January 25, 2009
Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul

Weekend Mass Intentions
Saturday, January 24
   6:00 PM  For Parishioners of St. Paul
Sunday,  January 25
    9:30 AM For the Souls in Purgatory By Julie Laughner
Saturday, January 31
   6:00 PM  For Parishioners of St. Paul
Sunday,  February 1
    9:30 AM  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 February 15, 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
The Conversion of St. Paul 
Theme:  (Transformed by Christ)
Reading I: Acts: 22: 3-16 (The Voice of the Lord)
Reading II: 1 Cor. 7: 29-31 (time Is running Out)
Gospel: Mark 16: 15-18 (Proclaim the Gospel to All)

Question for Adults:  Have I ever felt like St. Paul, unworthy to be a messenger of the Gospel?  What happened as a result?  There probably isn’t a person on earth who hasn’t had this feeling?  There is probably no better feeling when we are looking for an excuse to “run away” from being messengers of the gospel.  If you have been able to fight the feeling of running away, what was the result?  Have you gotten over the feeling yet?  Sometimes it takes years for us to deal with this nagging feeling.  It is not unusual that part of the feeling stays with us throughout our lifetime.  Perhaps we could take some time to read what St. Paul says about his personal experience.    

Question for Children?  How do I share with my friends my belief in the love of God for everyone?  Sharing candy and toys is one thing but sharing our faith with others is quite another matter.  Take the time to talk with your child about his/her belief in God’s love for them. What does this mean to them?  How do they feel about that fact?  Do they seem to be able to grasp it?  If so, have them think of ways that would make it possible for them to share this wonderful gift with others.      

Community News

It’s Tax Time Again
    If you have been contributing to the parish by check or through the envelop system and you have given at least $250.00 over the year, and are in need of a statement of contributions, please call the office at 483-8481 or e-mail your request at stpaulcandia@comcast.net  and we would be happy to send you a receipt.  

Food Pantry for January    This month our pantry shelves continue to be in need of  Cereal, Spaghetti Sauce, Evaporated Milk and Instant or powdered milk . We are also always in need of juices.   Thank you very much for all you do for those less fortunate.

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

St. Anthony’s School Open House. . . St. Anthony School is located on 148 Belmont St. in Manchester.  It will have its annual Open House for new students on Sunday, January 25th from 1:00 – 2:00 pm.  Tour the school and visit with our faculty and staff.  We offer comprehensive Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies and daily Religion classes.  In addition all our students from Pre-K through Sixth Grades enjoy Introductory Language Instruction in Spanish, French and Chinese, as well as classes in Computer, Art, Music and Gym.  We also offer full day Pre-K and Kindergarten along with Before and After School Programs.  City school bus transportation is available for those who qualify.  For more information visit us on the web at www.stanthonyschool-nh.com or call 622-0414 for a tour. 

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

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.