About Holy Family Parish - St. Anthony Chapel · Gloucester, Massachusetts
Holy Family Parish — St. Anthony Chapel is one of two parishes in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport (CCGR), a collaborative formed in 2014 that serves Cape Ann, Massachusetts. Its worship sites include Saint Ann Church (Gloucester), Saint Anthony-by-the-Sea Chapel (Gloucester), Saint Joachim Church (Rockport), and Our Lady of Good Voyage Church (Gloucester). The lovely stone Saint Anthony Chapel sits at the foot of Eastern Point at 21 Farrington Avenue and is the summer home of much of the parish's life, including weddings, saint-day Masses, and the celebrated Holy Hours for Peace. Both parishes share a single pastor, Father James M. Achadinha, and a pastoral team of brothers, lay ministers, musicians, and a youth faith-formation director.
- Established
- 1925
- Patron
- Saint Anthony of Padua
- Rector
- Rev. James M. "Father Jim" Achadinha
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston
Why belong here
Saint Anthony Chapel belongs to a small but active Roman Catholic collaborative that takes seriously its call to rebuild the Church on Cape Ann through prayer, fellowship, and service. Visitors and parishioners are welcomed at any of the four historic worship sites, including the beloved seaside chapel that has hosted generations of Gloucester weddings and seasonal devotions. The parish offers weekday and Sunday Masses, the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation by appointment, Holy Hours for Peace, the Knights of Columbus (Council 215), faith formation for youth, a music ministry, and an active archivist — all supported by a close-knit pastoral team led by Father Jim.
Mass times at Holy Family Parish - St. Anthony Chapel
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesdays during Holy Hour (6:05pm beginning to 6:45pm ending) at Our Lady of Good Voyage Church
- By appointment — contact Father Jim at [email protected]
Adoration times
- Wednesday evenings after the 5:30pm Mass — Silent Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at Our Lady of Good Voyage Church
About the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport
Established in 2014, the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport (CCGR) is a collaborative of two historic parishes — Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish — served by one pastor and one pastoral team. The community is committed to living the Gospel of Christ, sharing God's love and mercy, and rebuilding the Church in Gloucester and Rockport. The collaborative's motto is 'All are invited! All are welcome! Always!'
Our Worship Sites
The collaborative includes four worship sites on Cape Ann:
- Our Lady of Good Voyage Church — 142 Prospect Street, Gloucester, MA 01930
- Saint Ann Church — 74 Pleasant Street, Gloucester, MA 01930
- Saint Anthony Chapel (Saint Anthony-by-the-Sea) — 21 Farrington Avenue, Gloucester, MA 01930
- Saint Joachim Church — 56 Broadway, Rockport, MA 01966
Saint Anthony-by-the-Sea Chapel
Saint Anthony-by-the-Sea Chapel is the seaside chapel of Holy Family Parish, consecrated in 1925 and designed by Edward T. P. Graham, the 'dean of Boston architects,' who was recognized for his medieval-style Roman Catholic churches. Constructed of fieldstone in the English parish gothic style, the chapel was donated to the Archdiocese of Boston by Mrs. Margaret Brady Farrell in memory of her father, Anthony Nicholas Brady (1841–1913). It sits at the foot of Eastern Point at Farrington and Saint Louis Avenues and has long been a sought-after setting for Cape Ann weddings.
- Style: English parish gothic
- Material: Fieldstone
- Architect: Edward T. P. Graham (1872–1964)
- Donor: Mrs. Margaret Brady Farrell (in memory of Anthony Nicholas Brady)
- Noted features: Saint Anthony statue in the niche below the cross; observation tower on the right
Pastoral Team
The collaborative is served by a single pastor and a small, dedicated pastoral team. All team members can be reached through the Pastoral Office at 978-281-4820.
- Reverend James M. Achadinha — Pastor ([email protected])
- Brother Patrick Garvey — Associate Minister ([email protected]; [email protected] for prayer requests)
- Melissa Joseph — Administrative Assistant ([email protected])
- Sheila McCarthy-Durkin — Associate Minister & Archivist ([email protected])
- Thomas Misuraca — Associate Minister of Music ([email protected])
- Betsy Works — Associate Minister of Youth Faith Formation ([email protected])
Pastoral Office
The CCGR Pastoral Office serves as the central hub for both Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish. Mail for the parishes should be sent to the office address.
- Address: 74 Pleasant Street, Gloucester, Massachusetts 01930
- Phone: 978-281-4820
- Fax: 978-281-4964
- Email: [email protected]
- Summer hours: Wednesdays and Thursdays, 9:00am–1:00pm
- Pastoral assistance available by phone or email at all times
Sacraments
Information about the celebration of the Sacraments within the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport, including Baptism, Marriage, and others. To become a member of one of the parishes, contact Father Jim at [email protected].
- Baptism — contact Father Jim at [email protected]
- Marriage — celebrated at Saint Joachim, Saint Ann, Saint Anthony Chapel, or Our Lady of Good Voyage Church; arrangements must be made at least six months in advance; contact Sheila McCarthy-Durkin at [email protected]; non-registered couples must arrange their own clergy
Devotions & Special Programs
Special holy-day and devotional observances are a hallmark of the collaborative, especially those coordinated through the Assisi Project (Brother Patrick Garvey) and the saint-day celebrations led by Father Jim.
- Saints for All Seasons — 2-hour mini-retreats opening with Mass, reflection on a saint, Silent Adoration, Rosary, and Benediction (Assisi Project)
- Feast of Saint Anthony Mass & Holy Hour for Peace — typically held at Saint Anthony Chapel on June 13
- Healing Rosary — First Saturdays at 5:00pm at Our Lady of Good Voyage Church
- Wednesday Holy Hour with Adoration and Benediction
Faith Formation & Youth Ministry
Youth faith formation across the collaborative is led by Betsy Works, Associate Minister of Youth Faith Formation ([email protected]). Formation efforts are coordinated across both parishes of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport.
Music Ministry
Liturgical music across the collaborative's four worship sites is supported by Thomas Misuraca, Associate Minister of Music ([email protected]).
Knights of Columbus Council 215
The Knights of Columbus (Council 215) is a fraternal organization of Catholic men that serves both Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish. Since 1897 the council has sponsored countless acts of charity on Cape Ann.
- Local acts of charity: blood drives, food drives, golf tournaments, Coats for Kids
- Monthly meeting: Tuesday evenings at 7:00pm in the parish office
- Contact: Tony Favaloro, 978-36...
Collaborative Pastoral Council (CPC)
Unlike a traditional parish council that focuses on one parish, the Collaborative Pastoral Council is called to think beyond the boundaries and interests of any single parish toward the common good of both parishes in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport.
- Contact: [email protected], 978-281-4820
Stewardship & Electronic Giving
The parishes depend on parishioners' weekly gifts to fund salaries, benefits, utilities, building maintenance, grounds, and historic-church repair. Donations can be made by mail (74 Prospect Street, Gloucester, MA 01930) or electronically via WeShare using a credit card, debit card, or electronic check.
- Support Holy Family Parish
- Support Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish
- Mailing address for offerings: 74 Prospect Street, Gloucester, Massachusetts 01930
10th Anniversary (2014–2024)
In 2024 the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport marked its 10th Anniversary with Masses of Thanksgiving celebrated at each of the four worship sites — including Saint Anthony Chapel. The anniversaries underscored the collaborative's commitment to prayer, fellowship, and service across Cape Ann.