SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME + JULY 29, 2007

On the Way...

If my comments last weekend were unclear, or if you were not here, of if you could not hear, let me put them in print. Pope Benedict’s recent declaration that the extraordinary form of the Mass can be used throughout the universal church was prompted by his deep desire to reconcile those who had been separated from the mystery of the Eucharist for 40 years. As I mentioned, this will probably have more of an effect in Europe and even China and parts of Asia. The effect in our country will be sparse, I believe, and in New Hampshire it will be spotty. This does not mean that we will not experience the extraordinary form, but the ordinary form of the Mass will continue to be prayed. Masses here at St. Peter Parish will continue at the usual times in English. If there ever were a request by a group of parishioners for a Mass in the extraordinary form I would have to see how their request can be fulfilled. If I cannot help them, then I must refer their request to the Bishop. A priest must be both willing and able to celebrate in that form. There are many other requirements that are attendant to the extraordinary form, many of which we are no longer used to. A great lesson for me in this is that the Eucharist, the Mass must be respected in all its forms, and all of us must assure deep respect for this Sacrament.

PLEASE NOTE: Fr. Dumont will be away on vacation from 1:00 pm, Sunday, July 29, and will return for Monday morning Mass on August 6. Fr. Babineau will celebrate Mass Mon., July 30, Tues., July 31, and Wed., Aug. 1. There will be no Mass on First Friday, August 3. Deacon George Borkush will distribute Communion to the shut-ins on First Friday.

PARISH NURSE: Friday from 7:30-10:00 am.

MY SACRIFICIAL GIVING: Jesus is describing God’s immeasurable generosity when He says in today’s Gospel, "whoever asks, receives; whoever seeks, finds; whoever knocks, is admitted." But it should also be the description of us as Christian stewards - those seeking to follow Christ by using our gifts in service to others.

Weekly Offertory: $4,445

NEXT WEEKEND, we welcome Fr. Dominic Legge, a Dominican Friar from St. Catherine of Siena Priory in Manhattan. Fr. Dominic will preach for the annual Mission Cooperative Plan Appeal at St. Peter and St. Paul parishes. The Dominican Friars of St. Joseph Province preach the Gospel in Kenya, Solomon Islands, Philippines, and Pakistan. In order for the work to continue and expand, they need your help. You may place your donation next weekend in your weekly envelope, noting the amount for the Missions. Thank you.

MONTHLY FOOD DRIVE NEXT WEEK: The NH Food Bank continues to be in dire need of non-perishable food items. The shelves are empty of basic staples such as canned meats and tuna, any kind of pasta and rice, peanut butter, canned fruits and vegetables and soups. Any donation, one item or many, will help towards relieving this shortage. Thank you for anything you are able to contribute.

PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS those who died last week, and especially Bruce Rogers, father of Kathryn Rogers of this parish, and Charles Doucette, brother of Kathy Bournival of this parish.

REGISTRATION FORMS FOR 2007-08

CHRISTIAN FORMATION are available at the entryways to church. Please fill in the Family information section completely. If your child was not registered in our program this year, please submit a Baptism record, unless the Baptism took place at St. Peter Church.

Call Jake or Mary at 669-5134, or e-mail to stpetercf@comcast.net if you have any questions.

TEACHERS NEEDED: Many thanks to those who have volunteered to share their faith with our young parishioners in the 2007-08 year. If you would be interested in helping with weekly dismissals of K-3 during Mass, or at our once-a-month Generations of Faith sessions, please call Jake at 669-5134, or e-mail to stpetercf@comcast.net and Jake will be in touch with you.

MASS INTENTIONS: We receive many calls for Mass Intentions for loved ones, but it often is too late to schedule the desired date. We can schedule Masses up to two years ahead, especially if you want a specific time or date, such as an anniversary Mass. We do have a few open Masses in Oct., Nov. and Dec. Please call Shirley at the parish office (623-5429).

WELCOME TO NEWLY-REGISTERED PARISHIONER Donald Luongo.

Annual Auburn Multi Media and Book Sale sponsored by the Griffin Library Sunday, July 30 (11 am-2 pm) at the Auburn Village School on Hooksett Rd. Sunday is bargain day (fill a bag with books for $4). They will sell audio and visual media, (books, hardcover and paperbacks) video tapes, audio books on tape and on CD, music cassette tapes and CD's. Also, vinyl records, computer and interactive games, computer accessories and board games and jigsaw puzzles.

Homeschool Mass with Bishop McCormack on September 5th, 2007 at 10:00am at St. Pius X Church, Candia Rd. in Manchester. Small reception and outing in the park to follow. Please set aside this date to come and pray for and with our Bishop and our families and our upcoming school year. Call Lisa Dennehy with questions at 648-6299.

Is your marriage tearing you apart? Call Retrouvaille at 1-800-470-2230

or go to www.retrouvaille.org

STE. MARIE CHILD CARE CENTER: Openings available for 4 yr. old Preschool and Kindergarten Programs, as well as Before and After School Programs for the fall of 2007. For more information, please call (603) 668-2356.

Volunteer opportunity: Do you enjoy infants and toddlers? The OUR PLACE Program, a pregnancy and parenting education program of NH Catholic Charities, is looking for volunteers to provide childcare for infants and toddlers for a couple of hours once or twice a month, while mothers participate in group activities. For further information, please contact Charlene at (603)647-2244.

Seventh Trumpet Mass On August 19, at St. Joseph Cathedral, the Vocation Office will host the next Seventh Trumpet Mass for priestly vocations: Rosary at 2:20 pm, Mass at 3:00 pm. This is a special celebration with a blessing for our seminarians who are returning to their studies in September. Please come and lend your support and show your enthusiasm for vocations to the Priesthood.Log onto www.liveinblackandwhite.com for more information or call 669-3100 ext. 132.

MASS INTENTIONS

July 30, Mon. 7:00 am Germaine Labrie by Lillian and Claire

July 31, Tues. 7:00 am Lela Loranger by George and Sue Mercier

Aug. 1, Wed. 7:00 am Souls in Purgatory by S.M.

Aug. 4, Sat. 4:00 pm Phil Pratt (9th Anniversary) by the family

Aug. 5, Sun. 8:00 am For all parishioners of St. Peter Church

Aug. 5, Sun. 11:00 am Timothy Mongeau by Bill and Judy Coughlan

REFLECTION OF THE WEEK

First Reading: Genesis 18:20-32

Second Reading: Colossians 2:12-14

Gospel: Luke 11:1-13

It is said that God will give the most loving answer possible to our prayers. Sometimes that means that God will physically heal us or grant us some favor. At other times it means that God will meet us on the cross. We would naturally prefer to receive a positive response to our prayers, but God, who sees reality from a different perspective, can see that it is sometimes better if we do not receive the things for which we prayed. God thinks in terms of long-term good, eternal good, and not short-term, immediately obvious good.

Question for adults

What do I think prayer consists of?

It is clear from today’s readings that God expects us to ask Him for something, just as a child asks a parent when in need. But God is generous, like a parent. If a child asks for a nickel, a parent will often give it, and also an ice cream cone. God is often like that. We ask for something, and He gives us something else, something much better than that which we expected. In today’s second reading, St. Paul reminds us that in Baptism we have received the most life-giving and everlasting gift ever: eternal life with God.

Question for children

Do I ask for too much?

I must be careful to ask for too much. There may be many things I would like, but my parents know that those things might not be the best for me right now. I can look at what I already have and see how generous others have been to me so far by appreciating and being thankful for what I have. Just like God, I can expect my parents to provide for me.

Ste Marie and Sacred Heart Parish Annual

Revival:

August 12-I chose you

August 13-Remain in My Love

August 14-Go and Bear Fruit

Key Note Speaker: Bob Rice-Professor of Theology

at Franciscan University 7-9 pm

at Sacred Heart Church in Manchester