THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME + JANUARY 24, 2010
On the Way....We know more about Haiti now than we ever did. I remember telling you about the mud pies they eat.....I heard it again this past week on a national program! I remember the upheavals with Papa Doc and Baby Doc Duvalier, but I never considered the human consequences in detail. Lauretta and Ray Seabeck of Gilford, NH have been here at St. Peter and St. Paul to speak to members of the Confirmation classes over the years about their efforts in Haiti; now their words echo back as we see the photos and hear the news of the devastation and the absence of a strong social structure. I remember as a boy being so impressed by our local plumber in Nashua who went to Haiti for 6 months to work on sewage and clean water projects....this was in the 1950s. The Oblates of Mary Immaculate who were prominent in New Hampshire have sent missionaries to Haiti for decades. When I was at Guardian Angel Parish in Berlin we subsidized our Pastoral Minister to go to Haiti for 6 months to work with hungry and sick children. The Creole language is akin to French; Haitians have spoken Creole to me and I can almost make them out, but when I respond in French, they understand everything I say. No wonder that missionaries and people from New Hampshire have been inspired to work in that poor nation: they are understood and welcome. I know you join me in prayer for all those involved in this catastrophe: the Haitian people, those who are there for relief efforts, those who have died. I will also offer a prayer of gratitude to all who have or will make financial contributions that will hopefully alleviate somewhat the suffering of the inhabitants of Haiti.
PARISH NURSE: Parish Nurse this Friday. from 7:30-10:00 am.
WEEKLY OFFERTORY: $6,282.
SEMINARIANS: $1,118.
SACRIFICIAL GIVING: The US Bishops’ pastoral on stewardship reinforces today’s reading from I Corinthians: "Because its individual members do collectively make up the Body of Christ, that body’s health and well-being are the responsibility of the members - the personal responsibility of each one of us. We are all stewards of the Church."
LITURGY COMMITTEE MEETING: Tuesday, February 2, at 6:30 pm, Rectory Conference Room.
RESPECT LIFE: "Since the right to health care is based on the right to live, it is also clear that what attacks life is not health care at all, and not a legitimate goal of health care reform" Richard Doerflinger, associate director of USCCB’s Pro-Life Directorate
CHRISTIAN FORMATION NEWS
K-3 DISMISSALS this weekend.
GROUP WORK CAMP: The sign-up and first deposit for Group Work Camp is due by February 1st. The check can be mailed to the rectory, or put in an envelope, with the teen's name and GWC noted on it, and put in the collection basket.
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.
ST. PETER CHURCH WOMEN’S GUILD: Next meeting is Tuesday, January 26, at 7:00 pm, in the Parish Conference Room.
H1N1 FLU CLINICS:
Tuesday, January 26, from 4-7:30 pm, at the Henry W. Moore School, 12 Deerfield Rd., Candia, and also on Wednesday, January 27, from 4-7:30 pm at the David R. Cawley Middle School, 89 Whitehall Rd., Hooksett. These FREE clinics are open to all people 5 years of age and older. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. No residency requirement! For general information about H1N1, call NH’s H1N1 Public Inquiry Line by dialing 211 or visit www.nh.gov
RETROUVAILLE: Rediscover a loving marriage with a Retrouvaille weekend. To register or for more information, visit www.HelpOurMarriage.com or call 1-800-470-2230.
NH CATHOLIC CHARITIES: It's time for Mardi Gras!! Won't you join us? February 6, 2010 at CR Sparks in Bedford, beginning at 6:00 pm. This Mardi Gras Benefit raises urgently needed funds to assist families and individuals in an emergency. Mardi Gras is a great party - that helps our neighbors in a time of crisis.
Reserve your tickets for a fabulous New Orleans
style dinner, dancing, games and silent auction.
Call 603-669-3030 and ask for Judy.
REMINDERS: In order to create a more respectful and reverential Communion time, please remain kneeling until there is room in the aisle for you to stand. Also, please gently lift the kneelers when leaving your pew, and gently put them down when returning to your pew.
ST. THOMAS AQUINAS SCHOOL in Derry: Registrations for 2010-11 for Grades Pre-K(4 yrs. old) through Grade 8, to be held during January. Tours of the school available on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 9 am and 1 pm. Open House Sun., Jan. 31, from 12 noon to 2 pm. Reg. fee $50. per child, non-refundable. For further information call the school office at 432-2712 (Gr. 1-8) or the Kindergarten at 437-6651, or visit our website at www.staderry.com
ST. ANTHONY SCHOOL is now accepting registrations for Pre-K through Grade 6. Parents are invited to join us for a Luncheon Open House on Monday, February 1st, from 12:00 noon until 1:30 pm. Lunch will be followed by a short presentation and school tours concluded with dessert and a Question/Answer session. Children are welcome to attend! RSVP for luncheon or to arrange a separate visit 622-0414.
HOLY FAMILY ACADEMY: Winter Open House for prospective students, Grades 7-12, on Sun., Feb. 7, at 2pm, at 49 Ashland St., Manchester. Call 644-7247 for more information. Flyer on bulletin board.
CAMP BERNADETTE FOR GIRLS (on Lake Wentworth in Wolfeboro) and CAMP FATIMA FOR BOYS (on Upper Suncook Lake in Gilmanton, I.W.) are now accepting registrations for the Summer of 2010. You can find applications on the bulletin board at the entryway to church.
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
This time of year we receive forms from Catholic Schools regarding subsidizing students from our parish. The policy of the Diocese is as follows: In order for a family to receive a supported tuition rate for the next school year, the parents must meet the following requirements:
1) be registered in this parish2) be a contributor of record (weekly envelopes) in this parish
3) active participation in the life of this parish.
In other words, if you were not registered in the last year or did not contribute through the envelope system on a regular basis to the support of the parish, the pastor cannot sign the form from the school. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause, but it is the policy of the Diocese of Manchester.
MASS INTENTIONS
Jan. 25, Mon. 7:00 am To end abortions, from parishioners
Jan. 26, Tue. 7:00 am Walter and Jeanne Champagne by Marcel and Deb Champagne
Jan. 27, Wed. 7:00 am James O’Brien by George and Sue Mercier
Jan. 30, Sat. 4:00 pm Roland Dumont (10th Ann.) by the family
Jan. 31, Sun. 8:00 am For all parishioners of St. Peter Church
Jan. 31, Sun. 11:00 am Juliette Carignan by Ray and Jeannette Carignan
REFLECTION OF THE WEEK
First Reading: Nehemiah 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:12-30
Gospel: Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21
There is always a tension between our charisms (God-given gifts) and authority (the God-given responsibility to guide how the gifts are to be used). God speaks both in a horizontal and in a vertical manner, through the grass-roots insights given to individuals in the Church and through the pronouncements of the Magisterium. Both must be respected if we are to respond most fully to the Spirit of God working in our midst.
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? 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.