FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

JANUARY 31, 2010

On the Way.... "Stewardship" is a concept we all hear about so often. In many parishes it is a goal they make and hope to attain some day. At St. Peter Parish, Auburn, the concept is cloaked in reality, the goal is lived each and every week. Every week you make a free-will offering to the parish, which keeps us going and from which we take 10%, as tithe. And then there are state-wide and country-wide and worldwide collections that you always contribute to. And then there are the natural catastrophes that occur; they prompt us all to open our hearts and wallets. Just two weeks ago you were so generous to the Seminarians Fund. And then the earthquake hit Haiti. We do not pass the basket twice. I knew that a short announcement two weeks ago would suffice: an envelope entitled "Haiti" or a notation on a check. Last weekend, St. Peter Parishioners gave $6,070 to the Haiti earthquake relief fund. Our Finance Council has agreed to add $1,000 from our January tithe. This brings the total sent to Catholic Relief Services for Haiti to $7,070. Thank you and congratulations. May God reward you in this life and the next.

 

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

 

ASH WEDNESDAY is February 17. On the weekends of Feb. 2/3 and 13/14, you may bring your blessed palms from last year and place in the receptacles at the entryway to church. These palms will be burned and the ashes distributed at all Masses on Ash Wednesday.

 

WEEKLY OFFERTORY: $5,142.

 

HAITI RELIEF: $6,070.

 

SACRIFICIAL GIVING: Jeremiah declares that the Lord knew him before he was born and dedicated and appointed him to his role as prophet even before he drew breath. We, too, are known and sent by the Lord. What deeds of love and service are mine to perform?

 

MONTHLY FOOD DRIVE next weekend, Feb. 6/7, is for New Horizons of NH. Items most needed are: coffee, sugar, stuffing mix, instant potatoes, canned vegetables, cornbread mix, cranberry sauce, gravy (dry or jar), evaporated milk, pie crust mix.

 

 CHRISTIAN FORMATION NEWS

MEETING SCHEDULED FOR PARENTS OF FIRST COMMUNION AND FIRST PENANCE CANDIDATES:

If your child is to receive First Communion and/or First Penance this year, parent(s) must attend a meeting scheduled for Monday, February 8, at 7:00 pm in the Parish Hall. If you are unable to attend Monday, the meeting will be repeated on Wednesday, February 10, at 7:00 pm in the Parish Hall. You only need to attend ONE of these meetings. If you are unable to attend either of these meetings, please call Jake at 669-5134.

NOTE: Children preparing for First Communion must be at least in 2nd grade, and must have attended Christian Formation classes for two years (on a regular basis).

 

K-3 DISMISSALS this weekend.

 

CONFIRMATION I & II: Class Sunday, February 7, following the 11:00 am Mass, until 1:00 pm.

GENERATIONS OF FAITH: Next Session for grades 4-10 and parents is Sunday, February 14, from 4:00-6:00 pm in church.

 

PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS those who died recently: Susan Burke, sister of Paula St. Jean of this parish; Monsignor Francis Curran, and Filomena Mastronardi, mother of Janet Schmeltz of this parish.

 

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.

 

WELCOME TO NEWLY-REGISTERED PARISHIONERS Kenneth and Ann Courtemanche.

 

LITURGY COMMITTEE MEETING: Tuesday,, Feb. 2, at 6:30 pm, Rectory Conference Room.

 

PASTORAL COUNCIL MEETING: Tuesday, Feb. 9, at 6:30 pm, Parish Hall Conference Room.

 

RESPECT LIFE: "Science can tell us what is, but it can’t tell us good from bad, right from wrong. Therefore it is not anti-science to oppose embryonic stem cell research and human cloning. It is pro-science to care enough to keep this powerful enterprise within proper ethical parameters." Wesley Smith, NRL News, June 2008

 

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS: The K of C will be collecting donations for the Manchester Battered Women’s Shelter from Feb. 1-15. Please drop your donations on the back porch of the rectory. Do not bring donations into church. The list of items needed can be found in the pews this weekend, and also posted on the bulletin boards.

 

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK 2010 is January 31-February 6, 2010: The theme for Catholic Schools Week 2010 is "Catholic Schools: Dividends for Life." It emphasizes the value of a Catholic education, which provides benefits for years to come. Families and communities can count on Catholic schools to instill in students the faith, knowledge, morals and discipline that will enable them to fulfill their future roles as committed Catholics, productive citizens and effective leaders. In the logo for Catholic Schools Week, the four qualities of faith, knowledge, discipline and morals are emphasized. These are important hallmarks of a Catholic education. Faith is our personal relationship with God, but it is also about our relationship with others. Catholic schools excel at instilling both aspects of faith in students. Religion classes and service opportunities as well as the integration of Gospel values into teaching and leading are built into the curriculum of every Catholic school.

 

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.

 

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.

 

RETROUVAILLE: Rediscover a loving marriage with a Retrouvaille weekend. For more information, visit www.HelpOurMarriage.com  or call 1-800-470-2230.

 

 

MASS INTENTIONS

Feb. 1, Mon. 7:00 am Jeanne Champagne (7th Ann.) by Marcel and Deb Champagne

Feb. 2, Tue. 7:00 am Souls in Purgatory by S.M.

Feb. 3, Wed. 7:00 am Intention of the celebrant

Feb. 5, Fri. 7:00 am For our priests and vocations to the priesthood

Feb. 6, Sat. 4:00 pm Marie-Rose Mongeau by Aline, Real, Leonard and Steve

Feb. 7, Sun. 8:00 am For all parishioners of St. Peter Church

Feb. 7, Sun. 11:00 am Armand Labbe by Mr. and Mrs. Jean-Paul Labbe

 

REFLECTION OF THE WEEK

First Reading: Jeremiah 1:4-5, 17-19

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:31-13-13

Gospel: Luke 4:21-30

It can often be difficult to see the goodness of the people who are the closest to us. We see their flaws all too easily and we can be blind to their better qualities. This is why the relatives and acquaintances of Jesus could not recognize what He was when He entered the synagogue. They knew Him too well. This is why Jesus tells them that foreigners would fare better in the kingdom than they would.

This passage certainly challenges us to see the talents and good qualities in those around us, and also to be less judgmental concerning their flaws. Maybe they are trying their hardest, and maybe God appreciates their efforts more than our efforts (for they could easily be trying harder because they might have received fewer gifts from God, but they are using those gifts better than we use ours).

 

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.

 

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. 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.