THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD
JANUARY 3, 2010
On the Way....The celebration of the Birth of Jesus Christ in our parishes proclaims to the world that we are Christians and that we adore Him, honor Him, serve Him and love Him. Thank you for the warm reception you gave to Fr. Richard Thompson, who celebrated the Eucharist here at St. Peter on Christmas Eve at the 4:00 and 7:00 pm Masses. He was very happy to be with you and you impressed him with your responses and prayerfulness. The music was just beautiful from the reports I received, but I know that the organist, instrumentalists and singers always go out of their way. Of course we all know Christmas carols well and are so happy to sing them. The church was clean and beautifully decorated. Your donations for flowers are appreciated. Congratulations and thank you to all who participated, served, decorated, and cleaned to make our celebrations so beautiful. I spent Christmas Eve at St. Paul's for their two Masses. On Christmas morning there was only one Mass between the two parishes, here at St. Peter. The Mass was very well attended. We received a touching Christmas gift that morning: members of the St. Paul Choir accompanied their organist who was scheduled to play here. They did it spontaneously and willingly and touched us with their singing and their presence.
I am so happy and proud to be your "Father".
PARISH NURSE: Parish Nurse this Friday. from 7:30-10:00 am.
WEEKLY OFFERTORY: $4,622.86
CHRISTMAS: $9,075.00
Thank you so much for your continuing generous support of your parish!
PLEASE NOTE: Due to an oversight, there was no Jan. 1 Holy Day envelope in the January packet. We placed envelopes in the pews for those who wish to have their donations recorded; any loose checks will also be recorded to the giver’s donation record for that Mass. Thank you.
SACRIFICIAL GIVING: The three kings in today’s Gospel traveled a great distance at considerable cost to offer their richest gifts to the Infant Jesus. How far will I go and what will I offer to do homage to this newborn King and Savior?
RETROUVAILLE: Rediscover a loving marriage with a Retrouvaille weekend. To register for a weekend or for more information, visit www.HelpOurMarriage.com or call 1-800-470-2230.
CHRISTIAN FORMATION NEWS
NO K-3 DISMISSALS this weekend. Dismissals resume next weekend at all Masses.
CONFIRMATION I & II: Class this Sunday, January 3, following the 11:00 am Mass, until 1:00 pm.
GENERATIONS OF FAITH: Next Session for grades 4-10 and parents is Sunday, January 10, from 4:00-6:00 pm in church.
RESPECT LIFE: A new year brings thoughts of new life. What better place to start than at the beginning...with the human embryo? "Embryonic human beings, no less than human beings at other developmental stages, should be treated as subjects of moral respect and human rights, not as objects that may be damaged or destroyed for the benefit of others." Presidential Council on Bioethics, 2002
FOOD DRIVE: We will collect canned and boxed food items this weekend and next weekend for St. Paul Church Food Pantry. Any donations will be appreciated.
INCOME TAX TIME! If you need a statement of contributions for income tax purposes, please contact Shirley at the rectory, leave a message at 623-5429 (Voice Mail#2), e-mail to stpeteraub@comcast.net , or put a stamped, self-addressed envelope in the collection basket. You will receive your statement no later than January 31st.
CELEBRATING THE WITNESS AND LIFE OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. Please join us for a film, presentation, and conversation about how the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. is still inspiring us and speaking to us as people of faith. How might his great devotion to creating Beloved Community rekindle, challenge and nourish our own ongoing conversion in this new decade? Wednesday, January 13, 7:00-9:00 pm., Parish of the Transfiguration, Corner of Kelley and Alsace St., Manchester. Facilitated by L.R. Berger, New England Associate, Pace e Bene Nonviolence Service. For more information, call 623-4715.
STEWARDSHIP REPORT FOR DECEMBER, 2009
Our offertory for the month of December totaled $21,840.86. The tithe of $2,184, added to the carryover of $221 from last month, totals $2,405. We sent $500. each to New Horizons Soup Kitchen, Sonshine Soup Kitchen, and the Kid’s Cafe, which leaves a balance of $905, which will be carried over to January.
Our young people’s donations totaled $54, 1/2 of which was sent to NH Catholic Charities for St. Charles Children’s Home, and one half to our offertory.
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PLEASE NOTE: Our Mass attendance continues to increase! In order to accommodate our growing flock, please be courteous, and slide to the center of the pew. Many people seem to prefer the "aisle" seats, but this leaves many seats in the center not being used, or difficult to get to. Please consider either moving to the center of the pew, or if for some reason, you need to sit on the end seat, please make it easier for people to get to the available seats. Thank you.
DO YOU NEED ASSISTANCE WITH HEATING THIS WINTER? As we begin this heating season, if you are having difficulty making ends meet, please call Fr. Dumont at 623-5429. If you are "skimping" on medical expenses or food to pay your heating bill, please call. If your budget is overtaxed because of limited income in the face of increased expenses, please call. Fr. Dumont will talk it over with you for a few minutes and determine the level of assistance. The matter will be held in the strictest confidence. Please remember in your prayers Jim and Meg Stack, who’s estates set up this fund for parishioners. Please remember your parish in your will.
WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER: By offering Married Couples the beautiful experience of a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend, the Catholic Church is affirming and supporting you in your chosen vocation - Marriage. Take advantage of this great gift to enhance your relationship and enjoy a love-filled weekend away together. The next Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekends in New England are January 8-10, January 29-31 and February 12-14. For more information call Ralph & Jane Becker at 1-800-710-WWME or visit our Web page at http://www.wwmeMA.org
MASS INTENTIONS
Jan. 4, Mon. 7:00 am Souls in Purgatory by S.M.
Jan. 5, Tue. 7:00 am Walter and Jeanne Champagne by Marcel and Deb Champagne
Jan. 6, Wed. 7:00 am Intention of the celebrant
Jan. 9, Sat. 4:00 pm Marie-Rose Mongeau by Aline, Real, Leonard and Steve
Jan. 10, Sun. 8:00 am Cecile Laliberte by Alice Laliberte
Jan. 10, Sun. 11:00 am For all parishioners of St. Peter Church
REFLECTION OF THE WEEK
First Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6
Second Reading: Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6
Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12This feast with its star and the arrival of the Magi reminds us that God has a plan that is worked out in time (whether Biblical time or the time of our own lives).
A JOURNEY TO THE HOLY LAND Msgr. John Quinn at St. Elizabeth Seton Parish is hosting a once-in-a-lifetime ‘Journey to the Holy Land’, April 12 - 23, 2010. This trip which takes place after Easter, includes Mt. Tabor, Mt. of Beatitudes, Jericho, Jerusalem, Bethlehem, & more! Space is limited. For more information, please contact the St. Elizabeth Seton Parish Office at 669-7444.
REMINDER: THE FLU SEASON AND THE CELEBRATION OF MASS: Bishop McCormack has instituted the following precautions that will remain in effect through cold and flu season:
(1) If you are ill, please stay home and refrain from attendance at Church celebrations.
(2) The Sign of Peace should be shared without touching hands or kissing. This can be done with meaningful eye contact, smiles, and a bow of the head in reverence to one another.
(3) Parishioners should receive Holy Communion in their hands, and not on their tongue. Parishioners who receive Holy Communion on the tongue by necessity (i.e., because of a disability) should receive at the end of Communion.
(4) The Precious Blood: Communion is only to be given in the species of the consecrated bread. If you are unable to receive Holy Communion in the species of the consecrated bread (Celiac Disease), please see the pastor.