THIRD WEEK OF LENT

Our Pastor’s Message
Amen, Holy Father!

Celebrating Pope Francis’ 10th Anniversary
By Father Jim

On March 13, 2013, an unfamiliar man dressed in a simple white cassock stepped out onto the balcony of Saint Peter’s Basilica and said: “You know that the conclave had to give a bishop to Rome. It seems that my brother cardinals went almost to the end of the world to find one. But here we are.” With these words, Cardinal Jorge Maria Bergoglio of Argentina introduced himself to the world as Pope Francis, Bishop of Rome and Supreme Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church.

The Holy Father is the first pope from beyond Europe since the eighth century. He is the first pope from the southern hemisphere and the first pope from the Americas. He is the first pope to belong to the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) and the first pope to take the name Francis. Like his namesake, the pope shuns riches and luxury. As an archbishop, he cooked for himself and lived in a downtown apartment that was heated by a small stove. He refused a car and driver and took public transportation to be closer with the people he was called to serve.

Pope Francis refuses to live in the Apostolic Palace. Instead, he lives in community at Casa Santa Marta, a guest house located along the southern wall of Vatican City. His modest suite consists of a bedroom, bathroom, and sitting room. The modest decorations include a crucifix, a statue of Our Lady of Lujan, Patroness of Argentina, and a statue of Saint Joseph at Rest, beneath which he places prayer requests from around the world. The pope eats in the communal dining room with visiting priests, pilgrims, and scholars. And he celebrates Mass every morning in the guest house chapel. He says: “I cannot live alone. I must live my life with others.”

The Holy Father has made thirty-six pastoral visits within Italy and sixty-two Apostolic Journeys beyond its borders. In 2015, Pope Francis presided over the largest papal event in history by celebrating Mass in Manila, Philippines for more than six million people. In 2019, he became the first pope to visit the Arabian Peninsula, where he dedicated the new Church of Saint Francis in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. He also joined Muslim leaders in writing the groundbreaking Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace & Living Together. And in 2021, he became the first pope ever to visit Iraq.

Pope Francis has published three encyclicals: Lumen Fidei (2013), Laudato Si (2015), and Fratelli Tutti (2020). The first one was written with Pope Benedict XVI. Inspired by Saint Francis of Assisi but written by Pope Francis himself, Laudato Si and Fratelli Tutti call us to take better care of the environment, our common home; and to take better care of each other in a spirit of social friendship and universal fraternity. His apostolic exhortations, which are letters to the faithful on the pastoral mission and ministry of the Church, focus on living and sharing the Good News of Jesus in ways that reach out to people who have left the faith or feel left behind by the rest of us.

Pope Francis advocates persistently for peace and for the poor. He beckons us to the truth and begs us to proclaim it with love, empathy, and hospitality. He calls us to live the gospel with joy and humility, not judgment and triumphalism. He exhorts us to practice mercy and seek reconciliation in our families and communities. And he reminds us again and again that God’s style is closeness, compassion, and tenderness. The pope says: “Let us set out each day praying for each other, working together as witnesses of peace, by persevering in the same journey by our practical acts of charity and unity. In all things, let us love one another from the heart (2-4-23).” As Pope Francis celebrates his 10th anniversary, we pray for him with love and gratitude in our hearts; and we cry out: Lead the way, Holy Father! Amen! Amen!

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

CCGR Weekly Newsletter (3-12-23)
Bringing Home the Word (3-12-23)
The Kids Bulletin (3-12-23)

Vatican News Service
Watch: Pope of Gestures (4 Minutes)

Lumen Fidei – Light of Faith (2013)
Laudato Si – On Care for Our Common Home (2015)
Document on Human Fraternity (2019)

Fratelli Tutti – On Fraternity & Social Friendship (2020)
The Pope Video (March 2023)

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Call to Prayer
A Prayer for Pope Francis
10th Anniversary (2013-2023)

Lord Jesus Christ,
we ask you abundant blessings
on our spiritual leader, Pope Francis.
Send your Holy Spirit upon him
so that he may be a brother to all of his faithful
and a true servant to Almighty God.
Strengthen him daily
to complete the immense duties of the Church
with grace and compassion.
Allow him to be a humble leader
who strives to bring peace,
justice, and truth into our world.
Above all, bestow upon our Holy Father
your gifts of faith, hope, and love
so that he unceasingly proclaims your Holy Name.
Mother Mary and all the holy angels and saints of God,
we ask you to guide Pope Francis
this day and always. Amen.

This weekend, Father Jim will be offering this prayer at all weekend Masses in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport. The Assisi Project has a limited number of high-quality laminated prayer cards for those who may wish to make an offering: $2 each or 3 cards for $5. For more information, please contact Cliff Garvey at cgarvey@ccgronline.com. Thank you in advance for your prayers and support.

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Call to Prayer
Solemnity of Saint Patrick
Friday, March 17th

Rosary at 5:00pm – Mass at 6:00pm

Saint Patrick lived during the second half of the fifth century. Tradition holds that Patrick was born in Roman Britain. At the age of six, he was captured by pirates and taken to Ireland as a slave. A few years later, Patrick escaped and returned home, but after a vision and conversion, he traveled back to Ireland as a missionary.

Saint Patrick is venerated in the Anglican Communion, Eastern Orthodox Church, and Roman Catholic Church as the founder of Christianity in Ireland and as patron of Ireland. He is also venerated as patron saint of the Archdioceses of Boston, Newark, New York, and Los Angeles; and as a powerful protector against snakebites and sinfulness.

Saint Patrick is also the patron saint of Nigeria. So, we have invited Father Benjamin Madu, who is from Nigeria and has been helping out in our parishes for the past year, to preach and celebrate Holy Mass on Friday, March 17th, the Solemnity of Saint Patrick. Please join us for the Rosary at 5:00pm and Mass at 6:00pm in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. All are invited! All are welcome!

A Prayer of Saint Patrick

May the strength of God pilot us.
May the power of God preserve us.
May the wisdom of God instruct us.
May the hand of God protect us.
May the way of God direct us.
May the Shield of God defend us.
May the Host of God guard us
against the snares of the evil ones,
against the temptations of the world.
May Christ be with us!
May Christ be before us!
May Christ be in us!
May Christ be over all!
May the Lord’s salvation be ours
this day and evermore. Amen.

Saint Patrick, pray for us!
Saint Patrick, protect us!

Learn More: Saint Patrick of Ireland

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Who Do You Say I Am?
Lent Bible Study & Retreat
March 19th-March 22nd

Each year, the Season of Lent invites us to turn back to the Lord with hearts, minds, and souls renewed by our prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Our prayer during Lent should include daily reading of the sacred scriptures during Mass or with assistance from a prayer book, spiritual director, or some other worthy resource. Sacred scripture is the Holy Word of God that continues to speak and reveal God’s love and mercy to a sick and suffering world. This year during Lent, the Church offers us three Sunday Gospel passages that feature life changing encounters with Jesus:

  • The Woman at the Well (John 4:5-42)
  • The Man Born Blind (John 9:1-41)
  • The Raising of Lazarus (John 11:1-45)

These gospel encounters manifest Jesus’s power to heal those who seek him; and how he satisfies hearts that long for God’s amazing grace, forgiveness, and reconciliation in their lives. Our study will include a brief introduction to each passage; an exegesis (or explanation) of each passage from various disciplines and perspectives; and a reflection on how each passage affects our daily lives — especially during Lent.

All are invited to join Father Jim for a four-night Lent Bible Study & Retreat beginning on Sunday, March 19th in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. Each evening will begin with Evening Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours at 6:00pm. After this period of shared prayer, Father Jim will offer a reflection on Jesus as the Living Water; Jesus as the Light of the World; and Jesus as the Life & Resurrection. Each evening will include time for questions and faith sharing; and will conclude with Night Prayer.

Our Lent Bible Study & Retreat will conclude on Wednesday, March 22nd with the Holy Rosary at 5:00pm and Holy Mass at 5:30pm, followed by Eucharistic Adoration and the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) for those who feel called to participate. We will be blessed to welcome guest priests to assist with confessions. This program is free to all! Copies of the Catholic Prayer Bible will be available for a $30 donation to support our adult and youth faith formation programs. For more information about our Lent Bible Study & Retreat, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgonline.com. Spread the word! Bring a friend! Please join us for all or even just part of the retreat! All are invited! All are welcome!

Listen: Sharing the Word

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Sharing God’s Love
Prayer & Worship During Lent
Let’s Pray Together!

Lent is a season for prayer, fasting, and almsgiving; a time to grow closer to Christ, to the Church, and to each other; and a moment to begin, renew, or restart our spiritual journeys with the Poor Christ. The Holy Eucharist is the wellspring of our community’s joy and the guiding light of our shared life of prayer, fellowship, and service. All are welcome to join us for Mass and receive Holy Communion in accordance with a personal examination of conscience and the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. During Lent, we also gather together in prayer throughout the week.

The Light Is On For You!
Wednesday, March 15th

  • Rosary at 5:00pm
  • Mass at 5:30pm
  • Followed by Eucharistic Adoration & Confession
  • Last Confession at 6:45pm
  • Our Lady of Good Voyage Church
  • Guide to Making a Good Confession

Weekday Mass Schedule
Thursday & Friday, March 16th & 17th

  • Rosary at 7:30am
  • Mass at 8:00am
  • Our Lady of Good Voyage Church

The Way of the Cross
Friday, March 17th

  • Begins at 3:00pm
  • Our Lady of Good Voyage Church

Solemnity of Saint Joseph
Monday, March 20th

  • Rosary at 7:30am
  • Mass at 8:00am
  • Saint Anthony Chapel

Always Available

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Our Lady’s Guild
Spring Yard Sale
Saturday, March 25th

All are invited to join Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish for a Spring Yard Sale with Sweet Bread & Fried Dough on Saturday, March 25th from 9:00am until 12:00pm in Our Lady’s Hall. Our famous freshly baked sweet bread and fried dough will be offered for sale! Check out our sale tables for unique treasures! Take a chance with one of our raffles! All proceeds will benefit Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish. For more information, please contact Beth Fosberry at jcbf33@yahoo.com. Save the date! Please join us! All are welcome!

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Our Lady’s Guild
Bakeless Bake Sale
Month of March

Our Lady’s Guild is sponsoring a Bakeless Bake Sale during the Month of March! Why? Because now more than ever, our beloved home parish needs your support, especially because of rising gas and electricity bills! Every small donation makes a big difference! Checks should be made payable to Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish. Any and all donations should be mailed to:

Jean Madruga
Our Lady’s Guild
8 Sunrise Court Gloucester, Massachusetts 01930

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, social activities, and fundraising events like this one. For more information about Our Lady’s Guild and its good work in our parish, please contact Beth Fosberry at jcbf33@yahoo.com. New members are always welcome! Thank you for your support!

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Holy Name Society
Sunday, March 12th

The Holy Name Society of Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish is a service-driven organization of men which was founded to support the parish through volunteering and fundraising. Our next meeting is scheduled for this Sunday, March 12th beginning at 6:30pm in Our Lady’s Hall. New members are always welcome!

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Red Cross Blood Drive
Friday, March 17th

Our Lady of Good Voyage Hall
1:00pm until 6:00pm
Register at redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS
Thank you for your support!

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WeShare
Safe & Easy Electronic Giving

Generosity enlarges the heart.
Pope Francis

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

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In Memory of Anthony Verga