Thank you from Community Affairs …

During Lent we collected $705, eight Market Basket certificates, three Shaw's certificates, two Stop & Shop certificates, and one Mobil certificate. We used the money to purchase 19 gas cards and 10 more grocery certificates. All of these were taken to the Veterans Hospital in Manchester, where they are distributed throughout the year by the Volunteer Services organization. Thank you for your generous support to the men and women who have served our country and kept us safe and free.

For the inmates at Rockingham County Department of Corrections, we collected 20 puzzles and 11 decks of cards. I am sure these gifts will help pass the time for these members of our community who are struggling. Thank you for your support. Please remember the inmates, and the soldiers and veterans in your prayers throughout the year.

 

Novena to the Holy Spirit …

A nine-day novena to the Holy Spirit will begin on Thursday, May 21, and conclude on Friday, May 29. Join us each day at 7 P.M. for an evening of adoration of the Blessed Sacrament followed by novena prayers. *Please note: the time for the novena on Saturday, May 23 only, is moved to 8 P.M. If you do only one thing this year, make it this novena. The Holy Spirit will change our lives and our world!

 

Religious Education …

$ All families enrolled in the summer ’09 Religious Ed program are reminded of the meeting on Wednesday, June 10, at 10 A.M. or 6:30 P.M. in the church. At least one parent should attend this meeting; textbooks will be distributed at that time.

$ All summer families: please return your pink volunteer form to the Rel Ed office ASAP.

$ All summer teachers will meet on Monday, June 1, at 6:30 P.M. in the parish hall.

 

Help us spread God’s Word! …

If Jesus Christ were on earth today, how would he spread his message? The Catholic Communications Campaign (CCC) believes Jesus would use every means available, so it makes use of media outlets to evangelize and promote gospel values. You can truly make a difference right here in our diocese through your donation to today’s Collection. Half of all funds collected in our diocese are used for local communications projects. Please place your special envelope in the collection plate. To learn more, visit www.CatholicCommunicationCampaign.org.

 

Odds and ends …

v One of our parishioners has donated LOTS of coffee—some beans, some ground, some in large bags, some in small bags, some with caffeine and some without. You get the idea—lots of coffee. If you’re a coffee lover, come to the parish kitchen and take some home.

But … keep in mind that this is not fair trade coffee! The Peace and Justice Committee continues their support of fair pay for plantation workers by offering pounds of fair trade caffeinated and decaf coffee for sale after Sunday morning Masses. Please support this worthwhile project.

 

v Thank you to those parishioners who took the firewood and brush last week. Now we have another request … we need a dump cart for the parish lawn tractor. If you have a gently used cart that you would like to donate to the parish, please call us at 432-8711. This cart will ease the workload of our lone custodian.

 

Right to life news …

We continue to reflect on the observations of Fr. Frank Pavone, Priests for Life, regarding how important it is that American voters translate their pro-life views into their votes. He suggests that some people do not yet understand the full damage done in abortion, nor the commitment and extremism of the pro-choice leaders. Evidence of this is a 55-page memo to President Obama from dozens of pro-abortion organizations detailing extreme measures they expect him to implement. (http://www.nrlc.org/obamaabortionagenda/index.html)

As we know from our own activities on FOCA (Freedom of Choice Act) and opposing removal of conscientious objection, President Obama has already begun by restoring funding for embryonic stem cell research. Call John (434-4098) to obtain more info or to get on the parish respect life email list.

From Community Affairs …

During the month of May, the Community Affairs Committee will collect infant items for Our Place, a service of NH Catholic Charities. Our Place assists pregnant and parenting teens from pregnancy through the child’s third year. They provide pregnancy services, parenting education and case management.

            They are in need of the following new items:

Hooded infant towels and washcloths, infant onesies (newborn to 1 year), clothing (newborn to 4T), sleepers/PJs (newborn to 4T), pacifiers, nail care kits, safety latches, digital thermometers, large and small baby bottles and Tummy Time Mats. They are especially in need of disposable diapers (newborn, 3, 4, 5 & 6) and diaper wipes. Larger items are also on their wish list which is posted on the bulletin board at the back of the church. Items may be left in the portable crib also in the church entrance.

            Donations to the Poor Box will be given to Our Place. Thanks once again for your generosity.

 

Youth Happenings …

The High School Youth Group will meet this Wednesday evening, May 20, from 7–9 in the parish hall. Remember that this group is open to anyone in grades 9–12. You don’t need to be a member of our parish to attend so grab a friend and head on down to church for a great time.

 

Save the date …

The K of C present An Evening of Christian Music and Song to benefit the Rosemarie Cox Memorial Scholarship and other worthy causes on Saturday, Oct 10, 2009, at 7:30 P.M. at the Stockbridge Theatre at Pinkerton Academy. The event will showcase our own extraordinarily gifted Brian Templeton and many of his talented friends!

            A pre-sale of Gold Circle Backstage tickets (including an invitation to a pre-concert social event) is occurring NOW. Please call Don Sommese at 432-6851 for more information and to reserve your seat. Regular ticket sales will begin in the coming weeks and can be purchased on-line. Look for more information in upcoming bulletin announcements.

 

René Fiore and Jeffrey Kelsey, both of Derry, (III).

 

Miracles happen everyday …

New Hampshire Catholic Charities needs your support to continue to make miracles happen for those who are struggling in our state. As more people come to Catholic Charities for assistance during difficult times, the need for donations grows. With your gift, over 90 cents of every donated dollar goes directly into programs and services to help those in need. Your donation can make the difference. Please give as much as you can so that when a person suffering finally finds the strength to reach out for help—it’s there.

Our Parish Goal: $68,000

Current Amount Received/Pledged: $12,360

 

Today’s thinker …

Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.                                 —Mahatma Gandhi

 

"If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete." - Jn 15:10-11

 

  

May 9/10: 289 parishioners using envelopes, loose checks and automatic bill paying service contributed $6347.50; Loose Cash: $615; Development Fund: $329; Charitable Fund: $71; Youth: $18. Thank you for your support!

Deacon’s pencil …

Marie and I would like to thank you for your kind words and thoughtful prayers regarding the recent loss of her mom. It’s always hard to lose a parent, but to lose your Mom close to Mother’s Day makes it particularly difficult. We are sure that Mary is reunited with her husband, Jim, and has finally received the peace and rest she so richly deserved. Thanks again for your sympathies.

 

God Bless,

Deacon Lee

 

A reflection …

We celebrate this week Ascension Thursday, May 21, which is 40 days after Easter. Theologian Friedemann Hebart explained Christ’s Ascension this way:

“When Jesus’ work on Earth was done, he took leave of his disciples and went to be with his Father. A time for sad farewells, one might think. Yet the church celebrates the Ascension with special joy. What is the reason for joy when Jesus leaves his people?

“The Ascension is not the end of Jesus’ work, but a new beginning! How could Jesus ever leave us alone? Because he has gone to be Lord of the universe, he can continue his work of life and love—among us, too. His work was not just a short episode in Galilee. In the person of the Holy Spirit, the same Lord is present among us, still revealing the Father’s loving heart, so that we, too, can believe—and sing songs of joy.”

 

Which “body” are you? …

This is a little story about four people: Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody.

            There was an important job to be done, and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it.

            Somebody got angry about that because it was Everybody’s job. Everybody thought that Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn’t do it.

            It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done.