February 10, 2008
1st Sunday of Lent
Weekend Mass Intentions
Saturday, February 9
   6:00 PM  For the Parishioners of St. Paul
Sunday,  February 10
    9:30 AM  AM  For Leon Walter Langille by Barbara Langille
Saturday, February 16
     6:00 PM  For Eleanor Ahearn By husband George Ahearn
Sunday,  February 17
    9:30 AM  For the 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 ________

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
1st Sunday of Lent  
Theme: (Sin and Grace)
Reading1:Genesis 2:7-9; 3:17 (The Sin of Adam and Eve )
Reading 2: Romans 5:12-19 (Death to Life)
Gospel: Matthew 4:1-11, (The Temptation in the Desert)
 
Question for Adults:  What are my strengths personally and professionally?  When have I allowed them to be misused?
    Taking inventory of our strengths usually happens when we are getting ready to interview for a new position.  Those of us who have had to do this in the past few years are well accustomed to the routine.  We know well what the interviewer is looking for or at least we hope we know.  It is rare that we even think of our strengths in other situations.
    Perhaps it would be a good exercise to take up during this Lenten season.  What exactly are our strengths.  We all have them.  We cannot ever say that we have no strengths.  That would be a slap in the face to God.  He gave each and every one of us individual strengths.  Sometimes we do not bother to admit or recognize them.
    Once you have come to the realization of what your strengths are, ask yourself how you use these strengths.  Do you use them favorable to strengthen your relationships, to make your community a better, safer, more peaceful place? 
    There are many things we can turn into a negative.  For example, are you an asset to your place of work from a moral or ethical point of view or do you simply hide in a corner and make believe that you don’t see what goes on?  If you are blessed with a pleasant outgoing personality you could be very helpful to your co-workers in many instances.  Take some time to think about it

Question for Children? What abilities has God given me?  How should I use them to help others? 
    Sometimes children see their abilities more clearly than adults do.  However, it also happens that children do not see these gifts.  Take some time to look into these gifts with your child this week.  Help them to see that they have been greatly blessed by God.  Encourage them to think of ways they can use their God given gifts to help others.

          

Community News

News for Care Givers. . . St. Luke the Evangelist Parish in Plaistow, NH will be hosting a talk on end of life issues such as living wills, nutrition and hydration, ordinary vs. extraordinary care at the end of life and much more, in light of the teaching of the Catholic Church.  The speaker will be Father Tad Pacholczyk from the National Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia.  The discussion will take place at the parish on 8 Atkinson, Depot Rd. in Plaistow from 7 pm – 9 pm on April 2, 2008.  Please mail in a registration form to the parish with a check of $15.00 per person. For more info please contact the parish office at 382-8324.

An Evening of One-Act Plays
    Holy Family Academy proudly presents “An Evening of One-Act Plays” Friday, Feb. 15th and Saturday, Feb. 16, 2008 at 7:30 pm at the Franco-American Centre, 52 Concord Street, Manchester, NH.  Tickets are $10.00 for adults and $7.00 for students and Senior Citizens.  Tickets are available at the door or by calling the Academy at 644-7247.

Food Pantry for February
    This month our pantry shelves are in great need of toilet articles such as soap, tooth paste and shampoo.  We could also use dessert mixes such as Brownies, cakes and cookies.    We  always need canned Pasta such as Spaghetti and meatballs & Ravioli as well as Beef Stew.  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.

Confirmation Music:  Would you like to participate in our upcoming Confirmation service by singing?  St. Peter Church Choir cordially invites any St. Paul adult parishioner to come for two rehearsals for the joint, St. Paul and St. Peter Confirmation Celebration on  Sunday, April 6, 2008 at 3 PM at St. Peter’s.  Come join us from 7 to 8:30pm at the back of the church (please park in back of the church and use the back entrance.) For more information, please contact Kathy Dallaire at 483-8467.

Stepping Stones Through Grief
Stepping Stones is a bereavement program for children and teens – along with an adult parent or guardian who have experienced the death of a family member or friend.  The program is designed to help facilitate healing by helping participants to understand and express their feelings of grief.  In our program we provide a safe passage through the Stepping Stones of grief.
Stepping Stones works with children and teens ages 5 – 18 in age appropriate groups, meeting once a week for eight weeks. Each group is facilitated by VNA Hospice Staff and trained Hospice volunteers.  Recreational activities and various art forms are used to facilitate the grieving/coping process.  The subject is serious but the kids have fun and supportive friendships are developed.
    Dates:  Monday, March 3, through Monday, April 21, 2008.
    Time: 6-7 PM at Hillside Middle School in Manchester, NH.
 There is no fee for attending, but pre-registration is required.  For information call Gary Andy at 663,4005.