Our Weekly Newsletter
New Every Saturday!
The Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport (CCGR)’s Weekly Newsletter features a weekly pastoral message; news about upcoming events and programs (including Mass intentions); prayers, spiritual guidance, and instruction on the teachings and traditions of the Roman Catholic Church; along with more information about what’s happening in Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish. publishes one weekly newsletter for our two parishes: Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish. Please click on the links below:
- CCGR Weekly Newsletter (10-1-23)
- CCGR Weekly Newsletter (9-24-23)
- CCGR Weekly Newsletter (9-17-23)
- CCGR Weekly Newsletter (9-10-23)
- CCGR Weekly Newsletter (9-3-23)
- CCGR Weekly Newsletter (8-27-23)
- CCGR Weekly Newsletter (8-20-23)
- CCGR Weekly Newsletter (8-13-23)
Pastor’s Note: Submissions to our Weekly Newsletter are due by 12:00pm on Friday, one full week before the following Sunday’s publication. Submissions that announce a parish event must include date, time, location, and contact information (name, phone number, and preferably an e-mail address). All proposed submissions to our weekly newsletter (both Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish) may be edited for content and should be sent to Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com. Thank you for your cooperation and support! May God bless you!
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Bringing Home the Word
New Every Saturday!
In addition to the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport’s Weekly Newsletter, all are welcome to enjoy Bringing Home the Word, a weekly lectionary-based resource for individual and family use that offers suggestions for prayer and reflection based on the Sunday Mass readings. Each week, this online newsletter offers a reflection on the prayer, scripture, or spirituality; words of wisdom from Pope Francis; and good guidance for praying with your family at home. Please click on the links below:
- Bringing Home the Word (10-1-23)
- Bringing Home the Word (9-24-23)
- Bringing Home the Word (9-17-23)
- Bringing Home the Word (9-10-23)
- Bringing Home the Word (9-3-23)
- Bringing Home the Word (8-27-23)
- Bringing Home the Word (8-20-23)
- Bringing Home the Word (8-13-23)
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The Kids Bulletin
New Every Saturday!
A vitally important component of our mission is to help parents and their children grow closer to Christ, closer to the Church, and closer to each other. All are welcome to join us every week for the Kids Bulletin! This two-page, full-color family resource includes a lesson about the Sunday Gospel, a puzzle, and other resources for the home church. A new edition is posted here every Saturday! Just click on the links below:
- The Kids Bulletin (10-1-23)
- The Kids Bulletin (9-24-23)
- The Kids Bulletin (9-17-23)
- The Kids Bulletin (9-10-23)
- The Kids Bulletin (9-3-23)
- The Kids Bulletin (8-27-23)
- The Kids Bulletin (8-20-23)
- The Kids Bulletin (8-13-23)
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Our Pastor’s Message
Holy Family Parish
Annual Financial Report FY2022
By Father Jim
Eight years ago, the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport was created as a collaborative between two historic parishes: Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish. Although our parishes share one pastor and one pastoral team, each parish is fully independent; has its own finance council; maintains its own bank accounts; pays its own bills; and maintains it own buildings. In the beginning, the collaboration between communities was not always easy. But thanks to you, parishioners at Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish are praying together, working together, and helping each other fulfill our shared mission to live the Gospel, share God’s love and mercy, and rebuild the Church here at the end of the line.
During the past year, Holy Family Parish has been blessed in many ways. Attendance at our weekend Masses is recovering after the decline caused by COVID-19. Our parishioners continue to offer very positive feedback about our adult and youth faith formation programs and our music ministries. The Holy Family Women’s Guild and the Assisi Project continue their good work — including ongoing brainstorming about new ideas to raise money and bring people together in a spirit of prayer, fellowship, and service. In addition, our weekly offertory was up 15% from the previous fiscal year.
Because of our increased offertory, several generous gifts, and lease income from the City of Gloucester for our school building, we have been able to accomplish some important projects: the installation of new automatic doors at both Saint Ann Church and Saint Joachim Church; a new sign at Saint Joachim Church; a repainting of the sign at Saint Ann Church; and some masonry and roof repairs at Saint Ann Church. Best of all, I am happy to report that for the seventh consecutive year, our annual parish budget is balanced! Thanks be to God! After all of our bills were paid and reconciled, we ran a net surplus of $28,000, all of which has been deposited in our parish savings account.
Needless to say, we still face financial challenges related to the rising costs of utilities, insurance, and ongoing maintenance of our parish buildings. Insurance premiums alone are up by 11% which amounts to more than $10,000 for the year! Despite ongoing concerns about inflation, building maintenance, and the long-term effects of the pandemic, I am optimistic about the long-term financial stability of our parish. By praying together and working together, we can and will face every challenge with confidence, determination, and high spirits. As a family of disciples, we can and will keep the faith alive and pass it along to the next generation of disciples. Of course, your ongoing support makes all the difference! So, please join in me in praying that each of us, according to our means, will continue to give generously to our beloved parish.
Finally, please join me in thanking the members of the Holy Family Parish Finance Council for their dedicated service, expert advice, and wise counsel: Joseph Grella, Robert Krause, and Rosa Ladd. Their commitment and hard work throughout the year ensures that we remain focused on making the best use of our limited financial resources. Finally, my deepest thanks go to our parishioners for their ongoing prayers and support. Your generosity makes possible all that we do together to make Holy Family Parish a vibrant and very special faith community. Your kindness touches my heart and sustains me in my ministry. Please know that you and your family are always in my prayers. Thank you so much! Peace and blessings to all!
Reverend James M. Achadinha, Pastor
Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport
Contact: frjim@ccgronline.com
Holy Family Financial Report FY2022
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Our Pastor’s Message
Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish
Annual Financial Report FY2022
By Father Jim
Eight years ago, the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport was founded as a collaborative of two historic parishes: Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish. Although our parishes share one pastor and one pastoral team, each parish remains fully independent and solely responsible for its own bills and building maintenance. In the beginning, the collaboration between our communities was not always easy. But thanks to all of you, parishioners at Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish are praying together, working together, and helping each other fulfill our shared mission to live the Gospel, share God’s love and mercy, and rebuild the Church in a true spirit of prayer, fellowship, and service.
During the past year, Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish has been blessed in so many ways. Attendance at our weekend Masses is good despite ongoing concerns about COVID-19. Our parishioners continue to offer very positive feedback about our adult and youth faith formation programs. Special events like the Summer Carillon Concerts and the Crowning Feast of the Holy Spirit are successful both by raising funds and by building and strengthening the bonds of community in our parish. In addition, our weekly offertory was 22% higher than expected; and we raised more than $100,00 for the restoration of our two bell towers which were damaged by a spring storm.
Best of all, I am happy to report that for the fifth consecutive year, our annual parish budget is balanced! Thanks be to God! After all of our bills were paid and reconciled, we ran a net surplus of $11,972, all of which has been deposited in our parish savings account. Needless to say, we still face financial challenges related to the rising cost of utilities, insurance, and maintenance of our church buildings. In addition to the tower project (which was delayed by supply chain problems but should begin next spring), we face the challenge of repairing or replacing the front doors and the front steps of Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. Based on initial estimates, it may cost $30,000 or more just to repair the masonry that supports the steps.
Despite ongoing concerns about inflation, building maintenance, and COVID-19, I am optimistic about the long-term financial stability of our parish. Walking in the footsteps of the men and women who built this parish and entrusted into our care, we can face every challenge with confidence, determination, and good spirits. Working together as a family of disciples, we can and will keep the faith alive and pass it along to the next generation of disciples. Of course, your ongoing support makes all the difference! So, please join me in praying that each of us, according to our means, will continue to give generously to our beloved parish.
Finally, please join me in thanking the members of the Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish Finance Council for their dedicated service, good advice, and wise counsel: Cindy Cafasso, Becky Carrancho, and Jean Madruga. Their commitment and hard work throughout the year ensures that we remain focused on making the best use of our limited financial resources. Finally, my deepest thanks go to our parishioners for their ongoing prayers and support. Your generosity makes possible all that we do together to make Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish a spirit-filled and vibrant faith community. Your kindness humbles me and sustain me in my ministry. Please know that you and your family are always in my prayers. Thank you for all you do! Peace and blessings to all!
Reverend James M. Achadinha, Pastor
Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport
Contact: frjim@ccgronline.com
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Catholic News & Information
Along with the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport’s Weekly Newsletter and Bringing Home the Word, all are invited to learn about the vibrant life of the Catholic Church in Greater Boston and throughout the world by visiting the following websites:
- America Magazine
- The Boston Pilot
- Catholic News Service
- Catechism of the Catholic Church
- Catholic TV Live Stream
- Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship
- National Catholic Reporter
- Rome Reports (Vatican Videos)
- Saint Anthony Messenger
- Vatican News (English)
- L’Osservatore Romano (English)
- United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
For additional suggestions for news and information about the Roman Catholic Church, please see Father Jim or a member of our pastoral team; or contact Cliff Garvey, Associate Minister, at cgarvey@ccgronline.com. Thank you!
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Father Eugene Alves (1931-2019)
The Meaning of a Life
By Father Jim
On Friday, February 8th, Father Eugene Alves, our longtime pastor and senior priest, passed away surrounded by his devoted and loving family. After hearing this sad news and looking through some boxes in a rectory closet, I found some wonderful old photographs of Father Alves, including one from his first Mass, which was celebrated fifty-eight years ago this month at Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. As a priest for almost sixty years, Father Alves celebrated an untold number of daily and weekend Masses. He baptized thousands of babies and adult converts. He offered First Holy Communion to generations of young disciples. He heard an untold number of confessions and absolved millions of sins. He presided over the weddings and funerals of countless numbers of family, friends, and fellow parishioners. He visited the sick, comforted the afflicted, counseled the troubled, and offered good advice both in private and on the front steps of this historic church.
Shortly after Father Alves died, I was blessed to visit with his family. Reflecting on his ministry, his niece, Anita, said that every single family in Gloucester and Rockport probably has a photograph of her uncle from some community event, parish celebration, or family gathering. That prompted me to think about the tumultuous times during which Father Alves lived and served as a priest: Vietnam; Vatican II; the Civil Rights Movement; the assassinations of Mar- tin Luther King and Robert F. Kennedy; the social and political upheaval of the late sixties; the cultural and sexual revolutions of the seventies and eighties; the rise of computer and digital technologies; deadly terrorist attacks; seemingly endless wars; and a sexual abuse crisis that goes on and on. Father Alves also served under four archbishops and six popes. Through it all, Father Alves stood calmly at the helm, charted our course, and led us forward — ever confident that our community could do anything as long as we worked together.
Needless to say, Father Alves was not perfect. From personal experience alone, I know that he could be difficult, stubborn, and sometimes uncompromising. But beneath that hard exterior lived an exceptionally kind, decent, and generous man. Father Alves was singularly dedicated to Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish and its parishioners. He was a good and faithful priest who gave his entire life — heart, mind, body, and soul — in service to God’s people without ambition, avarice, or bitterness. He loved his priesthood and his parish family. In so many ways, Father Alves was larger than life: and he will live on in the hearts and memories of generations of parishioners who were blessed to know him, to love him, and to learn from him.
During funerals, Father Alves would often say that death doesn’t make sense unless you have faith. With humility, I might add that life itself doesn’t make sense unless we are willing to love and serve others. On the same day that Father Alves died, Pope Francis said: “Life has value when we give it, when we give it in love, when we give it in truth, and when we give it to others in everyday life.” One might think that the Holy Father was thinking about Father Alves when he shared these words with the world! May God bless Father Alves. May God bless all who grieve his passing. And may God bless us with the courage, grace, and perseverance to give to others what Father Alves gave to all of us — a life so well-lived; a life so truly dedicated to prayer, fellowship, and service. Our Lady of Good Voyage, pray for us!
Reverend James M. Achadinha, Pastor
Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport
Contact: frjim@ccgronline.com
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Pastor’s Message
Our Pastoral Plan (2017-2019)
Live the Gospel. Share God’s Love. Rebuild the Church.
Almost three years ago, Cardinal Seán created the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport as a collaborative of two historic parishes: Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish. This model of parish life is the product of an archdiocesan pastoral plan called “Disciples in Mission” which called for each parish to remain canonically and financially independent, but served by one pastor and one pastoral team. It also called for the creation of a three year pastoral plan in every collaborative. Here in Gloucester and Rockport, our challenge was to create a plan that respects the unique character of our parishes but strengthens their growing collaboration as a community united in prayer, fellowship, and service. After many months of discussion, prayer, research, and hard work, I am happy to report that our pastoral plan is complete and that Cardinal Seán has personally approved it.
This long process began by assembling a pastoral planning team. Rather than choosing a team that represented particular groups or interests, I decided to choose a team that gave voice to the different life experiences and vocations that are present within our parishes: a newly baptized single woman, a single man, a single mother, a widow and grandmother, a grandfather, a married father with children, a mother whose young adult children are not fully practicing their faith, a divorced and remarried woman, and an experienced elementary school teacher. This strategy was widely praised by archdiocesan leaders and is now being used in other parishes. More importantly, the members of our planning team gave generously of their time and talent to draft a three year pastoral plan that will empowers our parishes to become spirit-filled schools of prayer and dynamic centers of the New Evangelization.
During the course of this pastoral planning process, we identified three values that will direct the work of our parishes: prayer, fellowship, and service. We also developed three priorities that will guide our ministries and serve our most pressing needs: 1) creating a culture of discipleship (with primary emphasis on adult & youth faith formation); 2) creating a culture of stewardship (with primary emphasis on building maintenance and fundraising); and 3) creating a culture of vocations (with primary emphasis on praying for and promoting vocations to the diocesan priesthood). Lastly, we shaped a simple but compelling vision that will inspire our work together as disciples: “Live the Gospel. Share God’s love. Rebuild the Church.” This vision, along with our values and priorities, will serve as both the foundation and motivating energy of our shared ministries in the Lord’s vineyard.
Needless to say, I am excited about every component of our pastoral plan. In some areas, like youth faith formation, we have already made much progress in reimagining and rebuilding our programs. In others, like building maintenance and fundraising, we have much hard work ahead. Right now, I am particularly enthusiastic about two adult faith formation initiatives: our spiritual direction and retreat ministries. At this point, Cliff Garvey is the only trained and certified spiritual director in our parishes. By next spring, however, Cliff will be joined by two others: Ann Marie Noble and Patricia Bertero, who are completing the first year of their training program at Saint Anthony Shrine in Boston. I am also delighted that Cardinal Seán has approved our proposal to transform Saint Ann Rectory into a “House of Prayer” that will offer both directed and non-directed retreats under the guidance of a resident director. And I am very happy that Cliff has agreed to oversee this project. Throughout the Church, there is considerable demand for this kind of retreat ministry. In addition, rental income and retreat donations will make the former rectory more self-sufficient in terms of utility costs and ongoing maintenance expenses.
In accordance with archdiocesan guidelines, our pastoral plan was drafted to achieve practical results. It will be implemented with both flexibility and focus by me, our amazing pastoral team, and the dedicated family of volunteers who share their time, talent, and treasure with our parishes. Our pastoral plan is now posted below. Printed copies are also available at our pastoral office. And during the coming weeks and months, there will be much more to share with you about our plan. So, stay tuned! Until then, I wish to sincerely thank the members of our pastoral planning team: Andrea Ando, Peter Brau, Cliff Garvey, Thomas Misuraca, Ann Marie Noble, Jane Russo, Lori Thorstensen, Margaret Wiberg, and Betsy Works. As a pastor, I could not have hoped for a more positive and supportive group of parishioners with which to work on this important project. In addition, our team wishes to thank Denise Ehlen of Catholic Leadership Institute and Father Paul Soper, Director of Pastoral Planning for the Archdiocese of Boston, for their guidance, good friendship, and great advice during this process.
Peace and blessings to all,
Father Jim
Reverend James M. Achadinha, Pastor
Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport
Contact: frjim@ccgronline.com
Learn More: Our Pastoral Plan (2017-2019)
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WeShare
Safe & Easy Electronic Giving
Electronic giving has become an essential component 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 additional to the weekly offering, you can also give electronically to our church restoration funds which helps us plan for the repair and maintenance of our beloved and historic churches.
During these challenging times, Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish need your support more than ever before! Please prayerfully consider enrolling in our ‘We Share!’ electronic giving program! For more information about setting up a new account or for assistance with your existing account, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com. Thank you for your generous support for our parishes! May God bless you and your family, now and always!
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 Roman Catholic community 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!
Follow us on Twitter: @CCGRonline