January 27 2008
3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Weekend Mass Intentions
Saturday, January 26
   6:00 PM  For the Parishioners of St. Paul
Sunday,  January 27
    9:30 AM  AM  For Leon Langille by John & Joanne Fraser
Saturday, February 2
     6:00 PM  For the Parishioners of St. Paul
Sunday,  February 3
    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 Feb. 10.  All Confirmation candidates are expected to attend all sessions.                      Schedule of Classes

Question of the Week
3rd Sunday of Ordinary Time  
Theme: (Called to Be Disciples)
Reading1:Isaiah 8:23-9:3 (Seeing a Great Light )
Reading 2: l Corinthians 1: 10-13, 17 (No Divisions)
Gospel: Matthew 4:11-23, (Fishers of Men)
 
Question for Adults:  What can I do to prepare for the coming of God’s kingdom?
    Before we begin preparing for God’s Kingdom, we must take a little time to think about our personal understanding of what the Kingdom really is.  If we think that the Kingdom only exists after we die, we will live our lives somewhat differently than if we also think of the kingdom as existing here on earth.  If the Kingdom is already here, (at least to some degree), than we must look at our lives in that respect.  We can ask ourselves the following:

-    What can I do to help the Kingdom of God become even more of a reality here and now, today, in my home, my work place, my community.
-     What can I do improve my own habits and attitudes in relation to God’s Kingdom or God’s ways?

Preparing for God’s Kingdom assumes that we believe that there is such a thing.  If we choose not to prepare, what does that say about our faith in God, his desire to prepare a Kingdom of love, compassion, forgiveness, peace and justice for all?
 

Question for Children? What one good thing could I do for my family which would show my love for Jesus? When we talk with young children we soon realize that they are very concrete and often very dispersed in their thinking.  They are also very willing to respond positively and they are able to be generous when properly led. 
    Take a little time to get some suggestions on ways to show their love for Jesus.  Encourage them to be specific and to focus on one thing they can do in their family life.  This will make it easier for them to remember what they said and it will not overwhelm them.   If will also be easy for you to remember what you discussed thus enabling you to remind them once in a while.  
        

Community News

Food Pantry for January
  This month our parish food pantry shelves are in great need of Pasta, Evaporated Milk, canned Fruit of any kind as well as Macaroni and Cheese and soups both canned and packaged.  
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

NAOMI Discernment Retreat,
Consecrated Religious profess the vows of Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience.  If you are a woman between the ages of 16 and 45 who is considering religious life, come and explore with us what these vows mean and why they tie us to God is such a special way.  Register with Jude Christopher, Office of Vocation, 603-669-3100 ext. 153 or e-mail jchristopher@rcbm.org.

Crossroads
    On Friday, February 1, at 6:30 p.m., join local men at the Joseph House on 279 Cartier Street, Manchester, for a monthly gathering called Crossroads.  If you are a single, young man who is searching to know God’s will in your life, come to Crossroads, contact Vocation Director at jjalbert@rcbm.org or call 669-3100 ext.132.  To register, call Jude at ext. 153 or jchristopher@rcbm.org.

St. Anthony Open House . . . Faith formation, values and morals incorporated in the educational experience.  St. Anthony School, located on 148 Belmont St. in Manchester will be holding an Open House on Sunday, January 27th from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.   You will have an opportunity to tour the school and visit with our faculty, staff, students and parents from our PSO Group.  St. Anthony is a Pre-kindergarten through 6th Grade totally handicapped accessible Elementary School.  We offer a Before and After School Program and have a Federally Approved School Lunch Program.  City school bus transportation is available for those who qualify.  For more information visit us on the web at www.stanthonyschool-nh.com

Our Spiritual Adoption Program
    After some discussion and much prayer, we, at St. Paul parish, have decided to participate in a Spiritual adoption program.  Many parishes in the diocese are already familiar with this program and have successfully participated in this program over the past few years.  This year we will join their ranks.   Here is a little information on the program.
l. What is the Spiritual Adoption Program?
  It is quite simple.  Participants in the Spiritual Adoption Program pledge to pray daily for nine months for a baby in danger of abortion.  While this child will remain unknown to his  or her “spiritual parents’ many people have found that naming ‘their child’ helps to keep them focused on the reality that their prayers are helping to save the baby (and the mother) from the harm of abortion.
2. Who can participate?  All parishioners including adults, students, prayer groups and anyone who is concerned about abortion, who is willing to pray for babies in danger of abortion, for their mothers, fathers and other family members
3.  Who benefits from this Program?  Everyone.  We all benefit especially from a spiritual and educational perspective.