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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.
Third Sunday of Easter · April 26, 2020
BRINGING HOME THE WORD
OUR PASTOR’S MESSAGE — PAGE 3
_____________________________
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 Mealtime Prayer by Fritz von Uhde
2
CATHOLIC COMMUNITY OF GLOUCESTER & ROCKPORT THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER
A CALL TO PRAYER _____________________
Jesus, Help Me!
EVER TOGETHER IN PRAYER
With every need,
let me come to you with humble trust and say:
Jesus, help me!
In all my doubts,
perplexities, and temptations:
Jesus, help me!
In hours of loneliness,
weariness, and trial:
Jesus, help me!
In the failure of my plans and hopes,
in disappointments, troubles, and sorrows:
Jesus, help me!
When others fail me
and your grace alone can assist me:
Jesus, help me!
When I throw myself on your tender love
as both Father and Savior:
Jesus, help me!
When my heart is cast down by failure,
at seeing no good come from my efforts:
Jesus, help me!
When I feel frustrated and impatient
and my cross irritates me:
Jesus, help me!
When I am sick
and my head and hands cannot work:
Jesus, help me!
Always, always, always,
in spite of every weakness, failure, and shortcoming:
Jesus, help me and never forget me!
Pastor’s Note: Even though we cannot worship together right now, we can still pray togeth-
er. This weekend’s newsletter features reflections from Bringing Home the Word, a resource
for adults and families that encourages prayer and study of the scriptures, the lives of the
saints, and topics related to the Christian life. A new edition is posted every weekend on our
website: ccgronline.com. All are encouraged to join us in Bringing Home the Word! Print it,
share it, use it! Let’s pray together! Ever together! Peace and blessings to all! — Father Jim
3
CCGRONLINE.COM | @CCGRONLINE APRIL 26, 2020
OUR PASTOR’S MESSAGE _____________________
Bringing Home the Word
BY FATHER JIM
Abba Moses lived in Egypt during the fourth century. He began his adult life as an appren-
tice to a government official. He was a tall, angry, and imposing man who was dismissed
from his position for theft and violent crimes. He soon became the leader of a gang that ter-
rorized the Nile Valley. In an effort to escape justice, he took refuge among some desert
monks whose life and example soon convinced him to change his ways. Moses was bap-
tized, joined the monastery, and ultimately became its spiritual father. Abba Moses is best
remembered for saying: “Stay in your cell and your cell will teach you everything.”
As we begin another week at home, perhaps working remotely or perhaps working not at
all and finding it harder than ever to make ends meet, let us pray for the intercession of Ab-
ba Moses and the Desert Fathers and Mothers. These early Christians turned their backs on
the world, settled in small communities, and dedicated themselves to prayer, solitude, and
mutual assistance. In his book, Domestic Monastery, Father Ronald Rolheiser reminds us that
we need not be desert monks to grow close to God; we need only do what God calls us to
do here and now with the one life that we are blessed to live.
At this moment, common sense, science and medicine, and a concern for public health call
us to stay home. But staying at home does not release us from our Christian vocation to
love and care for others. Whether it’s simply loving our families, looking out for an elderly
neighbor, or reaching out by phone or social media, each of us has a role to play in building
and strengthening our community during these uncertain times. Father Rolheiser writes
that the rule and rich spirituality of the domestic monastery is based on these principles:
Stay inside your commitments, be faithful,
your place of work is a seminary,
your work is a sacrament,
your family is a monastery,
your home is a sanctuary.
Stay inside them, don’t betray them,
learn what they are teaching you
without constantly looking for life elsewhere
and without constantly believing that God is elsewhere.
Unlike our current circumstances, the Desert Fathers and Mothers retreated voluntarily
from the world. Their way of life was not caused by a life-threatening global pandemic. But
even now, they remind us that Christ is ever present in our homes, in the compelled soli-
tude of these strange times, in the faces of our loved ones, and in the everyday miracles of
watching a new season blossom from the safety of our kitchen windows.
These are difficult days. Fear and uncertainty loom over those who are well. Hardship and
suffering confront the sick and those who care for them. We miss each other. We long for a
return to normalcy. At the same time, we can bring the Word of God into our homes by
reading the scriptures, by taking advantage of the many resources available on our website,
and by taking care of ourselves and our loved ones. So for now, let’s stay home and pray
together that God will teach us what we need to know.
4
CATHOLIC COMMUNITY OF GLOUCESTER & ROCKPORT THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER
BRINGING HOME THE WORD _____________________
Hanging on to Hope
BY JIM & SUSAN VOGT
It is easy for all of us to feel overwhelmed and helpless in the face of natural disasters, blatant
injustices, and tragedies in our world (like the coronavirus pandemic). Are earthquakes,
floods, and droughts worse than in the past, or are we more aware of them due to modern
communication? Injustices tear at our hearts the most since they are under human control.
Terrorism, corrupt politicians, oil spills, and pollution are mammoth problems of human mak-
ing. Tragedies like death, divorce, or lingering illnesses can devastate us. We wonder: How
can God allow such suffering when we try so valiantly to do what is right and pray so hard?
What is a Christian to do? Wallow in grief or guilt? Rail at God? Give up? Grieving is normal,
for a time. Even getting angry at God is human. The psalms are good examples of people
pouring out their grief and anger to God (See for example Psalms 22, 55, 57, 88, 94, and 102).
Don’t worry. God can handle our strong feelings. There comes a time, however, when we
have to pick ourselves up and carry on. The following actions have helped us when we have
felt overwhelmed or powerless in the face of problems and evils in our world:
Cultivate gratitude. Let go of your anger through consciously noting one thing each day for
which you are grateful. When Susan starts fretting about the ills of society, she calls to mind
that at least our home has electricity and running water.
Pray in solidarity. Of course, we both pray, both personally and at Mass, for people affected
by natural disasters and tragedies of all kinds. Adding our bodies to our prayers through fast-
ing or other sacrifices can build solidarity with the victims and reinforce our prayers.
Take actions. Actions put feet on prayer. If you are already feeling overwhelmed and
stretched, then remind yourself that you do not have to eradicate poverty or war today — or
alone. Can you take one action step in the direction of change? This will not solve the problem,
but it gets you out of the starting gate.
Protect your sanity. When making even one step feels like too much, you might be right.
Sometimes we are truly maxed out and have to trust others and God to take care of a problem.
Count what you are doing as contributing to society and call it ‘enough.’
Think bigger. Those of us with ordinary demands on our time, energy, and money have the
responsibility to think bigger, to consider a second or third step. We must go beyond the hu-
man temptation to throw up our hands and say: “It’s too big a problem. I can’t make any dif-
ference.” Consider that your strong emotion of anger or helplessness may be a call from God
to act. You have been touched and moved.
Make a friend. Whatever problem is touching your heart, there are probably others who have
organized a group that is already working on it. Besides, having others to work with is moti-
vating and can refine bigger ideas. Get involved.
Jesus spent his life showing us how to deal with adversity and how to be good neighbors. And
what did it get him? Crucified! If we are following Jesus, then we should not expect comfort
and ease. Rather, we need to spend ourselves for others and learn to love better. Jim McGin-
nis, a co-founder of the Institute for Peace & Justice, writes: “In the face of escalating violence,
let us escalate love.”
5
CCGRONLINE.COM | @CCGRONLINE APRIL 26, 2020
BRINGING HOME THE WORD _____________________
The Mystery of Suffering
BY FATHER MICHAEL GUINAN, OFM
Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria. Wildfires in California. The Indian Ocean Tsunami. Ac-
cidents, mass shootings, disease, and death. Natural disasters and those produced by humans
bring with them so much suffering. Ancient literature from Egypt and Mesopotamia attests
that even then people called out, “Why?” In Psalm 10:1, the psalmist cries out, “Why, Lord?”
Our voices join in an age-old chorus! The problem of suffering is difficult. How can we under-
stand a benevolent, just God in the face of such human experiences?
Perhaps the best biblical example of this struggle is found in the Book of Job. Job suffers the
loss of possessions and family and is afflicted with a terrible disease. Friends hear of his plight
and come to console him. After Job’s cry of pain, the discussion begins. Why is Job suffering?
One easy answer that surfaces immediately is that Job deserves it; he is suffering because of
his sins. When Job rejects this, his friends counter, in effect, “Don’t give us that! All human
beings are rotten sinners!” For them, all suffering is somehow punishment for sin. Sad to say,
Job’s friends have vocal descendants even now. While it is true that our sinful actions have
consequences, as an all-purpose explanation, this one is too simplistic.
Even within the Book of Job, the situation is complicated. As readers, we know from the start
that his friends are wrong. Job is righteous, and his suffering is allowed by God to test his vir-
tue. Other answers also appear in the book. Like any good ancient Near Eastern father, God
disciplines us through suffering to make us better (Job 5:17-18 & Job 36:15). Or suffering is
mysterious, so who are we to understand God’s ways (Job 11:7-10 & Job 15:8-9)? Although
these responses may give temporary relief, ultimately they are not satisfactory answers to the
meaning of suffering. While we seek understanding, perhaps this is not the best approach to
the problem. In fact, maybe suffering is not really a problem at all but a mystery.
What is the difference? A problem is something ‘out there.’ We can see all the pieces and sur-
vey its dimensions. The question then become: How do we understand it? How do we solve
it? Problems are solved intellectually. A mystery is different. It is a situation in which I am so
immersed that I can never get far enough away to see it all ‘out there.’ Love and death are
mysteries. So is suffering. Mysteries involve us on the deepest levels of our relationships with
ourselves, others, the natural world, and with God. To be human is to be enmeshed in these
relationships. When they grow into greater wholeness (through love) or come apart (through
suffering), we are in the presence of mystery. We will never solve the meaning of suffering
any more than the meaning of love.
At the heart of Christianity is the affirmation that, through the Incarnation, Jesus entered into
these relationships too. Jesus fully shared in the human condition. When he faced suffering
and death, he also called out, “Why?” The Book of Mark quotes these as his last words from
the cross: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me (Mark 15:34)?” We know that God
did not forsake Jesus but raised him to everlasting life. Nowhere in scripture do we read:
“Have faith in me and you will understand everything, including suffering.” But we do read
that whatever the suffering: “Do not be afraid, for I am with you.” We do not suffer alone. To-
gether, we survive all suffering, even death itself.
CHECK OUT BRINGING HOME THE WORD AT CCGRONLINE.COM!
CATHOLIC COMMUNITY OF GLOUCESTER & ROCKPORT THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER
OUR WEEKLY GIFTS _____________________
PASTOR’S NOTE Your Generosity Matters More Than Ever!
During this pandemic crisis, your weekly gifts are vitally important to the financial stability of both Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish. Our parish-es depend solely on the generosity of our parishioners to pay our bills and make ends meet.
All are encouraged to mail their offering or give electron-ically. Our mailing address is 74 Prospect Street, Glouces-ter, Massachusetts 01930. In addition, our We Share pro-gram is a safe and easy way to make online donations to your home parish using a credit care, debit card, or elec-tronic check. Now more than ever, we need your help to ensure the financial stability of our parishes.
If you have questions or need more information about supporting our parishes during this difficult time, please contact me at [email protected] or 978-281-4820. Thank you for your generous support! Peace, prayers, and blessings for you and your family! — Father Jim
SANCTUARY GIFTS
At each of our churches in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport, sanctuary flowers, sanctuary can-dles, and sanctuary gifts (hosts & wine) can be donated for a special intention or in memory of a friend or loved one. The requested donation for sanctuary gifts is $175. The requested donation for a sanctuary candle is $25. This week, donations were offered for these intentions:
In Memory of the Taormina Family Sanctuary Candle· Saint Ann Church
In Memory of Roberta Wallace Sanctuary Candle· Saint Joachim Church
In Memory of Nicolo Vitale Sanctuary Candle· Saint Anthony Chapel
In Memory of Captain Rosario Grillo Sanctuary Candle· Our Lady of Good Voyage Church
If you would like to donate a sanctuary candle or sanctu-ary gifts in memory of a deceased loved one, please con-tact us at [email protected] or 978-281-4820. Thank you for your generous support! May God bless you!
WESHARE
Safe & Easy Electronic Giving Holy Family & Our Lady of Good Voyage Parishes
Learn more: ccgronline.com! Or contact Father Jim: [email protected]!
Thank you for your generous support! Christ is Risen! Alleluia! Alleluia!
OUR MASS INTENTIONS _____________________
APRIL 25—MAY 3, 2020
Saturday, April 25 Vigil· Third Sunday of Easter
4:00pm Ronald Joseph
Sunday, April 26 Third Sunday of Easter
7:00am Celestino Goulart
8:15am Samuel & Frances Miceli
10:00am Helen Joseph
11:45am Captain Rosario Grillo
5:00pm Mass for God’s People
Third Week of Easter
Monday, April 27 Antoinette Vaccaro
Tuesday, April 28 Peter Hood
Wednesday, April 29 The Sears Family
Thursday, April 30 Domenic & Nicolina Petringa
Friday, May 1 All Souls in Purgatory
Saturday, May 2 Intentions of the Assisi Project
Saturday, May 2 Vigil· Fourth Sunday of Easter
4:00pm Madonna del Rosario Society
Sunday, May 3 Fourth Sunday of Easter
7:00am Julia & Alcides Padre
8:15am The Unis Family
10:00am George & Katy Warde
11:45am Anibal & Manuel Senos
5:00pm Mass for God’s People
6:00pm Kathleen Rose Legendre
6:00pm Maurice & Mary Landry
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“God is Love”1 John 4:8