St. Paul's Church, Candia, NH

February 11, 2007
6th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Weekend Mass Intentions
Saturday, February 10
   6:00 PM   For Parishioners of St. Paul
Sunday, February 11
   9:30 AM For Marguerite Swiader by Thomas & Julie O’Brien
Saturday, February 17
    6:00 PM For Eleanor Ahearn by husband George Ahearn
Sunday, February 18
    9:30 AM For 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 ________

Update on Parish Income

Weekend of February 4, 2007
St. Paul, Candia
Envelopes   $1654
Loose           550
Credit    75
Total    2279

Last weekend envelope users contributed 76% of our income.
(Amount tithed for the poor and needy: $136.72)

Thank You so much for your Generosity.

All Women are Invited to a “SilverTea” on Saturday, February 17th from 9 am – 12 noon. The Tea is being sponsored by all the churches in Candia. Bring your mom, daughter, sister, aunt, (that special female in your life) for a morning of food and fellowship. We will hear speakers on the value of Friendship in a woman’s life. There will be child care for those who have young children five years old and younger. You can dress up or come informally, it doesn’t matter.
Place: Lower level of the Candia Congregational Church Corner of High St. South Rd. Candia.

The Sacrament of Marriage . . .
    The month of February is often associated with Love because of the very popular celebration of Valentine’s Day. This year the program of study for the Generations of Faith is The Sacraments. The focus for the February class is the Sacrament of Marriage. We will be having a Special Class for this occasion since this sacrament touches all of us in a very special way. Not only do most adults get married during their lifetime, the sacrament also assist them in living their lives in a happy and holy manner.
    The February session will be held on Feb. 11th at 4:00 pm. All are welcome to attend. Older teens and young adults who will be preparing for marriage in the next few year are especially encourage to attend.

Electronic Offering:
Our Parish is now able to take your offertory donations through Credit or Debit card. If you wish to make you contribution in this manner, simply fill in the following and return to our office.

*****************************************
Name on Card___________________________________
Address________________________________________
Please Check: ______MasterCard ______Visa
       ______Debit MasterCard _____Debit Visa
Card Number:____________________________________
Expiration:_________________Amount:_______________
How often do you want this transaction to occur?
____One time _____Weekly_____Bi-Weekly ______Monthly

Signature:________________________________________
Email___________________________________________

Christian Formation News

2006-2007 Schedule (click here)

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 February 11th. 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
6th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Theme: (Being Blessed)
Reading Jeremiah 17:5-8 (Trust in the Lord )
Reading 1 Cor. 15: 12, 16-20 (Faith in the Resurrection)
Gospel: Luke 6:17, 20-26 (Blessed are the Poor)

Question for Adults: What, in my personal or professional life, am I willing to risk in order to gain the joy of life everlasting with God?
    Risk is always a scary word to most of us. We work so hard to bring our lives together in a place where we can feel relatively safe and comfortable that taking risks almost seems foolish. Once in a while we convince ourselves to take a risk, perhaps with a financial investment or with a new relationship. We take our precautions however. We investigate the matter fully before taking a leap forward.
    When speaking of our spiritual journey, the task seems less daunting at first. However, after reflecting on the matter for a short while, we realize that our spiritual growth is connected to many other factors in our life including our finances. When we consider the prize however, we may be tempted to consider a risk. If we risk for a few years of joy and happiness, why not risk for an eternity?
    Once we convince ourselves of the importance of this risk, our second step is to search our life to see what we need to do and what we are willing to risk.   Are we too attached to the present status quo to risk? Do we believe that God will see us through once we decide to risk? In short, are we willing to go out into the deep where all is not known?

Question for Children? How can I help those who are poor, sad, or insulted this week? .
    There are several ways to approach this question with your children. This weeks question is more concrete and probably a bit easier to grasp for younger children. Perhaps you might want to lead into this by asking them if they know anyone who is sad or has been insulted at school or at play in the neighborhood. You may want to give a couple of examples of your own especially when the point of the poor is brought up.
    When you reach the part of the discussion that relates to helping, try to be as concrete and precise as possible. Don’t let them get away with saying they can be nice or good to them. What does that mean in real terms? Encourage them to give examples.

Community News

A Look at Upcoming Events

Youth Work Camp: . . Last year our parish joined St. Peter Parish in its annual trip to a town in the US that needed home repair. Our two parishes took a six hour car ride to Machias, Maine. Our young people along with their adult chaperones spent the week working on various projects that were assigned to them. These projects include painting, repairs on porches, building of steps or ramps etc. All projects are carefully supervised by adults. The youth have an experience of helping those less fortunate and simultaneously spend fun time with teens of other churches nationwide. It is a great experience for them and 95% of youth attending these work camps insist on returning the following year.
The downside of this project is that it costs money to attend. The teens often meet part of the cost by finding a sponsor as well as by fundraising. If you think your teen would enjoy or benefit from such an experience, contact Lorette or Fr. Dumont. We will direct you to those in charge. If you think you would like to assist the youth in a financial manner, simple give us a call and talk to us at 483-8481.

Peter Cataldo, PH D will speak on Understanding Adult vs. Embryonic Stem Cells at Christopher School on 20 Cushing Ave. in Nashua, NH, next week Feb. 18 from 1:30 – 3:30. All are invited. The presentation is free to the public and promises to be very informative.

Volunteer Training Group
    Would you like to volunteer by helping individuals at the end of life? Would you like to use your talents, gifts and abilities to make a difference. We will train you to do some of the most important work you will ever do as you journey with others.

When: Friday Mornings: February 23 – April 27
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
Where: RVNA & Hospice Office
              137 Epping Road, Exeter, NH

     To Register please call: 772-2981 or 1-800-540-2981, Martha Chandler, Coordinator

All Groups are open to the community and are FREE of charge.

News from the CYA (Catholic Young Adults)
    The CYA group now meets the 2nd Wednesday of each month. If you are between the ages of 20-39, please join us at our next meeting at St. Paul’s Church from 6:30-8:00 pm.

Attention Married Couples!
    Ah yes, the calm, quiet, comforting holiday season! What? That’s not happening in your house? Perhaps you should consider a weekend away! Join us on Valentines’ weekend (Feb. 9-11, 2007) for an opportunity to rejuvenate your relationship. Register now to claim your space! Register at: registration@wwmenh.org.

Time to Think of Summer Camps!
    “Camp Fatima for boys and Camp Bernadette for girls are taking registrations for their summer sessions. For more information contact, Michael Drumm, (603)364-5851, PO Box 206 Gilmanton I.W., NH 03837, mdrumm@diocamps.org, or visit our website at www.diocamps.org. Don’t wait as sessions are filling up quickly.

CURRENT PRAYER REQUESTS

Please remember the following people and intentions in your daily prayers:

Our sick parishioners and friends…

Please pray for the following people: Stephen and Charlie Doucette, Betty Lintz, Cecile Gendron, Lori Aguilera, Kimberly Mirolo, Rita Sullivan, Kathy Gauthier, Jean Swindler, Roger Plante, Joseph Gesel, Jacob Desrocher, Cindy Huard, Deborah McGovern, Ethel Thomas, Gordon Gladden and Carol Sheperd.

For peace in the world, especially in the Middle East…
For those serving in the armed forces...
For families experiencing stress due to financial, emotional or relational problems
For our sister parish in Haiti...
For vocations to full-time ministry, especially the priesthood, the deaconate, religious life lay ministry...

If you would like to add a person or intention, please let us know. If people on the sick list are no longer in need of prayers, please let us know.