THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD + JANUARY 4, 2009
On the Way....
This week we place on the HONOR ROLL those who have served St. Peter so well during this season: the choir and organists, instrumentalists and song leaders; ushers and Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors and Altar Servers; Liturgy Committee and associates; Annas of the Altar; janitors; those who made donations for flowers and decorations; those who donated to the nursing home and Kid’s Cafe and those who delivered the gifts; and all the angels who do things and are not seen! Thank you very much!!!
Also On the Way....Each week in church I see more and more new faces, and I take this opportunity to welcome you to our parish. I invite you to become officially registered as a member of St. Peter Church, and have placed registration forms in the pews for your convenience. You may fill in the form and drop in the collection basket, or mail to us at St. Peter Church, 567 Manchester Rd., Auburn, NH 03032-3123.
PARISH NURSE: No parish nurse this Friday, Jan. 9. Kathy returns Jan. 16 from 7:30-10:00 am.
WEEKLY OFFERTORY: $6,079.25
CHRISTMAS: $8,030
Many thanks to all who continue to support our parish in such a generous and committed manner.
FOOD DRIVE this weekend is for St. Paul Food Pantry, Candia. Most needed: tuna, peanut butter, jelly, ravioli, canned fruit, crackers.
MY SACRIFICIAL GIVING: The three wise men who came from the East to pay homage to the infant Jesus brought Him rich gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh as part of their worship. What gifts have I brought to this celebration to offer to the newborn Savior?
INCOME TAX TIME: If you need a statement of contributions for income tax purposes, please contact Shirley at the rectory, (1)leave a message at 623-5429, Voice Mail #2, (2) e-mail her at stpeteraub@comcast.net , or (3) put a stamped self-addressed envelope in the collection basket. You will receive your statement by Jan. 31.
CATHOLIC EDUCATION is the gift that keeps on giving...for a lifetime! Are you interested in learning more about the many fine parochial schools in our area? Please join us at St. Jude Parish (Londonderry) after the 8 and 10 am masses (during Coffee and Donuts) on SUNDAY, JANUARY 11, for a Catholic Schools Information Session.
Also, please note the dates for the following open houses:
St. Thomas Aquinas (pre-K through 8) January 25, from 12-2 pm (Derry)
Presentation of Mary (pre-K through 8) January 11, from 11 am-12 pm (Hudson)
St. Francis of Assisi (K-6) January 25, 9 am-12 pm (Litchfield)
St. Anthony (pre-K through 6) January 25, 1-2 pm (Manchester)
Infant Jesus (K-6) January 21, 9:30-10:30am (snow date 1/22) (Nashua)
St. Benedict Academy (K-6) February 1, 1:00 pm (Manchester)
St. Casimir (K-8) January 11, 1-2 pm (Manchester)
St. Joseph Regional Junior High School (Gr. 7-8) January 15, 6:45-8:30 pm (Manchester)
PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS parishioner Edna Gregoire, who died on December 26. Our prayers are with her husband Gerry, and family and friends.
CHRISTIAN FORMATION SCHEDULE:
There will be NO DISMISSALS for K-3 this weekend. Dismissals resume next weekend, Jan. 10 and 11.
There is a Confirmation I & II Class this Sunday, January 4, immediately following the 11:00 am Mass.
GENERATIONS OF FAITH: Next session at St. Peter Church is Sunday, January 18, from 4:00-6:00 pm in church.
CHOIR REHEARSALS: Jan. 7 and Jan. 21, Wednesdays, from 7:00-8:30 pm, in church.
WELCOME TO NEWLY-REGISTERED PARISHIONERS Scott and Michelle Tickler, and Paul and Alice Tremblay.
ADDITIONAL DONATIONS FOR CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS: In memory of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Halde, and Mr. and Mrs. Edward Lefebvre from Mike and Lorry Chabot.
Is your marriage tearing you apart? Call Retrouvaille at 1-800-470-2230 or go to www.retrouvaille.org
STEWARDSHIP REPORT FOR DECEMBER, 2008
Our offertory for December totaled $21,565.25. The tithe of $2,158, added to our carryover $1,808, totals
$3,966, was donated as follows:
New Horizons, Kid’s Cafe, and Sonshine Soup Kitchen: ($850 each): $2,550
American Red Cross: $1,000
Retired Religious Fund (collected $1,084 - total sent $1,500) $ 416
Our young parishioners donated $40., one-half of which was sent to NH Catholic Charities for St. Charles Children’s Home, and one-half to our offertory.
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS: This time of year we begin receiving forms from Catholic Schools regarding subsidizing students from our parish. We do so through the policy of the Diocese, which is as follows:
"In order for a family to receive a supported tuition rate for the next school year, the parents must meet the following requirements:
1) be registered in this parish
2) be a contributor of record (weekly envelopes) in this parish
3) active participation in the life of this parish.
In other words, if you were not registered in the last year or did not contribute through the envelope system on a regular basis to the support of the parish, the pastor cannot sign the form from the school. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause, but it is the policy of the Diocese of Manchester.
We also adhere to this policy when we make donations in the name of young parishioners who attend Catholic High Schools.
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.
MASS INTENTIONS
Jan. 5, Mon. 7:00 am Lillian Duval by Irene Black
Jan. 6, Tue. 7:00 am To end abortions, from parishioners
Jan. 7, Wed. 7:00 am Robert Cooke by Harriet and Bill Johnson
Jan. 10, Sat. 4:00 pm Lorraine Samson by Carmen and Kevin
Jan. 11, Sun. 8:00 am For all parishioners of St. Peter Church
Jan. 11, Sun. 11:00 am Armand Labbe by Mr. and Mrs. Jean-Paul Labbe
REFLECTION OF THE WEEK
First Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6
Second Reading: Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6
Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12
The feast of the Epiphany celebrates the arrival of the Magi to pay homage to baby Jesus. Epiphany means manifestation, for we are commemorating the day when the glory of God’s Messiah was made manifest to the pagans (in the person of the Magi). Magi were astrologers. They were not kings (although that title is often used for them) nor does it say that there were three (that is the number of gifts). The account speaks of them coming from the east (possibly Persia or Babylon). It is possible that the star they saw was the elision of the three planets, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn, which occurred around 7 B.C. The Magi would naturally have gone to Jerusalem to inquire about the birth of a Jewish king. Herod intends to use them to murder what he considers to be a rival to his throne. From many sources we know that Herod was a murderous paranoid when it came to his throne. He murdered a wife, three sons, and a brother-in-law who was the high priest. The Magi bring gold, frankincense, and myrrh. They would have brought these products because they were easy to carry and valuable. Later authors found symbolic meaning in these gifts. They spoke of gold as a gift one would give a king, frankincense as an incense one would burn to honor a god, and myrrh as an ointment used in burials, foretelling how Jesus would save us.
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
How do I teach? How do I pray? How do I serve?
The gifts of the Magi have symbolic value: Gold represents Jesus as a King who governs. He governs, not by rules, but by His teaching. I, too, must teach, most effectively by my example. Frankincense represents Jesus, who speaks to His Father. I, too, must pray. Myrrh symbolizes Jesus who suffers. He suffered by serving us, giving up for us His Body and His Blood. I, too, must be of service to others.