Living the Gospel
Sacrament of Baptism
Welcome Young Disciples!
The Sacrament of Baptism is the first of three Sacraments of Initiation in the Roman Catholic Church. The two other Sacraments of Initiation are Eucharist and Confirmation. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church: “Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit, and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism, we are freed from sin and reborn as children of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church, and made sharers in her mission (CCC 1213).”
In the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport, the Sacrament of Baptism is currently celebrated during Sunday Mass at 10:00am in Saint Joachim Church; on the second Saturday of the month at 11:30am in Saint Ann Church; and on the third Saturday of the month at 11:30am in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. Please note that we do not celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism during the Holy Season of Lent.
If you would like to schedule your child’s baptism in either Holy Family Parish or Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish, please contact Sheila McCarthy-Durkin at smccarthy@ccgronline.com. May God bless our newly baptized young disciples, along with their parents, godparents, & family members! Congratulations to all!
__________
Sharing God’s Love
Sacrament of Penance & Reconciliation
Wednesday Evenings
As sinners, we acknowledge our faults and failures. We also believe deeply in God’s boundless mercy and limitless love for us. The Sacrament of Penance & Reconciliation (Confession) offers each of us a unique opportunity to reconcile ourselves with both God and the Church. The Sacrament is comprised of the following elements: sorrow for our sins, confession of those sins to a priest, a prayer of personal contrition (see below), absolution by a priest, and some act of penance and reconciliation.
An Act of Contrition
My God,
I am sorry for my sins with all my heart.
In choosing to do wrong,
and failing to do good,
I have sinned against you,
whom I should love above all else.
I firmly intend with the help of your grace,
to do penance, to sin no more,
and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Amen.
In the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport, confessions are heard on Wednesday Evenings from 6:05pm until 6:45pm in Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish Hall; and by appointment. All penitents are encouraged to wear a mask. If you would like to make an appointment for confession, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com.
Learn More: Guide to Making a Good Confession
__________
Sacrament of Marriage
In the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport, the Sacrament of Marriage is celebrated at Saint Joachim Church in Rockport, Saint Ann Church in Gloucester, Saint Anthony Chapel in Gloucester, and Our Lady of Good Voyage Church in Gloucester. If you are not a registered parishioner in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport, please note that you must arrange for your own clergy. Otherwise, if you would like to schedule a wedding in one of the churches of the Catholic Community of Gloucester or Rockport, please contact Sheila McCarthy-Durkin at smccarthy@ccgronline.com. Arrangements must be made at least six months in advance of a planned wedding. Thank you in advance for your cooperation and support!
Learn More: Sacrament of Marriage
__________
Adult Faith Formation
The Way
Sacramental Preparation for Adults
I am the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6).
“The Way” was among the earliest names for the followers of the Risen Christ. Indeed, the Way appears as a scriptural reference to the earliest Christian communities in the Acts of the Apostles. In addition, both before and after his conversion, tradition holds that Saint Paul referred to the disciples of Christ as part of “The Way.” More than two thousand years later, Catholic Christians are still part of the Way of Jesus Christ. But as we all know, a life of discipleship is not a hobby or pastime. It is a vocation, a way of life that lays claim to our whole heart, mind, and strength. As disciples, our lives should be focused on and inspired by our faith in Jesus Christ, who is our merciful redeemer, friend, and brother. And as disciples, we are called to reach out to those who need our help in growing closer to Christ and the Church.
If you are an adult (age 18 and over) and have not received all of the Sacraments of Initiation in the Roman Catholic Church (Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation), then please consider joining “The Way.” Typically called the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, The Way is a seven month program that prepares adults to be received into the Roman Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil. As part of this same program, we will prepare adults for the Sacrament of Confirmation (to be received at either our local Easter Vigil Mass or at a regional archdiocesan celebration).
Beginning in the fall, this adult faith formation program will meet twice each month for fellowship, formation, and faith sharing. As a community of disciples, we will learn together about the basic beliefs, teachings, and traditions of the Catholic Church. We will explore the methods of prayer that have brought generations of believers closer to Christ and his Church. And we will talk openly and honestly about the challenges of living an authentic life of faith, hope, and love in the modern world. If you would like to learn more about this journey of faith and become part of a unique fellowship in preparation for the sacraments of the Roman Catholic Church, then please contact Cliff Garvey at cgarvey@ccgronline.com. Please join us! All are invited! All are welcome!
__________
Pastoral Care Ministry
for the Sick, Disabled & Homebound
- Sacrament of the Sick
- Sacrament of Holy Communion
‘Is there anyone sick among you?’ This question, found in the New Testament’s Letter of Saint James (James 5:14), serves as an invitation for the sick and those who care for them to call upon the priest of the Church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. All parishioners are welcome to ask for prayer and for the Sacrament of the Sick before surgery or when diagnosed with a serious illness. This sacrament should not be regarded as ‘Last Rites’ but as a powerful instrument of the Lord’s healing presence. If you or a loved one would like to receive the Sacrament of the Sick or the Sacrament of Holy Communion at home (due to age, illness, or disability), please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com.
Learn More: Sacrament of the Sick
__________
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. Our worship sites include Saint Ann Church in Gloucester, Saint Anthony Chapel in Gloucester, Saint Joachim Church in Rockport, and Our Lady of Good Voyage Church in Gloucester. We are a Roman Catholic faith community united in prayer, fellowship, and service. For more information about becoming a member of one of our parishes, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com. Please join us! All are welcome!
Follow us on Instagram!