May 18, 2008
Feast of the Most Holy Trinity

Weekend Mass Intentions
Saturday, May 17
   4:00 PM  For the Parishioners of St. Paul
Sunday,  May 18
    9:30 AM  For  Alcide & Annette Fraser by Normand & Jeannine Fraser
Saturday, May 24
    6:00 PM  For the Parishioners of St. Paul
Sunday,  May 25
    9:30 AM  For  Ricky McGregor by parents Rick & Sherry McGregor

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

Grades K – High School       All children from grade K – 10 must register.  The registration does not roll over from one year to the next.  You can pick up a form in the back of the church or you can visit the parish office Monday – Thursday during office hours or give us a call at 483-8481 and ask us to mail you a form.  We would be happy to do this 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 l, students must attend classes on a weekly basis as the program for 1st Communion is a two year program.  It is vital that students continue with their Christian Formation even after their 1st Communion. This year’s program will begin on September 15, 2007 Grades 4 – 10 +    This program is designed for both parents and children.  Parents are asked to attend the sessions as they have the opportunity to refresh their memory on important matters of the faith . This year’s program for the Generations of Faith has come to an end as of April 13th.                      Schedule of Classes

Question of the Week
Feast of the Most Holy Trinity   
Theme: (Father, Son and Holy Spirit)
Reading I: Exodus 34:4-9 (A Merciful and Gracious God
Reading II: 2 Corinthians 13: 11-13 (Live in Peace)
Gospel: John 3:16- 18 (Sent Because of Love)

Question for Adults:  Have I ever struggled to understand the ways of God in my life?  Have I been able to resolve such questions?  Seeing or recognizing God’s ways in our lives can often lead us to question our faith.  Almost everyone suffers from this problem.  It is part of the process of maturing in faith.  The question is not whether or not we believe in God.  Rather, it is whether or not we see him active in all facets of our lives, even the more difficult ones, i.e., those things that we often tend to blame on him.  When in doubt of God’s love and presence, what do I do?  Where do I turn?  These questions are vital to the deepening of our faith
  
Question for Children?  Even though I cannot see God, do I understand how God cares for me? Although children are very concrete by nature, they are quite capable of understanding love.  The simple reason for this is because they live with it on a daily basis. (No pressure, parents.) It is not a quantum leap for them to understand that God, although he is invisible to them, can love them and care for them.  However, they need some help from their parents to bring the notion to light.

Community News

Myanmar Cyclone
Disaster Relief free-will offering- CRS
    As you know, the people of Myanmar are struggling to survive in light of the terrible effects of Cyclone Nargis which brought a deadly tidal surge across the low-lying coastal areas of the country on Saturday, May 3, 2008. 
    On Wednesday, May 7, 2008, Pope Benedict XVI made the cry of the Burmese people his own.  “I would also like to repeat to everyone my call to open their hearts to pity and generosity so that, thanks to the collaboration of people who can and wish to bring help, the suffering caused by such an immense tragedy may be relieved.”
    In light of this tragedy, Bishop McCormack has asked that a free-will offering be taken up in the parishes of the Diocese of Manchester.
    To make a donation, make check payable to:
Your parish-Myanmar Cyclone Relief.

To make a donation directly to Catholic Relief Services:  send your check to
Catholic Relief Services
228 W. Lexington st. paul parish Baltimore, MD
                21201-4313
To make a donation online go to:
http://crs.org/myanmar/cyclone-nargis

Retrouvaille. . .a Lifeline
    Rediscover a loving marriage with a Retrouvaille weekend.  If your marriage is tearing the two of you apart, if there is little or no meaningful communication, if you are considering separation or divorce, we believe Retrouvaille can help you. Look us up on the web at www.HelpOurMarriage.com or call 1-800-470-2230.  The next New England Retrouvaille marriage renewal weekend will be held on September 12-14, 2008.

News from your Spiritual Adoption
        “Mommy felt my kick today?”
This month marks the half-way point to birth, and the baby is very active.  Sleep habits develop and his mother can feel him move and stretch, particularly when she is resting.  He is big and strong enough to kick hard against the outside uterine wall and dent it.  Up to now, although he swam with ease in his watery world, he was too small for her to detect because the inside wall of the uterus has little feeling.  Babies born at this age have survived

Catholic Charities Appeal:     Once again we are turning to you in your generosity for those less fortunate.  The annual Catholic Charities appeal is now underway.  If you were not able to attend liturgy over the last two weeks and thus did not pick up an envelope and flyer, please do so this week.  The above can be found in the entrance of the church.  Please consider being a little more generous if at all possible this year.  Many people have lost their jobs and the need will be great.   Thank you so much in advance

We’re Looking for Pictures. . .
    Msgr. Donald Gilbert, who was pastor of this parish from 1995-1999, will be retiring from parish ministry this summer.  His present parish of St. Matthew’s in Windham is preparing a book of memories commemorating his ministry.  They are looking for pictures of him as he served in various parishes.  Since he was pastor in this parish there are probably many of you who have pictures of Mgrs. Gilbert.  If you would be willing to share these pictures and possibly a story that accompanies it, St. Matthew’s parish would be very appreciative.  If you want to bring them here we can forward them to Windham.  If you wish to contact the parish directly or if you have any questions, please contact Jack Kennedy at 603-890-1013 or e-mail him at jackkennedy3@verizon.net.  The address for St. Matthew Parish is 2 Searles Rd.,  Windham, NH 03087

The Children Need Your Help!
CASA of NH trains concerned citizens to advocate for abused and neglected children in the courts.  There are children waiting for someone to speak on their behalf.  Your common sense, commitment to children, and a contribution of 15 hours a month will help ensure a child grows up in a safe, permanent home.  To become a CASA/GAL volunteer and help the children in your community, please call 800/626-0622, or log onto www.casanh.org for more information.

Food Pantry for May  This month our pantry shelves are in  need of  Spaghetti Sauce, Baked Beans and Juice and instant dry milk.  Thank you very much for all you do for those less fortunate