FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME + FEBRUARY 8, 2009
On the Way....
You look great! You are all so photogenic! What a parish! The 60th Anniversary Photo Album is so nice! Congratulations to all of you who were able to participate. Thank you to Shirley Delacoe who, as you can well imagine, was the generator, the organizer, the scheduler, the lay-out director, the project supervisor, the intermediary with the publisher, etc.
PARISH NURSE: The Parish Nurse office will be closed until further notice. Our parish nurse, Kathy, has some medical issues but hopes to return after Easter. Watch the bulletin for the return date.
WEEKLY OFFERTORY: $5,366
SACRIFICIAL GIVING: Like St. Paul in the second reading, the good steward can say, "I do all that I do for the sake of the gospel in the hope of having a share in its blessings."
Pastoral Council Meeting: February 10, Tuesday, at 6:30 pm, Hall Conference Room
Choir Rehearsals: February 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.
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.
ST. PETER CHURCH WOMEN’S GUILD: The next meeting will be on Tuesday, February 24th. Our "Sweetheart Basket Raffle", will be held on Valentine’s Day weekend, February 14th & 15th. Also, all children up to the age of 12 are encouraged to enter their name for a FREE chance to win a "Boy & Girl Gift Basket .
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 until February 15. Thank you in advance for your donations.
WELCOME TO NEWLY-REGISTERED PARISHIONER William Kuslaka.
ADULT CONFIRMATION: Do you know an adult who has been attending Mass regularly but was never confirmed? The Religious Education Directors in the Amoskeag Deanery will be hosting a series of classes designed to help these individuals receive their Confirmation. Adult Confirmation differs from RCIA in that these individuals will have: (1) been baptized in the Catholic Faith (2) received their First Communion, and (3) are currently attending Mass on a regular basis. The classes are to be held on Tuesday evenings from March 3 through April 21, with Confirmation scheduled for April 26 at St. Joseph Cathedral at 2:00 pm. If you are interested, please contact Shirley at the parish office and she will get the relevant forms and information to you.
LECTORS AND EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS: We are still looking for a Lector for our 11:00 Mass schedule Also, we will be training new Special Ministers of the Eucharist and Altar Servers soon, so if you are interested in serving in these Ministries, please call Shirley by February 10th, at 623-5429. Thank you.
Is your marriage tearing you apart? Call Retrouvaille at 1-800-470-2230 or go to www.retrouvaille.org
STEWARDSHIP REPORT FOR JANUARY, 2009
Our offertory for January totaled $21,052.72. The tithe of $2,100 was distributed as follows:
New Horizons, Sonshine Soup Kitchen, Kid’s Cafe ($400 each): $1,200.
Kairos of NH Prison Ministry: 200.
Seminarians of NH: (collected $966) 500. (total sent $1,466)
The balance of $200 will be carried over to February tithe. Our young parishioners’ donations totaled $60., one-half of which was sent to NH Catholic Charities for St. Charles Children’s’ Home, and one-half to our offertory.
FROM THE OFFICE OF ECUMENICAL AND INTER-RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS OF THE DIOCESE: In anticipation of the celebration of Holy Week and Easter, you are invited to the New Hampshire Jewish-Catholic Seder. This will be the ninth year that the Jewish Federation of New Hampshire will celebrate a Seder meal. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to pray with our Jewish brothers and sisters and learn more about the importance of Passover and its celebration in the Jewish Community.
The Seder meal will take place on Wednesday, March 18, 2009 at 6:00 pm at The Jewish Federation of New Hampshire, 698 Beech Street, Manchester. If you would like to attend, you may contact Pat Farrell at seder09@comcast.net or leave a message at 669-3100 Ext. 164. Seating is limited and reservations must be made by February 27, 2009.
PARISH PENNY SALE FUN, FOOD AND PRIZES: St. Francis of Assisi Parish Penny Sale at Sacred Heart Parish Basement, (265 So. Main St., Manchester) on Saturday, February 21, 10 am-8 pm, and on Sunday, February 22, 10 am-5 pm. Be sure to "take a chance" on our Grand Prize Raffle ($1 each, 6 for $5): 1st Prize: $1,000.00; 2nd Prize: $500.00; 3rd Prize: Lazy Boy Chair or $299 towards a piece of furniture at Fallon’s Furniture. Throughout the weekend, there will be hundreds of items to try to win, such as, bicycles, concert/sports tickets and gift certificates, to name a few! Enjoy fabulous food prepared by our wonderful kitchen crew, including a HAM & BEAN SUPPER, SATURDAY NIGHT from 4-6 pm. DINER-STYLE BREAKFAST will be available both mornings at 10 am, and much, much more! Please contact Vicki Fontaine by emailing her at: vfontaine@comcast.net or call 424-3456 x224 (St. Francis Parish Office).
MASS INTENTIONS
Feb. 9, Mon. 7:00 am Souls in Purgatory by S.M.
Feb. 10, Tue. 7:00 am Donat Ouellette by his wife, Loretta and grandchildren
Feb. 11, Wed. 7:00 am Cassandra Karpinski by her family
Feb. 14, Sat. 4:00 pm Lorraine Samson by the Derepentigny family
Feb. 15, Sun. 8:00 am For all parishioners of St. Peter Church
Feb. 15, Sun. 11:00 am Michael Moline (25th Ann.) by the family
REFLECTION OF THE WEEK
First Reading: Job 7:1-4, 6-7
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23
Gospel: Mark 1:29-39
We do not fully understand why there is suffering. We only know that we are called to trust in God’s love even in the midst of our suffering. This is not easy, for when we are suffering we often feel abandoned and helpless. Yet, Jesus joined us in our suffering (the cross) so that we will never be alone again.
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
How do I suffer?
Suffering has been a human experience from the very beginning. It is the experience of the very young as well as the very old. It is the experience of the sick as well as the healthy. It seems that suffering will be the common human experience until the end of time. It was something that Jesus, the Son of God, did not shy away from. He experienced our human suffering. We can learn from Him. If I reflect on how Jesus Christ suffered, what His attitude was while He suffered, maybe I can get some insights and hints on how I can adapt to suffering in my life. If I spend my life trying to avoid suffering, I will always be on the run. If I learn from Jesus and accept suffering, I may see little miracles happening in my 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.