July 23, 2006
16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Weekend Mass Intentions
Saturday,  July 22
    6:00 PM   For the parishioners of St.Paul
Sunday,  July 23
    9:30 AM  For William Luquette by Wife and family, 4th Anniversary
Saturday,  July 29 
   6:00 PM  For the parishioners of St.Paul
Sunday,  July 30
   9:30 AM  For Ricky McGregor by Normand & Jeannine Fraser

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. 

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
16th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Theme: (Accompanied in Faith)
Reading I: Jeremiah 23:1-6 (Shepherds for the Flock)
Reading II: Ephesians 2: 13-18 (Christ is Our Peace)
Gospel: Mark. 6:30-34 (Sheep without a Shepherd)

Question for Adults:  What about Jesus’ message most appeals to me?  Why??
    Although this question could be interpreted as meaning the entire story and message of Jesus, the fact that it is the Question of the week means that the question more specifically relates to that message.
    If we read and listen to the Gospel message we can pick up three or four different points.  If the  imagery of the Good Shepherd says little to you then you might want to focus on other points in the same reading. 
     One point that can be extracted is the idea that Jesus invites his disciples to Come away and rest a while.  They do this in a deserted place where no one will bother them.  This is a point that many people can relate to today.  Our hectic lifestyle necessitates that we all take some time away from the hustle and bustle of every day life.  We need to do this daily even if only a few minutes, and we need if periodically for a week or two at the time
    A second point is that Jesus’ heart was moved with pity for the needs of the people.  This can be a very consoling thought for us.  We often have the opportunity to feel overwhelmed with our problems.  Knowing that Jesus actually cares about us is refreshing.
    Take some time this week to think about the Gospel message and how it best relates to you.  How can this change your attitude or perspective in life?
     
Question for Children?   What is my favorite story about Jesus? 
    This question could result in a couple of ways depending on the age of the child and their ability to remember the stories.  If your child is young, you might begin by listening to their story but also taking this opportunity to tell them your favorite story.  If you child is a little older, you may have to jog their memory a bit before they can come up with their favorite.  Either way, you may find this to be a rather fun and entertaining time.  Enjoy.

Community News

Evening of Praise and Worship
    An evening of Praise and Worship will be held on Thursday July 27th from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Derry.  Come and enjoy an evening of inspirational music presented by the St. Thomas Aquinas Contemporary Music Ministry.  Come and enjoy worshipping our Lord Jesus Christ.

Catholic Young Adults
    If you are between the ages of 20-39, please join us and get more involved in our Church.  Our next meetings July 25th at St. Paul Church from 6:30-8:00 pm.  For more information e-mail Christy at christye@cyanh.org.  For more information about Catholic Young Adults here in New Hampshire, please check out our website at www.cyanh.org.  We hope to see you at the next meeting!
 
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.