July 9, 2006
14th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Weekend Mass Intentions
Saturday,  July 8
    6:00 PM   For the parishioners of St.Paul
Sunday,  July 9
    9:30 AM  For Juliette Boisvert by Richard & Madeleine Bilodeau
 Saturday,  July 15 
   6:00 PM  For Matthew Newman by Normand & Jeannine Fraser
Sunday,  July 16
   9:30 AM  For the parishioners of St.Paul

Parish News and Notes

Parish office hours
    Our parish office is open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM. The Pastoral Associate is in most afternoons until 4:00 PM.  If you need to come in the PM please give us a call to make sure someone is here. Messages can always be left on the answering machine. 

Are you registered?
     Are you new to our parish?   If you are, please pick up a registration form in the vestibule of the church. Registration is very important.  Just drop it in the basket or mail it to our office.  Thanks!  We are always happy to receive new parishioners.  We welcome you and pray you will be happy here with us.

Please use church envelopes 
    Envelope users provide the bedrock of our financial support.  Please consider using them.  New packets of envelopes are mailed every three months. If you would like to receive some but you are not yet on the mailing list, please call Jeannine to give her your name and address. Thank you!

Envelope Request Form ____ I want to support our parish on a regular basis. Please add me to the envelope list. Name ______________________________ Address___________________________ Town ________________,NH Zip ________

RCIA-(Christian Initiation for Adults).

            The Catholic Community of St. Paul Parish wish to extend a special invitation to all who are interested in learning more about the process of becoming a Baptized member of our Church.  If you, or someone you know have been thinking about taking this step toward full Communion, do not hesitate to call the office at 483-8481 and ask to speak to Lorette about this process.  Whether you have already been baptized in another Christian Faith denomination or have never been baptized at all, the road is open to all.  If you are interested in knowing more about this spiritually enriching journey toward Catholicism, we would be happy to meet with you and answer any questions you may have.

A Time for Altar Serving Training
    If you have a son or daughter who has made their 1st Communion and is between the ages of 8 and 12 years old, and has expressed the desire to be an altar server, this is the time to come forward.  We will be trying a new method of training this year.  We are in the process of making a video for them to take home and watch.  This way they can watch the video as often as they need to in order to remember what their responsibilities are.  If your child is interested in this important ministry, please let Lorette know as soon as possible. 
    If your child has not mentioned this desire, perhaps you may want to ask them. 

Christian Formation News

Grades K – 3     The children entering grades K- 3 this fall will be attending Lectionary Catechesis as they have been in the past. The program runs from mid-September to mid-May.  The last class of the year will be on Sunday, May 14, 2006   Grades 4 – 10+  This year we are initiating a new program for the children in these grade levels.  The classes are held once a month and the program is geared to the entire family. Parents are asked to attend the sessions as there is an adult component to the program. Our first class was Sunday, October 16, 2005 from 11am – 1pm.  The last class of the school year was on May 21, 2006.  This class was held at St. Peter Church at 4:00 PM.  There were a number of church related activities on that day which would make it difficult if not impossible to hold a double program.  We will return to having separate sessions in the fall.   Thank you very much for your understanding.  If you are new to the parish or if you child is just beginning his/her formation, please call the parish office for a registration blank.     Confirmation students will meet one extra time per month.   All students from both parishes will meet together in Auburn for these meetings.

Question of the Week
14th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Theme: (Speaking the Truth)
Reading I: Ezekiel 2:2-5 (A Prophet’s Presence)
Reading II: 2 Cor. 12: 7-10 (Weak and Strong)
Gospel: Mark. 6:1-6 (A Prophet Among His Own)

Question for Adults:   When my good intentions are misunderstood by those closest to me, how should I respond?
     Most of us can honestly say that our first reaction to the above scenario is anger or discouragement.  Although this is a perfectly normal reaction, we must make an effort not to stay in that place.  If we are at all attentive to the message of the Gospels, we know that anger and/or discouragement is not the road to take if we are to be happy.  What then should we do in such cases?
    This week’s Gospel tells us that even Jesus was taken aback by the lack of faith his fellow countrymen had in God.  If we read the entire passage on this account we find out that Jesus left his home town soon after arriving.  This does not mean that he was angry or that he was pouting.  It simply meant that he had a mission and their lack of faith prevented him from carrying on with this mission.  Therefore, he had not choice but to leave.
    What can we learn from this story?  We learn that everyone has a turn being misunderstood even when our intentions are good.  Secondly, we learn that life is not only about us.  All of us have a reason for living and we all have things to do for others.  If we utilize our energy for negative purposes such as being angry or vengeful or discouraged, we will not be able to go on our way. 
    Let us ask ourselves, “Am I free enough to walk away in a positive manner in order to continue the good things I have to do in life?  If not, why not?”
     
Question for Children?   How can I share God’s love with my friends and neighbors this week?  Since the children are on summer vacation it is a good time to zero in on examples around the home and neighborhood.  The close proximity of their actions to their living space allows them to be more particular in their choice of examples.  It also enables you to monitor their actions and encourage them when they follow through with their ideas.  Try to encourage them to be self-giving and thoughtful in their repeated love for others.   

Community News

A Trip to the Holy Land
    I am organizing a pilgrimage to the Holy Land for March 5-March 14, 2007.  If anyone would be interested in joining in this trip please call Sacred Hear Parish in Lebanon and ask for Fr. William Kaliyadan, M.S. at (603)448-1262 or e-mail Fr. at williamms@hotmail.com The trip will include sailing on the Sea of Galilee, visiting Capernaum, the ascent to Mt. Tabor, and on to Jerusalem. 

Mark Your Calendars
    The office of Vocations to the Priesthood is midway toward their goal of celebrating a monthly Mass for Vocations through the year 2006.  The following dates include the next six Masses.  All Masses will be held at St. Joseph’s Cathedral.  Please join us in praying for priestly vocations.