October 22, 2006
29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Weekend Mass Intentions
Saturday,  October 21
   6:00 PM   For the parishioners of St.Paul
Sunday,  October 22
   9:30 AM For Julie Boisvert by Richard & Madeleine Bilodeau
Saturday,  October 28
    6:00 PM   For the parishioners of St.Paul
Sunday,  October 29
    9:30 AM  For Julie Boisvert by Richard & Madeleine Bilodeau

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 ________

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 was held on Sunday, October 15, 2006.  Our next class is scheduled for November 12th.   This year, the classes will be held from 4:00 – 6:00 pm here at St. Paul’s.        2006-2007 Schedule (click here)

Question of the Week
29th  Sunday in Ordinary Time
Theme: (Become a Servant)
Reading Isaiah 53:10-11 (Life as an Offering)
Reading II: Hebrews 4: 14-16 (One Who is Like Us)
Gospel:  Mark 10: 35-45 (The Servant of All)

Question for Adults: How am I tempted to use “power over” others rather than “service for” their needs?  Although this question may seem pretty straightforward, it might hold a grain of truth that we are not always aware of.  All too often we use our “power” over others because we feel the need to maintain control of our lives or over some situation.  This is often an unconscious reaction on our part.  Another instance when we hold “power” over others is when others simply allow us to do so. 
    What this week’s Gospel is telling us however, is that we should be making more of an effort to be conscious of our actions and reactions.  We must try to use our energy to help or guide or assist others, not simply force them to do our bidding or our will.  This is often very difficult.  We all have many instances when this is true.  What would be examples of times when this would be true for you?

Question for Children? This week, what is one way that I can be a servant of others,  just as Jesus wants me to be?  Perhaps you would like to begin by explaining to your children that the word servant in the Gospel does not mean the same as the word means to us.  The Gospel definition refers to someone who is willing to help someone in need, whether that means a parent, a friend, a neighbor etc.  The need may be physical but it could also be emotional or spiritual.  Listening to someone’s story or being an emotional support when someone is crying fall into this category.  Take some time to find other examples of service.
Teens Only. . .Why is so important to “serve” others?  First of all, serving others doesn’t mean what it sounds like.  It doesn’t mean you have to be their servant.  Service, according to the Bible simply means putting yourself at the disposal of someone else who might need your help.  There are a  variety of ways we can “help” others.  Some ways a teens can help others is by being a support to a friend,  maybe by being a good listener when someone is feeling down or alone. Or, you could volunteer to help a classmate or younger child with school work they don’t understand.  Or you could visit an elderly person. 

Community News