May 16, 2010
7th Sunday of Easter

Weekend Mass Intentions
Sunday,  May 16
    9:30 AM For Frank Huard by his wife Cindy & family

Sunday,  May 23
    9:30 AM  For Frank Huard By his wife Cindy & family

Please Note:  Our last Saturday evening Mass was on April 24th at 4:00 PM.  Due to a very low attendance at the 6 pm we will terminate this Mass as of the 24th.  There is always a 4:00 pm Mass in Auburn.

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. 

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!

Christian Formation News

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.   Classes are held during both weekend Masses. We would need some volunteers to help out as monitors during the classes.  Please contact the office if you can do this. Generations 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 – 6PM.  Our last class was held on April 18th.                      Schedule of Classes

Question of the Week
7th Sunday of Easter
Theme:  (United in Faith)
Reading:  Acts 7: 55-60 (The Stoning of Stephen)
Reading II: Revelation 22:12-17, 20 (The Alpha And the Omega
Gospel: John 17: 20- 26 (That They May Be One)

Question for Adults:  What are the most influential Christian beliefs in my life? Over the centuries there are many ideas that have developed and sadly have become entangled with actual beliefs of the Catholic Church.  For those Christians whose religious education is minimal the situation becomes even more confused.  There are certain things that are essential for our belief system however.  From this list of actual beliefs, which have most influenced your life?  Although we are asked to believe all aspects that the church teaches we all have certain ones that have made a greater impact on our lives.  It would be good to reflect on these points this week. 

Question for Children: What can I do this week that will show I am a Christian? Before the children can answer this question they must have some notion of what it means to be Christian.  Depending on their age they may or may not have a good idea on what this means.  You might want to have a short discussion about this if you want them to be able to come up with some ideas on how to show they are Christian.

From the Pastor:           As you may recall, with the twinning of St. Peter and St. Paul Parishes several years ago, both parishes had to adjust their Mass schedules so that I would be able to serve both parishes at once.  In the likely event that St. Paul Parish will be unified with St. Paul, I believe we should adjust the Mass schedule again.  The best balance for both parishes seems to be to a compromise:  instead of a 9:30 am at St. Paul, and an 11:00 am at St. Peter, we would have a 10:30 am Mass at St. Peter.  After consultation with members of the Pastoral Council, the Finance Council, the Liturgy Committee, and the Parish Staff, I have found significant approval of this Mass time change.  So, I am seriously considering that we adjust the Sunday Mass schedule at St. Peter to 8:00 am and 10:30 am, beginning July 4th, 2010.     Also, there are some parishioners who have assumed that one Mass would be added in the event St. Paul Parish is unified.  I have looked closely at this consideration over the past several months.  My conclusion is that the number of people who now attend Masses at St. Paul can easily be accommodated here at St. Peter.  To that effect we are looking into possibly replacing two pews that had been removed several years ago.  This will obviously be a period of adjustment for both parishes.  I encourage all from St. Peter to be especially attuned to warmly welcoming any new parishioners they see in the next several weeks, and especially if a Decree of Unification is forthcoming next month.

Community News

NH Catholic Charities 2010 Appeal  The NH Catholic Charities 2010 Appeal is underway and your help is needed more than ever.  While the news about the economy is getting better, many people in our state are still suffering from job losses, family problems, hunger, and depression.  NH Catholic Charities has heard the call and has responded; we pray that you will, in turn, support us in this mission with our thoughtful and generous donation.

 Holy Cross Early Childhood Center         
Holy Cross Early Childhood Center has provided preschool to NH children for more than fifty years.  We now offer full day early childhood programs in addition to our half day preschool programs.  Our teachers are certified Early Childhood or Elementary teachers.  Our kindergarten and preschool programs are developmentally appropriate and follow NH Early Learning Guidelines from the State Department of Education.  We are offering a summer program for children four years of age through six and a half.  If you are looking for a small, values driven early childhood setting while you work this summer, give us a call at 603-668-0510!  Or if you are a working family looking for Quality early Learning Programs for your child as well as full time Childcare, Holy Cross might be the place for you!

Please Note:  The surprise celebration that was being planned for Fr. Michael Kerper on May 23, 2010 has been cancelled.  He found out about it and made it very clear that he did not want any party.  If any of you know others who were planning on attending please relay this message.  There is no other way of communicating the information.  Fr. Mike’s anniversary is on May 18th.  If you wish to send him a card I am sure he would love to hear from you.  He residence is at
    Fr. Michael Kerper
         98 Summer St.
    Portsmouth, NH 03801

Notice:  The parish has a substantial amount of oak wood left over from the work on the pews.  The pieces are mostly backs and seats of pews.  If anyone is interested in having some for burning or carpentry work you are welcome to come and get it .  Please do so before the middle of June because we will have to get rid of it soon thereafter. Thank You.

A Catholic Charities Client says “Thank You”
Thanks to your support, NH Catholic Charities is here to help people in need.  This letter recently came in from a client:  “When we became aware we did not have fuel, my brother and I asked our Lord Jesus to provide the oil / our need as His word declares ‘But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus’ Philippians 4:19.  We were given your phone number and my brother called.  You were the channel from which our need was met.  Thank you!” 
   Doesn’t this say it all. . .it is not our work but Christ’ accomplished through us!

A Look at Upcoming Events

Young Adult Retreat ( ages 19-39) are you a young adult looking for an opportunity to connect with other young adults?  Do you want to help build the Catholic young adult community in New Hampshire?  Have you been looking for time to pray and reflect?  Then come join us for the First Annual Yung Adult Retreat on June 4-6, 2010 at the Magdalen College campus in Warner, NH.

Women of Faith , a group of women of many faiths, invite you to a CELEBEATION OF FAITH IN DANCE to be held on Monday May 17, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m., at St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 650 Hanover St. Manchester.  The evening will feature sacred dance by Agape Dance Fellowship, as well as the opportunity to observe and /or participate in ethnic dances including, Greek, Israeli, and Arabic.  A tour of the Cathedral will be offered at 6:30, preceding the event.  A free will offering will be donated to the NH National Guard Chaplain’s Relief Fund.  Any questions?  Call Barbara Lantiegne at 668-5366 or e-mail blantiegne@airpoint.net. 

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, Cecile Gendron, Kimberly Mirolo, Rita Sullivan, Kathy Gauthier, Ethel Thomas, Jean Swindler, Roger Plante, Joseph Gesel, Jacob Desrocher, Cindy Huard, Deborah McGovern, 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.