would Jesus do? Was Jesus an environmentalist? Well, he walked a lot. He ate local and organic foods. He did not depend on electricity. Jesus did not have a choice. We do. Jesus sent us the Spirit to breathe new life into our souls and our troubled world. Let us not pollute the gift of creation lest it die on our watch — or on that of our children’s children.

About the Authors: Jim and Susan Vogt are contributors to Bringing Home the Word, an electronic weekly newsletter for families and the home church. A new edition is posted every weekend at the link below.

CCGR Weekly Newsletter (9-13-26)
Bringing Home the Word (9-13-26)
The Kids Bulletin (9-13-26)

New!
Our Hearts Are One
Remembering September 11, 2001
assisiproject.com

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Call to Prayer
For the Care of Water

By Pope Leo XIV

Following in the footsteps of his beloved predecessor, Pope Leo XIV offers a prayer intention each month and invites all people of goodwill around the world to pray with him. This month, coinciding with the Season of Creation (September 1st through October 4th), the Holy Father calls us to pray for the care of water. In spiritual communion with the pope, we pray:

Lord of Life,
you have given us the gift of water,
source of fruitfulness, freshness, and hope.
It quenches thirst, nourishes the earth, and heals wounds.
We thank you, because it is also a symbol
of your grace and love that renews us through Baptism.
Today we ask you to teach us to safeguard it
with gratitude, justice, and responsibility.
Forgive us for turning it into a commodity,
forgetting that it is a universal gift,
a right without borders,
meant for all of your children.
We see with pain so many brothers and sisters
who lack clean water,
who walk for miles to find it,
who become ill because of its scarcity.
May your Spirit make us pilgrims of the essential,
able to live with simplicity,
denouncing waste and pollution,
defending the right of every brother and sister
to drink without fear and without inequality.
May our care for water
be a sign of love for the Creator
and a commitment to the lives of the poor,
educating new generations to value and protect
the earth’s resources. Amen.

Watch: The Pope Video – September 2026 (4.5 Minutes)

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Words of Wisdom from Pope Francis

Everything is connected.
Concern for the environment thus needs to be joined
to a sincere love for our fellow human beings
and an unwavering commitment
to resolving the problems of society (LS 91).

Read: Laudato Si – On Care for Our Common Home

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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 community, please contact Lydia at lbbglosta1929@outlook.com. May God bless you! Thank you for your generous support!

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Our Lady’s Guild
Opening Supper
Monday, September 14th

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, members, and volunteers to our Opening Supper on 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. Save the date! Spread the word! Please join us! Bring a friend! New members and volunteers are always welcome!

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Our Lady’s Guild
Fall Yard Sale
Saturday, September 26th

All friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport are invited to join Our Lady’s Guild for a Fall Yard Sale on Saturday, September 26th from 9:00am until 12:00pm in Our Lady’s Hall. Our Fall Yard Sale will feature sale tables for buying and browsing for bargains, along with raffles with great prizes! Muffins, coffee, and tea will be offered for sale. All proceeds will benefit Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish. For more information about Our Lady’s Guild and its good work in our parish, please contact Beth Fosberry at jcbf33@yahoo.com. Save the date! Spread the word! Please join us! Bring a friend! New members and volunteers are always welcome!

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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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Saint Michael’s Lent
The Purest Form of Prayer

By Brother Patrick

Our observance of Saint Michael’s Lent is now well underway! As the spiritual disciplines of daily prayer and fasting continue, friends and fellow parishioners are asking Father Jim and me about the challenge of abstaining from meat, sugar, caffeine, and alcohol; and finding the time to pray at particular times during a busy day.

Praying in this way is nothing new for us. We have been praying the Liturgy of the Hours for decades. However, remembering to offer the Angelus, Psalm 142, and Prayer to Saint Michael has been more difficult than expected. In the end, it is not about keeping a rigid timetable. It is more about remembering to pray for the soul of Father Ben and to pray in solidarity with those who suffer from anxiety, depression, and loneliness.

In this spirit, Father Henri Nouwen (1932-1996) offers some good advice about praying during difficult times. He says: “To cry out to the God of life in the midst of darkness, to hold on to joy while walking in a valley of tears, to keep speaking of peace when sounds of war fill the air, that is what prayer is about. It is indeed a clinging to the Lord when all is being torn apart by greed, hatred, violence, and war…In its pure form, prayer is the divine breath of those whom the world tries to suffocate with terror. Prayer is the martyrdom of those who live.”

For me, these may be among the most compelling words about prayer ever written. Needless to say, none of those praying and fasting with us are suffering in the way that so many of our brothers and sisters are suffering in this country and around the world. Saint Michael’s Lent is not about our piety or perseverance. It is about holding tight to the Cross in a troubled world. It is about entering into a spiritual communion with those who suffer and paying tribute to our dear late friend, whose sudden death has broken so many of our hearts.

Saint Michael’s Lent Resources

• Our Pastor’s Message
• Psalm 142
• The Angelus
• Saint Michael Prayer
• Liturgy of the Hours

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Saints for All Seasons
Saint Pio of Pietrelcina
Wednesday, September 23rd

Jubilee of Saint Francis of Assisi
Eight Hundred Years – 1226-2026

In this spirit, all are invited to join Father Jim and Brother Patrick for our next Saints for All Seasons Mini-Retreat on Wednesday, September 23rd 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 Pio of Pietreclina (1887-1968), who was known throughout the world as a mystic and miracle maker.

Saint Pio was also blessed with the stigmata, the sacred wounds of the Poor Christ on his feet, hands, and side. 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 and veneration of a relic of Saint Pio.

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!

Listen: Saints for All Seasons Podcasts

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Words of Wisdom from Saint Francis

Praise be you, my Lord,
through our Sister Mother Earth,
who sustains and governs us,
who produces fruits
with colored flowers and herbs!

Listen: Saint Francis Sings of Seasons

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