FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER + MAY 10, 2009
On the Way....
PRAYER FOR MOTHERS
Loving God and Father in heaven, you gave mothers as gifts to us, we take our first home in their womb; they bring us into this world, they are our earthly caregivers on your behalf. In your Love, you grace them to give life and nourishment to us, your children, just as you give nourishment to your people by Word and Sacrament in Jesus Christ, your Son. Bless our beloved mother. Let the example of her faith and love shine forth and bear fruit in us. Grant that we, her family, may honor her always with a spirit of profound love and respect. We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen.
Holy Mother Mary, Mother of God, Model of all mothers, pray for us.
Happy Mother’s Day to all our wonderful mothers.
From the office of the Bishop of the Diocese of Manchester
Catholic Church in New Hampshire’s Response to Concerns Regarding Swine Flu
In light of current concerns about the spread of the swine flu, the Catholic Church in New Hampshire is taking the following temporary precautions during Masses and other celebrations:
Bishop John McCormack reminds parishioners who feel ill to stay at home and refrain from attendance at Church celebrations until they are fully recovered.
The faithful are encouraged to share the Sign of Peace without touching hands or kissing. This can be done verbally and with a bow of the head.
The faithful are strongly urged to receive Communion in their hands, and not on their tongue.
The consecrated wine will not be shared until further notice.
Priests, deacons, and extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion must wash their hands before Mass begins and are encouraged to use an alcohol-based anti-bacterial solution before and after distributing Holy Communion
Greeters and ushers will use verbal greetings only and not shake hands with parishioners.
WEEKLY OFFERTORY: $6,273
CATHOLIC COMMUNICATION CAMPAIGN: Next week’s collection is for the Catholic Communication Campaign (CCC). Through your generous donations, CCC is able to spread the gospel message in our community and all over the world. CCC funds the development of traditional and new media programs that inspire and minister to their audiences. Half of the Collection from our diocese stays here to support local communication efforts, while the other half supports national Catholic media initiatives. Please give generously in next week’s collection to help us spread the Good News. To find out more about the work of CCC, please visit www.CatholicCommunicationCampaign.org
SACRIFICIAL GIVING: The good steward lives the advice of St. John, loving in deed and in truth, rather than just talking about it.
BANNS OF MARRIAGE II Jacob Linxweiler, Jr. - Kristen Cecchetti
CONGRATULATIONS
to our Pastor, Fr. C. Peter Dumont, as he celebrates the 38th anniversary of his ordination on May 15. May he be blessed with good health and a deepening faith as he serves this parish as our shepherd.
ST. PETER CHURCH WOMEN’S GUILD: Our final meeting for the year will be our annual Banquet on Tuesday, May 12th, 6:00 pm, at the Puritan Back Room. Members have a choice of either Chicken Tenders or Broiled Haddock. Please contact any officer, or Alice Laliberte, with your choice, if you have not done so already. Thank you. Hope to see all of our members there!
CHRISTIAN FORMATION: Our Christian Formation programs have concluded for the 2008-09 year. Registration forms for 2009-10 can be found at the entrances to church, and also on our website. (Go to www.stpeteraub.org and click on "Bulletin" and the link to the form comes right up - print a copy of the form, fill it out completely, and place in the collection basket, or mail to us.)
Please register this Spring for the Fall programs! If your child is new to the program, please submit a Baptism Certificate, if not baptized at St. Peter Church.
GROUP WORK CAMP meeting May 16, 2:00 pm, at the home of Alan and Carrie Cote. Call Laura Lambert at 483-5125 for directions.
MAY DEVOTIONS: The Rosary will be prayed on the Tuesdays of May, at 6:30 pm in church, to honor Our Blessed Mother.
Is your marriage tearing you apart? Rediscover a loving marriage with a Retrouvaille weekend. Call Retrouvaille at 1-800-470-2230 or go to: www.retrouvaille.org
CHOIR REHEARSALS: May 20 and May 27, 7:00-8:30 pm, in church. All are welcome.
NEW HAMPSHIRE CATHOLIC CHARITIES:
Miracles Happen Everyday
Thanks to all who responded so generously to the New Hampshire Catholic Charities Annual Appeal here in our Parish. You are making it possible for Catholic Charities to fulfill our mission of Christian compassion to bring programs and services that comfort, heal, and empower to people in New Hampshire. If you haven't made your pledge or donation yet, it's not too late! To be truly successful, we need everyone to participate. Just fill out a Catholic Charities envelope and drop it in the collection basket. We will be sure to forward it to Catholic Charities. Remember that no gift is too small or too large. THANK YOU!
MASS OF HEALING AND HOPE:
Thursday, May 21, at 7:00 pm, Holy Angels Church, 8 Atkinson Depot Road, Plaistow. Indeed, every Mass is an opportunity to receive healing. Fr. Michael Monette will celebrate Mass of the Ascension. 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.
MASS INTENTIONS
May 11, Mon. 7:00 am Souls in Purgatory by S.M.
May 12, Tue. 7:00 am Intention of the celebrant
May 13, Wed. 7:00 am Intention of the celebrant
May 16, Sat. 4:00 pm Richard Thomas by St. Peter Church Prayer Line
May 17, Sun. 8:00 am For all parishioners of St. Peter Church
May 17, Sun. 11:00 am Armand Labbe by Mr. and Mrs. Jean-Paul Labbe
REFLECTION OF THE WEEK
First Reading: Acts 9:26-31
Second Reading: 1 John 3:18-24
Gospel: John 15:1-8
One of the major themes of the Gospel of John is that we must establish an intimate relationship with God and abide in Him. When we do this, we find the true meaning of our lives. When we try to exist outside of that relationship, we find only frustration and loneliness.
Jesus is the way to the Father. He is the way and the truth and the life. That is why Jesus uses the allegory of His being the vine and we being the branches. He is the source of our vitality (just as vines give life to the branches on the vine). In Him we will bear fruit, but apart from Him we cannot hope to flourish.
This Gospel speaks extensively of the relationship that the Sacrament of the Eucharist establishes (chs. 6; 13 and 21). This could also be said to be a eucharistic symbol, for it is the sacrament that celebrates the communion between Jesus and ourselves, and also that nourishes us so that we may be fruitful in God’s love.
St. Anthony School located at 148 Belmont St in Manchester has openings available for the 2009-2010 school year. New for next year the school will offer various half day Pre-kindergarten along with our full day Pre-kindergarten program. We offer comprehensive Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies and daily Religion classes. In addition all our students from Pre-K through Sixth Grade enjoy introductory Language Instruction in Spanish, French and Chinese, Computer, Art, Library, Music and Gym. We also offer Before and After School Programs. City school bus transportation is available for those who qualify. For more information visit us on the web at www.stanthonyschool-nh.com or call 622-0414 for a tour.
Refugee Assistance: We are looking for caring persons to support and guide refugee families in the Manchester Community. Informational Meetings will be held at Ste. Marie Parish, Manchester, on Monday, May 18th, at 7 pm and at St. Catherine Parish, Manchester, on Tuesday, May 19th at 10 am. Please call or e-mail to register for one of these meetings: Sr. Irene-Marie 623-8809 ext. 23 OR Pam Gordon 432-9371 / pandergo@aol.com .