The unification of St. Paul Parish, Candia with St. Peter Parish, Auburn, while officially taking place in June, has in effect already begun.  Several parishioners of St. Paul’s have indicated their intentions.  Since St. Peter has been charged with the responsibility of integrating the two parishes, it will also probably be the parish that will receive the largest influx of parishioners.  (Other parishes may also receive people from St. Paul Parish, i.e., St. Joseph, Epping, St. Joseph, Northwood, Holy Cross, Derry, St. John the Baptist, Allenstown, and Holy Rosary, Hooksett.)

 As pastor of both parishes I have the responsibility to oversee and ensure that parishioners are cared for spiritually. To this end, after consultation with the Pastoral Council of St. Peter Parish, several members of the St. Paul Pastoral Council will be invited to join St. Peter Pastoral council.  All new members of St. Peter Pastoral Council for next year would be former members of St. Paul Pastoral Council if they so desire to serve in this capacity and become parishioners of St. Peter Parish.

These two “amplified” Councils will continue to advise the Pastor.  The Pastoral Council would look to assuring the ongoing pastoral activities of the unified parish to include the good works of St. Paul Parish over the past four decades; specifically, the Liturgical Ministries, the Outreach Ministries (Food Pantry, Senior Luncheons) Christian Formation Ministry (weekly dismissals for grades K – 3, Generations of Faith, RCIA) 

The Finance Council would also see to assuming the ongoing work of St. Paul Parish in the obligations to St. Boniface Mission, (Faith & Concern) in Haiti at $5,000.00 per year as well as the smaller yearly contributions made from St. Paul’s 6% Tithing Account.   In addition the Finance Council would oversee the property on 54 Main St. In Candia while providing a home at St. Peter Church in Auburn for worship and celebration of the Sacraments as well as other parish activities.

Any present member of St. Paul Parish, Candia, who so desires, can become a member of St. Peter Parish, Auburn and enjoy all rights and privileges of parishioners by indicating their desire.  They will be asked to fill a registration form for themselves and their family members. They will be welcome to the parish, their children will be part of the Christian Formation Programs, their donations to St. Paul from January 1, 2010 will be retained and recorded, and they will receive parish budge envelopes and participate in the 10% tithing activities of St. Peter Parish.  If they served in any ministry at St. Paul’s , they will be invited to continue that ministry at St. Peter’s. 

The welfare of the present employees (one full-time, 3 part-time) of St. Paul is of paramount importance.  In each case their individual situation has been addressed and is in the process of being resolved.

After Easter I’ll be sending a letter to all members of St. Paul Parish expressing my desire to see that this transition is an easy as possible for them, to invite them to join St. Peter and to help them join another parish if that is their preference