TWENTY-SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME + OCTOBER 5, 2008
On the Way....
Today is Respect Life Sunday and this year the attacks on innocent human life are in the limelight once again because of the election season upon us. Abortion is purported as giving a woman the "right to choose;" assisted suicide and euthanasia as a way to relieve the pain of the dying; embryonic stem cell research as a means of attaining marvelous cures. Yet the essential question remains for each of us: What exactly is human life and what is my responsibility towards it? Who am I and who is my neighbor?
"The Church...is called to proclaim the gift of life, to serve life, and to promote a culture of life..." (Benedict XVI) Please take home a brochure "Hope and Trust in Life!" found in the pews this weekend.
Also On the Way.... Late last year we received a donation from the Estate of Jim and Meg Stack, deceased of our parish. The stipulation was that the people of the parish who are in need would be the sole beneficiaries. So in the middle of this winter season I invite those of you who are having difficulty making ends meet to let me know. If you are "skimping" on medical expenses or food to pay your heating bill, please let me know. If your budget is overtaxed because of limited income in the face of increased expenses, please let me know. We will talk it over for a few minutes and I can determine the level of assistance. The matter will be held in the strictest confidence. Please remember in your prayers these benefactors, Jim and Meg. Please remember your parish in your will.
PARISH NURSE: Friday from 7:30-10:00 am.
Weekly Offertory: $5,211.
Priests Retirement Fund: $1,455 to date!
MY SACRIFICIAL GIVING: In the Gospel today, the owner of the vineyard sent messengers to collect his share of the harvest from the tenant farmers, but there was not a single good steward on the property! God is the owner, we are the tenants. What sort of stewards are we?
FOOD DRIVE: This weekend, Oct. 4/5, our Food Drive is for New Horizons Food Pantry. Items most needed this month are tuna, cereal, peanut butter, baked beans, #10 can vegetables, soup.
BAPTISMS: On Sunday, September 28, the following were welcomed into the parish community through the Sacrament of Baptism: Michael Maximus Saab, son of Christopher and Minta; Payten Rose Leslie, daughter of Derek and Amy; Ryder Patrick Lawrence, son of Adam and Promise.
BULLETIN COVER: Our new bulletin cover begins this weekend. We welcome three new advertisers: : Peabody Funeral Home, parishioner Laurie Norton, of REMAX, and parishioner Tom Zapora of Tom’s Moving Service. We welcome back 18 of our previous advertisers. We hope you will consider using the services of any of our advertisers if needed. They help support our parish. (The ads are also posted on our website at www.stpeteraub.org for quick reference.)
OCTOBER IS THE MONTH OF THE ROSARY: You are invited to pray the rosary on Tuesday evenings at 6:30 pm, throughout the month of October.
CHOIR REHEARSAL: 7pm, Wed., Oct. 8.
PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS long-time parishioner Lillian Duval, who died last week.
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 or 669-5134.
CONFIRMATION I & II: First class is this Sunday, October 5. Students will attend the 11:00 am Mass, and class will follow until 1:00 pm.
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.
Is your marriage tearing you apart? Call Retrouvaille at 1-800-470-2230 or go to www.retrouvaille.org
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. If you attend at St. Paul’s, please be sure to tell Lorette that you are from St. Peter so we may mark the attendance sheet record
PARISH PICTURE DIRECTORY: Many thanks to all who came to have their picture taken for our 60th anniversary Parish Directory. Thanks from Shirley to all who helped at the registration desk. If you were unable to come at the appointed times, it is not too late to be part of the directory. On Oct. 30, the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration in Derry will have Olan Mills at their parish, and your family could have the picture taken there, and appear in our directory. Call Shirley at 623-5429 to obtain a form, and the phone number to call for the appointment.
40 Days for Life in 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!
ST. HEDWIG CHURCH: Penny Sale for the benefit of St. Casimir School, Oct. 11, at St. Hedwig Hall, 180 Orange St., beginning at 9:00 am.
SISTERS OF THE HOLY CROSS will hold their Fall Fair, which is a major fundraiser to benefit the Community, on Sat., Oct. 18, from 9 am to 4 pm, at Holy Cross Center, 357 Island Pond Rd., Manchester. Breakfast from 8-10:30 am, Penny Sale, Crafts, etc. Free admission & parking.
MASS INTENTIONS
Oct. 6, Mon. 7:00 am Souls in Purgatory by S.M.
Oct. 7, Tue. 7:00 am Eva Dion by her daughter, Sr. Rachael, RSM
Oct. 8, Wed. 7:00 am Intention of the celebrant
Oct. 11, Sat. 4:00 pm Albert Duval (8th Ann.) by his wife, Lillian
Oct. 12, Sun. 8:00 am Ann Priester by Don and Claudette Martel
Oct. 12, Sun. 11:00 am For all parishioners of St. Peter Church
REFLECTIONS OF THE WEEK
First Reading: Isaiah 5:1-7
Second Reading: Philippians 4:6-9
Gospel: Matthew 21:33-43
Jesus uses the vineyard theme to speak of His coming suffering and death. He speaks of how the landowner lent out the vineyard to tenants. They refused to uphold their part of the bargain, for when it was time for them to pay their rent, they first abused the servants sent to receive it, and then killed them. When the landowner sent his son to collect the rent, they decided to kill him too. This story is an obvious parallel to what the Jewish leaders did to Jesus. God had entrusted the Jewish people with the covenant. They had abused and killed the prophets whom God sent. Then, when in the fullness of time, God sent His only Son, they killed Him. They would be punished for rejecting God’s only-begotten Son, and others would be invited to take their place as the chosen people. (e.g., the Gentiles).
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
"Garbage in...Garbage out" ?
Adults usually have the maturity and judgment to figure things out. In the 2nd reading today St. Paul implores the Philippians (and us!) to "think about things...true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, gracious, worthy of praise." And he even urged this of the Philippians at a time when there were no magazines or newspapers, no radios or televisions, no internet. Imagine what St. Paul would exhort us today! Am I careful for myself and my family about letting "garbage in"? Do I realize the sensitivity of the human spirit and how it can be infected by anything less than wholesome? On the other hand, do I realize that we are also deeply influenced by the good and "holy" things we surround ourselves with? Violence breeds violence, true; but - Beauty breeds goodness. Truth begets joy. Justice gives birth to peace. There is the recipe for happiness.
CATHOLIC CHARITIES REPORT: The goal set for our parish is $33,000. To date, $28,022.48 has been received in pledges and cash donations. If you would like to make a donation, there are envelopes on the table in the front entryway to church. Thank you for your generosity.