January 4, 2009
Feast of the Epiphany

Weekend Mass Intentions
Saturday, January 3
   6:00 PM  For Parishioners of St. Paul
Sunday,  January 4
    9:30 AM  In thanksgiving to St. Anthony
For favor received by Normand & Jeannine Fraser
Saturday, January 10
   6:00 PM  For Parishioners of St. Paul
Sunday,  January 11
    9:30 AM For the Intention of the Celebrant

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 next class for parents and children in this program will be January 18, 2009 at St. Peter Parish in Auburn.  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
Feast of the Epiphany 
Theme: (Celebrating the Birth of Jesus)
Reading I: Isaiah: 60: 1-6 (Naions Shall Walk by Your Light)
Reading II: Ephesians 3: 2-6 (Copartners in the Promise of Christ)
Gospel: Matthew 2: 1-12 (The visit of the Magi)

Question for Adults:  Where has the light of faith led me over the past year?  What an excellent reflection question to begin the New Year.  Let’s take the time to look back on the year and see where we have grown as God has shed his light on us.  Don’t make the mistake of looking for “important” events.  Look at the ordinary things in your life.  How have your relationships grown?  Do you trust God a little more today than you did last year?  How do you see your work in relation to your spiritual life?  Where else has God shed his light?

Question for Children?  When I look at the stars, what do I most appreciate about God? This is a beautiful reflection question for children.  God has given them (and us) the gift of Wonder.  Do we appreciate it?  Do we see and think about God when we see the wonders of the earth and our universe?  How do we think of God when faced with the gifts of Creation?   Take some time with your child and try to see God around you.  

Community News

How to Make A Report of Sexual Abuse
    Child sexual abuse is a crime in the State of NH and the Church.  N law requires that anyone who has reason to suspect that a child is being or has been abused or neglected must make a report to the Division for Children, Youth & Families (“DCYF”) of the State of NH.  1-800-894-5533.  Any person who suspects or alleges child abuse on the part of the priest, deacon, employee, or volunteer of a parish, school, or institution of the diocese of Manchester is also encouraged to make a report to the Office for Ministerial Conduct. 603-669-3100.

Food Pantry for January    This month our pantry shelves continue to be in need of Tuna,  Cereal,  Peanut Butter,  Jelly,  Spaghetti Sauce, and any kind of Soup except Ramen.  We are also always in need of juices and instant milk.  Thank you very much for all you do for those less fortunate.

Adjusting our Habits. . .  Over the next few months we, as a parish community, will make an effort to adjust some of the poor habits many, if not all of us have developed over the past few months or even years.   This month we will take special note to eliminate gum chewing in church.  The main reason that gum chewing should not exist in church is that it is very irreverent to receive Communion when we have gum in our mouth.  Our belief that we are receiving the Body of Christ is another way of saying that God himself is coming to us through the reception of the sacred host.  We should not have anything in our mouths at the time of Communion.  We will be placing a receptacle in the entrances of the church so that you can throw your gum away as you enter the church.
      We will also focus on eliminating the distraction of cell phones.  We have noticed that some people are beginning to text message during Mass.  This is inappropriate for several reasons.  So, this coming week, please shut off your cell phones before coming into church. Thank you for your cooperation.

Looking for Used Baby Clothes:  If you have young children that have outgrown their clothes and the clothes are still in good condition, Birthright of NH would greatly benefit from their use.  There are many young mothers who need a great deal of help in this line.  If you have clothes anywhere within the size range of Newborn to 4T, please bring them to the church and we will deliver them.  Thank you so much.

A Look at Upcoming Events

Daily Video Reflections
    Each day the USCCB offers a video reflection on the day’s scripture, Several priests from the diocese of Manchester will be featured on the USCCB Web site, offering their reflections on the day’s reading.  If you would like to listen to these reflections you can go the diocesan website at www.catholicchurchnh.org and scroll down to Quick Links at Video Reflections.  During the month of January Fr. Jerome Day from St. Raphael Parish and Fr. Michael Kerper from Corpus Christi Parish will be scheduled.  Fr. Jerome will present on January 4, 11, and 18, 2009.  Fr. Mike will present on Jan. 17, 24, and 3l, 2009.  During the month of Feb. Fr. Dick Thompson will present on Feb. 7, 14, and 21, 2009.

Thomas More College of Liberal Arts
    The Thomas More college wishes seniors a Merry Christmas and good luck with upcoming college applications.  Thomas More is accepting applications for Fall 2009.  Apply before Feb. 1 to waive the $25.00 application fee at www.thomasmorecollege.edu. Remember to take time and enjoy this blessed season.
The Thomas More College of Liberal Arts
6 Manchester Street
Merrimack, NH 03054
603-880-8308

The VNA Child Care & Family resource Ctr. The largest, non-profit childcare center in the state is offering a four-week training.  Sessions will be hold Fridays, Jan. 9, 2009 from 10 am to 11:30 am.  Volunteers are needed to provide support and act as positive role models to children and parents.   Some of the topics of the training include:  child Development, Cultural Diversity and communication Skills.  Interested members of the community including homemakers, retirees, and professionals are encouraged to explore this opportunity.  Pre-registrationis required.  To receive an application or for more information please contact Linda Krisch, Coordinator of Volunteer Resources at 663-4008 or lkrisch@elliot-hs.org.

CURRENT PRAYER REQUESTS Please remember the following people and intentions in your daily prayers: Our sick parishioners and friends…    Please pray for the following people: Josephine Stout,  Frank Huard, Betty Lintz, Cecile Gendron,  Kimberly Mirolo, Rita Sullivan, Kathy Gauthier,  Jean Swindler, Roger Plante, Joseph Gesel, Jacob Desrocher, Cindy Huard, Deborah McGovern, Ethel Thomas, Gordon Gladden and Carol Sheperd.  For peace in the world, especially in the Middle East… For those serving in the armed forces... For families experiencing stress due to financial, emotional or relational problems For our sister parish in Haiti... For vocations to full-time ministry, especially the priesthood, the deaconate, religious life lay ministry...     If you would like to add a person or intention, please let us know. If people on the sick list are no longer in need of prayers, please let us know.