THE SOLEMNITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST THE LORD + NOVEMBER 23, 2008
On the Way...
After careful observation and consideration, the Generations of Faith Schedule for the rest of this year had been adjusted. As was discussed with those in attendance at the general session of November 16, there will only be one general session per month, and it will be held here at St. Peter on the same dates that were previously announced. The general session that used to be held at St. Paul will be dropped and the students in grades 4-10 and their parents will attend the single monthly session at St. Peter. This decision does not affect the K-3 weekly session in either parish. Nor does it affect the monthly Confirmation sessions in each parish. The schedule for Confirmation students is at Noon on Sunday, November 30, 2008, January 4, February 1 and March 1, 2009. These students are also to attend the Generations of Faith Sessions which will be held on December 14, 2008 as well as January 18, February 15, March 15, and April 15, 2009.
Also on the Way....this weekend's bulletin insert concerns the upcoming season of Advent, the preparation for Christmas. Please review it and keep it since it includes the Christmas Mass Schedule, and well as opportunities to observer the tradition of giving, especially to the less fortunate. Shut-ins can find even the short days to be very long, and the long evenings even longer. You may wish to send them a greeting card. If you write a few words, or have your children do so, it can be a nice light on a dark day. As a parish-wide activity for Advent we will help the children at Salvation Army's Kid's Cafe, which we support with our monthly tithe. This year they are in need of activities for the children who stay there after school, some up until 8 pm!!! So this year, if you desire, you can put unwrapped gifts under the tree in the designated container. They will not be presented as gifts for Christmas, but used throughout the year. Please note on the insert the restrictions and present your donations before Sunday, December 21. Also, we will be giving gifts to the residents of the Maple Leaf Nursing Home. These may be wrapped, labeled, and put under the tree No Later than December 21.
PARISH NURSE: Friday, from 7:30-10:00 am.
Weekly Offertory: $5,629
CAMPAIGN FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT: $635 to date. We will accept donations up until Nov. 30. Thanks you.
MY SACRIFICIAL GIVING: When the Son of Man comes in glory, may we be among those who have fed the hungry, welcomed the stranger, and clothed the naked. For Jesus tells us clearly that it is those who have demonstrated good stewardship by sharing their gifts with the less fortunate who will receive gifts with the less fortunate who will receive God's blessing and inherit the kingdom.
Pastoral COUNCIL MEETING Tuesday, December 2, at 6:30 pm, conference room.
No Dismissals for K-3 on November 29 and 30.
Thanksgiving Day Mass: 9:00am, November 27, followed by coffee and donuts in the parish hall.
GROUP WORK CAMP has openings for teens interested in going on our June, 2009, Mission. Are you looking for community service hours for confirmation? If you are between 14 & 18 years old and would like more information, please call Laura Lambert 483-5125.
From Respect Life: Thank you very much for your prayers and sacrifices during the 40 Days of Life. There were 3 babies saved that we know of, and over 150 people prayed at the clinic during the 40 days. Although this program has ended, there is still a need and an interest in praying at Planned Parenthood on Pennacook Street. Please continue to pray especially on Tuesdays and Saturdays when abortions are being done. If you can pray at the clinic an hour or two per month on Tuesday or Saturday, please call Jeanne Szulc at 472-3003. If you are interested in being trained as a sidewalk counselor please call Jeanne or e-mail Julie at julielaughner@comcast.net
May God bless you.
Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. Ephesians 5:11
ST. PETER CHURCH WOMEN’S GUILD: Our next Guild meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 25, at 7:00 pm in the Parish Conference Room. We will be doing our "Craft Projects". For those who do not have e-mail, the minutes from the last meeting are on the table at the front entryway to church. Also, we would like to extend an open invitation to all ladies of the Parish, who would like to become a member, or just come and see what we are all about. Please call Jackie at 622-8002, if interested. Thank you.
Is your marriage tearing you apart? Call Retrouvaille at 1-800-470-2230 or go to www.retrouvaille.org
MASS INTENTIONS
Nov. 24, Mon. 7:00 am Richard Thomas by George and Sue Mercier
Nov. 25, Tue. 7:00 am Lionel Boivin George and Sue Mercier
Nov. 26, Wed. 7:00 am Catherine Kelliher (1st ann) by Patricia Kelliher and Neil Kelliher
Nov. 27, Thurs. 9:00 am Victoria Karpinski by her family
Nov. 22, Sat. 4:00 pm Donat Ouellette by Alice and Irene
Nov. 23, Sun. 8:00 am For all parishioners of St. Peter Church
Nov. 23, Sun. 11:00 am Virginia Mandigo by the Mandigo family
For centuries, Catholic priests in New Hampshire have offered homilies in places ranging from the Canadian border to the Atlantic, and every place in-between, but now a number of priests from the Dioceses of Manchester are interpreting the Gospels in an entirely new place: the Internet. On ever Saturday for the next four months, a New Hampshire priest will be featured on the popular Daily Reflections page of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishop's (USCCB) web-site. Touted the most popular section of the USCCB site, the Daily Reflection page showcases a new priest every day interpreting biblical passages in a brief, 2-3 minute video. The Rev. Joseph M. Cooper, pastor of St. Joseph's Cathedral in Manchester, launches the new effort by considering the parable of the unjust judge, asking, "Is God unjust? Does he really listen to our prayers?" You can visit www.catholicnh.org to see how Father Cooper concludes his thought.
Future reflections will be offered by priests form communities including Nashua, Berlin, and Portsmouth. This marks the first time ever Catholic priests from New Hampshire have taken to the internet to preach. Bishop John B. McCormack today expressed his enthusiasm for the effort. "I am thrilled to see our priests diving headfirst into a new forum for ministry. My hope is that this introduces our talented and thoughtful clergy to a new audience that may not see them on Sunday Mornings."
The video reflections can be seen by going to the Diocese of Manchester Web site www.catholicnh.org
Rev. Joseph M. Cooper..............................St. Joseph's Cathedral, Manchester.....................Nov. 29, 2008
Rev. Msgr Paul L. Bouchard.......................Blessed John XXIII Parish, Nashua......................Dec. 6, 13, 20, 2008
Rev. Jason Y. Jalbert..................................Diocese of Manchester.........................................Dec. 27, 2008, Jan. 3, 10, 2009
Rev. Jerome J. Day, OSB...........................St. Raphael Parish, Manchester............................Jan. 4, 11, 18, 2009
Rev. Michael Kerper...................................Corpus Christi Parish, Portsmouth........................Jan. 17, 24, 31, 2009
Rev. Richard B. Thompson..........................Diocese of Manchester........................................Feb. 7, 14, 21, 2009
Rev. Jeffery P Statz......................................Good Shepherd Parish, Berlin..............................Feb. 28, March 7, 14, 2009
REFLECTIONS OF THE WEEK
First Reading: Ezekiel 34:11-12, 15-17
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:20-26, 28
Gospel: Matthew 25:31-46
On this feast of Christ the King, we hear a parable about the final judgment. Jesus will sit upon His glorious throne and divide those who were good from those who where sinners. The judgment is not based upon how well on kept a series of prescriptions of the law. This would have been considered to be the measure of the righteousness of people by the Pharisees. Jesus has a different set of criteria. He judges people according to how well they treat their sisters and brothers. If they treat them with charity, then they will be welcomed into His kingdom. If not, they will be kept out. This reading is the source of many of the corporal works of mercy. These works are a reminder that we must serve those who need our help. The most important thing to remember when we do works of charity is that they are not actions that make us superior to others. Charity is simply an expression of who and what we are. Therefore, we should always feel gratitude toward those for whom we do things (for they gave us the opportunity to give).
Activity of the Week
Read a rendition of the Passion of Jesus from on of the 4 Gospels (Matthew 26 & 27, Mark 14 & 15, Luke 22 & 23, John 18 & 19) paying attention only to the references to 'king' or 'kingdom'. (This can be an entertaining session for both adults and children, a kind of word search.) Make sure a note is made on each reference. Count them up. Compare your discoveries. Put references in categories: how many refer to Jesus Christ? How many refer to other kings? What do the ones that refer to Jesus really say about him?
Prayer for Thanksgiving
Dear God, in a world where much is available yet so many still go wanting, we thank you for all you have given us. In a time when family life is often fragmented and chaotic, we thank you for the family we have with us today. In a time when so many cannot express their faith, we thank you for our freedoms. In a world that moves ever more quickly, we thank you for this time today to share a meal with loved ones, and to rest, reflect and refresh ourselves on this Thanksgiving Day.
Christmas Tree Lighting Mark your calendars! On December 12, Friday, at 6:30 pm, you are invited to the 5th annual Christmas Tree Lighting at the Auburn Historical Museum, 102 Hooksett Rd., Auburn. Carols will be led by local singers. Refreshments will be served. Please bring a flash light!