October 12, 2008
28th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Weekend Mass Intentions
Saturday, October 11
   6:00 PM  For Julien Marion By Normand & Jeannine Fraser
Sunday,  October 12
    9:30 AM  For Parishioners of St. Paul
Saturday, October 18
   6:00 PM  For the intention of the Celebrant
Sunday,  October 19
    9:30 AM  For 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

All children from k – 10 must register for Religious Education each year.  The registration does not roll over from one year to the next.  We will be mailing a registration form through e-mail in the near future.  If you have not received a form by mid-August it is because we do not have your e-mail address or perhaps you are not yet registered in the parish so we do not have any pertinent information related to you family.  You can call the office between Monday –Thursday at 483-8481 to update your e-mail info or you can pick up a registration in the entrance of the church. 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 1, students must attend classes on a weekly basis during the Mass, as the program for 1st Communion is a two year program.  The program for the school year 2008-2009 will begin on the weekend of September 20th and 21st.  Classes are held during both weekend Masses. Grades 4 – 10 +, Generation of Faith     This program is designed for both parents and children.  Parents who have children in grades  4 - 10 are asked to attend these monthly sessions. The adult session gives them an opportunity to refresh their memory on important matters of the faith as well as giving them the chance to share with other adults on pertinent issues of faith. The first class for parents and children in this program will be October 12, 2008.  All GoF classes are held on Sundays from 4 – 6 pm. Confirmation Program:      The Confirmation students will begin their two year program on Sunday, October 5, 2008.  Classes are held from 11:00 am to 12 noon. Students must be registered in the program and must be registered members of the parish.  If you have not yet registered your child for classes please call the office to speak to Lorette.                      Schedule of Classes

Question of the Week
28th Sunday in Ordinary Time 
Theme: (Invited by God)
Reading I: Isaiah 25:6-10 (The Feast of the Lord)
Reading II: Philippians 4:12-14(Strengthened by God)
Gospel: Matthew 22:1-14 (The Parable of the Wedding  Feast)


Question for Adults:  What “garment” do I need to clean or iron this week to better prepare to participate in the banquet of God, the Eucharist?  Unfortunately, getting dressed for special occasions is becoming less and less in vogue.  This week’s Gospel hints at the fact that this custom of getting dressed is literally centuries old.  When we are invited to a banquet we usually dress up.  Coming to the banquet of the Lord calls for a special type of “dressing up”.  Our hearts and minds are the things we need to “clean up”.  Are we “wearing” something that is unfit for such an invitation?  Let’s take some time to reflect on this during the coming week. 

Question for Children?  How do I prepare myself for the Sunday Mass?  This is such an important question for children.  Very often we assume that children are too young to understand the depth of the sacrament of the Eucharist.  Perhaps this is true on some level but it is not necessarily true on all levels.  All children of school age understand the need to get ready for special occasions.  They have all had the experience of doing so at one time or other.  Take the time to talk about the idea that Mass is a very special and important event during our week.  This should lead into the discussion of how they will better prepare.

Community News

Come and See Tomas More College
    High school juniors and seniors are invited to attend Thomas More College’s Come & See Weekend from Thursday Oct. 23-Sat. 25 in Merrimack, NH.  They will enjoy attending classes, visiting with students and a special lecture by Artist in Residence David Clayton on “The Secularization of Art after the Enlightenment”.  TMC’s  Annual “Octoberfest” will round out the weekend on Saturday night.  For more information please contact Admissions at TMC:  (800)880-8308 or admissions@ThomasMoreCollege.edu.  TMC provides a four year liberal arts education steeped in the Western Catholic Tradition.

Food Pantry for October   This month our pantry shelves are in need of   Cereal, Canned fruit, Ravioli, Beef Stew, and Chicken Noodle Soup.  We are also always in need of juices and instant milk.  Thank you very much for all you do for those less fortunate

We Need Your Help. . .   The month of September ushers in a new year for our Christian Formation Program.  St. Paul parish is blessed with many young families.  This is indeed a great blessing.  However,  with many young children comes a responsibility on our part to provide for fruitful Christian Formation.  This year we are in need of a few generous adults who would be able to assist in our Generation of Faith program. We meet once a month for seven or eight months throughout the year.  If you think you would be able to assist in this important ministry please contact Lorette.
    Teaching our children is probably one of the most important and most rewarding ministries in the church.  The program cannot exist without the help of those parishioners who are willing to give of their time in this ministry.  Please give this matter some serious time and reflection.  Thank you.

Birthright of Manchester-307 Kelley St
    Would you like to help women in distress and help us stop abortion?  Please consider becoming a Birthright volunteer.  All that is asked is to be over 18 years of age, ardently pro-life, and have a sincere desire to listen with concern and with a non-judgmental attitude.  No prior training or experience is necessary as we provide that for you.  Come join our team.  You will find it to be a rich experience.  Hours are flexible.  Call Mary at 668-3443 or Phyllis at 472-5410