TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME + AUGUST 26, 2007

On the Way..

If you are reading this, it probably means that you regularly attend Mass here at St. Peter Parish. You therefore might meet the first requirement to become an Extraordinary Minister Of Holy Communion.

We are in need of parishioners to serve in this ministry. Candidates, if married, must be in a valid marriage (married before a priest and two witnesses), or single, and at least 21 years of age. If you are available to volunteer for this ministry, you will be thoroughly trained. The frequency of service is now to serve every 3-4 weeks. If we can get a few more volunteers, we can meet the requirements we have for more people who come to Mass. Many people do not feel "worthy" to distribute Holy Communion, and that is very understandable. But we must all remember that there is a need, that the church allows it, that the parish needs you, and that God loves you and will bless you with the graces you may need. If you care to speak further about this or put your name on the list, please call the parish office at 623-5429. A new schedule will be needed for October, so you would be trained in September and start serving in October or November. Please consider this as a personal request from your pastor.

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

MY SACRIFICIAL GIVING: Today’s reading from Isaiah describes the Israelites bringing their offering to the Lord "in clean vessels". The gift of myself - my patient endurance and fidelity to the will of God - is as important as the monetary gift I offer.

Weekly Offertory: $4,672

Holy Day: $780

THIS WEEKEND is the annual collection for the NH Missionaries Abroad and Migrant and Refugee Ministry in New Hampshire. Catholics from NH currently serve as missionaries in Cartago, Colombia, and in Juticalpa, Honduras. This collection supports their work and the ministry to migrants and refugees who have come to NH. There is an envelope for this collection in your packet, or you may place your donation in your weekly envelope, noting amount.

FOOD DRIVE NEXT WEEKEND is for St. Paul Parish Food Pantry in Candia. Items most needed are canned tuna, peanut butter, jelly, pasta, spaghetti sauce, instant potatoes, evaporated or powdered milk, canned spaghetti and ravioli, beef stew, dessert mixes, soup (any kind except tomato).

PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS those who died this week, and especially parishioner Charles Komisarek.

MEETINGS IN SEPTEMBER

Liturgy Committee: September 4, Tuesday, 6:30 pm, Rectory Meeting Room

Pastoral Council: September 11, Tuesday, 6:30 pm, Parish Conference Room

Knights of Columbus: September 20, Thursday, 7:30 pm, Parish Hall

Finance Council: September 25, Tuesday, 6:30 pm, Rectory Meeting Room

ST. PETER CHURCH BOWLING LEAGUE: On Monday evening, September 10, at 9 pm, the St. Peter Church Bowling League will start another fun-filled bowling season at Lakeside Lanes. The bowling league consists of fellow parishioners and friends who are out to have some fun on Monday evenings, and we are always looking for additional members to join our "fun" bowling league. If you are interested or need more information, call Anne Vargas at 483-2664 or John Zube at 434-7921.

ST. PETER CHURCH ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT: If you were not at St. Peter Church last weekend, you may pick up a copy of our Financial Report found at the entryways to church.

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.

On behalf of the Catholic faithful in the United States, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) staff in Peru are rushing to assist survivors of the country’s worst earthquake in more than 30 years. Please pray for those affected by this terrible natural disaster and for those who are assisting them. If you wish to make a donation to support this relief effort, you may do so as follows:

-Donate online at www.crs.org

-Donate via telephone at 1-877-435-7277

- Mail a check to Catholic Relief Services, PO Box 17090, Baltimore, MD 21203-7090, with a notation in the check for "Peru Earthquake Fund".

BOOK STUDY, TRUE DEVOTION TO MARY,

Sept. 12-Oct. 31, 8 Wed. evenings, at St. Marie Church’s Theatre Building - Room 203, 7-9 pm. Call Janet at 623-7570 for more information or to register. (Flyer on bulletin board)

GOING TO COLLEGE?: Parents and college bound students who will be attending college in New Hampshire may pick up a flyer from the bulletin board at all the entryways to church, which lists all at the campus ministry offices. The campus ministry office (Newman Center) can be a "home" away from home for students. The Catholic campus minister provides opportunities for faith and fun and the chance to meet other Catholic students. Mass, bible study, service projects and trips, socials and support are some of the available services.

Is your marriage tearing you apart? Rediscover a loving marriage with a Retrouvaille weekend. If your marriage is tearing the two of you apart, if there is little or no meaningful communication, Retrouvaille can help you. The next weekend will be held September 21-23. Call Retrouvaille at 1-800-470-2230

or go to www.retrouvaille.org

CRAFTERS WANTED!! St. Elizabeth Seton Parish in Bedford will be hosting a "Quality" Craft Fair on November 3rd, 9 am-3 pm. This fair featuring high quality, hand crafted items is held in a fantastic location that has easy access to the highway, free parking and is handicapped accessible. For inquiries and application form, call Sharon at St. Elizabeth Seton Parish at 669-7444. Proceeds benefit the Building Fund. Application deadline is October 15 or when space sells out.

ARE YOU A CAREGIVER TO AN ELDERLY PARENT OR FRIEND? NH Catholic Charities is offering an 8-week workshop to be held on the following Mondays: September 10, 17, 24, October 1, 15, 22, and 29, and November 5. The group will meet from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm at Mount Carmel Healthcare Center, 235 Myrtle St., Manchester. We will discuss personal responsibilities, setting healthy boundaries within the caregiving relationship, physical and emotional changes involved in aging, and legal and financial resources. Registration is at the first meeting. The fee is $65. for individuals or $75. for couples (fee negotiable). If you are interested and need more information please contact Sheryl Brooks at NH Catholic Charities, 624-4717, Ext. 12.

MASS INTENTIONS

Aug. 27, Mon. 7:00 am Souls in Purgatory by S.M.

Aug. 28, Tue. 7:00 am Penny Thibeault by her parents

Aug. 29, Wed. 7:00 am Beverly Hebert by George and Sue Mercier

Sep. 1, Sat. 4:00 pm For all parishioners of St. Peter Church

Sep. 2, Sun. 8:00 am Raymond Lemoine by Don and Ann Dollard

Sep. 2, Sun. 11:00 am Deceased members of the Labbe family by Mr. & Mrs. Jean Paul Labbe

REFLECTION OF THE WEEK

First Reading: Isaiah 66:18-21

Second Reading: Hebrews 12:5-8, 11-13

Gospel: Luke 12:22-30

The Jewish people who heard today’s readings (that from Isaiah and that proclaimed by Jesus) were severely challenged by what was being proclaimed. They thought they knew exactly what God wanted and who was living in God’s favor and who was not. Hearing that the Gentiles were being called to be part of God’s people would have left them disconcerted, but sometimes that is good. It can be good to be off balance a bit so that we can learn new things.

Question for Adults

Who would we be hesitant to see among those who are called the chosen of God? Who would it be difficult to believe is a recipient of God’s mercy and fidelity?

There are certain individuals we do not care for. There are certain prejudices each of us hold against particular types of people. When we hear ourselves speaking in generalities, these issues usually surface. In an atmosphere of politically correct language, we often feel obliged to hide our feelings about others. This is courteous, but does not take away the responsibility we have to see others as made in the image of God and worthy of His salvation. We are not the only ones who are chosen.

Question for Children

Do I often think others are less deserving than I am?

I don’t have to look far away to see that there are others I do not care for. I might even think that my brothers and sisters do not deserve as much as I do. I usually think that my feelings and the things that happen to me are the most important. This week try at least once to ask someone you don’t always care for to tell you what is most important to them, and what their thoughts and feelings are about you!

Crossroads On Friday, September 7, at 6:30 pm, join local men at The Joseph House on 279 Cartier Street, Manchester, for a monthly gathering called Crossroads. If you are a single, young man who is searching to know God’s will in your life, come to Crossroads. Contact Vocation Director at jjalbert@rcbm.org or call 669-3100 ext. 132. To register, call Jude at ext. 153 or jchristopher@rcbm.org.