Friday Night Lent

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE

Combining prayer, fasting and alms-giving, Friday nights in Lent at Holy Family, included Mass, supper and a lenten Speaker. The Lenten Supper, a meatless meal or chowder, was prepared and served under the leadership of Marsha Gilmore with the help of Vincentians, Confirmation Class volunteers and others. Speakers included Rev. Leonard Copeland, Order of the Discalced Carmelites and Rev. Paul Helfrich, Brotherhood of Hope. Each priest shared relative Lenten themes and took questions from the floor as well. Proceeds from donations are going to assist the needy in Amesbury and Salisbury through the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul.

Gateway to Holiness

Msgr. James P. Moroney, liturgical scholar, noted TV host, author, and rector of Saint John's Seminary in the Archdiocese of Boston, led a powerful three day Lenten Mission for the collaborative parishes of Holy Family and Star of the Sea, March 23rd, 24th and 25th. The world seeks to crucify the truth, which is not a thing but a person.  The Word made flesh, who walked among us and taught us how to live, stretching out his arms and offering his life on the altar of the cross.  He who is the the way, the truth and the life.  

Entitled "Gateway to Holiness: Prayer, the Poor and a Penitential life", Father Moroney tutored nearly 100 participants on prayer as participation in the Life of God; loving Christ next door - the poor and the sick; and living my Baptism every day - Penance. Beginning and ending each Mission hour with hymns and prayer, Father Moroney blessed the attendees in Christ's Holy Name!

Confirmation Retreat 2014

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE

Each Confirmation Candidate is required to participate in the weekend Confirmation Retreat before the celebration of Confirmation.  The purpose for this requirement is to assure each candidate a personal and prayerful time for conversation with God, a time to pray, a time to “re-treat” from normal events, a time to experience their faith in a fun way (as shown above) and a time to ponder their faith. Directed by Kathy Larsen, this year's retreat was held March 22nd/23rd.

Holy Family at Archdiocesen 65th Annual Mass and Communion Breakfast - SVdP

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE

Inspired by Gospel values, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, a Catholic lay organization, leads women and men to join together to grow spiritually by offering person-to-person service to those who are needy and suffering in the tradition of its founder, Blessed Frédéric Ozanam, and patron, St. Vincent de Paul.

As a reflection of the whole family of God, members, who are known as Vincentians, are drawn from every ethnic and cultural background, age group, and economic level. Vincentians are united in an international society of charity by their spirit of poverty, humility and sharing, which is nourished by prayer and reflection, mutually supportive gatherings and adherence to a basic Rule.

Organized locally, Vincentians witness God's love by embracing all works of charity and justice. The Society collaborates with other people of good will in relieving need and addressing its causes, making no distinction in those served because, in them, Vincentians see the face of Christ.

15 Campers and 25 Staff from HFP Help Make SnowCAMPS 2014 a Huge Success

The weekends of February 28 – March 2 and March 7 - 9 over 245 junior high students and 205 high school and adult staff attended SnowCAMPS at Camp Brookwoods in Alton, NH, where they learned that they truly are a Masterpiece in the Mirror.  There were 15 campers and 25 staff from Holy Family Parish who participated in this fun filled, high energy, spiritual growth experience.  This year marks the 24 anniversary of SnowCAMPS! SnowCAMPS is  designed for 7th and 8th graders; Andy and Jeanine Murray led the effort for Holy Family with the financial and prayer support of many parishioners.

Newburyport News: Popular priest will move on in June

Photo: Newburyport News/B. Eaton

CLICK ON IMAGE FOR NEWS STORY

All Together: "We Believe"

Religious Ed  Children shared their love for Jesus at the March 9th 10:30AM Mass singing "We Believe".

YUM - Cookin' with Father Michael

Gathering with Father Michael on selected Thursday Evenings in the Holy Family Parish Hall, the Catholic Cooking Club meets as a way to gain cooking skills, learn new techniques, share recipes and enjoy Christian fellowship.

CLICK ON J-ALBUM IMAGE TO VIEW PHOTOS

Praying for Colin

COLIN POWELL (PICTURED FAR LEFT/REAR) WITH OMV VOCATION DIRECTOR FATHER JEREMY PAULIN AND OTHERS AT ST. FRANCIS CHAPEL IN BOSTON.

The Pope has asked that during the month of March, Catholics pray,"That many young people may accept the Lord’s invitation to consecrate their lives to proclaiming the Gospel." Holy Family's own Colin Powell is on a journey of discernment to accept the invitation of which the Pope speaks, with The Oblates of the Virgin Mary (OMV). Colin is scheduled to enter the Seminary to begin studies as an OMV Seminarian this coming September. Parishioners are uniting individually in prayer for him.

According to Fr. Jeremy Paulin, OMV Vocation Director, in a recent article published in The Catholic World Report, OMV seeks men, "who love the Church. ... who are prayerful, generous, humble, hard workers and who are not afraid to grow and share. ... those in prayer discerning their vocation, and not afraid to ask Our Lord, How do you want me to serve? ... men who are faithful to the teaching of the Church.  ... (who are) able to understand it, accept it and teach it to others."