THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT + MARCH 15, 2009
On the Way..... Lent is a Penitential Season. We have public penance, specifically expressed in the universal regulations on fast and abstinence. We are also asked to engage in private penance, sacrificial offerings, extra time in prayer, etc. It is also a penitential season in that we are encouraged to present ourselves to the Sacrament of Penance with individual confession. The precept of the church states that we go to this Sacrament at least once per year. Even though we are not obliged to do so at a specific time of the year, the Lenten Season is so appropriate. During these past two weeks children who are preparing for First Holy Communion this year and many of their older classmates have approached the Sacrament for the first time. The Sacrament is celebrated more frequently during Lent. In addition to the regular weekly schedule at 3 pm every Saturday afternoon, there will be a large Penance Service at St. Anthony Church in Manchester on Sunday, March 29 at 2 pm. Also, for the next three Monday evenings, Father Babineau and I will be available in church at 6:30 pm for individual confessions: March 16, 23 and 30. If you desire to present yourselves outside of these times, you are free to contact me or another priest to set up a private time and appointment.
SACRIFICIAL GIVING: "You shall not covet" is perhaps a difficult commandment to keep in our consumer society. But as Christian stewards, we know that we are the recipients and caretakers of God’s many gifts. May this understanding that all is gift help us be less resentful of the gifts of others.
PARISH NURSE: Due to medical issues, our parish nurse will be unavailable until further notice. Watch the bulletin for the return date.
WEEKLY OFFERTORY: $5,777
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.
EASTER FLOWERS: If you would like to donate toward our Easter flowers in memory of a loved one, please put your donation ($10 suggested) in an envelope, with the person’s name, and "from". Names will be published in the Easter bulletin. (PLEASE PRINT!)
PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS those who died last week, and especially Matthew Sochalski, father of Minta Saab of this parish.
CHRISTIAN FORMATION: Dismissals for K-3 at all Masses.
GENERATIONS OF FAITH: This Sunday, March 15, from 4:00-6:00 pm, in church.
PARISH DIRECTORIES: 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.
WELCOME TO NEWLY-REGISTERED PARISHIONERS: Jacques and Denise Blouin; Lisa Shepherd and children Tyler, Christopher, and Erika; Marc and Sandra Levasseur.
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.
GROUP WORK CAMP DONATIONS: If you would like to donate to the Group Work Campers, please put your check in a separate envelope in the collection basket with your name on it, and your donation will be posted to your records for income tax purposes. Any way you can help would be much appreciated by these hard-working teens!!!
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS: Meeting Thursday, March 19, 7:30 pm, Parish Hall.
ST. PETER CHURCH WOMEN’S GUILD: Our next meeting is March 24, Tuesday, at 7:00 pm, Conference Room. Helene Belanger will give a discussion on "Spiritual Direction for 21st Century Women" to coincide with the Lenten Season. Women of the parish are invited to attend.
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 Wednesdays, March 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!
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.
PENNY SALE: St. Anthony’s School, 148 Belmont St, Manchester, will be holding a Penny Sale on Saturday, March 21st from 9:00 am – 6:00 pm and Sunday March 22nd, 8:00 am – 12:00 pm. Admission is Free. Come celebrate the first day of Spring! There will be games and activities for children to enjoy along with raffle items, a 50/50 Drawing, Bake Sale and All Day Concession on Saturday. For more information visit our website at www.stanthonyschool-nh.com
MASS OF HEALING and HOPE: March 19, Thursday, at 7:00 pm, at Mary, Mother of the Church, 12 Amesbury Road, Newton, NH. Indeed, every Mass is an opportunity to receive healing. Fr. Michael Monette will celebrate this special Mass. Afterwards he will anoint those who attend with holy oil. Prayer teams will be available for additional prayer for those who would like to receive it. Remember no concern or illness is too small or too great to bring before the God who has carved you in the palm of His Hand. Please join us.
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.
AMOSKEAG DEANERY EAST LENTEN RECONCILIATION SERVICE: St. Anthony Church, 172 Belmont St., Manchester. Sunday, March 29, at 2:00 pm. Ten priests will be available to hear confessions. All are welcome.
MASS INTENTIONS
March 16, Mon. 7:00 am Josephine Regis by George and Sue Mercier
March 17, Tue. 12:00 pm Henry Labrie (30th Ann.) by his family
March 18, Wed. 7:00 am Arthur Delisle (Anniversary Mass) by a friend
March 21, Sat. 4:00 pm Richard Thomas by Celia Stone
March 22, Sun. 8:00 am Richard Thomas by Alice and Irene
March 22, Sun. 11:00 am For all parishioners of St. Peter Church
REFLECTION OF THE WEEK
First Reading: Exodus 20:1-17
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:22-25
Gospel: John 2:13-25
In the synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke), Jesus cleanses the temple at the end of his ministry. In those Gospels, it is the proximate reason why the leaders of the Jews decide to put Jesus to death.
In the Gospel of John that we hear today, the cleansing of the temple occurs at the beginning of His ministry (or the entire ministry of Jesus is a revelation of the Father's love for us that can only end upon the cross).
Animals are needed for the daily sacrifices performed in the temple, and coins had to be changed (for one could only donate Jewish coins in the temple since most pagan coins had images of pagan gods on them).
Yet those who were performing this necessary function had begun to abuse their role and act in a way that was at least undignified, and more probably scandalous. Jesus spoke of the destruction of the temple of His body, but those listening to Him misunderstood what He was saying and thought He was referring to the temple. This might explain why they later accused Him of trying to destroy the temple. Many who followed Jesus did so to see Him perform miracles (called "signs" in this Gospel).Their faith was superficial, for they only wanted to see a miracle worker. They were only concerned with what they could get out of this relationship. They did not want to commit their lives and their love to Jesus.
HOLY FAMILY ACADEMY will be holding Spring Open House for prospective students on Sunday, April 5, at 2 pm, at the Academy at 49 Ashland St., Manchester. Holy Family Academy, a private school, provides a classical education in the Roman Catholic tradition for students in grades 7-12. Come and hear about the Academy’s program of excellence in classical education and solid formation in the Catholic Faith. Call 644-7247 for more information.