SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME + FEBRUARY 22, 2009
On the way....
This coming week we enter into the Season of Lent. ASH WEDNESDAY IS FEBRUARY 25. Masses will be celebrated at 7:00 am and 6:30 pm. During each Mass there will be blessing and distribution of ashes. The weekday Mass schedule changes slightly for the next Forty Days: Mondays and Wednesdays at 7:00 am, and Tuesdays at 12:00 noon.
This year we will once again participate in Operation Rice Bowl. All can take part by sacrificing in some way - whether it be forgoing desserts, skipping going to a movie, or in the case of adults perhaps giving up smoking, or dining out, and then donating the money saved to the Rice Bowl. It is a great opportunity for parents to teach their children to sacrifice for those in need - that some children eat only once a day, and some even less. Their sacrifices, no matter how small, help feed the hungry of the world. Rice Bowls and the accompanying leaflet are available in the pews this weekend. At the end of Lent, we would ask that you submit a check for the amount in your Rice Bowl, made payable to St. Peter Church, and place in a plain envelope marked "Rice Bowl", and this donation will be added to your contribution records.
REGULATIONS FOR FAST AND ABSTINENCE
ASH WEDNESDAY and GOOD FRIDAY are days of fast and abstinence. FRIDAYS OF LENT are days of abstinence. FASTING is to be observed by all 18 years and older, who have not yet celebrated their 59th birthday. On a day of fast, one full meal is allowed. Two other meals, sufficient to maintain strength, may be take according to each one’s needs, but together they should not equal another full meal. Eating between meals is not permitted, but liquids, including milk and juices, are allowed. ABSTINENCE is observed by all 14 years of age and older. On days of abstinence, no meat is allowed. Note that when health or ability to work would be seriously affected, the law does not oblige. When in doubt concerning fast and abstinence, the parish priest should be consulted. Fasting, almsgiving and prayer are the three traditional disciplines of Lent. The faithful and catechumens should undertake these practices seriously in a spirit of penance and of preparation for baptism or of renewal of baptism at Easter.
PARISH NURSE: Due to medical issues, our parish nurse will be unavailable until further notice. Kathy hopes to return after Easter. Watch the bulletin for the return date.
WEEKLY OFFERTORY: $5,755
CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES/HOME MISSIONS appeal is next weekend. This collection provides funding for Catholic Relief Services, USCCB Department of Social Development and World Peace, relief work of the Holy Father, USCCB’s Migration and Refugee Services, and the Catholic Legal Immigration Network. It also supports the strengthening of the Catholic Church where it is most financially challenged in the United States. When you donate to this appeal, you are not giving just your money...you are giving hope. You are transferring faith and love over thousands of miles to Jesus in disguise. Thank you.
SACRIFICIAL GIVING: Forgiveness, too, is a gift from God. Freed from the paralysis of sin, the man in today’s Gospel was able to stand and give witness to the power of God. How do I let sin cripple me? Am I a good steward of the gift of God’s forgiveness?
BANNS OF MARRIAGE:
II Brian Zakrajsek - Jessica Dodier
LENTEN SCRIPTURE STUDY: Wednesday evenings, March 11 and 25, from 7:00-8:30 pm in the Parish Hall. More information next week.
FOOD DRIVE: Next weekend our Food Drive is for the Sonshine Soup Kitchen of Derry. Most needed items (in order of need) are: creamed soups, sandwich size plastic bags, cereal, paper towels, napkins, 9" sturdy paper/foam plates, parmesan cheese, green beans, spaghetti sauce, gravy.
PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS those who died last week, and especially June Letson, mother of Margaret Lambert and Marilyn Lambert, both of this parish, and Edward Frisella, brother of Fred Frisella of this parish.
CHRISTIAN FORMATION: Dismissals for K-3 at all Masses.
CONFIRMATION I & II classes are on Sunday, March 1. Students are asked to attend the 11:00 Mass, and meet for class thereafter until 1:00 pm.
FIRST EUCHARIST: Parent meeting on Monday, February 23, at 7:00 pm in the Church Hall. Make-up sessions Tuesday, February 24 and Monday, March 2, at 7:00 pm in the Church Hall. If you have any questions, please call Jake at 669-5134.
PARISH DIRECTORIES: After all Masses on the weekend of February 7/8, Parish Directories were handed out to those who were present. If you had your picture taken for the Directory, and have not yet received your booklet, call Shirley at 623-5429
to make arrangements. Thank you.
ST. PETER CHURCH WOMEN’S GUILD: Our next meeting is Tuesday, February 24th at 6:30 pm. The change in time is due to the fact that this is our annual "Pot Luck - Mardi Gras" celebration..
The Guild thanks all who supported our Bake Sale/Sweetheart Raffle last weekend. The winner of the Sweetheart Basket was Dot Zube. The boy’s raffle was won by Tyler Montgomery and the girl’s basket was won by Megan Miller.
Is your marriage tearing you apart?
Call Retrouvaille at 1-800-470-2230 or go to www.retrouvaille.org
BREAKFAST IS SERVED: The eight grade class at St. Casimir School will be hosting a fundraising breakfast on Sat., March 14, at Applebee's Restaurant on Second Street in Manchester, from 8:00-10:00 am. The cost is $5 per person (pay at the door). All are welcome! Those interested in attending should email Nancy Duhaime at nancy@duhaimefamily.com by Friday, March 6.
40 Days For Life
You can make a difference in your own community! The nationwide campaign of prayer, fasting and witness to end abortion will begin Ash Wednesday, February 25, and go to April 5. Sign up for the peaceful vigil at Planned Parenthood , 24 Pennacook St. Manchester, NH, 7am to 7pm: www.40daysforlife.com/manchester
Your prayers could save a life....and....
Michael Clancy ( www.michaelclancy.com ) who was the photographer who took the picture of the baby in the womb grabbing the doctor’s finger during surgery, will be at a 40 Days For Life rally on February 24 at 7:00 pm at St. Marie Church. We will be meeting at Planned Parenthood at 6:00 pm, and have a short vigil, then we will go to St. Marie’s Parish Hall to listen to Michael Clancy, and sign up for 40 Days For Life. There will be refreshments served at St. Marie's.
For more information on any of the above, e-mail Theo at theo@unitedchoiceforlife.org or contact Theo at 622-6322.
MASS INTENTIONS
Feb. 23, Mon. 7:00 am Robert Bernier (7th Ann.) by the family
Feb. 24, Tue. 7:00 am Albert Ouellette (13th Ann.) by his mother, Loretta
Feb. 25, Wed. 7:00 am Timothy Mongeau (2nd Ann.) by the family
Feb. 25, Wed. 6:30 pm Intention of the celebrant
Feb. 28, Sat. 4:00 pm Edward Godin, Sr. by the Duhaime family
Mar. 1, Sun. 8:00 am For all parishioners of St. Peter Church
Mar. 1, Sun. 11:00 am Armand Labbe by Mr. and Mrs. Jean-Paul Labbe
REFLECTION OF THE WEEK
First Reading: Isaiah 43:18-19, 21-22, 24b-24
Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 1:18-22
Gospel: Mark 2:1-12
The first reading speaks of the new beginning that God offers us when we turn away from sin. Yet, we often torture ourselves with the memory of what we have done in the past.
St. Margaret Mary Alocoque received a series of visions of the Sacred Heart. Her confessor doubted that she was truly receiving these apparitions, so he instructed her that the next time Jesus appeared to her, she should ask him what sins she had recently confessed.
She did this, and Jesus’ response to her was "I forget." God cannot truly forget anything, but He was telling her that He had let go of it. God’s mercy is always greater than our guilt and sin.
ARE YOU A CAREGIVER TO AN ELDERLY PARENT OR FRIEND? NH Catholic Charities is offering an 8-week workshop on Mondays, March 9, 16, 23, 30 and April 6, 13, 20 and 27. The group will meet from 4:30-6:30 pm at Mt. Carmel Healthcare Center, 235 Myrtle St., Manchester. We will discuss personal responsibilities, setting healthy boundaries within the caregiving relationship, physical and emotional changes involved in aging, and legal and financial resources. Registration at the first meeting, $65. for individuals, $75. couples (fee negotiable). Contact NH Catholic Charities at 624-4717.
STAY INFORMED WITH FAITHFUL CITIZENSHIP NEWS The Diocese of Manchester is launching a new initiative to inform Catholics about important public policy matters facing our elected officials. Faithful Citizenship News provides briefs on legislation as well as information about Catholic social teaching on some of today’s pressing issues. To read the current issue of Faithful Citizenship News and to subscribe, visit www.catholicnh.org/fcnews.
OUR PARISH LIBRARY has numerous books and videos available for spiritual enrichment. We have placed some suggested resources for Lent out on the small bookshelf in the vestibule and there are many more titles available on the shelves in the Reconciliation Room. Please feel free to help yourself (don’t forget to fill out the card with your name and phone number and place it in the box provided).