August 26, 2007
21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

Weekend Mass Intentions
Sunday,  August 26
    9:30 AM  For Mrs. Lucy Raby by Joseph & Patricia Therrien
Sunday,  September 2
    9:30 AM  For a Special Intention by Normand & Jeannine Fraser

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. This year’s program will begin on September 15, 2007 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
21th   Sunday of Ordinary Time  
Theme: (The Path to the Kingdom)
Reading 1: Isaiah 66: 18-21 (Brothers and Sisters
            from All Nations)
Reading 2: Hebrews 12: 5-7, 11-13 ( Endure Your
            Trials as Discipline.)
Gospel: Luke 13: 22-30 The First and the Last

Question for Adults: What personal prejudices or preconceptions cause me to judge others, and what can I do to release them ?
    This is always a difficult question to face.  Most of the time we are not aware of our own prejudices.  We almost always feel that we are justified in our feelings and behavior toward others.  The most obvious prejudices revolve around race, color, language, and social status.  There are others however.  Educational degrees earned,  personality types, religion etc.  The reason it is often difficult to identify our prejudices is because they have been with us for so many years that they have become part of the fabric of our lives.  We can no longer distinguish them from the truth.  Realizing the truth about ourselves can only be done in Prayer.  Why not take some time to reflect on this question this week.

Question for the Teens:   Jesus tells us that he came to bring all peoples back to God.  This tells us that God has not prejudices – no color, not social status, not physical appearance.   Are there any people in your life that you choose not be around because they are too “different”?  Who are they and why do you feel that way?          
Don’t be afraid to admit that you have prejudices or preconceived ideas about some people.  It is the only way you will be able to change your feelings and your behavior. 
One easy way of identifying our feelings about others is to ask ourselves if we would want to be seen with certain individuals in public places such as the Mall or in a theatre or a concert.  Then ask yourself why?  What really bothers you about this person?
     
Question for Children?  What can I do to reach out to someone who is different than I am this week? 
      Is there anyone in your class that is not accepted by the others?  Why not?  How do you feel about that person?  Do you think you could change your mind?  Why or why not?

Community News

Book Study…True Devotion to Mary
    Please join us for this study of Mary, in order to make a “total” consecration to her Immaculate Heart.  The sessions will be held from September 12 to October 31, 8 Wednesday evenings at Ste. Marie’s Church’s Theatre Building – Room 203 from 7:00 – 9:00 PM.  For more information or to register please call Janet Caza at 623-7570.

Remember to Give Blood
    The community blood supply is everyone’s business.  The present shortage is critical.  Please consider making a donation at your local Red Cross.  Thank you in advance.

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.