Watch: Sunday Mass with Father Jim (10-4-26)
Listen: Pray As You Go Daily Meditations
Read: Scripture for Life by Sister Mary McGlone (10-4-26)

Our Pastor’s Message
Forever In Joy

By Father Jim

On October 4th, the Catholic Church and people of goodwill everywhere celebrate the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi. This year’s observances are the climax of a Special Jubilee Year, proclaimed by Pope Leo XIV. It marks the 800th anniversary of the death or transitus of the Poor Man of Assisi (1226-2026). It is also the final in a series of octocentennial commemorations that began with the anniversary of the saint’s conversion in 2007, which happily coincided with my first pilgrimage to Assisi.

Almost everyone knows that Saint Francis was the founder of three religious orders. Almost everyone knows that he was a healer, mystic, and miracle worker. Almost everyone knows that he is the patron of pets, peace, merchants, ecology, and families. Almost everyone knows that he shared God’s love and mercy with all creatures great and small (not just human beings). And almost everyone knows that he appreciated God’s loving and creative hand at work in every living thing.

At the same time, few people are aware that Saint Francis suffered. Yes, we know that he bore the stigmata — the wounds of the Crucified Christ. But Francis also endured the same stresses and disappointments that we experience in our lives. He did not think himself worthy of the praise and attention that he received during his life. He did not think his penitential movement of friars, consecrated women, and lay people was successful. And he was often disillusioned with himself, with his followers, and even with the Church (to which he was always faithful and obedient).

Very few among us understand that Francis spent approximately half of his post-conversion life as a hermit. Despite his reputation for preaching with words and prophetic witness, Francis found strength and consolation mostly through prayer, silence, and solitude. He found relief from loneliness and life’s petty tyrannies by being alone with the Lord, whom he loved above and beyond all else. Francis did not find meaning in a faith powered by technology (apps, websites, streaming videos, or cable networks). Rather, Francis found God by loving God and by being with God.

Thomas Merton (1915-1968) wrote in his journal: “The measure of our identity, of our being (the two are the same), is the amount of our love for God. The more we love earthly things,  eputation, importance, pleasures, ease, and success, the less we love God…But if we have loved him, and lost ourselves in him, then we find ourselves in him, and live forever in joy (9-3-41).” We should pray and think on these words. We should ask ourselves: Do we love God? Do we love God more than modern comforts? Have we lost and found ourselves in his love? Are we ready to live forever in joy?

Saint Francis once famously explained that perfect joy comes not with wealth, power, or privilege. Perfect joy comes instead with following in the footsteps of an all-powerful God who humbled himself to walk among us. Perfect joy comes with imitating an all-powerful God who ate with sinners, bathed lepers, and welcomed strangers. Perfect joy comes with modeling our lives on the life of an all-powerful God who embraced loneliness and suffering as the only path to eternal life.

Except for Jesus, one is hard-pressed to think of another person (saint, world leader, or historical figure) whose life and legacy are more relevant to our lives and times than Saint Francis of Assisi. His words and good works teach us about peace, truth, and justice; about loving God and living the Gospel; about sharing God’s love and rebuilding the Church. From across the tides of time, Saint Francis shows us how to “live forever in joy” by growing closer to Christ, closer to the Church, and closer to each other in a love that knows no limits. Saint Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Reverend James M. Achadinha, Pastor
Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport
frjim@ccgronline.com

CCGR Weekly Newsletter (10-4-26)
Bringing Home the Word (10-4-26)
The Kids Bulletin (10-4-26)

New!
A Message from Cardinal McElroy
Word Day of Migrants & Refugees
We Can Pass By No More

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Words of Wisdom from Saint Francis of Assisi

O Lord, wean me from all things under heaven,
so that I may die for love of your love,
as you died for love of my love.

Watch: About Saint Francis (4.5 Minutes)

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Call to Prayer
For the Intercession of Saint Francis

By Pope Leo XIV

Saint Francis, our brother,
you who eight hundred years ago
went to meet Sister Death as a man of peace,
intercede for us before the Lord.
You, who recognized true peace
in the Crucifix of San Damiano,
teach us to seek Him,
the source of all reconciliation,
that breaks down every wall.
You, who unarmed, crossed the lines
of war and misunderstanding,
give us the courage to build bridges
where the world raises up boundaries.
In this time afflicted by conflict and division,
intercede for us so that we may become peacemakers:
unarmed and disarming witnesses of the peace
that comes from Christ. Amen.

Listen: Saint of the Day – Francis of Assisi

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Pope Leo on Saint Francis

Brothers and sisters,
may the example and spiritual legacy
of Saint Francis of Assisi,
strong in faith, steadfast in hope,
and ardent in active charity toward neighbor,
inspire in everyone
the importance of trusting in the Lord,
of living a life faithful to the Gospel,
and of accepting and illuminating
every circumstance and action of life
with faith and prayer.

Read: Pope Leo’s Letter to the Franciscan Family

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Our Lady’s Guild
Fall Meeting & Potluck Supper
Monday, October 5th

Since 1944, Our Lady’s Guild has worked to build community among women of all ages in Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish through prayer, good works, fundraising, and social events. The Guild’s next meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 5th at 6:30pm in Our Lady’s Hall.

Dinner is potluck! Bring a dish to share! All are encouraged to bring three $1.00 scratch tickets so that we can play “Left, Right, Center” after dinner! For more information about Our Lady’s Guild and its good work in our parish, please contact Beth Fosberry at jcbff33@yahoo.com. New members are always welcome!

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Call to Prayer
A Rosary for Peace

After his election last year, Pope Leo XIV stepped onto the loggia at Saint Peter’s Basilica. The new pope’s first words were: “Peace be with you all…God loves you all and evil will not prevail!” Eleven months later, he said: “The message of the Church, my message, and the message of the Gospel is ‘Blessed are the peacemakers!’”

During the past seventeen months, the Holy Father has preached about peace and reconciliation more than four hundred times. Last week, Pope Leo called all nations to ban all nuclear weapons. And last weekend, the pope called upon all Catholics to pray for the Rosary for peace during the month of October.

In communion with Pope Leo and with all who long for peace in our world, all friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport are invited to join Father Jim and Brother Patrick in offering a Rosary for Peace Featuring Prayers by Pope Francis at the following days and times:

• A Rosary for Peace
  With Eucharistic Adoration
  Sunday, October 11th at 8:45am
  Saint Joachim Church
• A Rosary for Peace
  With Eucharistic Adoration
  Friday, October 16th at 3:00pm
  Our Lady of Good Voyage Church
• A Rosary for Peace
  With Eucharistic Adoration
  Saturday, October 24th at 2:45pm
  Saint Ann Church

For more information about A Rosary for Peace and these special moments of prayer for our suffering world, please contact Brother Patrick at brpatrick@ccgronline.com. Please join us! Spread the word! All are welcome! May the Lord give you peace!

Listen: A Rosary for Peace with Brother Patrick

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Sacrament of Baptism
Gateway to Life in the Spirit

The Sacrament of Baptism is the first of the three Sacraments of Initiation in the Roman Catholic Church. The two others are Holy Eucharist and Confirmation. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church: “Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit, and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism, we are freed from sin and reborn as children of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission (CCC 1213).”

In September, Father Jim baptized the following young disciples:

Giorgio Antonio DiMaio
Noah Andrew Goncalves
Isla Dani Greeke

The Sacrament of Baptism is celebrated during any Sunday Mass at 10:00am in Saint Joachim Church; on the second Saturday of the month at 11:30am in Saint Ann Church; and on the third Saturday of the month at 11:30am in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church.

For more information about having a child or grandchild baptized in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport, please contact Sheila McCarthy-Durkin at smccarthy@ccgronline.com. United in prayer, fellowship, and service, we pray for our newly baptized young disciples, and their parents, godparents, and grandparents! May God bless all families! May God bless them with good health and happiness! Peace, blessings, and congratulations to all!

Watch: Sacrament of Baptism (1 Minute Video)

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Words of Wisdom from Pope Leo XIV

In moments of darkness, baptism is light.
In life’s conflicts, it is reconciliation.
At the hour of death, it is the gateway to heaven.

Learn More: Vatican News Service

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Saint Vincent de Paul Society
Help Us Help Others!

The Saint Vincent de Paul Society is an international organization that is dedicated to responding to any request from any person or family in need. Here on Cape Ann, we work through Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish to serve the poor and the needy. Help us help others! Donations can be pushed through the mail slot in the parish office, dropped in the collection basket at any Weekend Mass, or mailed to:

Saint Vincent de Paul Society
74 Pleasant Street
Gloucester, Massachusetts 01930

New members and volunteers are always welcome! For more information about the Saint Vincent de Paul Society and its good work in our parishes and hometowns, please contact Harry Miller at 978-281-8672 or Robert Weeks at svdpmember1@gmail.com. If you or someone you know needs our help, please call 978-281-8672. Thank you for your generous support for the Saint Vincent de Paul Society! May God bless you!

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Saint Vincent de Paul Society
Our Clothes Closet

The Saint Vincent de Paul Clothes Closet is open for business in Saint Ann Church Hall on the second, third, and fourth Saturdays of every month from 9:00am until 12:00pm. All friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners are welcome to drop by and check out the Clothes Closet by entering through the Pleasant Street doors of Saint Ann Church Hall.

Donations of new or gently worn clothing and shoes are gratefully accepted during our regular hours and in the bin located in the Saint Ann School parking lot. Please note that we cannot accept donations of books, toys, or household items.

For more information about the Saint Vincent de Paul Clothes Closet and its good work in our parish and beyond, please contact Bridget Nelligan at 781-572-4752 or Cathy Kyrouz at 978-290-1756. Thank you for your kind and generous support!

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