TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME + SEPTEMBER 7, 2008

On the Way....

Two weeks ago I reprinted the letter I had sent to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation. I received an answer last week which is now posted on the bulletin board in the vestibule of the church. Even though the letter was unsigned, it is obvious that ours was not the first comment they have received about their donations to Planned Parenthood. I find it difficult to support with our tithing revenues any direct or indirect assistance to Planned Parenthood. I continue to welcome your feedback.

Also, I will be On the Way.... to my annual spiritual retreat. Last year I did my retreat at St. Joseph Trappist Abbey in Spencer, MA. I will go there again this year along with several other priests from our diocese. Father Babineau will be here for the celebration of the Eucharist on Tuesday and Wednesday morning, and he will also cover other urgent requests. I thank him and ask you to keep me in your prayers as I will you in mine.

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

Weekly Offertory: $4,239.50

NEXT WEEKEND is the annual appeal for Catholic University. The Catholic University of America is the national university of the Catholic Church in the United States, located in Washington, D.C. It provides an academically rigorous education guided by Catholic intellectual tradition to 6,000 students every year. Every dollar given directly supports financial aid for students from dioceses across the country, including ours. Thank you in advance for your generosity. (We are assessed $914 for this collection, so any donation you make will be helpful.)



MY SACRIFICIAL GIVING: Am I my brother's keeper? All three readings today suggest that for the Christian steward, the answer is "Yes!"



PASTORAL COUNCIL: Meeting Tuesday, September 16, at 6:30 pm, Parish Conference Room.

BANNS OF MARRIAGE:

III P. Alan Lachapelle - Kate Arvanitis

PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS those who died last week, and especially Lucille Andrews, sister of Louise Deshaies of this parish.

DISMISSALS FOR GRADES K-3 begin the weekend of September 27 and 28, at all Masses. (Note change of date)

STEWARDSHIP REPORT FOR AUGUST, 2008

Our offertory for August totaled $24,259.50. Our tithe of $2425, added to our carryover of $728 from July, totals $3,153, which was donated as follows:

New Horizons, Kid's Cafe, and Sonshine Soup Kitchens: ($400 each) $1,200.

N. H. Food Bank, Catholic Charities: $1,000.

NH Missionaries Abroad & Migrant and Hispanic Ministries

(collected $648) $ 152. (total sent $800)

The balance of $801 will be carried over to September. Our young parishioners' donations totaled $40, one-half of which was sent to St. Charles Children's' Home and one-half to our offertory.




OUR FOOD DRIVE THIS WEEKEND is for St. Paul Food Pantry. Items most needed are: tuna, Ramen soup, instant rice, instant potatoes, boxed macaroni and cheese.



BULLETIN ADS: We are now accepting ads for our bulletin cover which will run from Oct. 5 through the last weekend of March. The cost for a six-month ad is $115, and the reduced rate for a one-year commitment is $207. Call Shirley at 623-5429 or submit a business card/ad info by September 14.


TEACHERS NEEDED: 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.


REGISTRATION FORMS FOR 2008-09 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 at 669-5134, or e-mail stpetercf@comcast.net if you have any questions.



PARISH DIRECTORY

We hope that all parishioners will participate in our Parish Picture Directory, which celebrates our 60th year as a parish. You may sign up at the back of church, or call Shirley at the rectory at 623-5429. The scheduled dates are September 18, 19 and 20. You will receive an 8 x 10 free, and also a Parish Directory.


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 will be a special course given for them during the year and an adult Confirmation will be held at the Cathedral in Manchester both this Fall and next Spring. 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 or for adult confirmation, please call Jake Linxweiler at 483-5571. The program will begin in the Fall.


Northeast Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services:

If you are, or know of someone who is, deaf or hard of hearing, please pass on this important announcement. Do you know what to do if you lose electricity? Do you know where your first aid kit is?

Do you have a family evacuation plan? Do you know where your electrical breaker is? What is in your first aid kit? Do you have backup batteries for your flashlights? Learn the answers to these questions and more by attending a free presentation presented by The American Red Cross and Relay NH. American Sign Language interpreters will be provided.

Date: Thurs., Sept. 25th, from 6-7:30 pm at

Northeast Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services

57 Regional Dr., Concord, NH 03301

Questions? Call Rosemary Hill 603-724-4285









MASS INTENTIONS

Sept. 8, Mon. 7:00 am Souls in Purgatory by S.M.

Sept. 9, Tue. 7:00 am Jeanne Therrien by Patricia Nicoll

Sept. 10, Wed. 7:00 am Intention of the celebrant

Sept. 13, Sat. 4:00 pm Phil Pratt by the family

Sept. 14, Sun. 8:00 am Carol Poulin (3rd Ann.) by Kathryn Rogers

Sept. 14, Sun. 11:00 am For all parishioners of St. Peter Church

REFLECTION OF THE WEEK

First Reading: Ezekiel 33:7-9

Second Reading: Romans 13:8-10

Gospel: Matthew 18:15-20

This Gospel contains some guidelines for community conduct. The first saying concerns what to do with someone with whom one is in conflict. The recommendation is that one first try to solve it directly with the person involved (and not try to deal with it behind that person's back). If this does not work, then one should seek the help of a couple of witnesses from the community. It is important to remember that the reason to confront the person is for that person's good and not for revenge or to establish control over that person's life. Finally one should seek the help of the church community. If all of this fails, then one should cast that person out of the community (a type of excommunication).

The other two sayings concern loosing and binding (the disciples are given the authority over the community) and the power of prayer (that the Lord Jesus would be present to them when they called upon him).


Question for Adults

Am I fair in the rules I establish in my home?

Today's Gospel excerpt shows us that Jesus instructed His disciples on the necessity or order in the church as well as how those in authority should carry out rules established for the common good. Every home needs a set of rules; and we must make sure they are fair and equally enforced.


Question for Children

Do I realize that the rules in our home is for the good of all?

If I think I am the only one in the house, I am mistaken. And since there are others, including my parents, there must be rules that make living with my parents and brothers and sisters easier and more comfortable and loving. This is why parents set rules and expect us and others to obey: not because they like to control but because they realize that rules can help us learn love.