SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT
DECEMBER 6, 2009
On the Way....As pastor of the Parish of St. Paul as well as the Parish of St. Peter, I must admit that November was a very busy month for meetings, given the initiation of the process for the unification of our parishes. In fact, the very first of those meetings occurred on November 2, and the last officially scheduled one on November 30.
I have listened to many ideas and comments and opinions. Many of them find their way into the minutes of the meetings. Others have come to me by e-mail and still others from one-on-one conversations together. I have reflected at length on the issues raised, not only as pastor, but also as they concern me personally. It has given me pause to remember my own personal journey and I will offer a few of these thoughts with you.
I was baptized and raised at Infant Jesus Parish in Nashua. At the time we had 3 priests in the parish, plus another in residence. We lived next to the parish convent where there were nearly 30 nuns who taught at the Catholic elementary school I attended (as well as my 2 brothers and 2 sisters after me). We were aware of other parishes in the city and in the area, but remained attached to our own parish. When I was ordained for the Diocese of Manchester in 1971, we were two from my home parish among the ten who were ordained that year. My parish also had one of their own ordained a priest in 1970 and another was to follow in 1975. In my year of ordination, as well as in 1970 and 1972, there were 10 men ordained each year, a total of 30 diocesan priests for service in the Diocese of Manchester over the three first years of that decade!
As of last year, my home parish was closed and merged with St. John the Evangelist in Hudson to form Blessed John XXIII Parish, served by one priest. The convent now houses 6 sisters who teach in a Catholic elementary school, one of only two in Nashua, where there were at least seven 40 years ago. Looking back at the priests who were ordained the year before me and the year after me, as well as in my own year, there are now 9 of us out of 30 who are active in a parish!
It goes without saying that we grew up in the heyday of Catholicism in New Hampshire. St. Peter Parish was founded just after WWII in 1948. St. Paul was founded in 1971, the year I was ordained, and was the 126th parish in our Diocese. High Tide in New Hampshire happened about that time, and the highest number of parishes was 131. There are now only 98 parishes. Again, less than forty years ago there were over 230 active diocesan priests in parishes and institutions and today there are less than 80. Just last week, Fr. Paul Ruzzo, Pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Pelham, NH died at 53 years old. His parish was by no means small, as it sits on the Massachusetts/New Hampshire border, and it also sponsors one of the last parochial schools in our Diocese. The Diocese of Manchester now has 12 parochial elementary schools and another 9 regional or private elementary schools.
So times have certainly changed, not only for our diocese or our parishes but also for each and every one of us personally. I was baptized a Catholic in New Hampshire, I was educated in Catholic schools here and elsewhere for over 20 years, I was Confirmed here and have had my Faith nourished in the Eucharist since 1952. I was ordained in this Diocese and for the people of New Hampshire, and have served exclusively in parishes of the Diocese for the past 38 years. I may be less than happy with the decline I have experienced, but it will never diminish my faith in Jesus Christ, His love for me, His Gospel which I endeavor to preach to you, and your spiritual care for which I am responsible.
PARISH NURSE: Friday from 7:30-10:00 am.
WEEKLY OFFERTORY: $5,262.17
RETIREMENT FUND FOR RELIGIOUS: This appeal to be held next weekend helps senior Religious. "As expenses continue to increase and economic difficulties tighten our income, we appreciate more and more the help of the Retirement Fund," notes a woman Religious. Your tax-deductible donation supports the care of the elderly and frail religious and helps to provide such basic necessities as prescription drugs and medical services. Please give generously to next week’s appeal for the Retirement Fund for Religious.
CHOIR REHEARSAL: 7 pm on Wednesday, December 9 in church.
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE VIRGIN MARY: December 8 is a Holy Day of Obligation. Masses are Tuesday at 7:00 am and 6:30 pm at St. Peter Church. There is a 7:00 pm Mass at St. Paul Church on Dec. 7th.
CHRISTIAN FORMATION NEWS
K-3 DISMISSALS this weekend.
CONFIRMATION I & II: Class this Sunday,
December 6. Please attend the 11:00 am Mass,and class will follow until 1:00 pm.
GENERATIONS OF FAITH: Next Session for grades 4-10 and parents is Sunday, December 13, from 4:00-6:00 pm in church.
SACRIFICIAL GIVING: Good stewards believe that God, who has begun this good work in them, will carry it through to completion. In words and deeds, they can sing with the Psalmist, "The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy!"
MONTHLY FOOD DRIVE: This weekend our food drive is for the N.H. Food Bank. The need for food donations continues to grow. The number of local soup kitchens, pantries and agencies has now increased to over 400. That's just here in NH. The supply cannot keep up with the demand. Items most needed now are canned vegetables and meats, including tuna and soups, pasta and tomato sauce. Non-food items needed are shampoo and soap. Anything you can donate, one item or several, will be greatly appreciated.
CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS: If you would like to donate for our Christmas decorations in memory of a loved one, write the name of the deceased on an envelope, your family name (please print names) and "flowers", and enclose your offering ($10. suggested). NOTE: Names of those to be remembered through gifts of our Christmas flowers will be published in the Dec. 27 bulletin, NOT the December 22 bulletin as previously stated.
ST. PETER CHURCH WOMEN’S GUILD: Our next meeting is on Tuesday, December 15, at 7:00 pm, in the Parish Conference Room. We will hold our cookie swap (bring 3 doz. cookies and 1 wrapped Christmas ornament). We will accept donations of sugar-free items for the Soup Kitchen, and a toiletry item, ie., shampoo, soap, deodorant, etc.
Christmas Tree Lighting: Dec. 11, Friday, at 6:30 pm, you are invited to the 6th annual Christmas Tree Lighting at the Auburn Historical Museum, 102 Hooksett Rd., Auburn. Carols will be led by local singers. Refreshments will be served. Please bring a flash light!
CALENDARS: Please take home one of the calendars for 2010, found at the entrances to church. (sponsored by Phaneuf Funeral Homes and Crematorium). One per family, please.
MASS INTENTIONS
Dec. 7, Mon. 7:00 am Souls in Purgatory by S.M.
Dec. 8, Tue. 7:00 am Raymond Gallant by his wife
Dec. 8, Tue. 6:30 pm Peter and Mary Murcko by their daughter, Marion
Dec. 9, Wed. 7:00 am For all parishioners of St. Peter Church
Dec. 12, Sat. 4:00 pm Marie-Rose Mongeau by Aline, Real, Leonard and Steve
Dec. 13, Sun. 8:00 am Richard Thomas by his wife and family
Dec. 13, Sun. 11:00 am For all parishioners of St. Peter Church
REFLECTION OF THE WEEK
First Reading: Baruch 5:1-9
Second Reading: Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11
Gospel: Luke 3:106
There is an established pattern to the Advent readings each year. The first week’s readings continue the theme presented at the end of the previous Church year, the end of the world. The Second Sunday introduces the figure of John the Baptist. On the Third Sunday of Advent we hear John’s preaching, and then on the Fourth Sunday we have an account of the Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth.
MEDITATION FOR ADVENT: It can be difficult to prepare our lives for Christ amidst the busy preparations of a material Christmas. The four weeks before Christmas are a time to prepare our families to celebrate Christ’s birth: To prepare our minds to accept that God’s Son became a baby and lived and died for us; to prepare our hearts to accept God’s forgiveness and to change our ways; to prepare our souls to receive God’s healing grace through the celebration of Mass; to take part not only in the work of preparation but also the hope and joy in the midst of our work. Amen.
EXPOSITION OF NATIVITY SCENES from around the world, at America’s Credit Union Museum, corner of Amory Street and Notre Dame Ave., entry on Amory St. Handicap accessibility. Free admission. Sundays during Advent through Epiphany from 1 to 3 pm, and on Mon., Wed. & Fri. from 1-4 pm.
From NH Catholic Charities: As part of our resident-centered care in New Hampshire Catholic Charities nursing homes, residents are encouraged to continue hobbies and pursue individual interests. Recently, a woman struggling with Alzheimer's bonded with one of our nursing assistants. The young woman was assigned to monitor the health of this resident. Soon the short visits turned longer as the resident taught her young nurse how to crochet during daily lessons, and together they made doilies and other items. The young nurse also began to bond with the woman's daughter while she was visiting. It helped the daughter to learn and understand the limitations and progression of Alzheimer's through chats with her mother's new friend. The immediacy, concern and warmth helped our resident's daughter to worry a little less about her mother.