FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT + MARCH 1, 2009

On the Way....

Last weekend I suggested a short and straightforward approach to Lent for 2009. First: we are to follow what the Church requires of us for Lent, the very minimum practice of fast and abstinence. Ash Wednesday was a day of fast. Good Friday, April 10, will be a day of fast. So please make a serious effort to abstain from meat on Friday. I also suggest two voluntary practices. The first: a short yet specific amount of time each day to pray to God to thank Him for the people in my life who love me, and then to ask Him to forgive those who wrong me and help me to forgive them. Second: to work very hard at one (or two) relationships in my life that are in need of repair or strengthening. The other person need not be aware of my efforts, so, I can privately humble myself and see if I might change some of the things that have strained the relationship through my own pride or arrogance or lack of forgiveness. In summary:

1- I will abstain from meat every Friday of Lent.

2- I will take one or two or more minutes each day to pray to God.

3- I will privately examine myself on how I can improve at least one of my relationships.

 

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: $5,419.79

RICE BOWLS: Rice Bowls and 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 it in a plain envelope marked "Rice Bowl", and this donation will be added to your contribution records.

CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES/HOME MISSIONS appeal is this 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: The waters of Baptism make us part of the new covenant in Christ. But the bishops’ pastoral letter on stewardship reminds us that "there is a fundamental obligation arising from the sacrament of baptism...that people place their gifts, their resources - their selves - at God’s service in and through the Church."

BANNS OF MARRIAGE:

III Brian Zakrajsek - Jessica Dodier

HELP NEEDED! Our Group Work Camp trip is scheduled for June 28-July 4, 2009 in Port Jervis, NY. We have one chaperone signed up already who went to Port Jervis in 2007, but we still need 2 more adult chaperones to make the trip with us. Carpentry skills are not necessary. All you need is a desire to serve teens! The week will enrich your life and bring you closer to God, just as it does for the teens who go. We can't make the trip without chaperones, so please consider donating a week of your time. Please contact Laura Lambert at 483-5125 or Linda Bouchard at 483-0560. Thank you.

Our Lenten Journey...come share your faith with a small group of parishioners as we pray over the Sunday readings during Lent. We will gather together to read and reflect on the upcoming Sunday readings on Wed., Mar. 11 and 25, from 7-8:30 pm, in the Parish Hall.(Materials provided.) For more information, please contact Helene Belanger at 668-4386. All are welcome!

PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS those who died last week, and especially Robert Gregoire, brother of Gerard Gregoire of this parish.

FOOD DRIVE: This 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.

SOCK DRIVE sponsored by Brownie Troop 20256. They are asking people to donate new and clean gently used socks to give to needy people. We have put a box in the entryway to church to collect these donations. We will be collecting donations through May 17th. Thank you for helping us to contribute to our community.

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

CONFIRMATION I & II class is this Sunday, March 1. Students are asked to attend the 11:00 Mass, and meet for class thereafter until 1:00 pm.

FIRST EUCHARIST: Make-up Parent meeting on Monday, March 2, at 7:00 pm in the Church Hall. If you have any questions, please call Jake at 669-5134.

Choir Rehearsal: March 4 from 7:00-8:30 pm, in church.

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.

OUR PLACE: 11th Annual Baby Shower to benefit Our Place on Sat., March 21, from 11 am to 1 pm at the Parish of the Transfiguration, 107 Alsace St., Manchester. Brunch will be served. All are invited to bring new, unwrapped baby/toddler items. Our Place is a pre-natal and parenting education program for young families, and helps them experience a safe and healthy pregnancy. Please consult the flyer on the bulletin board for a list of items needed, and more information.

40 Days For Life

You can make a difference in your own community! The nationwide campaign of prayer, fasting and witness to end abortion began Ash Wednesday, February 25, and will 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

 

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).

 

MASS INTENTIONS

March 2, Mon. 7:00 am Souls in Purgatory by S.M.

March 3, Tue. 12:00 pm Beatrice Boucher by the family

March 4, Wed. 7:00 am Jeanne Barbeau by her daughter, Jacqueline Bienvenue

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

March 7, Sat. 4:00 pm Cecile Laliberte by Don and Lorraine Bernier

March 8, Sun. 8:00 am John Hynes by St. Peter Church Women’s Guild

March 8, Sun. 11:00 am For all parishioners of St. Peter Church

 

REFLECTION OF THE WEEK

First Reading: Genesis 9:8-15

Second Reading: 1 Peter 3:18-22

Gospel :Mark 1:12-15

The account of the temptation in the desert in the Gospel of Mark is the simplest of the three Synoptic versions. There is no mention of the three separate temptations as there is in Luke and Matthew. All we are told is that Jesus was tempted for forty days.

The kingdom of God (or more accurately, the reign of God) will be manifested when people turn their hearts to the Lord. This is why we repent during Lent: to allow God (and not other things) to be at the center of our lives.

 

The volunteers at BIRTHRIGHT OF MANCHESTER are trying to address the increasing needs of Mothers and their babies. As the disrespect for human life, and the downturn in our economy permeates our communities, our pregnancy center is endeavoring to meet these needs by increasing the number of office hours. For this we need additional volunteers. Volunteers must be over 18 years of age, ardently pro-life, and have a sincere desire to listen with concern and understanding. We provide training. Most of our volunteers work for 2 hours a week. Hours are flexible and there is ample parking. Birthright's services are free, confidential and non-judgmental, for any girl or woman, regardless of age, race or religion. We offer pregnancy tests, layettes, baby and maternity clothing, and information on the available social services. Sometimes a friendly face and a listening ear are the only help needed. Won't you try to be that person for a Mother in distress? Our office is located at 307 Kelley Street. Please phone Mary at the office - 668-3443, or Phyllis - 472-5410. You will find your time spent very rewarding.

 

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.