FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME + FEBRUARY 1, 2009

 

On the Way....

A couple of weeks ago, heeding St. Paul’s injunction in his first letter to the Corinthians to "..glorify God in your body", I mentioned in the homily at each Mass that stormy weekend that when we come to Mass, you worship God in your bodies. I would like to put the practical applications I made in writing. Since we are worshiping God in our bodies, all of our effort must be put into it. So we come to church in a different way than we do to attend an event at the Verizon Arena. The Eucharist is not a spectator sport. It is a drama where we re-enact the loving sacrifice of Jesus Christ for us and for the whole world. We do not assist in order to watch the priest "do his thing" or what the lector is wearing, or the choir is singing, or the cute little Altar Server. We participate, rather, with our whole bodies, alert in mind and present in heart. (Here is another reason those who are sick do not have an obligation to go to Mass: they cannot worship God in the usual way during a time of illness.] So there are many simple things we can do to prepare ourselves to celebrate the Eucharist in a fitting way: silence cell phones and pagers, abstain from food and alcohol, mints and gum, coffee and water, refrain from conversation during the Mass, do not use electronic devices to text-message or check the weather, remind children to go to the bathroom before leaving home, dress modestly in the warmer months, etc. In addition, we have a duty to the others who are at Mass, including the celebrant, to not be a distraction to others by talk or inattention. We make an effort to arrive on time and not leave before the end of Mass. The hustle and bustle of late-comers and early departers is a disservice to the congregation. I am not speaking here of an infant who wails, or falls, nor of any emergencies that often arise. I refer to adults, seniors, young men and women and children who know better. Take an example from our Lectors and Eucharistic Ministers who pay attention to their dress and behavior, as well as the service of boys and girls, Altar Servers who make an effort to arrive early, get things ready, make sure they have gone to the bathroom, gotten rid of their gum, etc. Choir, organists, lectors, servers, Eucharistic Ministers, greeters all do their best. Members of the congregation, the Christian Assembly, also have an important part to play in the Mass. So all of us make an effort to worship God in and with our bodies, our entire beings. I conclude by making my own the admonition of St. Paul in today’s excerpt: "I am telling you this for your own benefit, not to impose a restraint upon you, but for the sake of propriety and adherence to the Lord without distraction."

 

PARISH NURSE: The Parish Nurse office will be closed beginning this Friday, Feb. 6. Our parish nurse, Kathy, has some medical issues but hopes to return after Easter. Watch the bulletin for the return date.

WEEKLY OFFERTORY: $6,187.72

 

SEMINARIANS: $896. total

 

SACRIFICIAL GIVING: Moses told the people, "A prophet like me, will the Lord, your God, raise up for you from among your own kinsman." God still provides among His people the gifts and talents necessary to continue the work of His Church. What gifts are yours to share?

 

FOOD DRIVE this weekend is for New Horizons of NH (Soup Kitchen in Manchester). Food items most needed are: canned vegetables, sugar, creamer, coffee, salt, tuna, pasta, macaroni and cheese.

 

ST. PETER CHURCH UPCOMING MEETINGS

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

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

 

BAPTISMS: Last Sunday, January 25, we welcomed the following into the parish community through the Sacrament of Baptism: Anthony Jason Cannamucio, son of Jason and Amy; Margaret Sheehan Gill, daughter of Brian and Meredith; Aydriana Lee Watson, daughter of Kevin and Jessica.

 

Choir Rehearsals: February 4 and 18, and March 4 from 7:00-8:30 pm, in church.

 

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

 

GENERATIONS OF FAITH February 15 from 4:00-6:00 pm.

 

CONFIRMATION I & II classes are on Sunday, February 1st. Students are asked to attend the 11:00 Mass, and meet thereafter until 1:00 pm.

 

FIRST EUCHARIST: Parent meeting on Monday, February 23, at 7:00 pm in the Church Hall. Make-up session Tuesday, February 24, at 7:00 pm in the Church Hall. If you have any questions, please call Jake at 669-5134.

 

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

 

THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS COUNCIL 10973 ST. PETER CHURCH, AUBURN

are once again collecting items needed for the Manchester Battered Women’s Shelter. Emily’s Wish List is as follows: small garbage buckets, batteries, string mops, mattress pads and sheets (twin size only), bedroom lamps/night lights, alarm clocks, trash bags, playpens, office supplies, light bulbs, flashlights, shower curtains, blankets. Also needed are cleaning supplies, such as laundry detergent, floor cleaners, sponges, bathroom cleaners, oven cleaner. Gift certificates for food, haircuts, clothing, etc. Curtain panels (very long), large bath towels, toilet paper, and Pampers.

 

DONATIONS ARE TO BE DROPPED OFF ONLY ON THE BACK PORCH OF ST. PETER CHURCH, anytime from January 31-February 15. Thank you in advance for your donations.

 

FROM RESPECT LIFE.. Seeing in an ultrasound the unborn child she is carrying has been a powerful influence on women contemplating abortion. One study showed 75.5 percent of undecided women decided not to have an abortion after viewing her baby’s ultrasound. (The Southern Cross, August, 2008)

 

N.H. ASSOCIATION FOR THE BLIND: Stephanie Hurd, Volunteer Coordinator, is looking for someone who would be willing and interested in becoming a volunteer with the New Hampshire Association for the Blind. The most immediate need is to assist a senior with little vision (woman) 2-3 times a month for a couple of hours. She has lots of stories and is great to chat with. The types of things a volunteer might help with are taking her to the store, a local doctor appointment, or other community errands close by. She lives in Raymond and would love to get out of the house a few times. If you are interested in helping, please contact Stephanie at 545-4345. They have a volunteer application process where they screen volunteers and have an orientation to make volunteers ready and more comfortable in assisting someone who is blind or visually impaired. These are rewarding experiences for all involved, and make such a difference for someone with vision loss.

 

N.H. CATHOLIC CHARITIES REPORT:

We have received the following report for St. Peter Church from NH Catholic Charities:

Cash Received: $29,266.96

Balance due on pledges: 194.20

Total for St. Peter Church: $29,461.16

 

 

 

 

 

MASS INTENTIONS

Feb. 2, Mon. 7:00 am Richard Thomas by Alice and Irene

Feb. 3, Tue. 7:00 am Phyllis Rogers by the 7:00 am Mass group

Feb. 4, Wed. 7:00 am Louise Belanger (2nd Ann.) by Robert Belanger and family

Feb. 6, Fri. 7:00 am To end abortions, from parishioners

Feb. 7, Sat. 4:00 pm Rodney Crete by his mother, Carol Crete

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

Feb. 8, Sun. 11:00 am Lucille Andrews by Don and Claudette Martel

 

 

 

REFLECTION OF THE WEEK

First Reading: Deuteronomy 18:15-20

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 7:32-35

Gospel: Mark 1:21-28

How do we know if what we have decided is truly coming from God (for being a prophet means to see things from God’s perspective)? We have to pray, fast, ask advice, etc. We must also discern our motivations. We often feel we are doing something from totally pure motivations, but there are frequently hidden levels of motivation (at times even hidden from ourselves). We must be brutally honest with ourselves as to why we want something. We must admit that a part of our motivation is almost always selfish. When we recognize these less than noble motives, we can purify them and unite our intentions more closely to those of God.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

What makes me anxious?

Anxieties can distract us from what God wants and desires for us, happiness. A good spiritual practice is to take some quiet time when you are anxious and list the things that cause you concern. People who write a journal or a diary do this. When the concern is named and written down, in front of us, it is in a way objectified and easier to comprehend, with less "emotional" attachment. It is like Jesus in the Gospel accounts who asks those who plea for His help what they want. It is not that He doesn’t know, it is rather that we must be sure ourselves, and "put it out there". To realize and experience a happier life, we must pay attention to our spiritual lives.

 

 

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