August 20, 2006
20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Weekend Mass Intentions
Saturday,  August 19
    6:00 PM   For Juliette Boisvert by Terry Lesieur
Sunday,  August 20
    9:30 AM  For the parishioners of St.Paul
Saturday,  August 26
   6:00 PM  For the parishioners of St.Paul
Sunday,  August 27
   9:30 AM  For Juliette Boisvert by Gabrielle Moisan

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
20th  Sunday in Ordinary Time
Theme: (Bread of Life)
Reading I: Proverbs 9:1-6 (The Food of Wisdom)
Reading II: Ephesians  5: 15-20 (Understand the Will Of God)<>
Gospel:  John 6:51-58 (True Food and Drink)
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Question for Adults: What new understandings have I gained from participating in the Eucharist this week?
      Attending the weekly Eucharist is a time to listen to Scripture reading and the homily.  It is also a time for quiet reflection especially during the time when the priest recites the Eucharistic prayer.  This is the prayer that begins after the Offertory or the Preparation of the Gifts and ends with the singing of the Great Amen.  And, of course, it is also a special time when we have the privilege of receiving the Body and Blood of Christ. 
      There are times when we listen to the readings and we gain many insights.  There are other times when the scriptures seem so dry.  This is very normal.  The homily serves as a time for unpacking the words of scripture.  We often gain some insight during this time of the Mass.  There are times when we realize that our awareness has been sharpened after listening and focusing on the prayers of the priest.  There are many times when we are inspired  immediately after receiving Communion. 
      If we find that we get nothing out of Mass it could very well be that we are not paying attention to what is going on.  We are concentrating on the events of the week past or to come.  We could also be filling up the entire time with noisy chatter, we call prayer, not leaving any room for God to put a work in edgewise.  Let us try to quiet ourselves this coming week and see what happens.
     
Question for Children? 
How is Mass like a great celebration? 
      If you child has made his/her First Communion,  he/she will probably be able to speak to this idea.  If they are younger than that they will probably not know anything about it.  If you want to begin their instruction on this topic you might want to begin be comparing the Mass to a meal and then discuss the idea that we share meals with people we know and love.  Big celebrations are almost always around the table.  You might want to include the singing and the idea of gathering with other people.. 

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.