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

This Week’s Message
Our Home in Christ

By Deacon Peter

Driving into Gloucester in July 2002, I remember that the tide was low, our windows were open, and it was an early morning. I remarked to my wife, Beth, that it “smelled like home.” I grew up in a fishing town that had a boardwalk, a surf and skate culture, and a multi-ethnic and multi-generational community. Gloucester reminded me of home. Like my first home, Gloucester is a coastal city rich with history and stories.

We found our way to Our Lady of Good Voyage Church early in our relocation to Gloucester. The light through the stained glass windows, the beauty of a Mediterranean inspired church, and Father Alves’ homilies and singing drew us into this particular parish. The Crowning Ceremony brought back memories of the Portuguese festivals in my childhood church. The diversity of spirit and background of Our Lady’s was encouraging. The familiar routine of this community became our routine, too. So, too, the simple beauty of Saint Joachim Church. It has been a special place of prayer for us, particularly on Good Friday. Saint Ann Church is our home for the Easter Triduum, especially Holy Thursday.

The moments we come together outside of Mass are other examples of this richness. Bringing my daughter to the Christmas Fair, waiting with anticipation for sweet bread, the Knights of Columbus breakfasts, and Saint Peter’s Fiesta are but a few examples. The Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport is a vibrant collaborative full of people from every walk of life, who earnestly come together in prayer, fellowship, and service.

Families coming over generations; seniors still holding hands in the pews; young children learning their faith; and parishioners ducking in just as they get off a shift from work are but part of the fabric of Cape Ann. We come to these churches because we find here our home in Christ. For me and my family, Our Lady’s is our home parish but the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport continues to inspire us. It is a community that lives its faith, its cultural identity, and is not afraid of its interwoven social fabric.

Our churches come together in joy and sorrow, in festivals and for adoration, and in the routine of the weekly cadence of life. It is a place where everyone goes about living their vocation. Each of us lives out how God calls us to serve. It is a place like this where a vocation can be nurtured. So it was that my vocation grew during the past twenty-five years, in large part because of this community and its devotion to God. The Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport creates inspiring faith journeys. It has for me and I hope it has for you, too! Truly we are all called to proclaim the Good News: lay, consecrated, and ordained.

I want to thank you for that. I also want to thank you for the home you have made for my family here over these years, too. As I begin this new identity and new vocation as a Permanent Deacon in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport, I ask that you continue to pray for me, that I might grow into the breath of this vocation and my service to you and the Church. I will also continue to pray for you. Together with Father Jim, we can build and nurture the vibrant faith community within our parishes, to charitably serve the Cape Ann community, and to rebuild God’s Church.

Deacon Peter Brau
Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport
dcnpeter@ccgronline.com

CCGR Weekly Newsletter (10-11-26)
Bringing Home the Word (10-11-26)
The Kids Bulletin (10-11-26)

New!
Celebrating a City of Welcome
Solidarity and the Migrant’s Journey
A Homily by Cardinal Blaise Cupich

Art Credit by Bernardo Ramonfaur – 94533144 – Dreamstime

__________

Call to Prayer
A Prayer For Deacons

By Bishop Douglas Lucia

O Christ,
you are the source
of all ministry in the Church.
In response to the needs
of the People of God,
through the laying on of hands
and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit,
you have called forth and ordained deacons
as servants for our Church.
Continue to sustain
those you have called to this ministry,
so they remain ardent servants
with gentle hearts,
proclaiming the Gospel,
and serving at your holy table.
Help them reflect
the real and true presence of Christ
to the needy among us.
We also give thanks
for those who accompany our deacons
in their journey of service:
their spouses and families,
their parish communities,
and all those who call them to respond
in faith, hope, and love.
Loving Savior,
continue to help your Church
affirm our deacons in your service.
Together as one family of faith,
may all that we say and do
give honor and glory to you,
and draw others closer
to your Sacred Heart. Amen.

About the Author: In 2019, Pope Francis chose the Most Reverend Douglas Lucia to serve as Bishop of the Diocese of Syracuse, New York. Bishop Lucia’s episcopal motto is ‘In the Name of Jesus.’

Learn More: Archdiocese of Boston – Permanent Diaconate

__________

A Pastor’s Note
Holy Family Parish – Gaza

By Father Jim

With joy and gratitude, I am very happy to report that the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport’s Second Annual Special Collection for Holy Family Parish in Gaza was a great success. Last year, we raised nearly $10,000. This year, we raised $10,268! Thank you for your kind and generous support for our sister parish which has endured unimaginable hardships during the past several years. After receiving last year’s collection, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, wrote personally to me from Jerusalem that the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport’s prayers and donations are “deeply appreciated” and remain “a source of encouragement for us all” in the Holy Land.

In the midst of this happy moment comes profound sadness. Earlier this week, a military strike near Holy Family Church in Gaza killed five people. Among those killed were two Christian women: Maysa Khader Ibrahim Abu Daoud and her daughter, Mary Hafez Michel Najjar. Maysa and Mary were among the hundreds of people, Christian and Muslim, who took refuge at Holy Family Church early in the war between Israel and Palestine. Just recently, they moved into a nearby apartment and were rebuilding their lives. It was their new home that was destroyed in the latest attack.

In a message to Father Gabriel Romanelli, Pastor of Holy Family Parish in Gaza, Pope Leo XIV writes: “Since learning the painful news of the deaths of Maysa and Mary, I have been praying to God for them, their families, and the entire community in Gaza. How long, O Lord?” In your kindness, please pray for Father Gabriel, for the souls of Maysa and Mary, and for our sister parish in Gaza. The Assisi Project has placed a donation box near the sanctuary in Saint Ann Church for our continued support of Holy Family Parish in Gaza. Peace, blessings, and sincere thanks to all!

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

Learn More: Pope Leo XIV Prays for Gaza

__________

Knights of Columbus
Annual Mass & Breakfast
Sunday, October 11th

All friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners of the Knights of Columbus are invited to join the Knights of Columbus (Council 215) for Mass on Sunday, October 11th at 8:15am in Saint Ann Church. After Mass, all are welcome to join us in Saint Ann Church Hall for a delicious breakfast!

Since 1897, the Knights of Columbus (Council 215) has sponsored countless acts of charity in Gloucester, Rockport, and beyond. If you have twenty-four hours this year to volunteer for charity, the Knights can transform your gift of time and talent into meaningful results for you, your family, and our community.

For more information about the Knights of Columbus and their good work in our parishes, please contact Mark Natti at info@kofc215.com or leave. Please join us! New members are always warmly welcomed and much appreciated!

__________

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

__________

Our Lady’s Guild
Baked Bean & Linguica Supper
Saturday, October 24th

All friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport are invited to join Our Lady’s Guild for a Baked Bean and Linguiça Supper on Saturday, October 24th from 7:00pm until 9:00pm in Our Lady’s Hall. Our delicious and delectable menu includes linguiça, hot dogs, baked beans, coleslaw, fresh rolls, cornbread, and pies! We will also have tea, coffee, soft drinks, and a cash bar!

We will have a 50-50 raffle, too! Entertainment will be provided by the Ye Ole Mitchells! A donation of $20 is requested for each adult and $10 for each child age 10 and under. All proceeds will benefit Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish. Tickets are available in advance or at the door. For more information, please contact Beth Fosberry at jcbf33@yahoo.com or Linda Galvin at lingalv2010@gmail.com. Please join us! Bring a friend! All are welcome!

__________

The Assisi Project
We Pray For You Everyday!

Founded in 2007 by Father Jim and Brother Patrick, the Assisi Project is a Fellowship of Franciscans in Spirit with friends and followers around the world. Our mission is to help believers of all ages more faithfully live the Gospel of the Poor Christ in the spirit of Saint Francis and Saint Clare of Assisi.

Members of the Assisi Project range in age from 18 to 102. Each of us serves our parishes in some way. But our most important contribution is prayer. So we pray each day for all who ask for our prayers. Last week, we prayed for 172 intentions! If you would like our fellowship to pray for you, or your special intention, please contact Brother Patrick at brpatrick@assisiproject.com.

In communion with Pope Leo XIV and in solidarity with people of faith and goodwill everywhere, we also pray each day for peace, truth, and justice in our world; and for the poor, the persecuted, and the unjustly imprisoned. You can pray with us by visiting assisiproject.com! May God bless you! May the Lord give you peace!

Learn More: The Assisi Project

__________

Words of Wisdom from Saint Teresa of Avila

Let nothing disturb you.
Let nothing dismay you.
All things pass. God never changes.

Learn More: Saint Teresa of Avila

__________