SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

FEBRUARY 14, 2010

On the Way....Last Saturday I received this letter from the Bishop’s office. This marks a very significant transformation in the life of our parish. Let us keep our two parishes in our prayers:

 

Office of the Bishop, Diocese of Manchester

Dear Father Dumont:

I received and reviewed your letter indicating that it is the unanimous consensus of the pastoral councils for Saint Paul Parish and Saint Peter Parish that you ask for unification of Saint Paul Parish into Saint Peter Parish. I also understand that this unification is your recommendation as pastor of both parishes.

 

I was pleased to see the amount of consultation that you had with leaders in both parishes and that you held a meeting open to all parishioners to seek input. I know that you have also communicated your recommendation to your parishioners.

In addition I received a report from the Office of Planning that reflected the process you followed and agreed with your recommendation that we move forward with unification.

 

I approve your recommendation and ask that you begin to work with Patrick McGee, Secretary for Communication, Planning and Development, on a plan to complete our due diligence process. As you are aware, following this process, I will share the due diligence report with the Presbyteral Council and the diocesan Finance Council. After I hear from both bodies, I will render my final decision. Barring any concerns from these consultative groups, I will establish a Decree of Unification effective around June 30, 2010.

 

Thank you for your leadership in these parishes. I realize parish changes are difficult, but I know you will continue to be a good shepherd to all those in Saint Paul and Saint Peter parishes.

 

Yours in the Lord,

Bishop John B. McCormack

 

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

 

WEEKLY OFFERTORY: $5,580.

 

RCIA: Last weekend at the 11:00 am Mass we welcomed Orson White, our Catechumen, who journeys with us on his way to the Easter Sacraments. Please keep him in your prayers.

 

SACRIFICIAL GIVING: The words of the Psalmist echo the theme of all of today’s readings. "Happy are they who hope in the Lord." As good stewards, firmly grounded in that hope, may we bear fruit in due season - assisting the poor, feeding the hungry, and consoling the sorrowful whenever we have the chance.

 

ASH WEDNESDAY IS FEBRUARY 17. Masses will be celebrated at 7:00 am and 6:30 pm. During each Mass there will be blessing and distribution of ashes. The weekday Mass schedule changes slightly for the next Forty Days: Mondays and Wednesdays at 7:00 am, and Tuesdays at 12:00 noon.

 

OPERATION RICE BOWL provides us an opportunity for Lenten sacrifice. Please take home a Rice Bowl packet (found in the pews).

 

REGULATIONS FOR FAST AND ABSTINENCE

ASH WEDNESDAY and GOOD FRIDAY are days of fast and abstinence. FRIDAYS OF LENT are days of abstinence. FASTING is to be observed by all 18 years and older, who have not yet celebrated their 59th birthday. On a day of fast, one full meal is allowed. Two other meals, sufficient to maintain strength, may be take according to each one’s needs, but together they should not equal another full meal. Eating between meals is not permitted, but liquids, including milk and juices, are allowed. ABSTINENCE is observed by all 14 years of age and older. On days of abstinence, no meat is allowed. Note that when health or ability to work would be seriously affected, the law does not oblige. When in doubt concerning fast and abstinence, the parish priest should be consulted. Fasting, almsgiving and prayer are the three traditional disciplines of Lent. The faithful and catechumens should undertake these practices seriously in a spirit of penance and of preparation for baptism or of renewal of baptism at Easter.

 

PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS those who died recently, and especially Mildred O’Brien, mother of Sean O’Brien of this parish, and Msgr. Thomas Hannigan, former pastor of St. Catherine Church.

 

WELCOME TO NEWLY-REGISTERED PARISHIONER Alyce Benoit.

 

FINANCE COUNCIL MEETING: Tuesday, February 16, at 6:30 pm, Rectory Conference Room.

 

PRAYER LINE: If you have any prayer requests during the week of Feb. 21-26, please contact Hilaise Thomas at 669-3197.

 

ST. PETER CHURCH WOMEN’S GUILD: 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.

 

Also, we are having a Bake Sale after all Masses this weekend, and raffling off our Sweetheart Baskets (one for adults, 2 for children - one boy, one girl).

 

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

 

MASS INTENTIONS: The Mass Intentions through June are posted on the bulletin board where the bulletin is also posted. If you scheduled a Mass for a loved one and would like to present the gifts at the offertory, please sign up 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.

 

CHRISTIAN FORMATION NEWS

K-3 DISMISSALS this weekend.

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

 

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS: Last chance to donate to the Manchester Battered Women’s Shelter. Please drop your donations on the back porch of the rectory no later than Monday, February 15. Do not bring donations into church. The list of items needed can be found posted on the bulletin boards.

 

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.

 

MASS INTENTIONS

Feb. 15, Mon. 7:00 am Cassandra Karpinski (3rd Ann.) by the family

Feb. 16, Tue. 7:00 am Walter and Jeanne Champagne by Marcel and Deb Champagne

Feb. 17, Wed. 7:00 am Intention of the celebrant

Feb. 17, Wed. 6:30 pm Intention of the celebrant

Feb. 20, Sat. 4:00 pm Charles Laflamme by Madeleine Houle

Feb. 21, Sun. 8:00 am For all parishioners of St. Peter Church

Feb. 21, Sun. 11:00 am Francis Laforge (23rd Ann.) by the family

 

REFLECTION OF THE WEEK

First Reading: Jeremiah 17:5-8

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:12, 16-20

Gospel: Luke 6:17, 20-26

The Gospels often challenge us to be counter-cultural. Our society tells us that we should try to be autonomous. The person who displays rugged individualism is seen as heroic. But the Gospels remind us that we have to realize our limitations. We need God, and we need each other. God did not create us to rely only on our own strength; we were created to be part of a society (e.g., a family, a Church, etc.)

 

ADULT FAITH FORMATION FOR LENT: Deacon Mark Hobson of St. Pius Church will lead a series on the Gospel of St. Luke. St. Pius X Parish Center, 126 Sarto St. (behind the church parking lot), Thursday evenings from Feb. 18-March 18, from 6:30-8:30 pm. Cost is $15. for the 5 night series and includes the textbook. (see flyer on bulletin board) Please register by Monday, Feb. 15 - by calling 622-6510, Ex. 10, or e-mail parishoffice.stpiusx@comcast.net

 

MT. ST. MARY ACADEMY Winter Open House for prospective families.Nursery - 6th Grade, March 11th from 9 am-11:30am. Over 150 years of academic excellence and faith based education. For more information please call 623-3155 or visit us at www.mtstmary.org

 

ST. THOMAS AQUINAS SCHOOL in Derry is accepting registrations for Pre-K through Grade 8. Registration fee is $50. per child, non-refundable. For further information, please call the school office at 432-2712 (Gr. 1-8) or the Kindergarten at 437-6651, or visit our website at www.staderry.com

 

NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING CLASS: Discover a natural way to postpone or achieve a pregnancy. In CCL's NFP classes, couples will learn how to interpret a woman's fertility. It is healthy for your body, safe for the environment and over 99% effective. Natural Family Planning has been known to have a positive effect on a couple's marriage. Our newly revised course includes John Paul's Theology of the Body and thus enables couples to understand the beauty of the married vocation. Excellent class for the engaged! Classes to begin on March 28th at st. Joseph's in Epping. Pre-registration by March 14th in order to receive the materials on time. For information contact Barbara or Paul Donovan at 463-7456 or go to the website to register. www.ccli.org