Watch: Sunday Mass with Father Jim (5-5-24)
Listen: Pray As You Go Daily Meditations
Read: Scripture for Life by Mary McGlone (5-5-24)
This Week’s Message
Love One Another
By Leo Buscaglia
The majority of us
lead quiet, unheralded lives
as we pass through this world.
There will most likely be
no ticker-tape parades for us,
no monuments created in our honor.
But that does not lessen our possible impact,
for there are scores of people waiting
for someone just like us
to come along; people who will appreciate
our compassion,
our unique talents;
someone who will live a happier life
merely because we took the time
to share what we had to give.
Too often we underestimate
the power of a touch,
a smile, a kind word, a listening ear,
an honest compliment,
or the smallest act of caring,
all of which have the potential
to turn a life around.
It is overwhelming to consider
the continuous opportunities there are
to make our love felt.
About the Author
Felice Leonardo Buscaglia (1924-1998) was an author, motivational speaker, and professor of education at the University of Southern California. After the suicide of a favorite student, Dr. Buscaglia, who always preferred being called simply “Leo”, was moved to focus his teaching and writing on the disconnectedness of modern society and the importance of love as a remedy for our alienation from one another. Leo created a graduate level class called “Love 1A.” The course then inspired him to write a series of books about love. At one point, five of his books appeared simultaneously on the New York Times Bestseller List. Leo Buscaglia is perhaps best remembered for his lectures on public television.
Source: Love by Leo Buscaglia (1972)
New! Watch: The Pope Video (May 2024)
CCGR Weekly Newsletter (5-5-24)
Bringing Home the Word (5-5-24)
The Kids Bulletin (5-5-24)
Art Credit: Chakrapong Worathat – 6594807 – Dreamstime
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Living the Gospel
First Holy Communion
Weekend of May 4th & 5th
As Catholics, we believe that the Holy Eucharist is “the source and summit of the Christian life (CCC 1324).” We believe that the Eucharist is the Body and Blood of Christ. And in communion with Pope Francis, we believe in our hearts: “The Eucharist is essential for us. It is Christ who wishes to enter into our lives and fill us with his grace. The Eucharist, although it is the fullness of sacramental life, is not a prize for the perfect but a powerful medicine and nourishment for the weak (EG 47).”
In this spirit, sixty-four of our young disciples have completed their preparations and are now ready to receive the Body and Blood of Christ for the first time. As our annual celebrations of First Holy Communion draw near, all are encouraged to be mindful of our upcoming schedule:
- First Holy Communion Mass
Saturday, May 4th at 4:00pm
Saint Ann Church - First Holy Communion Mass
Sunday, May 5th at 10:00am
Saint Joachim Church - First Holy Communion Mass
Saturday, May 11th at 4:00pm
Saint Ann Church - First Holy Communion Mass
Sunday May, 12th at 11:45am
Our Lady of Good Voyage Church
If your child or grandchild has completed the second grade and has not received the Sacraments of Baptism or First Holy Communion, we have a special program just for them! It’s called The Way for Kids! On Saturdays from 4:30pm until 5:45pm in Our Lady’s School, Betsy Works and a team of volunteers will lead a five week series of workshops for young disciples. After each workshop, the children and their families will attend our 6:00pm in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church.
For more information about our youth faith formation programs, please contact Betsy Works at bworks@ccgronline.com. Now more than ever, let’s pray together for our young disciples and their families! Peace, blessings, and congratulations to all!
Watch & Learn: Holy Eucharist (1 Minute)
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Call to Worship
The Ascension of the Lord
Thursday, May 9th
A Holy Day of Obligation
On Thursday, May 9th, Catholics around the world will celebrate the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, which commemorates Christ’s elevation into heaven in the presence of the disciples on the fortieth day after his resurrection. On this Holy Day of Obligation, the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport will celebrate Masses according to the following schedule:
- Wednesday, May 8th
Vigil Mass at 5:30pm in Our Lady’s Church - Thursday, May 9th
Mass at 8:00am in Saint Joachim Church
Mass at 12:00pm in Saint Ann Church
For more information about this special day in the life of the Church, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com. Please join us! All are invited! All are welcome!
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Call to Prayer
The Ascension of the Lord
Let’s Pray Together
Risen & Ascended Lord,
you came down to lift us up.
You descended to earth,
so that the earth might ascend to heaven.
You descended to death,
so that the dead may rise to life.
In our struggles, lift us up.
In our fatigue, lift us up.
Lift us, Lord, out of sadness into joy,
out of failure into trust.
Lift us, Lord, out of anger into mercy,
out of pride into humility.
Lift us, Lord, out of doubt into faith,
out of loneliness into community.
Lift us, Lord, out of death into life.
Lift us into your heart
to be with you for all eternity.
Amen. Alleluia.
Learn More: The Ascension of the Lord
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A Holy Hour for Peace
Thursday, May 9th
In preparation for next year’s jubilee, Pope Francis has called all Catholics to join him in a Year of Prayer. The pope asks us to rediscover the great value and absolute need for prayer — prayer in our personal lives, prayer in the life of the Church, and prayer in our troubled world. In a special way, the Holy Father asks us to pray for peace, unity, and the victims of conflict and violence, especially children. He says: “Let us all be aware of our responsibility to pray and to build peace.”
In this spirit, all friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport are invited to join us for a Holy Hour for Peace on Friday, May 9th from 3:00pm until 4:00pm in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. Our time together will begin with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. During Eucharistic Adoration, Father Jim and Brother Patrick will lead a Rosary for Peace featuring prayers by Pope Francis. We will conclude with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. For more information, please contact Brother Patrick at brpatrick@ccgronline.com. Please join us! All are welcome!
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Rebuilding the Church
Trivia Night with Father Jim
Friday, May 10th
All friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport are invited to join us for a brain-teasing, mind-blowing, fast-paced Trivia Night with Father Jim on Friday, May 10th from 6:30pm until 10:00pm in Our Lady’s Hall. Throughout the evening, Father Jim (who secretly longs to be a game show host) will ask a series of questions on a wide array of topics that include music and sports, movies and television, books and history, politics and religion!
Participants will be organized into teams of eight players. All are encouraged to organize a team in advance or take your chance on joining the winning team when you arrive. Tickets are $25 per person and are available at the door, at our parish office, or by contacting Father Jim. All are invited to bring their own food and snacks. Coffee, tea, bottled water, and soft drinks will be offered, along with a cash bar. Father Jim also promises some raffles with some very cool prizes!
Don’t miss this opportunity to impress your friends and fellow parishioners with your knowledge of facts, figures, and trivia! Don’t miss the chance to share a few laughs! Don’t miss the chance to win a great prize! And don’t miss the chance to raise some much-need funds for Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish! Please note that we are planning a Fall Trivia Night for Holy Family Parish! Stay tuned for the day and time! For more information about Trivia Night, please contact Father Jim at frjim@ccgronline.com. Spread the word! Please join us! All are invited! All are welcome!
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Come, Holy Spirit!
Crowning Feast of the Holy Spirit
Begins Monday, May 13th
All friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners are invited to join Father Jim, imperators David & Nancy Rose, the Holy Name Society, Our Lady’s Guild, Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish, and the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport in celebrating the Crowning Feast of the Holy Spirit from Monday, May 13th through Sunday, May 19th. Here’s our schedule of events for this beautiful and inspiring annual tradition:
- Monday, May 13th
8:00am: Mass & Holy Hour (OLGV Church)
6:30pm: Holy Rosary & Sandwich Supper (OLGV Hall) - Tuesday, May 14th
8:00am: Mass & Holy Hour (OLGV Church)
6:30pm: Holy Rosary & Desserts (OLGV Hall) - Wednesday, May 15th
5:30pm: Holy Rosary (OLGV Church)
6:00pm: Holy Mass (OLGV Church)
6:35pm: Soup & Bread Supper (OLGV Hall) - Thursday, May 16th
8:00am: Mass & Holy Hour (OLGV Church)
6:30pm: Holy Rosary & Desserts (OLGV Hall) - Friday, May 17th
8:00am: Mass & Holy Hour (OLGV Church)
6:30pm: Sung Rosary in Portuguese (OLGV Hall)
7:00pm: Azorean Catered Supper (OLGV Hall) - Saturday, May 18th
5:15pm: Holy Rosary (OLGV Church)
6:00pm: Vigil Mass (OLGV Church) - Pentecost Sunday, May 19th
11:45am: Holy Mass & Crowning Ceremony (OLGV Church)
1:00pm: Crowning Luncheon (OLGV Hall)
Tickets for Sunday’s Crowning Luncheon are available after all Weekend Masses in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church or through the parish office. A donation of $20 per person is requested. Donations of gift cards for the Crowning Raffle are also appreciated! Pre-orders for the traditional Rosquilhas (round sweet bread) are now being accepted.
For more information about donations and reservations for the Crowning Luncheon, please contact Matt Parisi at 978-360-2357 or mparisi101@gmail.com; Beth Fosberry at 978-790-0196 or jcbf33@yahoo.com; or our parish office at 978-281-4820. Save the dates! Spread the word! Bring your family and friends! Please join us! All are invited! All are welcome! Come, Holy Spirit!
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Sharing God’s Love
Sacrament of Baptism
Gateway to Life in the Spirit
The Sacrament of Baptism is the first of the three Sacraments of Initiation in the Roman Catholic Church. The two others are Holy 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).” During April, Father Jim baptized the following young disciples:
Aniya Christopher
Louie Cosgrove
Caden Durant
Jayson Elwell
Lainey Foote
George Hillman
Grayson Miles
Valentina Miranda
Wyatt Morrissey
Jaxson Novello
Henry O’Shea
The Sacrament of Baptism is celebrated during any 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.
For more information about having your child or grand- child baptized in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport, please contact Sheila McCarthy-Durkin at smccarthy@ccgronline.com. United in prayer, fellowship, and service, we pray for all of our newly baptized young disciples, and for all of their parents, godparents, and grandparents! May God bless you! Peace, blessings, and congratulations to all!
Learn More: Sacrament of Baptism (Short Video)
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Pastor’s Note
Grand Annual Collection
Every Dollar Makes a Difference!
Along with our weekly offerings, the Grand Annual Collection is a crucial component of our efforts to balance our budgets and ensure the financial stability of our beloved home parishes. As we begin the final quarter of the fiscal year, all friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners are encouraged to prayerfully consider a gift to the Grand Annual Collection in either Holy Family Parish or Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish. Donations can be mailed to the following address:
Holy Family Parish
or Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish
74 Pleasant Street
Gloucester, Massachusetts 01930
Please join me in praying that each one of us will give what we can to these vitally important fundraising campaigns. For more information, please contact me at frjim@ccgronline.com. Thank you for your generous support! May God bless you! Peace and blessings to all! — Father Jim
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WeShare
Safe & Easy Electronic Giving
What love we fail to give will be lost. — Leo Buscaglia
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!
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In Memory of Salvatore “Sam” Ciolino