December 31, 2006
Feast of the Holy Family

Weekend Mass Intentions
Saturday,  December 30
   6:00 PM   For Josephine Blay by Paul & Rita Gosselin
Sunday,  December 31
   9:30 AM For Parishioners of St. Paul
Saturday,  January 6
    6:00 PM  For Parishioners of St. Paul
Sunday,  January 7
    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 has resumed 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 January 14th.   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
Feast of the Holy Family
Theme: (Part of God’s Family)
Reading   1:20-28 (Hannah Present Samuel!)
Reading  l John 3:1-2, 21-24  (Children of God)
Gospel: Luke: 2:41-52 (Finding Jesus in the Temple)

Question for Adults: What is one concrete, specific action I can take this week that will support family values, either in my own family or in the families of others?     Being specific or concrete is often very difficult.  We would rather opt for the more general options such as being good or being supportive or being interested.  We can use these terms as long as they become concrete and specific, e.g., supportive of which member of the family and in which particular situation.  The more specific and concrete we are, the less likely we may be to ignore the important areas of family that need tending.  Take some time today to reflect on this question.  One thing that might be able to help you is being attentive to your feelings.  If there are times or certain conversations or events that we try to avoid, there may be an important reason for this.  Listen attentively to inner self and respond to what is being revealed.  

Question for Children? How can I be more obedient to my parents as Jesus was in today’s Gospel?
    This question can be a bit tricky because the beginning of the story does not give us the impression that Jesus was being very obedient.  The message of obedience only comes to pass in the last sentence or so.  Depending on the age of your child, you might want to narrow your discussion to the idea of obedience as not arguing or getting angry with parents when they ask us or tells us to do something.  Older children may be able to understand that obedience is done through love and respect of our parents, not simply because we are trying to avoid punishment.
 

Community News