August 27, 2006
21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

Weekend Mass Intentions
Saturday,  August 26
   6:00 PM  For the parishioners of St.Paul
Sunday,  August 27
   9:30 AM  For Juliette Boisvert by Gabrielle Moisan
Saturday,  September 2
    6:00 PM   For the parishioners of St.Paul
Sunday,  September 3
    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
21st  Sunday in Ordinary Time
Theme: (Faith in the Lord)
Reading I: Joshua 24:1-2, 15-18 (Serving the Lord)
Reading II: Ephesians  5: 21-32 (Reverence for Christ)
Gospel:  John 6:60-69 (Words of Eternal Life)

Question for Adults: When has my faith helped me in times of struggle or difficulty?
      This week’s Gospel speaks to us about the inability of many of Jesus’ followers to “swallow” his words.  They cannot believe him.  Their faith falls beneath the rafters and they must walk away.   This is a sad moment for Jesus because he knows that their faith is what will enable them to survive many a tempest in life.
      This week’s question will take a while to answer simply because there could be dozens of times, if not more, that will surface when you take the time to reflect on it.  We experience struggle and difficulty at every stage of our lives.  In all honesty we experience difficulties every year of our lives.  There is never a lack of things to remember when it concerns struggles and difficulty.  There are, however, those times when our faith has helped us to survive very difficult situations.
       How did your faith help in these instances?  If you had been in the crowd with Jesus on the day when he delivered his message to his followers, do you think you would have stayed or walked away?  Do you think you would have realized that you were walking away from something essential to your well being?  Think about those difficult times in your life.  Can you afford to lose your faith?  After reflecting on your life, can you afford to walk away from the one who brought you this far?  Perhaps you could use the words of Peter, :Master, to whom shall we go?”
     
Question for Children?  Who is one person I trust and how does that trust help me? Help your child to think of people they know and trust.  You might want to encourage them to make a short list and to pick the one they trust the most and then think about the reasons.  You may also want to begin by explaining the concept of trust if you child is too young to understand on their own.  A short discussion of the value of trust in families or between friends is also a good way to approach this question. 

Community News

Experienced Human Resources Generalist Sought. . .the Diocese of Manchester currently is seeking a human resources generalist with five years of human resources management experience and/or certification.  The  position would be responsible for administering human resources policies and procedures including staffing, payroll, compensation, and benefits programs.  The successful candidate must be detail oriented, flexible, and intuitive and have the ability to work independently and accurately in a fast-paced environment.  Salary commensurate with experience and includes a benefit package with health, dental, and vacation.  For immediate consideration, send cover letter and resume to:  Diane Murphy Quinlan, Chancellor, Diocese of Manchester, 153 Ash St., PO Box 310, Manchester, NH 03105.

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.

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.