December 30, 2007
Feast of the Holy Family

Weekend Mass Intentions
Saturday, December 29
   6:00 PM  For the Parishioners of St. Paul
Sunday,  December 30
    9:30 AM  For Theresa Juneau by Normand & Jeannine Fraser
Monday,  December 31, 2007 New Year’s Eve
  Feast of Mary, Mother of God
   4:00 PM  For Parishioners of St. Paul
Saturday, January 5
     6:00 PM  For the Parishioners of St. Paul
Sunday,  January 6
    9:30 AM  For Leon Walter Langille 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       All children from grade K – 10 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 +   This year’s program for the Generations of Faith begins on Sunday, October 7, 2007 at 4:00 pm.  This program is designed for both parents and children.  Parents are asked to attend the sessions as they have the opportunity to refresh their memory on important matters of the faith .  Please join us on one Sunday per month. Next Month's session is on Jan. 13.  All Confirmation candidates are expected to attend all sessions.                      Schedule of Classes

Question of the Week
Feast of the Holy Family  
Theme: (A Family of Faith)
Reading 1: Sirach 3:2-6,12-14 (Honoring Your Parents )
Reading 2: Colossians 3:12-21 (Family Life in the Lord)
Gospel: Matthew 2:13-13, 19-23 (The Flight into Egypt)

Question for Adults:   How can I let the love and peace of Christ rule my heart?  This week’s feast of the Holy Family may seem surreal to us in 21st century America.  We may have great difficulty identifying with the simply village life of a family that live so many years ago.  Despite the differences, however, we must admit that there is not other time in history when we need the peace of this family.  Our families are anything but peaceful and our nervous systems are beginning to show for the wear and tear.  Why not take some time to examine our lives as a family.  Do we make an effort to spend time together even if it is a few times a week to eat a meal together without rushing to a sport’s practice or game or some other activity.  As parents, let’s make an effort to live a reflective life with respect to our spouse and our children.  Perhaps we can take some time together to talk about the peace and love we need to live a happy and holy family life.

Question for Children?  What can I do today to honor my father and mother? Take some time to sit with your child and explain to them what it means to honor and respect others.  Also take some time to talk with them about the value of honor and respect.  If a family is to stick together they must love one another.  If this love is to materialize there must be respect and honor.  Once your children know what honor is, take some time to find ways to actually put it into practice.

         

Community News

Catholic Charities Update: The Catholic Charities Appeal for the year 2007 is nearly ended.  As of the end of November, our parish has donated $11,165.00.  Your generous contributions will be greatly appreciated.   The NH branch of Catholic charities is dedicated to doing Christ’s work through the state.  At a time when we are all thankful for the blessings of the year, many of our friends and neighbors are turning to NHCC for help. Thank you so very to all who have made this appeal a successful one

Thank You. . . to all who participated in our annual Giving Tree.  As always, your generosity was outstanding. There are many people who will be happier this Christmas thanks to your contributions.  May you be blessed with God’s own generosity throughout this coming year.  May you all have a very blessed Christmas.

Food Pantry for January
  This month our pantry shelves are in great need of Pasta, Peanut Butter, Spaghetti Sauce, Soups both canned and packaged such as Ramen noodles.  We also always need canned Pasta such as Spaghetti and meatballs & Ravioli,
The winter months will be difficult for many people so your generosity will be very much appreciated.  Thank you very much for all you do for those less fortunate

Prayer Line. . .  One of the less mentioned ministries in a parish is the Prayer Line.   The Coordinators of the St. Peter Prayer Line are inviting the parishioners of St. Paul Parish to join them in this ministry.  When the coordinators receive a call asking for prayers, they in turn contact the members of the Prayer Line and that particular person is lifted up in prayer by all the members for a period of six weeks.  This ministry obviously does not require meetings or dues or leaving the home.  It not only affords prayer for those in need, it also rewards the members of the Prayer ling who experience the fact that prayers of intercessions for the People of God is also beneficial  to the person who offers the prayer to God.  You can become a member of this humble yet effective ministry by praying daily for those who are in need of physical, spiritual mental and emotional healing.  Those of you who are interested in this ministry can call Cathy at 483-2581 or Connie at 627-2297 or crichard5@peoplepc.com.

2008 Liturgical Calendars
    The annual liturgical calendars that are given to the parish by the Maiden-Petrin Funeral Home can be found in the entrances of the church.  Please take one for your homes.  This calendar provides us with all the information we need the church seasons such as Christmas, Lent and Easter.  It is also a valuable teaching tool for your children, providing the colors of the seasons as well as all the saints of the yearly calendar