SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER + APRIL 19, 2009
DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY
On the Way..... This Sunday at 4:00 pm, Bishop John B. McCormack will administer the Sacrament of Confirmation to 26 young men and women from St. Peter and 10 from St. Paul. We congratulate the young adults who are accepting, in this Sacrament, the touch of the Holy Spirit in their lives. We thank their parents and sponsors who have encouraged them and cajoled them at times to persevere in their Christian commitment. Congratulations to our two parishes who continue to uphold their faith.
Also On the Way....The 2009 Catholic Charities appeal will begin on the weekend of April 25/26. We anticipate that you will receive all the necessary information and donation envelope in the mail sometime this week. Due to a delay at the printers, as of Monday, April 13, we had not as yet received the materials from Catholic Charities. When you receive your packet in the mail, please take time to read the accompanying literature and be as generous as you can. Prepare your envelope according to the instructions, and return to us via the collection basket as soon as you can. Thank you.
EASTER COLLECTION: $8,043.61
RICE BOWL TO DATE: $821.00
PARISH NURSE: Due to medical issues, our parish nurse will be unavailable until further notice. Watch the bulletin for the return date.
CHRISTIAN FORMATION: Our Generations of Faith program has concluded for the 2008-09 year. Our last K-3 Dismissals are next weekend, April 25/26. Registration forms for 2009-10 can be found at the entrances to church. If your child is new to the program, please submit a Baptism Certificate, if not baptized at St. Peter Church
FINANCE COUNCIL: Budget meeting Tuesday, April 21, at 6:30 pm, Rectory Conference Room.
ST. PETER CHURCH WOMEN’S GUILD: Our final meeting of the Ladies Guild for the 2008-09 year will be held on Tuesday, April 28th, at 7 pm. We will have a Wine & Cheese Social, along with games. Officers for 2009-10 will be elected at this meeting.
Additional Easter Flower Donations:
Mr. & Mrs. George Bartholomew, Mr. & Mrs. William Dollard from Don and Ann Dollard; deceased members of the Doucette family from Dave, Kathy, Katie, and Anne, deceased members of the Raiche family.
FEATURED AD OF THE WEEK
Many thanks to Debra Desrosiers, owner of Visiting Angels Homecare Agency located in Auburn, NH. "Visiting Angels is in its fifth year of business. Visiting Angels is a Non-Medical Homecare Agency that covers greater Manchester and surrounding towns. Visiting Angels allows people to maintain the independence of their daily routines in their own home. Because we are a non-medical agency and not a nursing agency, we do not dictate to you what your schedule is to be (i.e. what time to wake up, when to bathe, meal schedules etc.). It is our job to adjust to your schedule and to keep your loved one comfortable in their home. Our service includes joyful companionship, personal care, meal preparation, light housekeeping, running errands and respite for family caregivers. We believe that you and your family should have a choice about where and how to live, as well as who will provide your care. Call 483-8999 with any questions or for more details."
Website: www.visitingangels.com E-mail:ddesrosiers@visitingangelsnh.com
CHOIR REHEARSALS: April 22, May 6, May 20, May 27, 7:00-8:30 PM, in church. All are welcome.
PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS those who died last week, and especially Florence Nault, mother of Lorette Nault.
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!!!
GROUP WORK CAMP BAKE SALE: Next weekend, April 25 & 26, after all Masses. If you would like to donate a baked item, please bring before Mass or you may leave it on the back porch of the rectory.
MAY DEVOTIONS: The Rosary will be prayed on the Tuesdays of May, at 6:30 pm in church, to honor Our Blessed Mother.
CARE-NET PREGNANCY CENTER: Those interested in participating in the Walk for Life on Sat., May 9, may call Laura Lambert, our Respect Life Chairperson, at 483- 5125.
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS: If your child will be attending Catholic Schools, we would like to once again remind you of the policy of the Diocese regarding financially subsidizing students from our parish:
"In order for a family to receive a supported tuition rate for the next school year, the parents must meet the following requirements:
1) be registered in this parish2) be a contributor of record (weekly envelopes) in this parish
3) active participation in the life of this parish."
In other words, if you were not registered in the last year or did not contribute through the envelope system on a regular basis to the support of the parish, the pastor cannot sign the subsidy form that we receive from the school. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause, but it is the policy of the Diocese of Manchester.
ST. FRANCIS SCHOOL of Litchfield is presently accepting registrations for the 2009-2010 school year. They are a K-6 school that offers a rigorous curriculum in a supportive environment where they help every child reach their personal best. For more information, please call the school at 424-3312, or visit their website:
ST. ANTHONY SCHOOL is accepting registrations for the 2009-10 school year. St. Anthony School will work closely with the families who seek to make our educational opportunities possible for their children. If financial considerations cause hesitancy, we have several options available to assist families in defraying tuition costs. For outlying areas such as Candia and Raymond, there is bus transportation available. Please contact Mrs. Sally Green, our Admissions Director at 622-0414, for more information.
HOW TO MAKE A REPORT OF SEXUAL ABUSE
Child sexual abuse is a crime in the State of New Hampshire and the Church. New Hampshire law requires that anyone who has reason to suspect that a child is being or has been abused or neglected must make a report to the Division for Children, Youth and Families ("DCYF") of the State of New Hampshire, 1-800-894-5533. Any person who suspects or alleges child abuse on the part of a priest, deacon, employee, or volunteer of a parish, school, or institution of the Diocese of Manchester is also encouraged to make a report to the Office for Ministerial Conduct, 603-669-3100.
Church personnel--clergy, paid employees, and volunteers--have additional reporting requirements if they believe the Church personnel have sexually abused a child. To learn more about the reporting requirements, go to the diocesan website under Child Safety: www.catholicchurchnh.org
MASS INTENTIONS
April 20, Mon. 7:00 am Anna Letendere (1st Ann.) by her daughter Celia
April 21, Tue. 7:00 am Henry Champagne (11th Ann.) by his wife
April 22, Wed. 7:00 am Intention of the Celebrant
April 25, Sat. 4:00 pm Richard Thomas by Connie and Mike Schofield
April 26, Sun. 8:00 am Odilon Proulx by the family
April 26, Sun. 11:00 am For all parishioners of St. Peter Church
REFLECTION OF THE WEEK
First Reading: Acts 4:32-35
Second Reading: 1 John 5:1-6
Gospel: Jon 20:19-31
The First Reading serves as an excellent example of taking Scripture out of context. All too often Christian communities (parishes, associations, etc.) have beaten themselves up because they are not as intimate and charitable as this first community. Yet, given Luke’s tendency to exaggerate the unity of the Christian Community in his writings, it is probably true that even the first Christian community was not as unified as he describes.
The Gospel: There are resurrection accounts where Jesus is clearly recognized, and others where He is not. This is a reminder that when we rise, we, too, will be the same but changed. Our bodies will be recognizable, but they will not suffer from the limitations of our earthly bodies.
A Catholic Teaching on the Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care: "Three Beliefs" is Catholic guide on durable power of attorney and health care in N.H. Dr. Peter Cataldo, Director of Respect Life for the Diocese of Manchester, will be at Ste. Marie Parish for a health care presentation on Thursday, April 23rd in the John Paul II Media Center, 281 Cartier Street (same building as Ste. Marie Bookstore) 7-9 pm. Dr. Cataldo is a medical ethics consultant and formerly served the NCCB as Director of Research, National Catholic Bioethics Center. Learn important details on changes to N.H. advanced care directives, how to designate a Health Care Agent, documents to use, and have your questions answered on making ethical health care decisions for yourself and your loved ones.