SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER + MAY 17, 2009

 

On the Way....

The Diocese of Manchester was established in 1884 and thus celebrates its 125th anniversary this year. Prayer cards are available on the tables at the church doors.

 

Also On the Way.... an update on H1N1 shows the following statistics as of May 11. Worldwide there are now over 4,600 laboratory-confirmed reports. The virus is now confirmed in 29 countries worldwide, though there are none in Africa at this writing. Mexico has over 1,600 confirmed reports with 48 deaths. There are over 2,500 confirmed cases in our country with 3 deaths, and just under 300 confirmed reports in Canada with one death. Given the public nature of our worship we will continue to exercise caution.

 

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: $5,338

 

CATHOLIC COMMUNICATION CAMPAIGN: This week is the annual collection 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 this week’s collection to help us spread the Good News. To find out more about the work of CCC, please visit www.CatholicCommunicationCampaign.org

 

 

ASCENSION: Thursday, May 21, is the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord, a Holy Day of Obligation. Masses at St. Peter Church are on Thursday at 7:00 am and 6:30 pm. There is a vigil Mass at St. Paul Church in Candia on Wednesday evening at 7:00 pm.

 

 

CAR WASH: Our Group Work Campers will be having a Car Wash on Saturday, May 30, from 10 am to 2 pm, next door at Sandy’s Variety Store. Rain date is Sunday, May 31.

 

SACRIFICIAL GIVING: Jesus’ commandment is that His disciples love one another, even to the point of laying down their lives, if necessary. What gifts of myself - my skills and talents, my time and resources - will best demonstrate my love for God’s people.

 

BANNS OF MARRIAGE

I William Rebello - Amy Croto

III Jacob Linxweiler, Jr. - Kristen Cecchetti

 

WELCOME TO NEWLY-REGISTERED PARISHIONERS Daniel and Phyllis Messier, and daughters Jillian and Kendra; Ronald and Diana Proulx and daughter Katherine.

 

NH 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!

In the first two weeks of the Appeal, our parish donated $4,265.20.

 

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.

 

 

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.

 

MEMORIAL DAY MASS: Mt. Calvary Cemetery, 474 Goffstown Rd., Manchester, Monday, May 25, at 9:00 am. (Outdoors at the Calvary.) In case of inclement weather, Mass will be held at Ste. Marie Church, 378 Notre Dame Ave., Manchester. 100 Nights of Remembrance Opening Ceremony immediately following Mass, a Tribute to our Veterans buried in the cemetery. Flowers, small American Flags, and other decorations may be placed on the grave itself from Friday, May 22, and must be removed no later than Sunday, June 7.

 

FROM RESPECT LIFE

"Our president ought to look at what abortion has done to poor and minority women in this country... ‘The abortion rate (number of abortions per 1,000 women of child-bearing age) for black women is almost five times that of white women,’ according to Susan Cohen of the Alan Guttmacher Institute. Cohen also notes that ‘the abortion rate among Hispanic women is double the rate among whites.’ "

(Wanda Franz, Ph.D., NRL News, 2/09)

 

 

 

MASS INTENTIONS

May 18, Mon. 7:00 am Intention of the celebrant

May 19, Tue. 7:00 am Intention of the celebrant

May 21, Thu. 7:00 am Intention of the celebrant

May 21, Thu 6:30 pm Henry Carignan (3rd Anniversary) by the family

May 23, Sat. 4:00 pm Phillip Sullivan (10th Ann.) and Pauline Hebert (1st Ann.) by

the family

May 24, Sun. 8:00 am Rose Olsen by the family

May 24, Sun. 11:00 am For all parishioners of St. Peter Church

 

 

REFLECTION OF THE WEEK

First Reading: Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48

Second Reading: 1 John 4:7-10

Gospel: John 15:9-17

While the reading from First John emphasized the necessity of loving one's brother and sisters, this reading from the Gospel of John stresses the fact that we have learned love from God. God first loved us through the ministry of Jesus. He was that person who loved us so much that He was willing to lay down His life for us. Having received that love and having decided that we want to abide in it, we now must share that love with others.

Notice although the reading uses the word commandments, it does not mean the ten commandments as such. It means to observe the will of the Father, which is to abide in God's love and to love one's brothers and sisters.

This passage also reminds us that are God's friends and not His slaves, He has established an intimate relationship with us, one that transforms our reality. As His friends and children, we know what God wants of us and He has the strength to do it.

 

 

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 that 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.