July 20, 2008
16th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Weekend Mass Intentions
Sunday,  July 20
    9:30 AM  For Leon & Alexina Therrien By Normand & Jeannine Fraser
Sunday,  July 27
    9:30 AM  For William Luquette  By his wife Sue Luquette

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
16th Sunday in Ordinary Time 
Theme: (A Vision of the Kingdom)
Reading I: Wisdom 12:13, 16-9 (The Care of All)
Reading II: Romans  8: 26-27 (The Aid of the Spirit)
Gospel:  Matthew 13: 24-43 (The Mustard Seed)

Question for Adults:  What images might I use today to describe the kingdom of God?  This question could help us to bring the parable of the Mustard Seed to life.  If you are a gardener or simply love nature, then perhaps seeds are a good image for you.  If your love lies in other areas you may want to take some time to think about new or creative ways of imaging God’s kingdom.  If your love is music or art or literature or sports you may want to think in those lines.  If you are a socialite or partier your images would be different.  Bringing the Gospel to life for yourself means that you know, love and accept yourself for who you really are.

Question for Children?  How is my faith like a newly planted seed? Children, as a whole, love to watch newly planted seeds.  They are in awe at the life that arises from this process.  They can easily become aware of the importance of their responsibility toward this process.  If they neglect the new life it may not survive.   It is a small leap in faith to make the analogy with their faith life.  The seed, planted at Baptism must be nurtured.  Take some time to discuss this process in their lives.  You may find that it is well worth the investment of time.

Community News

How to Make a Report of Sexual Abuse
    Child sexual abuse is a crime in the State of NH and the Church.  New Hampshire law requires that anyone who has reason to suspect that a child is being or has been abused or neglected must make a report to the Division for Children, Youth and Families of the State of NH, 1-800-894-5533.  Any person who suspects or alleges child abuse on the part of a priest, deacon, employee, or volunteer of a parish, school, or institution of the Diocese of Manchester is also encouraged to make a report of the Office for Ministerial Conduct, 603-669-3100.
    Church personnel, i.e., clergy, paid employees, and volunteers, have additional reporting requirements if they believe the Church personnel have sexually abused a child.  To learn more about the reporting requirements, go the diocesan website under Child Safety: www.catholicchurchnh.org. 

Birthright Office Opens  Following extensive building renovations, the Birthright of Manchester office at 307 Kelley St. is now open.  We look forward to providing free, confidential help for any girl or woman in a problem pregnancy.  Call 668-3443 for office hours.  Please consider volunteering 2 hours a week.  A sincere desire to listen with concern and understanding is all that is needed.  Call the office, or Phyllis at 472-5410.

The Caregivers, Inc.,  an organization dedicated to helping the frail, elderly and disabled in the Greater Manchester and Nashua areas is looking for volunteers.  Many flexible opportunities are available.  By simply helping someone with grocery shopping, taking them to their doctor’s appointment or friendly visiting, you can help an individual remain in their own home while receiving the satisfaction of helping another.  Contact Caregivers at 1-877-394-5192.

Volunteer Drivers need for Meals on Wheels: Meals on Wheels urgently needs volunteer drivers to help deliver some of the 1100 daily Meals served in Hillsborough County.  Volunteer kitchen assistant opportunities are also available in Manchester, Merrimack and Nashua.  Just 2 hours of your noontime assistance, one day a week, can help the elderly and disabled homebound remain healthy and live independently.  Call Duke Broder, Volunteer driver Manager, at 424-9967to volunteer or for more information about Meals on Wheels in your area.  Fax: 424-1472, or Email:  abroder@sjsinc.org and visit our informational website at www.mealsonwheelsnh.org

Food Pantry for July   This month our pantry shelves are in need of  Ramen soup, evaporated milk, instant dry milk and Jello  Pudding mixes.  Thank you very much for all you do for those less fortunate.