FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
FEBRUARY 7, 2010
On the Way....Next weekend, at the Generations of Faith General Session (4:00-6:00 pm in church), we will anticipate the Season of Lent, which will begin the following Wednesday, February 17. The Opening Prayer will feature the Stations of the Cross. We will then hear from Fr. Stephen Montesanti, Pastor of St. John the Evangelist Parish, Concord, NH. Father Steve will speak on the topic of the day: Dying to Self. I recommend you come to listen to the presentation. I have known him since 1997 when he was assigned to St. John the Baptist in Suncook, where I was pastor. We have become very good friends. Dying to self is a way that we become followers and disciples of Christ. If Jesus suffered and died for us, how can we make sacrifices in our own lives? You might take this as a sort of "mini-retreat" to launch Lent 2010.
PARISH NURSE: Parish Nurse this Friday. from 7:30-10:00 am.
ASH WEDNESDAY is February 17. This weekend and next, 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.
MONTHLY FOOD DRIVE this 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.
WEEKLY OFFERTORY: $4,971.93
SACRIFICIAL GIVING: In today’s readings, both Isaiah and Peter hear the call of God and feel themselves unworthy. But, reassured by the Lord, both answer and follow. Do I hear the Lord asking, "Whom shall I send?" Am I prepared to answer "Here I am. Send me!"?
ST. PETER CHURCH WOMEN’S GUILD: We are having a Bake Sale after all Masses next weekend. We will also be selling tickets for the Annual Valentine's Day Baskets. One basket for the adults and two for children, (one for boys and one for girls). Ladies are asked to leave their baked goods on the back porch of the rectory or downstairs in the kitchen by 1:00 pm on Feb. 13.
MEETING: It’s Mardi Gras!! Our next meeting is Tuesday, February 16th at 6:30 pm. The change in time is due to the fact that this is our annual "Pot Luck - Mardi Gras" celebration.
WELCOME TO NEWLY REGISTERED PARISHIONERS Richard and Tola Jankowsky and son Dylan.
FEATURED AD OF THE WEEK
Many thanks to Russ Mammino, of Mammino Painting, for placing an ad on our bulletin. For the months of February and March, Russ offers a "Winter special" on interior painting. You will receive a free estimate, and prompt, reliable service. Call Russ at 232-0593 today!
LECTORS, ALTAR SERVERS, EXTRA-ORDINARY MINISTERS: Now that the holiday season has passed, it is time to look ahead. Check the web-site this week for signups for Ash Wednesday and Easter. Also, the new schedule through May 2 is posted on the website www.stpeteraub.org .
PASTORAL COUNCIL: Meeting Tues., February 9, at 6:30 pm, Parish Hall Conference Room.
FINANCE COUNCIL: Meeting Tuesday, February 16, at 6:30 pm, Rectory Conference Room.
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 this 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.
STEWARDSHIP REPORT FOR JANUARY, 2010
Our offertory for January totaled $ 27,125.93 (5 weekends). Added to our carryover of $905, our tithe totals $3,617, which was donated as follows:
Haiti Emergency Relief (Catholic Relief Services): $1,000 (sent $7,060)
New Horizons, Sonshine Soup Kitchen, Kid’s Cafe ($500 each) $1,500
The balance of $1,117 will be carried over to our February tithe.
Our young parishioners donated $50 in January, one-half of which was sent to NHCC for St. Charles Children’s Home, and one-half to our offertory.
JANUARY BAPTISMS
Patrick Francis Ramsey, son of Eric and Colleen;
Adam Benjamin Gomes, son of AJ and Karolyn;
Ava Marie Krygeris, daughter of Jonathan and Nicole
ARE YOU LOOKING FOR PART-TIME WORK? The 2010 U.S. Census Bureau is looking for part-time help to assist in the following areas: Census takers, Crew Leaders, Crew Leader Assistants, Recruiting Assistants, and Census Clerks. You must be at least 18 years old, and the pay rate is $15/hour. Please call 1-866-861-2010, or go to www.2010censusjobs.gov for more information.
Life in the Spirit Seminar: at St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Manchester, the weekend of Feb. 12-14. "Life in the Spirit" is a weekend retreat, that when approached with an open and sincere heart, will help to deepen your relationship with Jesus and reawaken the gifts, fruits, and charisms of the Holy Spirit given to you at your baptism and confirmation. In a word, the seminar enables you to strengthen your faith through an experience of a "personal Pentecost". For more information about the retreat, including registration, the schedule for the weekend, events and presentation topics, please visit our website at www.saintcatherines.org , under "Spiritual Growth".
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 posted on the bulletin boards.
MASS INTENTIONS
Feb. 8, Mon. 7:00 am Rodney Crete by his mother, Carol Crete
Feb. 9, Tue. 7:00 am Louise Belanger (3rd Ann.) by Robert Belanger and family
Feb. 10, Wed. 7:00 am Robert Bernier (8th Ann.) by the family
Feb. 13, Sat. 4:00 pm Vivian Morey by Charlie and Jackie Peterson
Feb. 14, Sun. 8:00 am For all parishioners of St. Peter Church
Feb. 14, Sun. 11:00 am Dick Carignan by Ray and Jeannette Carignan
REFLECTION OF THE WEEK
First Reading: Isaiah 6:1-2a, 3-8
Second Reading: Corinthians 15:1-11
Gospel: Luke 5:1-11
In the Old Testament, one tended to encounter the holiness of God by going up a mountain or entering the Holy of Holies in the temple. When Jesus died on the cross, though, the veil of the temple split open from top to bottom. This was symbolic, for it tells us that the holiness of God is no longer shut up in a particular room in the temple. It has come crashing out into the world.
We can see this in the Sacraments. Jesus and the Church have chosen everyday things to be instruments of God’s love: bread, wine, water, oil, words, breath, and touch.
We can also encounter the holiness of God in so many everyday things around us: sunrise, leaves and flowers, food, etc. God communicates His goodness and holiness in many, many ways.
MT. ST. MARY ACADEMY is now accepting registrations for Nursery through Grade 6. Parents are invited to call the school to make an appointment for a private tour of the school Children are welcome to attend the tour. Mt. St. Mary Academy is celebrating over 150 years of academic excellence and faith based education. For more information, please call 623-3155. We are located at 2291 Elm St. in Manchester. Website www.mtstmary.org . Flyer on the bulletin board.
St. Joseph Regional Jr. High School
460 Pine St., Manchester, NH 03104
Tel: 624-4811. Now accepting registrations for the 2010-2011 School Year. Registrations due Friday, Feb. 12. Contact the office for a registration packet.