THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT DECEMBER 14, 2008

 

On the Way....

Every year the parishes of the Diocese submit a spiritual report to the Bishop who uses it to respond to requests from the Holy See, the U.S. Conference of Bishops, and the publisher of the Official Catholic Directory. It is also used for pastoral planning and other diocesan initiatives within the Diocese of Manchester. The report includes data from November 1, 2007 to October 31, 2008. Here are a few relevant statistics for St. Peter Parish. Our parish is comprised of nearly 2,300 adults and children who make up over 800 households. This past year we had 21 Baptisms, 40 First Communions, 20 Confirmations, 1 Marriage and 15 funerals. We have 10 people on the Pastoral Council and 5 on the Finance Council. We have 69 Ministers of Holy Communion, 12 Lectors, 20 Choir members, 8 Ushers and 18 Altar Servers. 14 teen-agers participated in Work Camp, 100 adults in parent meetings for their children and over 300 people who participate in the Generations of Faith Sessions. 25 men and women are teachers in these weekly and monthly programs. I submit this information to you in my continuing desire to keep you informed.

 

Also On the Way....Congratulations to parishioner and Altar Server David Pelton who recently achieved the rack of Eagle Scout, as well as to his proud family.

 

Also On the Way....Fr. Babineau and I will be available on Monday evening, December 15 and 22, at 6:30 pm in the church to hear confessions.

 

CHRISTMAS MASSES

Christmas Eve, December 24, Wednesday, 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm

Christmas Day, December 25, Thursday - 10:00 am

 

 

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

 

WEEKLY OFFERTORY: $5,347

 

This weekend is the annual appeal for Retired Religious of the Diocese. Share in the Care www.retiredreligious.org Religious give thanks. "When my eyes came to the enclosed check, I immediately prayed a "Glory Be" and was practically moved to tears," wrote an abbot at an Oklahoma monastery for benefits received from The Retirement Fund for Religious. Please give generously to next week’s appeal, which

benefits the many deserving religious who served our diocese, past and present, and who now need our help meeting the overwhelming costs of elder care.

 

MY SACRIFICIAL GIVING: All the people in today’s readings - the prophet Isaiah, the Virgin Mary, St. Paul, St. John the Baptist - seemed to understand clearly and rejoice in what God was calling them to be and to do. Do I?

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.

 

CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS: If you would like to donate for our Christmas decorations in memory of a loved one, write the name of the deceased on an envelope, your family name (please print names) and "flowers", and enclose your offering ($10. suggested). The names of those to be remembered will be published in the December 28th bulletin.

 

 

ST. PETER CHURCH WOMEN’S GUILD: Our monthly meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 16th, at 7:00 pm, Conference Room. We will be doing our annual Christmas Party, with a Yankee Swap & Cookie Swap. Donations of Cookies will also be made to Girls, Inc. The minutes of the November meeting are on the table at the rear of the Church.

 

CHOIR REHEARSAL: Dec. 17 from 7:00-8:30 pm in church.

 

ADVENT RECONCILIATION SERVICE:

St. Anthony Church, Dec. 14, Sunday, at 2:00 pm. Ten priests will be available to hear confessions. All are welcome.

 

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

 

GENERATIONS OF FAITH: This Sunday, December 14, at St. Peter Church from 4:00-6:00 pm.

 

NATIVITY COLLECTION: Fr. Charles DesRuisseaux's Nativity collection will be on display at the America's Credit Union Museum located in Manchester, NH from Sunday, December 7, 2008 to Sunday, January 11, 2009. Museum Hours: Sunday, 1 p.m. - 3 p.m., Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10:00 a.m. - noon, and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. or by appointment. The museum is located near Ste. Marie's Church, at the corner of Amory St. and Notre Dame Ave. For more information, visit the museum's Web site at: www.acumuseum.org .

 

 

VASH FOR VETERANS: VASH (VA Supported Housing) is a new, joint venture between HUD and the VA to provide housing to veterans who have fallen on hard times. Many of the female and male VETS have families and are living in a transitional situation. VASH provides VETS with intensive case management from a social worker and a housing voucher for five years in order to obtain permanent, safe housing and get back on their feet. There will be job training programs, some will enter college, and the disabled will be volunteering in some capacity. We need your help with donations of cookware, small appliances, dishes, linens, curtains, household goods, furniture and anything needed to begin a home. We desperately need volunteers to provide moving assistance. For donations, please contact Voluntary Services at the Manchester VA 624-4366 or Tracey Noonan, VASH Program Manager, at 657-5612. For cash donations, please submit to: Manchester VAMC, 718 Smyth Rd., Manchester, NH 03104. Please note on check memo line "#4023 - needy veterans fund". Thank you for your support.

 

 

VOCATIONS: "The One who calls you is faithful." Will you be faithful to his call? If God may be inviting you to be a priest, deacon, or consecrated religious, call Fr. Jason Jalbert at 669-3100, Ext. 132, or e-mail jjalbert@rcbm.org

 

 

MASS INTENTIONS

Dec. 15, Mon. 7:00 am Denise Gallagher by the family

Dec. 16, Tue. 7:00 am Gerard Dumont (14th Ann.) by his wife, Vivian

Dec. 17, Wed. 7:00 am Roland and Theresa Baillargeon by their daughter, Lorraine Drouin

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

Dec. 21, Sun. 8:00 am Odilon Proulx by the family

Dec. 21, Sun. 11:00 am Dominic Di Martino (Ann. Mass.) by the family

 

 

REFLECTION OF THE WEEK

First Reading: Isaiah 61:1-2a, 10-11

Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

Gospel: John 1:6-8, 19-28

 

The Third Sunday of Advent is traditionally called Gaudete Sunday. The word Gaudete means "rejoice". It is a time to rejoice because our Advent journey has almost come to an end. But it is also a time to rejoice because we have been able to simplify our lives and draw our hearts closer to God's ways throughout Advent. This brings us true joy. Our society sometimes presents the message that the more we accumulate, the happier we will be. This is especially true in the shopping season before Christmas when we are told that love is measured by how much we spend on one another. True joy comes from the peace that we find when we become simple and childlike. Our turning away from sin and bad habits helps us to reach that state.

 

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

How can I spread JOY into the lives of others?

Christmas cards, gift lists, shopping, decorating, cooking, etc., are all activities that keep us busy at this time of year. But they often bring us more stress than joy. The sentiments of the Christmas Season are so often repeated that they may become meaningless. The Joy of the season is in Jesus Christ Himself. Maybe I can bring myself to write a little handwritten note in the cards or e-mail I send saying something like I pray that the peace of Jesus will be in your heart this Christmas. The greeting can also be spoken in someone’s ear as you give them their Christmas hug. If I do it sincerely, it can bring much JOY into someone’s life.

 

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.