FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT DECEMBER 21, 2008
On the Way....
At Mass last weekend I related a few details surrounding a call I had received from the VNA Hospice. If the ice storm kept you away, let me review. On Thursday, December 11, I received a telephone call from Hospice referring me to some people who were requesting a priest to tend to the spiritual needs of a relative. I called the house and spoke to a man who told me his 72-year old wife was very ill. Despite the sad circumstances, he was thankful for so many things: his wife was at home in a hospital bed; his two sons and their families were of enormous assistance; the local nurses were getting through; there was no power, but there was a generator; there was no water, but there was a river, etc. When I told him I could not even get out of my driveway, he said it did not matter because I would not be able to get to his house. I told him I would get to him as soon as possible. He thanked me for calling him as I assured him and his family of my prayers. After the 11:00 am Mass on Sunday, December 14, still not able to communicate with them and having an incorrect address (!) I jumped in my car and headed out through the iced woods of our area. The further I traveled, the more devastation, the fewer cars on the road, the more utility company trucks from other states, broken branches across iced wires, a crystallized countryside hiding beneath its beauty the loss of electric power and all its attendant worries in these cold and dark December days. I found the side road, and the driveway, drove over downed branches and wires maneuvered my way to where several cars were parked. The sound of a generator greeted my ears when I opened the car door, grasping my stole, the Holy Oil of the Sick, and my Ritual (prayer book). As I was ringing the door bell, I realized it wouldn’t work; the people were not expecting me so they were not waiting, so I opened the door and walked in announcing myself. I eventually heard a voice coming towards me and met a smiling young man, the patient’s son who led me to an in-law apartment dominated by a hospital bed which held his semi-conscious mother. There were hotplates heating water, 5-gallon pails full of water from the river and a smiling husband who welcomed me. As we were speaking, three granddaughters and their Mom arrived from Massachusetts and we celebrated the Sacrament of the Sick. I think their grandmother was sporadically aware that a priest was trying to assist her as her journey on Earth was in its final lap: I heard a few moans and her eyelids fluttered a few times. I reminded those around the bed of the great moment they were witnessing, more important than any headline in the newspapers, more mysterious than the deepest questions surrounding the economy or the bail-out of the automobile industry. I said good-bye, and was escorted to my car by an appreciative husband, his smile not hiding the tears flowing from his eyes. As I returned the 16 miles to St. Peter I marvelled at how this God I worship and who loves us all can make such miracles happen; can arrange the seeming happenstances of each one of us and orchestrate them into a symphony. As we celebrate His inclusion in our lives, His presence in our "stables", I ask and pray that He may continue to let me see His presence in your lives as I wish you, with this "Christmas Story", a Blessed Christmas.
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CHRISTMAS MASSES
Christmas Eve, December 24, Wednesday, 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm
Christmas Day, December 25, Thursday - 10:00 am
PARISH NURSE: No Parish Nurse Friday, Dec. 26. Kathy will be here on Friday, Jan. 2, from 7:30-10:00 am.
WEEKLY OFFERTORY: $4,749
RETIRED RELIGIOUS FUND: $652 to date
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION: $738
HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION: Jan. 1, the feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, is a Holy Day of Obligation. Our Mass on Jan. 1 will be 10:00 am here at St. Peter Church. There is a vigil mass at St. Paul Church on Dec. 31 at 4:00 pm.
Is your marriage tearing you apart? Call Retrouvaille at 1-800-470-2230 or go to www.retrouvaille.org
CONFESSIONS: Fr. Babineau and Fr. Dumont will be available on Monday evening, December 22, at 6:30 pm in the church to hear confessions.
SACRIFICIAL GIVING: In the first reading, God promises King David that his house and his kingdom will endure forever. It is through Mary’s "Yes" - "I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be done to me as you say." - that the promise finds fulfillment.
CHRISTIAN FORMATION SCHEDULE:
There will be NO DISMISSALS for K-3 the weekends of Dec. 27 & 28, and January 3 & 4.
There is a Confirmation Class on Sunday, January 4, immediately following the 11:00 am Mass.
FOOD DRIVE: FYI - the food collection for the NH Food Bank totaled 565 pounds! Our last one in August totaled 240 pounds. Many thanks to our generous parishioners who really came through for the Food Bank. It was greatly appreciated.
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.
PRAYER FOR CHRISTMAS
Dear Lord, bless all families this Christmas. Help us all to remember this season that You chose to come to us as a humble baby. You chose to be part of a family Yourself and came, not to be served, but to serve and one day die for love of those who hated, deserted, and killed You. On this Christmas day, may we always remember amid the joys, family and presents, the reason we have this season: That you, the Eternal Son of God, came to live among us as one of us and as a member of our human family. Amen.
MASS INTENTIONS
Dec. 22, Mon. 7:00 am Penny Thibeault by her parents
Dec. 23, Tue. 7:00 am Richard Thomas by Alice and Irene
Dec. 24, Wed. 4:00 pm Ann Priester by Mike and Connie Schofield
Dec. 24, Wed. 7:00 pm Deceased members of the Gamache and Carrier families by the family
Dec. 25, Thu. 10:00 am Louise Laforge (4th Ann.) by the family
Dec. 27, Sat. 4:00 pm Matthew Wholey (24th Ann.) by the family
Dec. 28, Sun. 8:00 am For all parishioners of St. Peter Church
Dec. 28, Sun. 11:00 am Felix Cajes by the Schroeder family
REFLECTION OF THE WEEK
First Reading: 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16
Second Reading: Romans 16:25-27
Gospel: Luke 1:26-38
The Gospel is the account of the annunciation through which Jesus became incarnate in our world. Saint Luke presents an account that is a parallel to the story of the annunciation of the birth of John the Baptist - but while the annunciation of John was great, that of Jesus far surpasses it. The angel Gabriel appears to Mary (we are not told the exact circumstances but only given a quick account of the dialogue). He greets her, calling her one who is full of grace. The particular form in which this phrase is written makes it obvious that Mary was already filled with grace even before the angel greeted her. Gabriel asks Mary to be the mother of the Son of God. Because Mary has been conceived in an immaculate manner, she is able to respond to God's invitation with great generosity. She does not seek her own advancement, but rather places herself at the disposition of God saying that she is God's handmaid. She answers God's call even though she does not yet fully understand what it all means. The child is to be called Jesus, a name that means "Yahweh saves". He will be the fulfillment of Nathan's promise to David, for he will be a king with an eternal reign. All of this happens, even though Mary is a virgin. This is impossible according to worldly logic, but nothing is impossible for God.
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.