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

Our Pastor’s Message
But First, Jesus Wept

By Father Jim

Last week, I received an official copy of the death certificate for my friend and brother priest, Father Benjam Okwudili Madu. It was issued on September 30, 2026 by the Registry of Vital Records for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It is clear and concise. It is deeply disturbing. Its details are presented in a cold and impersonal way.

The certificate reports that Father Ben was born on May 15, 1972 in Abor, a community comprised of eight villages in southeastern Nigeria. It reports that his parents are named Anthony and Perpetua. It reports that he earned a Master’s Degree and served as a hospital chaplain. It also reports that Father Ben took his own life on July 2, 2026.

Father Ben’s suicide is a shocking tragedy for him, for his friends and loved ones, for the staff and patients at Salem Hospital, and for all of us who were touched by his good work here in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport. More than that, his death signals the failure of government policies toward immigrants, especially our missionary priests, who come here to undertake important and necessary ministries.

Serving as a hospital chaplain is not easy. It is no small thing. It is a special calling that requires extensive and intensive training. It calls for a unique personality, a complete commitment, and a sincere devotion to the sick and suffering. It is perhaps the most stressful, most demanding, and most underappreciated ministries in the Lord’s vineyard. For this reason, Father Ben’s sudden death also signals the failure of the Church to adequately nurture and support its lay, ordained, and consecrated ministers.

Sarah Schulman, a playwright and human rights activist, once wrote: “Suicide is often a failure of community.” There is a hard truth in these blunt words. Father Ben’s death raises many questions and provokes countless regrets. Looking back, what bothers me most is that during his final days of life, Father Ben somehow felt that he could not count on me and our pastoral team. He felt that he could not count on his friends, colleagues, and brother priests. He felt that he could not count on the institutional church. He felt that he could not count on any of us when he needed us most. How could someone so loved feel so lost? How could someone so loved feel so alone?

Despite his death, Father Ben lives in our hearts. He lives in the love that he had for his friends and family, especially for his parents and siblings. He lives in the friendship that he shared with me and members of our pastoral team, especially Betsy and Brother Patrick. He lives in the memory of his broad smile, his gentle voice, his beautiful songs. He lives in the joyful faith that he shared with us every weekend for more than four years.

For whatever time is left in my life, I will grieve over Father Ben’s tragic passing. I will second guess what was done and not done for him. Suicide is never a choice. It is a human tragedy that beckons the survivors to care more, love more, and pray more for God’s blessings of love, mercy, and friendship. Not long before he died, Father Ben said: “Do not make a fuss over me.” But I believe with my whole heart that when Father Ben left us, Jesus did make a fuss over him. Jesus welcomed him home with a warm smile and wide open arms. But first Jesus wept — just like we do.

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

CCGR Weekly Newsletter (10-18-26)
Bringing Home the Word (10-18-26)
The Kids Bulletin (10-18-26)

New!
A Seamless Garment of Life
By Brother Patrick

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Call to Prayer
For Mental Health Ministry

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, the Holy Father calls us to pray for all who suffer with mental illness and for all who are part of mental health ministries. In spiritual communion with the pope, we pray:

God of life,
you know the innermost depths of our hearts:
the light and shadows within us,
the silent wounds that sometimes no one sees.
Today we bring before you
our brothers and sisters who struggle
with challenges to their mental health,
who suffer in solitude with anxiety,
depression, or any other mental illness.
You call them by name,
with tenderness,
and in you they find dignity and hope.
Forgive us for the times
that we have looked the other way,
feeding the stigma and discrimination
of persons with mental illnesses.
May your Church be an open house,
a safe space where everyone has a place,
a community that accompanies and never excludes,
that listens without judging,
and draws near without fear.
We pray to you, Lord, for those who care:
professionals, family members, and volunteers,
men and women,
who with patience and love,
build bridges of understanding and comfort.
Give them strength and compassion to sustain others.
Send your spirit upon us,
so that we may learn to welcome
and integrate care for mental health
into the life and ministry of our communities
and of the whole Church,
and thus become a living sign of your mercy,
which never abandons and always restores. Amen.

Watch: Pray with the Pope (4.5 Minutes)

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A Rosary for Peace
Saturday, October 24th

Saint Ann Church at 2:45pm
With Eucharistic Adoration
Featuring Prayers by Pope Francis

Learn More: A Rosary for Peace

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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!

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Month of All Souls
Masses of Remembrance
Begin Saturday, October 31st

During November, the Month of All Souls, all are invited to join Father Jim and the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport as we celebrate Masses of Remembrance for family, friends, and fellow parishioners whose funerals were celebrated in our parishes during this year.

• Mass of Remembrance I
  Saturday, October 31st at 4:00pm
  Saint Ann Church
• Mass of Remembrance II
  Sunday, November 1st at 11:45am
  Our Lady of Good Voyage Church
• Mass of Remembrance III
  Sunday, November 8th at 10:00am
  Saint Joachim Church

A Prayer for All Souls

Loving God,
through the resurrection of Jesus,
you call us to eternal life and happiness.
During the Month of All Souls,
we remember our brothers and sisters
who have gone before us into heaven’s glory.
May they share in the joy and blessing
that you promise to all who love you
and have faith in you.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
God forever and ever. Amen.

Please pray for our departed brothers and sisters! May the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace! For more information about the Month of All Souls and our Annual Masses of Remembrance, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com. Please join us! All are invited! All are welcome!

Watch: In the Company of Angels Choral Recital (60 Minutes)

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All Saints Faith & Family Mass
A Youth Faith Formation Special Event
Sunday, November 1st

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 (Matthew 9:14).” In response to the Lord’s call, all children, parents, grandparents, and godparents are invited to join Father Jim for our All Saints Faith & Family Mass on Sunday, November 1st at 11:45am in Our Lady’s Church.

During Mass, Father Jim will offer a special homily for children about the celebration of Halloween and the Solemnity of All Saints. After Mass, all are invited to join us outside on the church lawn where our pastoral team and parish service organizations will offer treats to the kids! All parishioners, especially parents, grandparents, and their children are invited to wear costumes!

We believe that Mass is our class! We believe that Jesus is our teacher! And we believe that every family that joins us for Mass is a precious gift from God! So, please save these dates for our upcoming Faith & Family Masses which are an essential component of our youth faith formation programs:

• Christ the King Faith & Family Mass
  Sunday, November 22nd at 11:45am
  Our Lady of Good Voyage Church
• Advent Faith & Family Mass
  Sunday, December 13th at 11:45am
  Our Lady of Good Voyage Church
• Epiphany Faith & Family Mass
  Annual Christmas Pageant
  Saturday, January 2nd at 4:00pm
  Our Lady of Good Voyage Church

For more information about youth faith formation in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport, please contact Betsy Works at bworks@ccgronline.com. Please join us! All are invited! All are welcome!

Learn More: Solemnity of All Saints 

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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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