On the Way....The 36th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s legalization of abortion coincides this year with the inauguration of a new president and the new Congress. As President-elect Obama and the 111th session of Congress take the oath of office, Catholics across the United States of America are joining in support of human life. Bishop McCormack writes in a January 2nd letter to all pastors of the Diocese: "As you know, a radical proposal called ‘the Freedom of Choice Act’ (FOCA) was introduced in the 110th session of Congress. In spite of its name, FOCA was drafted to deprive Americans of the freedom to enact restraints on abortion at every stage of pregnancy. It would overturn hundreds of current laws that concern many conscience rights, informed consent, partial-birth abortion and limits on tax-funded abortions. We expect that FOCA (or the overall agenda that it embodies) will be reintroduced in the 111th session of Congress, when both chambers of Congress will have pro-abortion majorities and when the sitting President has indicated an intention to sign FOCA into law. Along with the Catholic Bishops of the United States, I have decided to work at mobilizing the Catholic faithful of our diocese in a massive postcard campaign to oppose FOCA and urge Congress and the President to retain all existing federal laws that prevent government funding and promotion of abortion." I urge registered voters and parishioners of St. Peter to heed the call of our Bishop in union with bishops throughout the country and take a few moments to participate in this campaign, which will take place in church next weekend.

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

WEEKLY OFFERTORY: $4,247 (in SPITE of the Sunday storm!) Thank you.

SEMINARIANS APPEAL: This weekend is the annual appeal to assist the Seminarians of our Diocese. Educating seminarians is an investment in the future of the Catholic Church in New Hampshire, but this goal cannot be fulfilled without the help of the faithful. The cost to educate a seminarian is more than $100 for every day he is in formation. This expense includes tuition, room and board at a seminary. 100% of every dollar collected for the seminarian fund goes toward supporting the education of men studying for the priesthood. This collection is the primary source of funding for seminarian formation. Thank you for any help you can give to support our future priests in NH.

SACRIFICIAL GIVING: In today’s first reading, we hear Samuel respond eagerly, "Here I am!" each time the Lord calls him. May we, too, be listening for the call of God in our lives and be ready to say like the Psalmist, "Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will."

WELCOME TO NEWLY-REGISTERED PARISHIONERS Rob and Amy Browning; Eric and Heidi Gregoire and children Michael, Jason, and Corina; Jason and Laura Emmick; Robert and Deanna Bechard.

FEATURED AD OF THE WEEK

Many thanks to Tom Gregoire, owner of Professional Services, for placing an ad on our bulletin. Tom does both commercial and residential work, whether it be building a home, painting (inside and out), vinyling, remodeling kitchens, bathrooms, refinishing kitchen cabinets, - no job is too small! (will even shovel the snow off your roof!) Free estimates. Give Tom a call at 483-5916.

CHRISTIAN FORMATION:Dismissals for K-3 at all Masses.

GENERATIONS OF FAITH: Next session is this Sunday, January 18, from 4:00-6:00 pm in church.

Parents Meeting for Christian Formation students who are eligible for First Penance and Eucharist this Spring, is scheduled for Monday, January 19, at 7:00 pm in the church hall. Jake Linxweiler will review the training process and material with parents. If you cannot make that date, there will be a make-up session on Tuesday, January 20th, at 7:00 pm. First Penance at St Peter will be on Saturday, March 14th. First Penance precedes First Eucharist. Preparation for the sacrament is through home study.

ST. PETER CHURCH WOMEN’S GUILD At our next meeting on Tuesday, January 27, we welcome Susan Antkowiak as our guest speaker. Susan will give a talk about Alzheimer’s. Also, the minutes from the December meeting are on the table at the rear of the Church. Please pick your copy up today.

GROUP WORK CAMP: Final date to sign up for Group Work Camp 2009 and pay your deposit is February 1st. We have limited openings still available. Contact Laura Lambert 483-5125 of Linda Bouchard 483-0560.

CHOIR REHEARSAL: Jan. 21, Wednesday,

from 7:00-8:30 pm, in church.

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.

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

January 18 - 25, 2009: God, may we become one in Your hand. As your daughters and sons we are joined to You by our common baptism. Make us one in faith and keep us one in the fellowship of Your love. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

CYO BASKETBALL NEWS:

St. Peter Church High School CYO defeated St. Kathryn’s of Hudson 48 to 40. Alex Zapora scored 15 points to lead St. Peter’s. Cody Charbonneau scored 11 and Mike Sienko added 10 points.

WEEKEND VOCATION RETREAT: Jesus asked two disciples of John the Baptist who were following Him: What are you looking for? This weekend retreat is an invitation from Jesus Christ to women considering Religious Life. Come and you will see. (Jn. 1:35-48) Yes, leave your familiar surroundings for a while, be still with Jesus, listen to Him and ponder His Word. God’s grace awaits you. Perhaps you’ll find what you are looking for! February 6-8, Marie Joseph Spiritual Center in Biddeford, ME. Suggested donation $135. Contact Sr. Lorraine Aucoin, pm at 603-668-1791 or srlorrainea@yahoo.com to register by January 30th.

Finance Council: January 27, Tuesday, at 6:30 pm, Rectory Conference Room

Liturgy Committee: February 3, Tuesday, at 6:30 pm, Rectory Conference Room

Pastoral Council: February 10, Tuesday, at 6:30 pm, Hall Conference Room

Jan. 19, Mon. 7:00 am Richard Thomas by his wife and family

Jan. 20, Tue. 7:00 am Mary Meagher by Maureen Wholey

Jan. 21, Wed. 7:00 am Intention of the celebrant

Jan. 24, Sat. 4:00 pm Michelene Pivorunas by St. Peter Church Choir

Jan. 25, Sun. 8:00 am For all parishioners of St. Peter Church

Jan. 25, Sun. 11:00 am Mary Wholey by the family

We have all received a vocation, a call from God. At its most basic level, we have all received a call to salvation. Several times in the New Testament we hear that our names have been written in the Book of Life before the foundation of the world.

We have also received a more specific call on how we are to live out this more general call. Some of us are called to be married, others single. This is not only our choice - it is also a response to God’s call.

Finally, our work is also part of our response to our vocation. We are not simply earning a living; we are also responding to God’s call in whatever work we do.

As St. Paul urges us not to use our bodies for immorality, how fitting it would be to read up on the "Freedom of Choice Act", try to understand its errors and sign post cards to Senators Gregg and Shaheen and Representative Shea-Porter.

ST. ANTHONY SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE, 148 Belmont St., Manchester, Sun., Jan. 25, 1:00-2:00 pm for new students. Tour the school and visit with our faculty and staff. We offer full day Pre-K and Kindergarten along with Before and After School Programs. City school bus transportation is available for those who qualify. For more information visit us on the web at www.stanthonyschool-nh.com or call 622-0414 for a tour.

The Villa Augustina School in Goffstown OPEN HOUSE, Wed., Jan. 28, 6:30 pm for students entering grade 1 through 8th grade. The Villa Augustina is an independent, Catholic school that challenges students to reach their highest potential by embracing Christian values, academic excellence and loving service. Call (603) 497-2361 or visit www.villaaugustina.org to learn more about the Villa.