On the Way. . .  The Congress came to an end on Saturday, June 21.  The week was to be capped off with a Mass in the Center of the historic 400 year old City, on the Plains of Abraham, a vast park on the bluff overlooking the St. Lawrence River.  The celebration was scheduled for 11:00am.  Again I had promised to be available for the sacrament of Reconciliation beginning at 9 am.  Once vested I entered one of the four tents which were facing the main altar.  It was nice day and sun was getting quite warm when I arrived.   I was assigned to hear confessions in French and in English.  Outside our tent on the East side, a priest greeted the Spanish-speaking pilgrims.  I kept my bald head under the tent and immediately began hearing confessions.  Since the procession was to begin at 10:30 am, I had not time to leave the penitents and join the priests at the altar.  I continued hearing confessions and figured I could concelebrate Mass even from that distance.  I heard confessions until about 11:15 and turned my attention to the Mass that was just beginning.  I heard that there were about 60,000 people at the site and there was an excitement about seeing and hearing the pope preach the homily from the Vatican City, projected on two large screens set up on each side of the altar.  During the homily the rain began and within 20 minutes the skies opened up and everyone was soaked except those of us who had a spot inside the tents.  Within minutes the ground was soaked and even I was standing in two inches of water! Oh well! We could not receive Holy Communion and during the meditation hymn the field virtually emptied.  The man standing next to me gave me his poncho, and at my protestation he informed me that he was completely wet and it would make no difference to him, and besides, he wanted to help protect my vestments.  Bishops and priests were returning to the hall to dry out.  One bishop had fallen down and completely ruined his vestments with mud. Ouff! As we were leaving the city Cardinal Tomko said that God had rained down His graces upon us, literally.

Our Parish is now able to take your offertory donations through Credit or Debit card.  If you wish to make you contribution in this manner, simply fill in the following and return to our office. 
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The Hospice of Visiting Nurse Association of Manchester. . . & So. NH Inc. in partnership with Villa Crest Nursing and Retirement Center will start a free Hospice Volunteer Training Course on Saturday, September 20, from 9:00a.m. to 3:00p.m., and continue every Thursday evening 6:00p.m. to 8:30p.m. through June 21 at Villa Crest, 1276 Hanover St., Manchester, NH.
    This comprehensive training program will equip participants with the necessary skills to provide non-medical aid and support to terminally ill individuals and their caregivers.  Trained volunteers will work with the hospice team of health care professionals to provide emotional support, respite care, as well as grief and bereavement support to family members
    Any interested member of the community including homemakers, retirees, college students, professionals and couples who have the desire to provide such an important service are invited to explore Hospice Volunteering.   Pre-registration is required and class size is limited.  Please call Linda Krisch, Volunteer Coordinator at 663-4008.

NH CursilloMass. . . Please join the NH Cursillo 4th Day community in celebrating 44 years of Cursillo in NH with a NH statewide Cursillo Mass, Friday, Sept 26 at 7 pm at St. Catherine of Siena Parish on Hemlock St. Manchester, NH
Please feel free to contact Therese Finegan at 232-3583 for questions.

Our Lady of Lourdes Parish invites you to join in an exciting course for adults.  In celebration of the Jubilee Year of the Apostle Paul we will be offering a seven session Bible study highlighting St. Paul’s teachings about the sacraments.  We will use the book St. Paul: A bible study guide for Catholics by Father Mitch Pacwa, S.J. We will meet on Monday evenings – September 15, 22,and 29, October 6, 13, 20, and 27th in our parish center, at 844 First NH turnpike, Northwood, from 6:30 – 8:00 pm.  Please call Our Lady of Lourdes rectory 435-6242 by September 7th to sign up for the class so that we can have books available for our first meeting.  The cost for the book is $8:95  We look forward to having you with us for this class.

Celebrating Birth: Religious and Cultural Traditions   Join the Women of Faith for an event of Celebrating Birth at the Manchester City Library Auditorium (at the side entrance on Amherst St.) on Monday, September 8th at 6 p.m.  Meet women from other faiths.  Come to learn about rituals and traditions from Greek Orthodox, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, and Protestant faiths.  The session is free and open to all women.  Please RSVP by Sept. 1st to Barbara Lantiegne at 668-5366 or blantiegne@verizon.net subj. WOF.

Crafters Wanted
    St. Elizabeth Seton Parish in Bedford, NH will be hosting a “Quality” Craft Fair on November 1, 2008 from 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM.  This fair featuring high quality, hand crafted items is held in a fantastic location that has easy access to the highway, free parking and is handicapped accessible.  For inquires and application form, call Sharon at St. Elizabeth Seton Parish at 669-7444.  Application deadline is October 15 or when space sells out.