TWENTY-EIGHTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME + OCTOBER 12, 2008
On the Way....
The academic year is in full swing and reminds us of the command of Jesus Christ to "teach all nations..." One of the essential marks of the Catholic Church is its mission to proclaim the Good News of Jesus. Each parish in the world understands the mission and takes it seriously. The teaching authority and mandate of the Church have taken on various forms, adapting to different centuries and cultures, etc. The passing on of our Faith to the children of our parish takes on two aspects here at St. Peter: for grades K-3 the weekly dismissals at Mass, and for the rest of the families, the 7-times per year Generations of Faith General Sessions. These programs are presented by the parish and attendance is expected. This is not like primary or secondary schools where a certain number of days per year are required and the students are "allowed" a certain number of absences with parental permission. Illness and travel always excuse but parents must understand that formation of their children is primarily their responsibility. The parish can present programs, but only parents can assure that their children attend. At times the Christian Formation Office informs me that some children are not participating, especially after the reception of the First Communion. I cannot and will not "force" anyone to do what they do not wish. But I am ever conscious of my own responsibility as a pastor and answerable to God himself: I must make the flock aware of the green pastures and lead them there. Christian Formation is not a class where facts are presented and tested, but rather a place where values are transmitted and the teaching of Christ and His Church passed on. St. Peter takes its mission seriously and as your pastor I ask all parents to do the same with regards to their children.
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 as we begin this heating 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: $5,227
Priests Retirement Fund: $1,899
WORLD MISSION SUNDAY is next weekend. This appeal, also called the Propagation of the Faith, is a day set aside every year by the Holy Father and organized by the Society for the Propagation of the Faith for Catholics worldwide. It is to help all of us recommit ourselves to the Church’s missionary activity through prayer and financial support. The Society provides support for the pastoral and evangelizing programs of the Church in Asia, Africa, the Pacific Islands and remote regions of Latin America. This important work relies on the prayers and financial support of all Catholics to answer to Christ’s call to "Go teach all nations." Visit www.worldmissions-catholicchurch.org for more information. Please be generous.
MY SACRIFICIAL GIVING: In today’s second reading, St. Paul thanks the Philippians for being willing to share in his hardships and promises that God, in turn, will fully supply all their needs. Our God truly cannot be outdone in generosity!
CONGRATULATIONS to parishioners Gerry and Edna Gregoire, who celebrated 62 years of marriage on October 5.
OUR FIRST GENERATIONS OF FAITH FOR GRADES 4-10, AND THEIR PARENTS is next 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 this 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.
TEACHER MEETING (G.O.F) October 14, Tuesday, at 7:00 pm, in the Parish Hall.
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. We will dedicate each week’s Rosary to "40 days for life". This would be one way that you could participate in the "40 days for life". Come and pray to end abortion in our country.
CHOIR PRACTICE: Wed., Oct. 22, 7-8:30 pm in church. Come join us as we "make a joyful noise unto the Lord"! For further info., please contact Helene at 668-4386.
WELCOME TO NEWLY REGISTERED PARISHIONERS Paul and Maureen Cavan, and children Kelly and Scott; John and Hannah Cassell, and son Griffin.
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS MEETING: Thursday, Oct. 16, Parish Hall, 7:30 pm.
FROM RESPECT LIFE....Government has no authority to take away an innocent person’s life. Government exists, instead, to secure the rights of all the people. Some claim they don’t know when life begins. So, if they are hunting and don’t know whether it is a bear or a man hidden from view, may they shoot? If not, then how do they justify abortion when they are not sure what it destroys? (Fr. Frank Pavone).
FR. PETER J. WEST, pro-life activist since 1986, will be preaching at St. Kathryn Catholic Church in Hudson on the weekend of Oct. 25/26, and also will be at a prayer vigil to end abortion on Sat., Oct. 25, 11:00 am, at the Planned Parenthood located on 24 Pennacook St. in Manchester. There are fliers on the table at the entryway to church.
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!
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.
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.
MASS INTENTIONS
Oct. 13, Mon. 7:00 am Richard Thomas by Kathryn Rogers
Oct. 14, Tue. 7:00 am Eva Dion by her daughter, Sr. Rachael, RSM
Oct. 15, Wed. 7:00 am In Thanksgiving by Lucille Morand
Oct. 18, Sat. 4:00 pm For all parishioners of St. Peter Church
Oct. 19, Sun. 8:00 am Ann Priester by Patti Sigvardson
Oct. 19, Sun. 11:00 am Virginia Mandigo by the Mandigo family
REFLECTION OF THE WEEK
First Reading: Isaiah 25:6-10a
Second Reading: Philippians 4:12-14, 19-20
Gospel: Matthew 22:1-14
While we are not about to reject God completely, it is not unlikely that we occasionally compromise in answering God’s call. We can find excuses why this or that element of our life is not all that important, and why we can worry about it tomorrow as opposed to working on it today (e.g., praying as much as we should, taking care of our health, forgiving someone who hurt us, etc.)
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
Can I perceive and appreciate what God has done for me?
The saying goes that God works in mysterious ways. This is true in the life of every single human being. It is true not only in the obvious and visible gifts He has given, but also with the less obvious and often much deeper and richer gifts. So we must take some time of quiet reflection to ponder what is beneath the surface and thank God for what we perceive there. Children especially must be helped to seek the more important and sometimes less visible gifts that God gives them through their parents. It is not easy in this decade to sit down for a few minutes and be quiet and do our own thinking. But that makes it even more important that we do so. The parish attempts to do its part, but parents must also attempt the same at home.
Come & See at Thomas More College
High school juniors and seniors are invited to attend Thomas More College's Come & See Weekend from Thursday-Saturday, Oct. 23-25, in Merrimack, NH. They will enjoy attending classes, visiting with students and a special lecture by Artist in Residence David Clayton on "The Secularization of Art after the Enlightenment". TMC's Annual "Octoberfest" will round out the weekend on Saturday night. For more information please contact admissions@ThomasMoreCollege.edu . or call (800)-880-8308. TMC provides a four year liberal arts education steeped in the Western Catholic Tradition.
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.