EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS + SEPTEMBER 14, 2008

On the Way....

I thought I would bring you up to date with our sister parish of St. Paul in Candia. As you may know, even though I am the pastor of both parishes, St. Paul has been receiving pastoral oversight and care from Miss Lorette Nault, who resides in the rectory. St. Paul has its own Pastoral and Finance Councils, as well as its own session of Generations of Faith, - its own First Penance, First Communions and Confirmation sessions. Over the past year St. Paul has spruced up the church. It was in need of a new roof and that was our first project a year ago this month. At this time last year we were also looking at the possibility of returning to pews rather than chairs in order to make more room. With the enormous help and dedication of many parishioners, the interior of the church was painted, ceiling and walls, replacement windows were donated and installed with expert volunteer help. New carpeting was installed. Sturdy but nearly unusable pews were bought from the former St. George Church in Manchester. One able parishioner spent dozens and dozens (yes, at least 24 X 12) of hours piecing together various parts as if a jigsaw puzzle, tailoring them to fit in St. Paul Church. Better and safer outside doors were installed at the main entrance. The project is now complete and I want to congratulate the parishioners of St. Paul. (If you think you need some chairs, there are some available that were used at St. Paul, still in very good shape.)

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

Weekly Offertory: $5,385

THIS 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: We are reminded to remember the works of the Lord, to learn from God’s example, and live in that mercy. Do I live in a way that is consistent with that grace, and share that grace with all whom we meet by sharing what I have with those who do not have?

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

LITURGY COMMITTEE MEETING: Tuesday, Sept. 30, at 6:30 pm, Rectory Conference Room.

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

GROUP WORK CAMP: We will be having an informational meeting on Sunday, September 28th at 7:00 pm, in the church hall, for teens and their parents interested in our Mission Trip for 2009. We look forward to working with fellow Christians again to improve people's lives and show them the love of Jesus.

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 as soon as possible.

WELCOME to newly-registered parishioners Robert Cushion; Melissa Gosselin, David and Denise Benson, and children David and Ashley.

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

PARISH DIRECTORY: Olan Mills will be in our parish hall this Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Sept. 18, 19 and 20. Just arrive a couple of minutes before your appointment time to "sign-in". All those who participate will receive an 8 x 10 free, and also a Parish Directory.

K-3 TEACHER/AIDE MEETING: Monday, September 15, at 7:00 pm.

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.

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.

ST. PETER CHURCH WOMEN’S GUILD first meeting of the season will be held on Tuesday, September 23rd, at 7:00 pm, Parish Hall Conference Room. At that time, we will discuss our plans and agenda for the coming year. All ladies of the Parish are invited to attend a "Fun & Entertaining" evening meeting, and get to know other church members. A different activity is planned each month from September-April. We don’t meet in the summer, nor do we meet during Lent. Please join us!

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.

BIRTHRIGHT’S FALL AUCTION DINNER DANCE: Birthright of Southern NH, a non-profit organization helping women and their children) will be holding their 22nd Anniversary Auction Dinner/Dance on Saturday, Nov. 1, at the Executive Court in Manchester (behind the Yard Restaurant). The evening will include a Silent Auction, Catered Dinner, Dancing and a Live Auction. Anyone wishing to donate new items or purchase tickets, please call 965-6617 or 434-3000. Any donation will be greatly appreciated.

MASS INTENTIONS

Sept. 14, Mon. 7:00 am Charles Doucette by Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Mandigo

Sept. 15, Tues. 7:00 am Intention of the celebrant

Sept. 16, Wed. 7:00 am Intention of the celebrant

Sept. 20, Sat. 4:00 pm For all parishioners of St. Peter Church

Sept. 21, Sun. 8:00 am Odilon Proulx (12th Ann.) by the family

Sept. 21, Sun. 11:00 am Marc Beland (3rd Ann.) by his parents

In this hymn St. Paul presents Jesus as an example of profound humility. It is also a teaching about Jesus who surrendered his prerogatives as God to serve us as a human. The phrase "form of God", means that Jesus is God. Yet Jesus emptied Himself of His godliness. The word "empty", kenosis in Greek, signifies a spirituality of surrender and humility. It does not mean that He stopped being God. The ultimate degree of humility was to be obedient to the Father even as He died upon the cross. This humility was not a rejection of Jesus’ godliness, but the fullest expression of the love of God. It is precisely for this reason that Jesus is proclaimed as Lord, a title that affirms His divinity.

Today’s Gospel is part of a dialog between Jesus and Nicodemus. The earlier part of the discourse deals with Baptism. This latter part deals with salvation. Jesus makes an allusion to the bronze serpent in the First Reading. He would be lifted up for the salvation of all. The phrase "lifted up" is ambiguous, for it could refer to being lifted up upon the cross or being lifted up in the exaltation of the Ascension.

Jesus came to reveal how much God loves us. We are saved inasmuch as we live in that love, and we are condemned inasmuch as we refuse to live in that love. The choice is ours. It is not so much that God sends anyone to hell as that they choose it through their sin.

CARE-NET PREGNANCY CENTER 2008 Annual Banquet and Fundraiser Friday, Oct. 17, seating at 6 pm, dinner promptly at 6:30 pm, Alpine Grove Banquet Facility, 19 South Depot Rd/Route 111A, Hollis. An evening of fine dining and fellowship. Reservations required. Call 623-5534.

Please Pray! Our Church needs many more dedicated Sisters, Brothers, and Priests! Jesus promised that if we ask we shall receive. Please join the Diocesan Vocation Commission at a Holy Hour to pray for Church Vocations, on Tuesday, September 23, 7-8pm at the Precious Blood Monastery, 700 Bridge St., Manchester.