THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT + FEBRUARY 24, 2008

On the Way...

Only God forgives sins. Since He is the Son of God, Jesus says of Himself "the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins" and exercises this divine power: "your sins are forgiven." Further, by virtue of His divine authority, He gives this power to men to exercise in His name. (Catechism of the Catholic Chruch 1441) The confession (or disclosure) of sins, even from a simply human point of view, frees us and facilitates our reconciliation with others. Through such an admission man looks squarely at the sins he is guilty of, takes responsibility for them, and thereby opens himself again to God and to the communion of the church in order to make a new future possible. (CCC 1455) Confession to a priest is an essential part of the Sacrament of Penance. (CCC 1456) For the next three Tuesdays, Fr. Babineau and I will be available to celebrate individual confessions. We will be in church beginning at 7:00 pm on February 26, March 4, and March 11.

The faithful also have the duty of providing for the material needs of the church, each according to his abilities. (CCC 2043) Offertory envelopes for the use of the children of the parish are available at the entryways to church. It is necessary to train our children in giving to their parish in order to assure that St. Peter Parish and its buildings and its programs will be here for generations to come. The envelope system has proven to be the most effective and reliable source of regular income to this parish, and the only consistent source of revenue. To show good stewardship, we give 50% of the children’s offerings to charity (St. Charles Children’s Home) and the other half to our offertory. Every child can learn to sacrifice from their allowance or limited earnings to remember their parish church.

Mass at 7:00 am on Monday & Wednesday.

Mass at 12:00 noon on Tuesday.

Friday, 3:00 pm, Stations of the Cross,

Chaplet of Divine Mercy

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

Weekly Offertory: $5,367.

NEXT WEEKEND is the annual collection for Bishops Catholic Relief Services and Home Missions (formerly called the American Bishops’ Overseas Appeal). This collection supports agencies through which the Catholic Community in the U.S. provides services and support to those in need around the world. You will find an envelope in your packet for this collection, along with your weekly envelope.

MY SACRIFICIAL GIVING: When Jesus asked the Samaritan woman for a drink of water, He opened the door for a life-changing relationship with Him. Scripture says her testimony drew many others to Him as well. We, too, must be ready to respond whenever and wherever the Lord speaks to us and be prepared for it to change our lives!

RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults): Thursday evening from 7:00-8:00 pm.

FEATURED BULLETIN AD OF THE WEEK

Many thanks to Dr. Raymond Bolduc for placing an ad on our bulletin.

"We are proud to announce that Dr. Richard C. Bolduc has joined our dental practice and is seeing patients Monday-Thursday, 8:00 am-6:00 pm. Dr. Bolduc grew up in Auburn, and attended Pinkerton Academy, Bowdoin College, and Tufts School of Dentistry, where he graduated in the top of his class. Dr. Rich is an avid outdoorsman as well as a gentle dentist. Please come by to meet him and the rest of our staff. Dr. Raymond N. Bolduc" (Location: 7 Raymond Rd., Auburn, NH - Telephone 483-8123.)

FOOD DRIVE NEXT WEEKEND is for Sonshine Soup Kitchen. Items most needed are sugar-free drink mix, parmesan cheese, 6" paper plates, 9 oz. cold cups, soup/salad bowls (styrofoam or paper), canned carrots, clam chowder.

EASTER FLOWERS: If you would like to donate toward our Easter flowers in memory of a loved one, please put your donation ($10. suggested) in an envelope, with the person’s name, and "from". Names will be published in the Easter bulletin.

CHOIR REHEARSALS: Wednesdays, March 5 and March 12 at 7:00 pm in church.

CHRISTIAN FORMATION NEWS

Dismissals for K-3 at all Masses.

CONFIRMATION CLASS (9 & 10): Next Sunday, March 2, from 12:00-1:00 pm, immediately following the 11:00 am Mass.

FIRST PENANCE: Saturday, March 8, at 10:00 am in church.

GENERATIONS OF FAITH: Grades 4-10, and parents, Sunday, March 16, from 4:00-6:00 pm. If you cannot attend that Sunday, the session at St. Paul Church in Candia is on Sunday, March 9, from 4-6 pm.

ST. PETER CHURCH WOMEN’S GUILD: The actual winner of the Sweetheart Basket was Carrie Cote. The Women’s Guild apologizes for announcing the incorrect name. Congratulations to Carrie!

Lenten Reconciliation Services on Sunday, March 9 at 2:00 pm at St. Anthony Church, and Sunday, March 16, 6:00 pm at St. Marie Church

DOVE SINGERS CONCERT: On March 16 at 7:30 pm, St. Anthony Church will host the Dove Singers as they perform "The Torch is Passed". Admission is free, though a free-will offering will be accepted. The Dove Singers are a Christian music and drama group consisting of approximately 110 people from 35 different churches in southern and central New Hampshire.

ST. JUDE WOMEN’S GUILD will hold a Lenten Evening of Reflection on Monday, March 3, at 7:00 pm, at St. Jude Parish, 435 Mammoth Rd., Londonderry. All women are invited.

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

WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER: During Lent we strive to be more holy and closer to God by focusing on our spiritual lives. Keeping in mind that marriage is a sacrament, we can grow closer to God and our spouse when we are open to God’s grace. Attend a Marriage Encounter weekend. To register call 867-6929 or e-mail registration@wwwmenh.org 

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: March 10, 17, 24, 31 and April 7, 14, 21, and 28. The group will meet from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm at Mt. 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 for this workshop 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

Feb. 25, Mon. 7:00 am Timothy Mongeau (1st Ann.) by the Belanger family

Feb. 26, Tue. 12:00 pm In thanksgiving by Lucille Moran

Feb. 27, Wed. 7:00 am Robert Bernier (6th Ann.) by the family

Mar. 1, Sat. 4:00 pm Gloria Keane by Dorothy Smith

Mar. 2, Sun. 8:00 am For all parishioners of St. Peter Church

Mar. 2, Sun. 11:00 am Armand Labbe by Mr. and Mrs. Jean-Paul Labbe

In today’s Gospel, the woman goes to the well at the sixth hour, which is noon. That is unusual, for it was too hot at that hour to go to the well for water. This woman was afraid to meet others because of her reputation, and so she avoided them by going to the well when they were not there. Even when Jesus begins to speak to her, she is hesitant. Jesus continues to treat her with great dignity and respect - one could say with more respect than that with which she treated herself. Jesus offers her "living water". This phrase is ambiguous for it could mean flowing water or water that gives life. She only understands flowing water. Jesus promises that this water will become a font overflowing within her. This means that she will be filled to overflowing with God’s grace and life.

Meditation for Adults

Sit down with today’s gospel excerpt, read it slowly, and imagine you are sitting at the side of the well observing what is going on and listening to the conversation between Jesus and the woman.

Question for Children

Read the first reading from the book of Exodus over again with your child. Ask your child what they think of Moses’ staff landing on just the right spot for water to emerge. Was he lucky? Or did God have anything to do with it? After all, God told Moses just what to do, and Moses listened and followed. When we follow God’s word, we will end up right where we need to be, too, no matter how ridiculous it may sound.

ALL NIGHT EUCHARISTIC VIGIL FOR VOCATIONS: All are welcome to attend an All Night Eucharistic Vigil for Vocations, March 7-8, at St. Elizabeth Seton, Bedford. The Vigil begins with Mass at 8:00 pm and ends with Mass at 6:00 am, followed by a complimentary breakfast. Devotions and refreshments are held through the night. Come for the night or an hour; it is the perfect opportunity for some quiet time with the Lord in the season of Lent. Contact Francis Milligan at fmilli@gsinet.net  for more information.