August 13, 2006
19th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Weekend Mass Intentions
Saturday,  August 12
   6:00 PM  For the parishioners of St.Paul
Sunday,  August 13
   9:30 AM  For Ricky McGregor by Normand & Jeannine Fraser
Saturday,  August 19
    6:00 PM   For Juliette Boisvert by Terry Lesieur
Sunday,  August 20
    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 ________

            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.

Christian Formation News

Grades K – High School     If you have children of age for Religious Education, please remember to pick up a registration form for Religious Education for the coming year.  All children from grade K – the end of Confirmation must register.  The registration does not roll over from one year to the next.  You can pick up a form in the back of the church or you can visit the parish office Monday – Thursday during office hours or give us a call at 483-8481 and ask us to mail you a form.  We would be happy to do this Grades K- 3  Classes for children in these grades will resume on the weekend of September 16/17..    Grades 4 – 10 +    Last year we initiated 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 strongly urged to attend the sessions as there is an adult component to the program which helps them to deepen their knowledge of the faith as well as making it possible for them to compliment the practice of the faith in the home. Our first class will be on Sunday, October 15, 2006.  This year, the classes will be held from 4:00 – 6:00 pm here at St. Paul’s.  A full year’s schedule will be given to you on the first class day.  Please mark your calendars.

Question of the Week
19th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Theme: (Bread from Heaven)
Reading I: 1 Kings 19: 4 - 8 (Strengthened by Food)
Reading II: Ephesians  4:30-5:2 (Live in Love)
Gospel:  John 6:41-51 (The Bread of Life)

Question for Adults: Does the reality of how I live my everyday life demonstrate that I truly believe Jesus alone can fill the deepest longings of my heart?
    Reality is often something that we do not care to look at squarely.  Down deep in our heart we know what the reality is but we don’t often want to go there.  There may be many reasons for this.  Sometimes we are afraid of what we might find.  It make us leery of our own shortcomings so we prefer to turn our backs of reality.
    For some people reality seems to be subjective.  What is real for me is not for you.  These people see themselves in a way that others do not.  This can be a tricky matter.  We often use the expression being in denial when referring to such people.
    Then there are people who are able to look reality squarely in the eye and admit that their reality is not what it could be or should be.  This takes a tremendous amount of courage and strength.
    So, the first step in answering the above question is to ask ourselves if we have an honest view of ourselves.  A good litmus test  is to see what we answer for the above question.  If our answer is undoubtedly positive with not ifs, ands or buts then we are probably in denial.  It is probably a fair assumption to say that we all need a little improvement.  The questions that remain for us are:
How am I falling short and where, in my life do I need to make adjustments?  Answering these questions truthfully even to ourselves could take us some time but then, what is the alternative, right?
     
Question for Children?   Do I really believe that when I eat the bread at Holy Communion, it is the body of Jesus that I am receiving? 
    This question could be quite a challenge if you, as a parent, are not prepared to discuss it.  Take time to reflect on what you believe before entering into a discussion with your children.  If they seem to doubt, ask why.  Their reasons may be very typical of children.  Don’t forgot that young children think in the concrete. 

Community News

26th Annual Scout Retreat!
    All Boy Scouts & Girl Scouts in grades 5 – 12, and adult leaders, are invited to the 26th Annual High Adventure Scout Retreat Friday September 15 – Sunday September 17, 2006 at Camp Fatima in Gilmanton Iron Works, NH.  The cost is $8.00 per scout and $4.00 per adult.  This Retreat is very active, like a camporee, involving the scouts in a number of fun, interesting, challenging, thought provoking and faith filled activities.  It includes a climbing wall, high ropes, capture the flag, and dance.  For more information or to register , go to: www.geocities.com/dmces/ or call 669-3100 X173 or e-mail FrRay3@comcast.net Sponsored by the Diocesan Catholic Scouting Committee.

Do You Need a Hand?. . .
    Susan Cady, wife and mother of two, has been maintaining the upkeep of the church (and formerly of the rectory for the past 7 years.  She no longer cleans the rectory since the priests no longer reside there.  Susie is presently available to take on one or two house cleaning sites.  If you or someone you know would need assistance with cleaning, Susie would like to hear from you.  She takes small jobs as well as bigger ones.  Susie is responsible, dependable, and honest.  If you are interested or need more information please call Susie at 463-7801.
 
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.