TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME + AUGUST 30, 2009

On the Way....

Two weeks ago I was asked to celebrate a Mass at St. Paul Church in Candia to remember Michael C. Roy, a Marine who was killed in Afghanistan in early July. Although he lived in North Carolina and was raised in Florida, he was baptized at St. Paul. Since many relatives and friends from the Northeast could not attend funeral services down South last month, we remembered him at Mass on August 14. Michael is survived by his 26-year old widow and three children, the youngest a newborn of 6 months. Obviously I did not know Michael; however, it seems I got to know part of him when, after Communion, his brother read an e-mail Michael had written two and a half years before his death. I asked Michael’s Dad and Mom if I could share it with you and they said they would be proud if I were to do so. I was told that spelling and grammar had to be corrected, however, and I promised I would do so. The e-mail is a little longer than usual for this space, so I will print it next week. Sorry to put you on edge this way, but it was also important from you to know the background. More next week.

PARISH NURSE: Friday from 7:30-10:00 am.

WEEKLY OFFERTORY: $4,687.

FOR N.H. MISSIONS ABROAD AND MIGRANT

AND HISPANIC MINISTRY IN N.H.: $540.

THIS WEEKEND we welcome Kathleen Albee, of the Medical Missionaries of Mary, for our annual Guest Mission appeal. The Medical Missionaries of Mary are an international missionary congregation of women religious. They strive to look and live beyond the barriers of culture, religion, and language to help the poor, the oppressed and the marginalized. They number about 370 sisters working in nine African countries, as well as Brazil, Honduras, Europe and the United States. The sisters are involved in numerous fields of health care: curative medicine, surgery, obstetrics, and public health work and education. They rely on the generosity of others to continue their missionary work. Please be generous. You may place your donation in your weekly envelope, noting the amount, or in a plain envelope addressed to "sisters". Please make checks payable to St. Peter Church. Thank you.

SACRIFICIAL GIVING: Every worthwhile gift, every genuine benefit, comes from above, "says St. James in the second reading. But, he reminds us, true worship of God involves using those good gifts to benefit the less fortunate. Good stewardship is not optional; it is the hallmark of our faith!

MONTHLY FOOD DRIVE next weekend is for St. Paul Church’s Food Pantry: Most needed are: canned pastas - chicken noodle soup - canned vegetables - any other canned or boxed foods.

BANNS OF MARRIAGE:

III John Hudon, Jr. - Stephanie Lavoie

II Robert Cushion - Melissa Gosselin

ST. PETER CHURCH BOWLING LEAGUE: On Monday, September 14, at 9:00 pm, we will start another fun-filled bowling season at Lakeside Lanes. We are made up of fellow parishioners and friends who are out to have some fun, and would welcome any new members to join us. If you are interested, please call Anne Vargas at 483-2664 or John Zube at 434-7921.

BULLETIN ADS: We are now accepting ads for our bulletin cover which will run from October through March. The cost of a six-month ad is $115. The cost of a one-year ad is a reduced rate of $207. Call Shirley at 623-5429 or submit a business card/ad info by September 14.

MUSIC LOVERS! St. Peter Church Choir will begin practices Wed., Sept. 2, 7:00-8:30 pm in church. Anyone who loves to sing and/or play an instrument is welcome to join us. We have fun, and ask a simple commitment. For more information, please call Helene at 668-4386.

CHRISTIAN FORMATION NEWS:

Registration forms for the 2009-10 year for grades K-10 can be found at the entrances to church, on the back porch of the rectory, or on our website ( www.stpeteraub.org  ).

Teachers needed: If you would like to help with the K-3 dismissals at the weekend Masses, or with Generations of Faith held once a month on 7 Sundays from 4-6 pm for grades 4-10 and parents, please call Jake Linxweiler at 669-5134 or e-mail stpetercf@comcast.net .

K-3 TEACHER MEETING: Monday, September 21, at 7:00 pm in the Church Hall.

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS, ALTAR SERVERS, AND LECTORS: The Schedules for Sept. 12-Dec. 13 have been e-mailed. If you did not receive your copy, please let Kathryn know by e-mailing her at k3rogers@comcast.net . The schedule can also be found on our web page - www.stpeteraub.org

RETROUVAILLE…..a Lifeline: Rediscover a loving marriage with a Retrouvaille weekend. Call Retrouvaille at 1-800-470-2230 or go to www.retrouvaille.org

St. Thomas Aquinas Parish , 21 Crystal Ave, Derry, will hold their annual Candy Cane Craft Fair in the Aquinas Center on November 21 from 9 am to 3 pm. 45 craft tables, multiple raffles, homemade baked goods, lunch items and a children's craft-making table. Please call Saint Thomas Aquinas Parish Office for a craft table rental at 432-5000.

THE PIETA MINISTRY: A Spiritual Retreat for parents who have lost a child through illness, accident, or suicide, will be held on November 6-8 at St. Anthony Shrine and Ministry Center, Boston, Ma. Join other parents, and Franciscan Friars, in a warm and loving place where you can find comfort, rest and peace - at least for a time. Call 617-542-6440, Ext. 116, for more details or to receive a registration form.

 WOMEN OF FAITH EVENT: We are a Manchester area group of women who gather to share our religious beliefs, cultures and traditions and to develop understanding and friendship among us. Please join us on Monday, Sept. 14, at 7:00 p.m. at Gethsemane Lutheran Church, 65 Sagamore St., Manchester for a return performance by Linda Gray Kelley: Women of the New Testament. Linda is a very talented actress who portrays women from the pages of the Bible. A donation of $5 is requested. Space is limited so please RSVP as soon as possible to Jane Silberberg at hhf47@aol.com  or 472-2205. There is limited on-the-street parking. Temple Israel parking lot (Pine St., corner of Salmon) may be used. Please do not use apartment lot across from the church.

RCIA - Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults: Christian Initiation is celebrated yearly at the Easter Vigil - Holy Saturday. This is the time when adults who have never been baptized in the Christian faith are baptized. It is also the time when baptized Christians of other Christian denominations are welcomed and received into the Catholic Church as they make a public profession of faith. This rite is also offered to baptized Catholics who were not fully initiated into the Church (never made their First Communion or Confirmation). As a general rule, this rite is not for adults who have received their First Communion, but never been confirmed. If Confirmation is the only sacrament they have not received, there will be a special course given for them during the year and an adult Confirmation will be held at the Cathedral later in the year. If you or someone you know is a candidate for the Rite of Initiation or if someone is interested in finding out more about what is entailed in the preparation or for adult confirmation, please call Jake Linxweiler at 483-5571. The program will begin in the Fall.

MASS INTENTIONS

Aug. 31, Mon. 7:00 am Intention of the celebrant

Sep. 1, Tue. 7:00 am Marie-Rose Mongeau by Aline, Real, Leonard and Steve

Sept. 2, Wed. 7:00 am Intention of the celebrant

Sept. 4, Fri 7:00 am To end abortions, from parishioners

Sept. 5, Sat. 4:00 pm Henry and Rose Olsen by the family

Sept. 6, Sun. 8:00 am For all parishioners of St. Peter Church

Sept. 6, Sun. 11:00 am Marc Beland (4th Ann.) by Gerard and Yvette Beland

REFLECTION OF THE WEEK

First Reading: Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8

Second Reading: James 1:17-18, 21b-22, 27

Gospel: Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

It is all to easy to fall into judgmentalism, especially when we see things that are objectively wrong. Yet, sitting in judgment of others does not do them or us any good. Since there are times that we cannot help but have these thoughts, then maybe we can use the thoughts as an opportunity for good. Every time that we find ourselves judging others, we can use that temptation as an opportunity to pray for them.

ARE YOU A CAREGIVER TO AN ELDERLY PARENT OR FRIEND? NH Catholic Charities is offering an 8-week workshop to be held on Mondays: Sept. 14, 21, 28, Oct. 5, 12, 19, 26, and Nov. 2, from 4:30-6:30 pm at Mt. Carmel Healthcare Center, 235 Myrtle St., Manchester. We will discuss personal responsibilities, setting healthy boundaries with the caregiving relationship, physical and emotional changes involved in aging, and legal and financial resources. Registration is at the first meeting: $50/individual or $75 for couples (fee negotiable). Call 624-4717 for more information.

St. Paul Church in Candia First Annual Church Bazaar on Sat., Sept. 12th, from 9 to 3, with a rain date of Sat., Sept. 19th.

RESPECT LIFE: The impact of an abortion is like a stone thrown into the water, sending out ripples of pain and hurt and devastation in all directions. Fathers of aborted children are the neglected victims of abortion who, once they recognize the moral and spiritual gravity of their action or inaction, may experience deep rage and "a gut-wrenching sorrow" so overwhelming, it can, if not healed, emotionally paralyze a man forever. (Dave Andrusko, NRL News, 10/07)