CCGR Weekly Newsletter (8-29-21)
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The Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport HOLY FAMILY PARISH & OUR LADY OF GOOD VOYAGE PARISH _____________________________ Live the Gospel. Share God’s Love. Rebuild the Church. Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time ∙ August 29, 2021 OUR PASTOR’S MESSAGE MIRACLES ALL AROUND _______________________________________ ___ The Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport United in Prayer, Fellowship, and Service Phone: 978-281-4820 Email: [email protected] Website: ccgronline.com Cover Art: The Mass of Saint Gregory by Israhel van Meckenem (c. 1490) CATHOLIC COMMUNITY OF GLOUCESTER & ROCKPORT TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY THE CALL TO PRAYER _____________________ A Prayer of Saint Gregory the Great PATRON SAINT OF STUDENTS & TEACHERS FEAST DAY· SEPTEMBER 3RD When we come together through the power of our prayers, we hold each other’s hands and we walk side by side along the slippery pathways of life. In this spirit, through the bountiful gifts of God’s love and mercy, it comes about that the harder we lean on someone else, the more firmly we are fixed together in fraternal love. Glory to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. Saint Gregory the Great, pray for us! Words of Wisdom from Saint Gregory the Great POPE AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH The proof of love is in the works. Where love exists, it works great things. But when our love ceases to act, it ceases to exist. Saint Gregory the Great, pray for us! MORE GREAT STUFF ONLINE! SOMETHING NEW EVERY WEEK! Our Weekly Newsletter Bringing Home the Word The Kids Bulletin Join us: ccgronline.com/news! 2 CCGRONLINE.COM | @CCGRONLINE AUGUST 29, 2021 OUR PASTOR’S MESSAGE _____________________ Miracles All Around BY FATHER JIM Later this week, on Friday, September 3rd, the Catholic Church throughout the world will celebrate the Feast of Saint Gregory the Great (540-604), Pope and Doctor of the Church. Saint Gregory is remembered and venerated for his countless contributions to liturgy, literature, and music. He is also widely re- membered for a breathtaking miracle. As Pope Gregory raised the host during the celebration of Mass, it was miraculously transformed into the actual Body of Christ, who appeared to the amazed congregation as the Man of Sorrows. As a parish priest for more than eighteen years, I have never been blessed with this kind of miracle. But I can still be filled with amazement at the small mira- cles that happen among us every day. Here are just a few examples: A few years ago, I was surprised when a man who had rejected his faith long ago agreed to pray with me and be anointed with the Sacrament of the Sick. He was dying, depressed, and hopeless; but he somehow knew in his heart that God was with him and his family. He blessed himself, held my hand, and recit- ed the prayers of his childhood. While not a conversion experience, God’s mer- ciful love brightened a dark hospital room and brought peace to a dying man. Not long after this experience, a young disciple approached me after Mass on the sidewalk in front of Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. This boy was just three years old at the time. He watched as I prayed with and blessed a family grieving the loss of a loved one. All of a sudden, the boy ran to me and asked: “Father, can you bless me, too?” Barely able to control my emotions, I knelt, placed my hands over his little head, and begged the Lord to bless and protect this little brother in Christ and his family. After invoking the blessing of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the boy smiled peacefully and ran off into the arms of his astonished mother. Then there was the time that I watched with wonder as a member of our pasto- ral team talked with a troubled parishioner near the back of one of our church- es for more than an hour. After their conversation, which wasn’t an easy one, you could see real peace on the face of that fellow parishioner. Indeed, you could almost literally see how the grace of God had worked through both of them to resolve a very challenging situation. As Catholics, we believe and we know in our hearts that Jesus is really present in the Blessed Sacrament and in all of the Holy Sacraments of the Church. Jesus is also truly present in the prayers and good works of our friends, families, and fellow parishioners. Even during these challenging times, marked by so much sickness, division, and uncertainly, small miracles are happening all around us. God’s boundless mercy is at work in our lives. His abundant love is active in our sick and suffering world. This week, let’s pray together for the grace to see it, embrace it, and act on it. 3 CATHOLIC COMMUNITY OF GLOUCESTER & ROCKPORT TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY REBUILDING THE CHURCH SHARING GOD’S LOVE _____________________ _____________________ The Saint Vincent de Paul Society NEW VOLUNTEERS ALWAYS WELCOME! The Saint Vincent de Paul Society is an international or- ganization that is dedicated to responding to any request Saturday Morning with Saint Francis from any person or family in need. Here on Cape Ann, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4TH we work through Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of BEGINS WITH MASS AT 8:00AM Good Voyage Parish to serve the poor and the needy. Help us help others! Donations can be left at our parish Founded in 2007 by Father Jim and Cliff Garvey after their office, dropped in the collection basket at any Weekend first pilgrimage to Assisi and Rome, the Assisi Project is a Mass, or mailed to: Fellowship of Franciscans in Spirit with friends and fol- lowers in North America, Europe, and Africa. Our mis- Saint Vincent de Paul Society sion is to help believers of all ages and backgrounds better 74 Pleasant Street live the Gospel of Christ through the inspiration and in- Gloucester, Massachusetts 01930 tercession of Saint Francis and Saint Clare of Assisi. New members and volunteers are always welcome! For Our next Saturday Morning with Saint Francis is sched- more information about the Saint Vincent de Paul Society uled for Saturday, September 4th beginning with Mass at and its good work in our parishes and hometowns, please 8:00am in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. We will contact Bob Weeks at [email protected] or Harry gather in-person to pray together and renew the bonds of Miller at 978-281-8672. Thank you for your generous sup- faith, friendship, and mutual support that have sustained port for the Saint Vincent de Paul Society — especially us for more than a decade! If you haven’t joined us before, during last weekend’s second collection! May God bless please prayerfully consider joining us now! you and your family! After Mass, Father Jim and Cliff will lead a discussion about what the pandemic teaches us about the importance The Assisi Project of prayer in our lives. Pope Francis has said again and WE’RE PRAYING FOR YOU! again that this kind of crisis changes us; and that we can- not simply return to some ideal sense of normal. Founded in 2007 by Father Jim and Cliff Garvey during their first pilgrimage to Italy, the Assisi Project is a Fel- With the Holy Father’s good advice in mind, we will re- lowship of Franciscans in Spirit. Our mission is to help flect on questions related to our personal experiences dur- believers of all ages and backgrounds grow closer to ing the pandemic: What does prayer mean to you? What Christ, closer to the Church, and closer to each other role does prayer play in your daily life? What did you through the intercession, inspiration, and good example learn during the pandemic about your relationship with of Saint Francis and Saint Clare of Assisi. Christ, with the Church, and with friends, colleagues, family members, and fellow parishioners? Members of the Assisi Project range in age from 13 to 96 and live in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & All parishioners and friends are invited to join us for the Rockport, throughout the Archdiocese of Boston, from Assisi Project’s Saturday Morning with Saint Francis! If coast to coast, and all around the world. We pray every you plan to join us or want more information about the single day for those who ask for our prayers. If you Assisi Project and its good work in our parishes, please would like us to pray for you or your special intention, contact Cliff at [email protected] or 978-281-4820; please contact Cliff at [email protected] or 978-281 or visit our website: assisiproject.com. Please join us! All -4820. For more information about the Assisi Project and are welcome! Saint Francis of Assisi, pray for us! Saint its good work in our parishes, please contact Cliff or join Clare of Assisi, pray for us! Our Lady of the Angels, pray us online at assisiproject.com! May the Lord give you for us! May the Lord give you peace — now and always! peace — now and always! 4 CCGRONLINE.COM | @CCGRONLINE AUGUST 29, 2021 SHARING GOD’S LOVE THE GIFT OF MUSIC _____________________ _____________________ This Week’s Offerings WEEKEND OF AUGUST 21ST & 22ND Holy Family Parish Offertory $6,342 Electronic $2,016 Summer Carillon Concerts Total $8,358 at Our Lady of Good Voyage Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3RD AT 6:30PM Offertory $2,636 A much-loved summer tradition concludes this week at Electronic $478 Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish and the Catholic Com- Total $3,114 munity of Gloucester & Rockport! Our Summer Carillon Second Collection Concerts will conclude for the season on Friday, Septem- No Second Collection Last Week ber 3rd at 6:30pm (rain or shine)! Holy Family N/A This year, Lucy Pallazola, Cynthia Cafasso, and Thomas OLGV