TWENTY-FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME + SEPTEMBER 21, 2008

On the Way....

The insert in today’s bulletin introduces a new collection next weekend in the Diocese of Manchester. This one has been on the horizon for a long time. The retirement of diocesan priests is a concept that is only about 40 years old. When I was ordained in 1971 we were asked to contribute $100 per year (pastors gave more) as an offering to the priests who were retired. A few years later Bishop Gendron did away with personal contributions from the active priests and placed an assessment on each parish of the diocese. He also formalized a retirement plan for priests, setting forth age requirements, parish assessments, health insurance, etc. Just like Social Security, the number of retirements has increased and the number of parishes has decreased. Bishop McCormack, at the behest of priests and lay people, has decided to begin a Priests Retirement Trust Fund. The Retirement Fund for Religious that has been taken up over the past 15 years is not for diocesan priests, but for women and men religious (nuns who taught in Catholic school and worked in hospitals, brothers who taught at Catholic high schools, monks, etc). The Diocesan Trust Fund will be administered by the Diocese with the assistance of several lay and clergy trustees. None of the funds will be used for the support of priests who are restricted from ministry. Since diocesan priests are not religioius and do not take the vow of poverty, they must in turn pay their Social Security taxes as self-employed individuals. Because of the salary they receive, most priests are not able to set aside sufficient funds for their basic needs. Each retired priest of the diocese receives a monthly stipend of $1,300 plus health and automobile insurance coverage. The diocese does not provide housing for retired priests. Many live in a private home or apartment and several (such as Msgr. Molan and Fr. Babineau) live in local rectories and pay board and room to the local parish. Diocesan priests who are no longer able to live independently are provided with assisted living and nursing home care on an as-needed basis. This collection will be taken up every year. Please consider the number of priests who have served our diocese, many of who you have known, as you make your donation.

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

Weekly Offertory: $4,521

Catholic University: $500 to date

MY SACRIFICIAL GIVING:

In today’s Gospel, the vineyard owner says, "I am free to do as I please with my money, am I not?" We are likewise free. Is a generous return to the Lord in thanksgiving for His many blessings among the choices we have made?

CHOIR REHEARSAL: Wed., Sept. 24, 7 pm. We will be practicing for our Choir Mass on Nov. 2 at the 11:00 am Mass, as well as our Thanksgiving Mass. All are welcome.

CHRISTIAN FORMATION NEWS

CLASS SCHEDULES CAN BE FOUND AT THE ENTRANCES TO CHURCH

Dismissals for Grades K-3 begin next weekend, September 27 and 28. If you have not registered (or re-registered), please do so today. Forms can be found at all the entryways to church, and on the back porch of the rectory. Reminder: If your child is new to the program, we need a copy of their baptismal certificate, unless they were baptized at St. Peter Church. PLEASE fill out the registration forms completely. Thank you.

IMPORTANT MEETING FOR PARENTS OF CONFIRMATION II students (10th Grade and up) - September 30, Tuesday, at 7:00 pm, Parish Hall. If you have any questions, call Jake at 669-5134. The first Confirmation Class (for both Conf. I & II) is Sunday, October 5. Students will attend the 11:00 am Mass, followed by class until 1 pm.

OUR FIRST GENERATIONS OF FAITH FOR GRADES 4-10, AND THEIR PARENTS is on Sunday, October 19, from 4:00-6:00 pm. If you are unable to attend on that date, the session at St. Paul Church in Candia is on Sunday, Oct. 12, from 4-6 pm. Please be sure to tell Lorette that you are from St. Peter so we may mark the attendance sheet record.

PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS those who died recently, and especially Charles Doucette, father of Kathy Bournival of this parish, James Cavanaugh, brother of Marilyn Warren of this parish, Sherrill Zeoli, mother of Kimberly Tufts of this parish, and Alice George, former parishioner.

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

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.

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!

FROM RESPECT LIFE: Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska knew through prenatal diagnosis that her fifth child had Down syndrome. Following the baby’s birth, the Palin family issued this statement: "Trig is beautiful and already adored by us. We knew through early testing he would face special challenges, and we feel privileged that God would entrust us with this gift and allow us unspeakable joy as he entered our life." (San Diego Union-Tribune, 4/19/08)

40 Days for Life is coming to New Hampshire!!!! September 24- November 2, 2008

Can you join the nation in prayer, fasting and peaceful witness for 40 days to end abortion? Can you pray for life each day? Can you give up TV or dessert and offer the sacrifice for the unborn? Can you pray at the Planned Parenthood clinic in Manchester at 24 Pennacook St? We NEED you! Your prayers could save a life! In Buffalo NY last year, 300 people prayed at the abortion clinic. During the 40 days, 30 lives were saved! www.40daysforlife.com Contact Julie at jlaugh@aspi.net  or Jeanne at 472-3003 Be not afraid! You are invited to come to the kickoff rally Tuesday, September 23 at 6:30 pm at 24 Pennacook Street to learn more!

WELCOME TO NEWLY-REGISTERED PARISHIONERS Kevin and Patricia Wood, and children Kayla, Daniel, and Julia.

PLEASE NOTE: Our Mass attendance continues to increase! In order to accommodate our growing flock, please be courteous, and slide to the center of the pew. Many people seem to prefer the "aisle" seats, but this leaves many seats in the center not being used, or difficult to get to. Please consider either moving to the center of the pew, or if for some reason, you need to sit on the end seat, please make it easier for people to get to the available seats. Thank you.

MASS INTENTIONS

Sept. 22, Mon. 7:00 am Intention of the celebrant

Sept. 23, Tue. 7:00 am Intention of the celebrant

Sept. 24, Wed. 7:00 am Intention of the celebrant

Sept. 27, Sat. 4:00 pm Vincent Hanna by Karl Cann

Sept. 28, Sun. 8:00 am For all parishioners of St. Peter Church

Sept. 28, Sun. 11:00 am Matthew and Mary Wholey by the family

How can we forgive others, showing mercy to them, especially if they are still trying to hurt us? We have to remember that mercy is not earned; it is a free gift given to the other, not because they deserve it, but rather because they need it. When we think with the mind of Christ, we can recognize that people who do bad things to us are really broken people who are hurting themselves more by what they are doing. As Christians, we will only want what is good for them. We will, in fact, hurt for them. Forgiving people doesn’t mean we have to let them continue to hurt us if we can avoid it. Yet, we will be more concerned with their pain than our own.

Question of the Week Am I a forgiving person? There is an old adage "to sin is human, to forgive, divine". There is so much truth there. Forgiveness is not a natural reaction of the human heart when it suffers a transgression. We feel insulted, hurt, abandoned and we look for revenge, isolation, retaliation. Jesus teaches the exact opposite, and He also practiced what He preached, even from the Cross just before He died. He is the only one that can teach me how to forgive, the Son of God who forgives me. Forgiveness is a divine attribute which God can teach me. Ask for His assistance, and take a few moments to reflect on this and pass it on to your children.