August 19, 2007
20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Weekend Mass Intentions
Sunday,  August 19
    9:30 AM  For Barry Edelman by Maria Marinello
Sunday,  August 26
    9:30 AM  For Mrs. Lucy Raby by Joseph & Patricia Therrien

The use of envelops by parishioners attending Mass at St. Peter’s in Auburn this summer would be very much appreciated.  If you do not have envelops, simply use a regular envelop and label it for St. Paul’s or call the office and our secretary would be happy to send you some envelops.

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       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  The children in grades K – 3 attend classes during the weekend liturgies.  We use a Lectionary Catechesis which is based on the Gospel of the week.  Kindergarten students are not obliged to attend regularly.  However, beginning with grade l, students must attend classes on a weekly basis as the program for 1st Communion is a two year program.  It is vital that students continue with their Christian Formation even after their 1st Communion. Grades 4 – 10 +   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 last class for this school year was on Sunday, April 15th in Auburn.  We will resume classes in September.

Question of the Week
20th   Sunday of Ordinary Time  
Theme: (God’s Power among us gives us strength)
Reading 1: Jeremiah 38: 4-6, 8-10(Jeremiah was saved by God)
Reading 2: Hebrews 12: 1-4 (Keep your eye fixed on Jesus.)
Gospel: Luke 12: 49-53 I have come to light a fire on earth

Question for Adults:Share about a time when life’s struggles were so difficult for you that you nearly “threw in the towel.”  What signs did you see then that God remained with you?  Every one of us has had at least one such experience in our lives.  Whether it was  financially, an emotionally charged, relating to relationships or otherwise we’ve all been there.  Sometimes we have difficulty remembering such experiences simply because it was very painful and we tend to want to forget.  This week, try to remember a difficult time in your life and do make an effort to remember some signs that were visibly God’s presence in your life at that time.

Question for the Teens:  We are assured that God will be with us as we go through life, so what strategy do you use to keep God in mind as you deal with the ups and downs of life as a young adult?  What this question really seems to be asking is whether or not you are always aware of God’s work in your life.  Sometimes when things get tough we tend to look for help in all the wrong places.  Friends who don’t have any more experience than we do are not always the best way to go in such cases.  Or worse, turning to drugs and alcohol in order to relieve the immediate pressure can be nothing less than deadly.  Is there something you can do to “train” yourself to turn to God when things get tough?  Why don’t you try to think of something you can do to help yourself do this in these situations.       

Question for Children?  What is one way you can be closer to Jesus today? 
      Help your child to see that they can use the same techniques with Jesus as they use with their parents and other trusted adults.  What do they do  in order to be closer to you? How can they apply that skill to Jesus?

Community News

Respect Life Challenge-Blood Drive
2nd Annual Bloody Battle
A Respect Life Bloody Battle Challenge in October of 2006 between St. Pius and St. Catherine at the Red Cross Center in Manchester net 93 pints of blood.  This competition between the two parishes was a FUN and very SUCCESSFUL Respect Life Event.  This October, St. Pius and St. Catherine Parishes would like to invite all Parishes of the Amoskeag Deanery to compete in the Respect Life Bloody Battle Challenge.  We think this is an excellent Respect Life Event to celebrate October as Respect Life Month.
    We hope that every parish in the Deanery will accept the challenge to pump iron and bring their arms on October 20 and 22nd to the Respect Life Bloody Battle Challenge.
    Save the Dates to Support Life!

  Homeschoolers and friends
    There will be a Mass with Bishop McCormack on September 5th, 2007 at 10:00 at St. Pius X Church, Candia Rd. In Manchester.  There will be a small reception and outing in the park following the Mass.  Please set aside this date to come and pray for and with our Bishop and our families and our upcoming school year.  Call Lisa Dennehy with questions at 648-6299.