This Week’s Message
A Meditation on the Peace Prayer

By Lee Ann Niebuhr, OFS

Make me a channel of your peace.
May I offer compassion to the families of the victims of violence.

Where there is hatred, let me bring your love.
May I offer compassion to the perpetrators of violence.

Where there is injury, pardon, Lord.
May I ask forgiveness from those I have hurt.

And where there’s doubt, true faith in you.
May I have faith that we can create places that are safe for all people.

Make me a channel of your peace.
May words of peace be in my heart and on my lips.

Where there’s despair in life, let me bring hope.
May I work with others to eradicate the despair that births violence.

Where there is darkness, only light.
May I become a point of light that shatters the darkness of hopelessness.

And where there’s sadness, ever joy.
May I embrace all who have lost loved ones to violence.

Oh Master, grant that I may never seek
To respond with anger instead of compassion.

So much to be consoled as to console.
To judge another instead of working to eradicate the causes of violence.

To be understood as to understand.
To use weapons instead of dialogue.

To be loved as to love with all my soul.
To be so self-absorbed that I neglect to love my neighbor.

Make me a channel of your peace.
Help me to see your face in every person.

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned.
Help us to forgive those who have hurt us.

It is in giving of ourselves that we receive.
Help us to humbly serve the least and lost among us.

It is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.
It is in dying to ourselves that we are able to see all as brothers and sisters.

About the Author

Lee Ann Niebuhr is a member of the Third Order of Saint Francis. All friends and fellow parishioners of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport are reminded that during the Month of October, Pope Leo XIV has called all believers and people of goodwill to pray for peace in our world.

CCGR Weekly Newsletter (10-19-25)
Bringing Home the Word (10-19-25)
The Kids Bulletin (10-19-25)

New!
Listening to Catholic Women
With Bishop Mark O’Connell
Episode 7 – Ann Gennaro

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Our Lady’s Guild
Baked Beans & Linguiça
Saturday, October 18th

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 & Linguiça Supper on Saturday, October 18th 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, and cornbread! We’ll have coffee, soft drinks, desserts, and a cash bar! We’ll also have a 50-50 raffle! And entertainment will be provided by the Gloucester Student Band!

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; Linda Galvin at lingalv2010@gmail.com; or leave a message. Please join us! All are welcome!

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Saints for All Seasons
Praying with Saint Jude the Apostle
Saturday, October 25th

The change of seasons is a good time for us to step back from the business and busyness of daily life and to focus on our relationship with Jesus and those we are called to love. Unfortunately, few among us are able to leave behind home, work, and family for a real retreat from the responsibilities of our lives. For this reason and for the fourth consecutive year, we are happy to announce an all new Saints for All Seasons Mini-Retreat.

Pope Francis (1936-2025) always encouraged the faithful to learn about and pray with the saints. Our beloved pope believed that the saints bring us closer to Christ, closer to the Church, and closer to each other. He once said: “The saints are still here, not far from us; and their images in our churches evoke the ‘cloud of witnesses’ that always surrounds us…The saints remind us that even in our lives, however weak and marked by sin, holiness can unfold.”

In this spirit of unfolding holiness, all are invited to join us for our next two hour mini-retreat. This time of prayer, reflection, and adoration focuses on the lives of amazing holy men and women from across the ages like Saint Ann, Saint Veronica, Saint Josephine Bakhita, Saint Teresa of Calcutta, and Saint Lazarus of Bethany.

Our next mini-retreat is scheduled for next Saturday, October 25th beginning with Holy Mass at 8:00am in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. After Mass, Father Jim and Brother Patrick will lead a reflection and conversation on the life and legacy of Saint Jude the Apostle, who is venerated as patron of lost causes and desperate situations. After our reflection, we will pray in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and offer a Rosary for Peace.

For more information, please contact Brother Patrick at brpatrick@ccgronline.com. Also, check out all of our Saints for All Seasons Podcast Library at assisiproject.com/podcast. Join us! Bring a friend! All are welcome! May the Lord give you peace.

Listen: Saint of the Day – Saints Simon & Jude (1.5 Minutes)

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The Holy Rosary
Pope Leo’s Call to Pray for Peace
Saturday, October 25th

The Roman Catholic Church traditionally dedicates the Month of October to the Our Blessed Mother and her Holy Rosary. In the face of war, division, and violent conflicts all around the world, Pope Leo XIV has called all Catholics to pray the Rosary for peace every day throughout the month. He said: “I invite everyone, each day of the coming month, to pray the Rosary for peace: personally, in the family, and in your community.”

In this spirit, all are reminded that the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport prays the Holy Rosary on Wednesdays at 5:00pm; Thursdays at 7:30am; and Fridays at 7:30am in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. In addition, Brother Patrick will lead a Rosary for Peace (Featuring Prayers by Pope Francis) on Saturday, October 25th at 5:00pm in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church; Friday, October 31st at 8:30am (after Mass) in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church.

Whether you pray alone or with family and friends, all are also invited to pray with our various online prayer resources that are dedicated to the Blessed Mother:

• Watch: Holy Rosary with Father Jim
• Listen: A Rosary for Peace with Brother Patrick

By praying the Holy Rosary, we grow closer to Jesus by meditating on the mysteries of his life, death, and resurrection; and we grow closer to our Blessed Mother by begging her powerful intercession for ourselves, for our community, and for peace in our suffering world. Now more than ever, let’s pray together! Please join us! All are invited! All are welcome! Holy Mary, Mother of God and Queen of Peace, pray for us!

Learn More: Pope Leo XIV’s Call to Prayer

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Halloween Faith & Family Mass
A Youth Faith Formation Special Event
Sunday, October 26th

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.” In response to the Lord’s call, all parents, grandparents, and children of all ages are invited to join Father Jim for our annual Halloween Faith & Family Mass on Sunday, October 26th at 11:45am in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church.

Halloween is often described as a pagan holiday, but this is contrary to its true meaning and authentic origins. The word “hallo” actually means holy. All Hallows Eve is really a Catholic holiday with roots in both celebrating the lives of the saints and praying for the souls of our departed brothers and sisters. At sunset on October 31st, the Catholic Church begins its celebration of the Solemnity of All Saints. So, from the Vigil of All Saints on October 31st through the Solemnity of All Saints Day on November 1st, and the Commemoration of All Souls on November 2nd, we pray with the saints and we pray for the souls of our loved ones.

Over the years, French, Irish, and English immigrants brought a variety of local Catholic customs to the United States. Dressing up in costumes for Halloween comes from France. Jack-O-Lanterns are from Ireland, where the faithful originally carved turnips, not pumpkins. And the tradition of going from door to door begging for sweets and treats was born in England, where children were given “soul cakes” in exchange for the promise to pray for the souls of departed loved ones. Eventually, these traditions came together in the American Melting Pot and became part of almost every family’s Halloween tradition.

Now it’s our turn to continue this annual tradition! On Sunday, October 26th at 11:45am, we will celebrate Holy Mass in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. 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 and encouraged to wear costumes!

If celebrated with hearts filled with faith, hope, and love, Halloween can be an enjoyable and wholesome experience for your family and our entire community! It offers a unique opportunity to teach our children and grandchildren about the realities of good and evil, light and darkness, and the ultimate triumph of God’s love and mercy in our world!

For more information about the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport’s Halloween Faith & Family Mass, please see Father Jim or contact him at frjim@ccgronline.com. Save the date! Spread the word! Bring your family! Bring your friends! All are invited! All are welcome! Peace and blessings to all for a safe and holy Halloween!

Learn More: Christian Roots of Halloween

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Our Lady’s Guild
Celebrating Our 81st Year
Monday, November 3rd

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. Our next potluck supper is scheduled for Monday, November 3rd at 6:30pm in Our Lady’s Hall. Please RSVP by contacting Cecelia Doucette at 978-281-2031. After a brief business meeting, we will also work together on a Snowman craft project!  For more information about Our Lady’s Guild and its good work in our parish, please contact Beth Fosberry at jcbf33@yahoo.com. Please join us! New members are always welcome!

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Holy Family Parish
Annual Christmas Fair
Saturday, November 22nd

All are invited to join Holy Family Parish for our Annual Christmas Fair on Saturday, November 22nd from 9:00am until 2:00pm in Saint Ann Church Hall. This year’s fair will feature various sale tables including homemade holiday baked goods, Bea’s Raffle, Christmas decorations, and our world famous basket wheel.

In addition, raffle tickets are now available for cash prizes, a homemade quilt, an Apple iPad and Smartwatch. Please join us in helping to make this year’s fair our most successful ever! For more information please contact Lydia Bertolino at lbbglosta1929@outlook.com. Save the date! All are invited! All are welcome!

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Holy Family Parish
Christmas Fair Basket Wheel
Now Accepting Donations

Our world famous basket wheel is the biggest moneymaker at our biggest fundraising event of the year! But our success depends on donations from friends and fellow parishioners! So, all are invited to create and donate a $25 theme basket for crafts, movie nights, school snow days, holiday gift wrap, or summer barbecues. For more information, please contact Stephanie Tashj at 978-857-7994. Help us keep the basket wheel spinning! Thanks in advance for your generous support!

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Holy Family Parish
Cemetery Baskets & Kissing Balls
Now Accepting Orders

As part of the Christmas Fair, the Holy Family Women’s Guild is working again with Cressey & Sons in Rowley to offer for sale both Christmas Cemetery Baskets and Christmas Kissing Balls! Each log-shaped basket is $30 and each decorated kissing ball is $35. Orders are now being accepted until November 16th. For more information or purchases, please contact Cecelia Gray (HFP) at 978-281-2072 or Beth Fosberry (OLGV) at jcbf33@yahoo.com. Thank you!

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Words of Wisdom from Mollie Rogers

God is love.
Where there is love, there is God.
And there is peace.

Learn More: Mother Mary Joseph (AKA Mollie Rogers)

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We Share
Safe & Easy Electronic Giving

We make a life by what we give. — Winston Churchill

Electronic giving has become an essential part 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 addition to the weekly offering, you can also give electronically to our church restoration funds which help us plan for the repair and maintenance of our four beloved and historic churches.

Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish always need your generous support! Please prayerfully considering enrolling in our electronic giving program! For more information about creating a new account or assistance with an existing account, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com. Peace, blessings, and sincere thanks to all!

Support Holy Family Parish
Support Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish

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