April 26, 2009
3rd  Sunday of Easter
Alleluia!  Alleluia! He Is Risen!
Weekend Mass Intentions
Saturday, April 25
    8:00 PM  For Gideon & Rosilda Marion By Julien Marion
Sunday,  April 26
    9:30 AM  For Parishioners of St. Paul
Saturday, May 2
   6:00 PM  For Mr. & Mrs. Clement Berthiume By Marcel & Joyce Lebel
Sunday,  May 3
    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.  All GoF classes are held on Sundays from 4 – 6 pm.  See you all next fall. 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

3rd Sunday of Easter 
Theme: (Recognizing Christ)
Reading I:  Acts 3: 13-19 (Repent and Be Converted)
Reading II: John 2: 1- 5 (Jesus Is expiation for Our Sins)
Gospel: Luke 24:35-48 (Emmaus)

Question for Adults:  What decisions can I make to protect the fragile gifts of our earth’s environment?  All too often this type of question throws us off balance because we think that the answer is one that involves everyone.  Therefore, what can one person do for the good of all creation?  The simple answer, of course, is the same as all other answers with respect to global problems.  We cannot, as individuals, solve all the problems.  However, we can make a difference and we must.  Respecting our environment is necessary.  It is our Christian responsibility.  It is part of the bigger picture that involves loving God and our neighbor.  What, then, will you do to protect the earth?

Question for Children:Do I realize that God has given me my body and that I must take care of it? Respect of one’s body is a very important lesson for children.  Respect for the body of others is equally important.  Perhaps you could have a discussion with your child on the idea that God created then out of love and, in turn, God wants them to love themselves by taking care of this precious gift.  Perhaps you could think of ways by which they could actually take good care of their bodies and  move on to the care and concern of their friends.

Community News

Food Pantry for April:  As you probably have assumed, our pantry shelves are in need of replenishment.  Perhaps this Lent you could help us in this capacity.  Your generosity is always greatly appreciated.   This month our pantry shelves continue to be in need of  Canned Fruit,  Jelly,  Dessert Mixes,  Canned Pastas, and Powdered Milk . We  always need  juices.   Thank you very much for all you do for God’s people.

An Opportunity to Help your Parish and have fun all at the same time.  Our parish is in the process of reorganizing our Social Committee and we need people who can help in a variety of ways.  If you like greeting people, serving meals that have been prepared (by someone else), socializing or cooking, then the Social Committee is maybe a good place to be.  You can do it once, twice or three times a year, whatever your time allows.  The more people we have the more fun it will be and the easier it will be for everyone.  Think about it and sign up. 

A Look at Upcoming Events

You’re Invited:  Thomas More College invites you to join us for Mass at our campus with the Archbishop of Baghdad, the Most Rev. Jean Benjamin Sleiman. Mass is at Noon on Sunday, May 3, 2009 with a buffet lunch following at 1:30 PM where the Archbishop will speak on the travails of the Christian community in Baghdad’s historically and culturally rich region.  RSVP to Jim Lockwood at 603-880-8308 ext. 24.  ($15 suggested donation)  Thomas More College of Liberal Arts: 6 Manchester St. Merrimack, NH 03054

Soles4Souls on Barefoot Sunday
    Soles4Souls is planning the 2nd annual celebration with thousands of congregations across the country. They have a simple mission – to collect new and “gently worn’ shoes to donate to victims of natural disasters and those living in extreme poverty.  One of the core groups that help transform its mission from a simple idea into a living example of God’s love is the church. Last year, hundreds of congregations across North America participated in “Barefoot Sunday,” where people left their shoes on the altar to be donated to the poor.  Barefoot Sunday is a unique opportunity for people to remove their shoes and walk out of worship services barefoot.
“Barefoot Sunday will be on June 7, 2009.

Bake Sale:  Our Group Work Camp teens who will be going to Port Jarvis in June are having a Bake Sale on the weekend of May 3, 2009.  If you would like to donate a bake item, please bring your goodies to church immediately before the Mass.  If you want to drop them off earlier, please call the rectory to make sure someone is home to receive you.  Thank you so much

Marian Mass and Breakfast with Bishop McCormack  The NH diocesan Council of Catholic Women invites all women of the Diocese of Manchester to celebrate a Marian Mass with Bishop McCormack on Saturday, May 9, 2009 at St. Joseph Cathedral in Manchester at 8:30 am.  Breakfast will follow in the parish hall.  The breakfast will be a catered full breakfast.  There is no fee. A “good-will” offering will be appreciated.  Please be sure to RSVP to dcurran@rcbm.org or 669-3100 x173 by April 30, if you are planning to attend, as a number must be given to the caterer

Care Net Pregnancy Center of Manchester and Nashua is hosting its annual Walkathon on May 9, the day before Mother’s Day.  Registration is at 9:30 am at Veterans’ Memorial Park, Elm St. Manchester, with the walk to begin at 10:15am.  Call 623-5534 for more information

Spring Fling Dance ‘09
    St. Marie’s Parish is having a Spring Fling on Saturday, April 25th from 8 – 11PM at their parish gym on Cartier Street in Manchester.  Snacks will be provided.  Tickets: are $8:00 for singles $15 per couple or $10 per person at the door.  Tickets are available at Ste. Marie bookstore.  Music is by Doug Boucher.  For music requests, contact:  www.dougboucher.com

Healing the Wounds of Abortion The NH Catholic Charities Project Rachel program offers counseling, reconciliation, and support services for individuals and their families who have experienced the pain of abortion.  This program provides a means for people to begin the healing process and experience reconciliation with the Church.  It presents a caring, hopeful approach towards peace with the parents, the unborn child, the family, the church, and God.  Call us today. . .603-669-3030.

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, 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.