EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME + JULY 31, 2011

　

From the Pastor.....Vacations and summer vacations to boot! We all look forward to them. We all love them. Despite that packing and the rush to get this or that done before we leave, vacations give us something to look forward to; no matter if they are two days or three weeks. Vacations offer us the opportunity to put away the phones, the emails, the constant stress of work and hopefully step out of the main stream of normal daily activity and rest, relax and refresh. But did you ever wonder where the idea for vacations came from? The idea of relaxing, resting and rejuvenating our hearts, souls and our life? It comes straight from God and it's in the Bible. We often miss it. In the creation story after God creates Adam and Eve scripture says, "God blessed the seventh day and made it holy because on the seventh day He rested from all the work He had done in creation" (Gn 2:3). In resting from His work God then invites Adam and Eve into that same reality of rest. The word Sabbath connotes the idea of us resting in God's presence to enjoy authentic and true peace, serenity and to put away all the demands of the world and find refreshment for our hearts and souls. Obviously God knew what He was doing when he rested and knew we would need to do the same thing.

 

So as you take your summer vacations, I hope that each one of you finds refreshment, relaxation and rejuvenation for your lives. But never forget that even when we vacation from our daily grind the true place to find what our hearts and souls need to be truly at peace is to be in God's presence.

 

Blessings,

Fr. Michael

PARISH NURSE: NO Parish Nurse Thursday, August 4 and 11. Kathy returns Thursday, August 18, from 3:30 pm until 5:30 pm.

　

OFFERTORY: $5863.00

 

GUEST MISSION: This weekend, we welcome Fr. Donat Lamothe of the Assumptionists (Augustinians of the Assumption) for our annual Mission appeal. The Assumptionists number 1,000 priests and brothers working in 30 countries. The proceeds of this appeal will help their missions in Mexico, East Africa and the Philippines. Please place your donation in your weekly envelope, noting the amount for the appeal, or place in a separate envelope marked "Missions". Make checks payable to St. Peter Church, as we forward all collected to our Diocese, which in turn forwards to the Assumptionists. Thank you for your continuing generosity.

 

BANNS OF MARRIAGE:

II Matthew Rouleau - Lori Pineault

 

MONTHLY FOOD DRIVE: Next weekend we are collecting items for the NH Food Bank. Most needed are: tomato sauce, pasta, canned meats and tuna, sugar, coffee, canned vegetables, toothpaste, and shampoo. This is the time of year when donations are down, but the need is still great! Any donation is greatly appreciated.

 

SACRIFICIAL GIVING: In today’s Gospel, Jesus feeds the five thousand with five loaves and two fish. The message of stewardship is that God’s gifts, shared, will always be more than enough.

Support Group (at St. Peter Church) for the unemployed or underemployed who are searching for employment or a better job will meet Mondays, Aug. 8 & 22, from 6:30-8:00 pm in the Parish Nurse Room.

 

Anniversary Celebration

Bishop John McCormack invites all couples who are celebrating their 25th, 30th, 35th, 40th, 45th, 50th or beyond Wedding Anniversary (anytime during the year 2011), to attend a Special Anniversary Mass. This celebration will be held on October 9, 2011 at 2:00 pm, at Saint Anselm Abbey Church, Manchester. If you are celebrating your 25th, 30th, 35th, 40th, 45th, 50th or beyond anniversary, please contact the parish office (call 623-5429, voice mail #2, or e-mail stpeteraub@comcast.net ) by August 12, 2011. We will need your last name, first names and mailing address. Please also indicate your special anniversary year.

 

PRAY FOR VOCATIONS: "All those present ate their fill." Are you called to help the Lord feed His people with the truth of His gospel as a priest or in the consecrated life? If you think God may be calling you to serve Him more closely, call Father Jason Jalbert 663-0132, or write: jjalbert@rcbm.org .

　

AUBURN MULTI-MEDIA/BOOK SALE: Held at the Auburn Village School. Books, Books and Books! It’s not too late to get some great bargains. Come on Sunday, July 31, from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm, and fill a bag of books for $4.

　

CHRISTIAN FORMATION NEWS

Grades K-3: The children in grades K–3 attend classes during the weekend liturgies. We use a Lectionary Catechesis which is based on the Gospel of the week. Kindergarten students are not obliged to attend regularly. However beginning with grade 1, students must attend classes on a weekly basis during the Mass, as the program for First Communion is a two-year program. Classes are held at each weekend Mass. We would need some volunteers to help out as hall monitors during the classes. Please contact the office if you can do this.

 

Generations of Faith: This program is designed for both parents and children. Parents who have children in grades 4–10 are asked to attend these 7 monthly sessions. The adult session gives an opportunity to refresh your memory on important matters of the faith, as well as giving you the chance to share with other adults on pertinent issues of faith. All GOF sessions are held 7 times during the year, on one Sunday afternoon each month, for 2 hours.

 

REGISTRATION FORMS for the 2011-12 Christian Formation year can be found at the entrances to church, on the back porch of the rectory, and also on our website www.stpeteraub.org  .

Please be sure to fill out BOTH SIDES completely and return to the office.

CHRISTIAN FORMATION TEACHERS NEEDED: If you would be interested in helping with our weekly dismissals of K-3 during Mass, or at our once-a-month Generations of Faith Sessions, please call Jake at 669-5134, or e-mail to stpetercf@comcast.net , and Jake will be in touch with you.

 

Ste. Marie Child Care Center: Openings available for 4 yr. old Preschool and Kindergarten Programs as well as Before & After School Programs for the fall. Please call 668-2356 for more information.

 

JOB OPPORTUNITY: Part-time licensed R.N. wanted for St. Anthony Elementary School/St. Joseph Jr. High School Mon.-Fri., 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Must have current CPR and First Aid Certifications. Please contact Sally Green at 622-0414.

 

　

MASS INTENTIONS

Aug. 1, Mon. 7:00 am Souls in Purgatory by S.M.

Aug. 2, Tue. 7:00 am Antonina Crugnola by Margaret Smyth

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

Aug. 5, Fri. 7:00 am To end abortions, from parishioners

Aug. 6, Sat. 4:00 pm For all parishioners of St. Peter Church

Aug. 7, Sun. 8:00 am Andy and Leona Senechal by Roland and Lorraine Senechal

Aug. 7, Sun. 10:30 am Normand Vachon by his wife

 

REFLECTION OF THE WEEK

First Reading: Isaiah 55:1-3

Second Reading: Romans 8:35, 37-39

Gospel: Matthew 14:13-21

It is not uncommon in Scripture to state a story in such a way that it casts allusions on another passage in Scripture. This way the author can show that what is happening is a fulfillment of what Scripture has previously foretold. We see this in the account of the multiplication of loaves and fish, which reflects both back upon Psalm 23 (the shepherd leads his flock to verdant pastures and nourishes them) and forward on the Eucharist (Jesus gives thanks and they gather up the fragments, which is a phrase used in the early celebrations of the Eucharist).

This simple technique reminds us that what happens in our lives is both a fulfillment of what has come before and a preparation for what will be in the future. Our lives and actions are not just an isolated blip in history; we are part of a greater reality.

 

THE COLLEGE OF SAINT MARY MAGDALEN (www.Magdalen.edu  ) in Warner, NH has been re-founded! We have combined academic life and faith life in a way that frees the students to become who they are meant to be. We have developed a sense of student leadership, scholarship, and responsibility on campus that really allows our students to blossom and flourish. The College of Saint Mary Magdalen is looking for students who are serious about their faith, or ready to become serious about their faith; we are looking for students who are intellectually curious, and for those who are imaginatively courageous. We are looking for students who have a passion and desire to change the world.

 

At the College of Saint Mary Magdalen, students are called to come to know Christ while living in an academic community ordered toward the acquisition of the spiritual, intellectual, and moral virtues. Academic, spiritual, and social life on campus is permeated by our Catholic faith and tradition. Also, here, all students make a careful study of Music and Art, in theory and practice.

 

We have a generous financial aid and scholarship program. In fact, in light of our re-founding, we have scholarship funds still available for this Fall. For more information, call 456.2656 x112 or e-mail at rjohnson@magdalen.edu .