TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME + SEPTEMBER 30, 2007

On the Way...

Beginning today the young parishioners of Kindergarten and Grades 1, 2 & 3 will be sent to class with their teachers just before the beginning of each Mass. They are to pick up their attendance cards in the vestibule. About one minute before Mass begins I will say a little prayer with them. As they go down to their classes they will place their attendance cards in the box and go with their teacher and aide. The parishioners who volunteer for these positions are most often parents. Our diocese and parish require that they have background checks and training. The children will return to the Mass after the Creed.

Today we will also begin the first of six sessions for 9th and 10th graders who are in the Confirmation program. These classes take place after the 11 am Mass and end at 1pm.

The first of seven Generations of Faith Sessions will be held here on Sunday, October 14, from 4 to 6 pm for all students from Grade 4 through Grade 10 and their parents.

For any questions regarding the Christian Formation Program at St. Peter Parish, please call the Christian Formation Office at 669-5134 or e-mail stpetercf@comcast.net

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

MY SACRIFICIAL GIVING: The sin of the rich man in today’s parable was not that he was rich, but that he failed to share his wealth with the beggar at the gate. He knew Lazarus, perhaps walked by him every time he came in or out, but did nothing to relieve his suffering. Is there a Lazarus in my life? What am I doing to help?

Weekly Offertory: $4,735

PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS long-time parishioner June Day, who died in a tragic automobile accident on September 18. Our prayers go out to her husband Byron, and daughter Stephanie, as they struggle with this terrible and sudden loss.

Also, please pray for Constance Balcius, who died on September 20. Constance is the mother of Kathleen Toomey of this parish.

MONTHLY FOOD DRIVE NEXT WEEKEND, Oct. 6/7. New Horizons Soup Kitchen and Pantry is in need of the following items: peanut butter, coffee, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, #10 cans of vegetables, canned tuna fish.

CONGRATULATIONS to Ken and Jeanne Vachon, who celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary on October 2nd.

FEATURED AD OF THE WEEK Many thanks to Profile Storage for placing an ad on our bulletin.

Profile Self Storage is a family owned business focused on providing honest, friendly, safe, affordable storage with integrity. We are always striving to improve your storage experience and implementing the newest technology available. We are located at 180 Londonderry Turnpike, By-Pass 28, Hooksett, NH, and our telephone number is 669-7233. Visit our website at www.profileselfstorage.com  for photos of our beautiful new facility and special pricing.

ROSARY: In honor of Mary, we will pray the Rosary on Tuesday evenings at 6:30 pm during October, the month of the Rosary. On October 2, we will also have Benediction. On October 16, immediately following the Rosary, there will be a knotted-cord rosary making workshop held in the church hall. The workshop will last about an hour, and all supplies will be provided. For more information on the workshop, call Kathryn at 624-0882, or e-mail her at k3rogers@comcast.net

Music Lovers : Our next choir rehearsal is Wed., Oct. 3, 7-8:30 pm in church. Please enter through the back. Any parishioner 16 years and older is welcome! Also, our first CHOIR MASS will be Sat., Oct. 13, at the 4 pm Liturgy. Our entire choir will worship with our 4 o'clock parishioners that day. For more information, please call Helene at 668-4386.

RCIA - Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults

The Rite of Christian Initiation takes place yearly at the Easter Vigil - Holy Saturday. This is the time when adults who have never been baptized in the Christian faith are baptized. It is also the time when baptized Christians of other Christian denominations are welcomed into the Catholic Church as they make a public profession of faith. This rite is also offered to baptized Catholics who were not fully initiated into the Church (never made their First Communion or Confirmation). As a general rule, this rite is not for adults who have received their First Communion, but never been confirmed. If Confirmation is the only sacrament they have not received, there is usually a special course given for them during the year and an adult Confirmation is held at the Cathedral. If you or someone you know is a candidate for the Rite of Initiation or if someone is interested in finding out more about what is entailed in the preparation, please call Jake Linxweiler at 483-5571. The program will begin in October.

CONFIRMATION I & II (grades 9 & 10)

Confirmation I & II students will attend the 11:00 Mass on Sept. 30, followed by a session from noon to 1 pm. Confirmation I & II students will attend Generations of Faith each month, and also a Confirmation Class each month. If you have not registered or re-registered for this year’s programs, please do so as soon as possible. Forms are at the entryways to church and on the back porch of the rectory. Call Jake or Mary at 669-5134, or e-mail stpetercf@comcast.net  if you have any questions.

VOCATIONS: In an effort to introduce young men to seminary life, Fr. Jason Jalbert will be bringing a group of interested men to St. John's Seminary, Boston, Massachusetts, on Sunday, October 14. Hang out with seminarians to see what Seminary Life is really like. The day includes: Meeting Seminarians, Morning Mass, Lunch -Tour of Seminary. Meet at the Seminary at 9:30 am or leave from St. Pius X Church, Manchester

at 8:30 am. RSVP to Fr. Jason Jalbert 669-3100, Ext. 132, jjalbert@rcbm.org  or Jude Christopher, Ext. 153, jchristopher@rcbm.org

Is your marriage tearing you apart? Rediscover a loving marriage with a Retrouvaille weekend. Call Retrouvaille at 1-800-470-2230 or go to www.retrouvaille.org

GIGANTIC ANNUAL PENNY SALE: Sacred Heart Parish, 265 So. Main St., Sat., Oct 6 from 10 am to 8 pm, Sun. Oct. 7, 10 am to 5 pm. Drawing starts at 5 pm. On Saturday, there will be a dinner of Baked Stuffed Chicken from 5-7 pm, and on Sunday a full breakfast.

THE SISTERS OF HOLY CROSS FALL FAIR, a major fundraiser to benefit the Community, on Sat., Oct. 20, from 9-4, at Holy Cross Center, 357 Island Pond Rd., Manchester - Penny Sale, Crafts, Games, etc. Free admission and parking.

MASS INTENTIONS

Oct. 1, Mon. 7:00 am Souls in Purgatory by S.M.

Oct. 2, Tue. 7:00 am St. Michael by Madeleine Grenier

Oct. 3, Wed. 7:00 am Intention of the Celebrant

Oct. 5, Fri. 7:00 am To end abortions, from parishioners

Oct. 6, Sat. 4:00 pm For all parishioners of St. Peter Church

Oct. 7, Sun. 8:00 am Louise Frisella by Fred and Bobbi

Oct. 7, Sun. 11:00 am Walter Hooker, Jr. by Dan and Janice

REFLECTION OF THE WEEK

First Reading: Amos 6:1a, 4-7

Second Reading: 1 Timothy 6:11-16

Gospel: Luke 16:19-31

The Gospel presents the beautiful and challenging story of Lazarus and the rich man. Lazarus was a common name in New Testament times. We should therefore not think that this is the same person as Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha. The rich man is dressed in purple garments. Purple was very rare in ancient times, usually reserved for the royal family. This man, therefore, was incredibly rich. St. Luke typically describes the heartlessness of the rich man in terms of his not being willing to share his meal. Lazarus did not even ask to sit at the rich man’s table; he would have been satisfied with the smallest scraps from the table. Yet, the rich man refused to share his beneficence with the poor man in any way. Note, that it is not that the rich man did anything wrong to the poor man. He simply did not do the good that he could have done. This is what is called a sin of omission. When the rich man dies, he is punished by being sent to hell. The poor man, on the other hand, is placed in the bosom of Abraham (a euphemism for heaven.) At the end of the story, we hear that God would not send any messengers to warn the brothers of the rich man. God told him that they already had the law and the prophets. We should not expect to receive miraculous appearances or utterances. We already have all we need in Scripture.

Question for Adults

What sort of behavior truly and deeply upsets me?

In the first reading today Amos is disgusted with the ways of some of the people of his time; not necessarily because they are rich, but rather because they have forgotten God’s people, and even used religion for their own purposes. They parodied the music of King David, anointed themselves with oil, and paid no attention to the "house of Joseph", the People of God. The same theme is re-stated in the Gospel parable of the rich man and Lazarus. God is challenging us today to find out what really disturbs us. Take a moment (even while driving?) to think of human behavior that really disgusts you. Examine why it disgusts you. Ask yourself if there are some behaviors that do not upset you and should.

Question for Children

Why does Jesus love the poor so much?

Today’s Gospel parable is a wonderful story to read again with your children. Take the time to do so. Make sure they understand it; if need be explain it to them in your own words. Find out what they think about it.