SAINT MATTHEW PARISH MASS SCHEDULE WEEKENDS IN ST. MATTHEW CHURCH SAT: 4:00 PM SUN: 7:30, 9:30, 11:30 AM, & 6:00 PM

Transcription

1 SAINT MATTHEW PARISH 2 Searles Road, MASS SCHEDULE WEEKENDS IN ST. MATTHEW CHURCH SAT: 4:00 PM SUN: 7:30, 9:30, 11:30 AM, & 6:00 PM WEEKDAYS AT WARDE HEALTH CENTER MON - THUR: 8:30 AM WEEKDAYS IN ST. MATTHEW CHURCH WEDS: 7:00 PM FRI: 8:30 AM HOLY DAYS Contact Parish for Mass Schedule SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION SAT: 2:30-3:30 PM or by appointment PARISH WEBSITE GLENMARY MISSION St. Matthew Parish, through its tithing program, helps support our sister parish Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Windsor, N.C. Windham, NH Telephone:

2 ST. MATTHEW CHURCH, WINDHAM, NH MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK SATURDAY, September 12 4:00 PM For all parishioners of St. Matthew SUNDAY, September 13 7:30 AM Leanna N. Draghi by the Melino family 9:30 AM Lola Grillo by the Barlett family 11:30 AM Marie Rose Cote by the Alain Guepy family 6:00 PM For all Parents by Sandy & Mary Jude Readings for the week of September 13, 2015 DAILY MASS WARDE HEALTH CENTER CHAPEL MONDAY, September 14 8:30 AM Helen Hachey by her family Responsorial Psalm I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living. Homily Notes: 1 TUESDAY, September 15 8:30 AM Kevin Foyle by Colum & Ann Foyle WEDNESDAY, September 16 8:30 AM Emilien Letourneau by Laurie & Steve Johnson 7:00 PM Oscar Wright by Chris & Bill Dryden THURSDAY, September 17 8:30 AM William H.J. Chaff, Jr. by Shelagh Demers and family FRIDAY, September 18 8:30 AM Bernie LaPlante by Ann & Alan Daigneault SATURDAY, September 19 * * * * * 4:00 PM Edward Hachey by his wife, Helen SUNDAY, September 20 7:30 AM For all parishioners of St. Matthew 9:30 AM Donald McDermott by Donna & Daniel J. Sullivan III 11:30 AM Joseph Klepka by Lucy, Irene, Anna, Mary & Barbara 6:00 PM James A. Daniels by his granddaughter

3 TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME TODAY S REFLECTION She was a sweet old lady visiting the sacristy after morning Mass asking that her simple plastic rosary be blest. She had bought it after a healing service over the weekend led by someone whose name I didn t recognize. Rather than scandalize her with any of my skeptical thoughts, I stuck with the blessing task and sent her on her way. I thought of that brief encounter as I reflected on today s first and third Readings about healing in general and Jesus healings in particular. Looking for healing of what ails us is as natural as feeling tired after a long day. Our natural business lies in escape said St. Thomas More at a crucial point in the play A Man for All Seasons. No doubt about it. We don t like pain. That s why we often seek compromise with difficult decisions. Why we consciously delay any visit to the doctor for fear of what he may discover. While I have to respect their decisions, I remain puzzled about why some believers insist on seeking out faith healers. Not only because doing so is out of step with the ordinary way we seek relief of physical ills, but also because there is an implicit denial of our Catholic understanding that our sufferings are meant to be a share in Christ s. That would make it a badge of honor. Many saints have believed so, beginning with St. Paul in Colossians 1:24. Perhaps I ve grown skeptical based on cinematic depictions of the travelling salesman with his wagonload of fake cure-all potions. Nobody escapes pain, no matter what kind or degree. Since the gates of Eden closed behind a sadly departing Adam and Eve, pain has been a part of the human story. Here on earth we are definitely located in a valley of tears, as the Hail, Holy Queen prayer describes it. How do we acquire a saint s perspective on the matter? It seems to me that comes only through faith and prayer. Believing and praying yield an ability to view pain as a connector with Christ that makes it redemptive. That combination is healthcare for the soul. Our level of sanctity may preclude us from out rightly seeking pain, as some saints did. But when pain comes our way, we should at least try to accept it like we would the shabbily dressed fellow held up as an example by St. James as a way of being counter intuitive and genuinely Christian. St. Mark cautions us in the Gospel about taking Jesus merely as a healer. He is so much more. The centurion at Calvary will proclaim the whole truth near the end of Mark s Gospel when he stands at the foot of the cross. Come to think of it, that s the perfect place where we need to place ourselves to learn the potential of pain. Meanwhile, we have a summary reflection of all this in the following little quip: A Christian is like a teabag not much good until it has gone through hot water. SAVE THE DATE! Feast of St. Matthew Annual Parish Picnic Sunday, September 20th 12:30 3:00PM ALL ARE WELCOME! VOLUNTEERS are needed for games, set up, breakdown, kitchen help, & more! SIGN-UP in the gathering space! Parish providing ALL the food! We welcome DESSERT donations for the dessert table! (no other food donations please, thank you!) BROWN BAG SUNDAY NEXT WEEKEND Next weekend is Brown Bag Sunday. Please bring your non-perishable food donations to Mass with you for Shepherd s Pantry in Windham. Collection buckets in the gathering space. Thank you for helping those our community who turn to the pantry in their time of need! SACRFICIAL GIVING Offertory for August 29 & 30 $10, Thank you for your generous contributions! Our special thanks to all those who Bailed Out Father Brian! We raised $1060 for the MDA! MEN OF ST. JOSEPH - Monthly Meeting All men of the parish are invited to join the next MOSJ meeting next Saturday, Sept. 12th at 7:15am for Rosary and Mass in Church, followed by light breakfast & guest reflection/ speaker in Room 208 of the Parish Center REST IN PEACE We offer our sincere prayers and sympathy to the family and loved ones of John McMahon (husband of Susan), who passed away recently. May they be filled with Christ s peace at this time and have 2 comfort in the hope of the Resurrection.

4 SEPTEMBER 6, 2015 What s Happening in Youth Ministry?? Check it out!!! A Bible $ 15.95; your prayerful support of a 7th grader priceless! Please consider supporting a 7th grader in his or her faith journey by sponsoring a Bible for him or her to use in middle school, high school, and beyond. This is an invaluable opportunity to share sacred Scripture with a student! There will be a box in the Gathering Space for monetary donations, or you may drop off payment at the Parish Office. Checks should be made payable to St. Matthew Parish with "Bible donation" in the memo portion. Bibles will be purchased by the office with your donations, blessed, and then given to 7th graders at the kick-off to Religious Education. Thank you! Post-Confirmation High School Students and young adults interested in Liturgical Ministry! Consider being an Usher, Greeter, Lector, Eucharistic Minister, Musician or Singers Please call Sandy at x21 or sgibbonsstmatt@comcast.net discuss how you can get involved. All training, support and encouragement provided! PARENTS of GRADE 7 & 8 AND YEAR I & II Please come to a gathering on Sunday, September 13th from 4:15-5:45pm in the Parish Center Hall. We will be talking about changes in curriculum, the start of classes, guest speakers, and more. This meeting is for parents only. HONOR ROLL September 8, 2015 Birthday of our Blessed Mother 3 Welcome Fall with Mums and Pumpkins Purchase your fall decorations and ornamentals at St. Matthew and support our parish Youth Ministry program at the same time! Beautiful Mums and Pumpkins will be on sale after all Masses NEXT WEEKEND! September 12 & 13 POST-CONFIRMATION DISCUSSION GROUP Post-Confirmation Teens and interested Parents! Join us for a Forum with Father Brian on how to carry your faith forward onto college and after. Please come on Monday, September 21st at 7:00pm in the Parish Center. ** Note Date Change!** TEACHERS AND AIDES WANTED! We are looking for catechists for Grades 7 & 8 and Year I & II. Please contact Sandy or Mary Jude for more information! Thank you! Special Family Mass Sunday, September 20th at 11:30 AM Mark your calendar and join us in celebration of the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia, Sept We place the domestic Church, and our families at the forefront of our prayers. Families of all sizes are welcome to join in! (Also, be sure to stay after the Mass for our Annual Parish Picnic!) Leadership / Service Opportunities Help Sell Mums and Pumpkins after all Masses on Sept. 12 & 13 Volunteer at the Parish Picnic Sept. 20th Many Hands are Needed! Set Up, Break Down, Games, Crafts, and More! Call Sandy or Mary Jude at x21 to sign up!

5 TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME RELIGIOUS ED. CLASSES STARTING SOON! Stop by the parish office ASAP to register your child(ren) or visit our website at and go to the Religious Ed. Tab to print/mail in your registration! TEACHERS & AIDES NEEDED!! Mondays 4:14pm Gr. K aide Gr. 4 teacher & aide Mondays 6:00pm Gr. 6 teacher Tuesdays 4:15pm Gr. 4 teacher & aide Gr. 5 teacher & aide Wednesday 4:15pm Gr. 1 aide Gr. 2 teacher & aide Gr. 4 teacher & aide Gr. 5 teacher & aide Gr. 6 teacher & aide Sundays 8:00am Gr. K teacher & aide Sundays 10:00am Gr. 1 teacher Gr. 4 teacher & aide Gr. 7 & 8, Year I & II Catechists & Aides Needed! Please consider sharing the gift of faith with our students! Parents reduced tuition rate for volunteering! Call Sue Toupin in the parish office at for more info! START-UP TEACHER & AIDE MEETINGS Please make every effort to attend your grade-level meeting in the Parish Center at 6:30 PM Gr. K & 1 Weds. 9/16 Gr. 2 & 3 Mon. 9/14 Gr. 4 & 5 Tue. 9/22 Gr. 6 Thu. 9/24 Materials, class lists, calendars and new information regarding changes will be distributed. EYES ON JESUS PRAYER MEETING Come join us as we begin our 11th year, remembering our beloved Deacon Larry, founder of Eyes on Jesus Prayer Ministry! " May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13 All are invited to our monthly prayer meeting on Saturday, September 26th, 5:15 pm-6:15 pm in Room 208 of the Parish Center! Let your hearts be filled by the God of hope, as we praise and worship the Lord Jesus with scripture, song and prayer. We continue to pray for the needs of our families, our community (local and global), our clergy, our country, and all special needs. If you desire prayer, yet cannot stay for the prayer meeting, come and we will pray with you! We will share in fellowship and dessert following the meeting. Next month's Eyes on Jesus Prayer Meeting scheduled for October 31st has been changed to October 24th. 4 RCIA Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults Are you someone, or do you know someone who Has expressed an interest in becoming Catholic? Was baptized Catholic as a child, but has not celebrated the Sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation? For more information please contact Deacon Geoff Ashman at x16 or by at: DeaconGeoff@comcast.net All are welcome to attend an RCIA Information Night on Wednesday, Sept. 16th at 7:00 PM in Room 102 of the Parish Center. Faith and Play Group: St. Matthew s will be offering two different sessions of a Mommy/Daddy/Caregiver-and-Me Faith and Play Group beginning this fall. Once a week, from 9:15 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., kids 0 to 6 years old will meet with their moms/dads/ caregivers in the parish hall. Come join us for puppet Bible stories, crafts, snack time, and open play. This is a wonderful opportunity for children to begin learning about their faith in a fun environment, while playing with kids their own age. It will also give moms/dads/caregivers an opportunity to participate, while socializing with other parents in the group. The rate is $20 per family for an eight week session. For more information visit or contact Claire McGarry at clairemcg@comcast.net or Reading I Reading II Gospel Wednesday Night Adoration Join us every Wednesday evening after our 7:00pm Mass for Eucharistic Adoration in Church until 9:00pm. All are welcome to come be in the presence of the Lord in the Most Blessed Sacrament.?? QUESTION OF THE WEEK?? Rich in faith Isaiah 35:4 7 (Israel s deliverance) James 2:1 5 (against favoritism) Mark 7:31 37 (healing of a deaf-mute) Key Passage Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters. Has not God chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him? (James 2:5) Question: When has your faith in Jesus enabled you to speak out on an issue of importance? (adult) What does your belief in Jesus mean to you? (child)

6 PARISH INFORMATION: Saint Matthew Catholic Community 2 Searles Road, Windham, New Hampshire A Sacrificial Giving Parish tithing 5% of annual offertory to local and global charities. Parish Office Parish Fax Religious Education Office PARISH WEBSITE: WEDDING POLICY: Registered parishioners should contact the parish office at least 6 months in advance to schedule and prepare for a wedding celebration at St. Matthew Church. FUNERAL MINISTRY: The priest and parish staff are here for you during your time of need. We will guide you and your family in making arrangements your loved one s funeral Liturgy, including choosing prayers, readings, and music. Contact: Peg Donahue-Turner ext. 19 BAPTISM POLICY: Registered families who would like to have their child baptized should contact the parish office as soon as possible to schedule baptismal catechesis and preparation. PARISH CONTACTS: Rev. Brian Kennedy, C.S.s.R. Parish Administrator Ext. 12 fatherbrianstmatt@comcast.net Deacon Bernard MacDonald Ext. 16 bernieandmimi@gmail.com Deacon Geoff Ashman Ext. 16 DeaconGeoff@comcast.net Peg Donahue-Turner Director of Religious Education Ext. 19 religiousedstmatt@comcast.net Sue Toupin Religious Education Ext. 13 stoupin@stmatthew-nh.org Sandy Gibbons High School Coordinator Ext. 21 sgibbonsstmatt@comcast.net Mary Jude Donabedian Middle School Coordinator Ext. 21 stmattwind@comcast.net Mary Lambert Summer Youth Ministry Intern Ext. 21 Kristine Righini Office Manager Ext. 10 windstmatt@comcast.net Donna Sullivan Office Support Ext. 20 windstmatt@comcast.net Rich Salvo Grounds/Facilities MUSIC MINISTRY: Larry Thibodeau Organist/Soloist Kathryn McComas, Suzanne Breault Music Ministry Nathalie Ahyi-Amendah Choir HOMEBOUND MINISTRY: If you know of someone who is homebound and wishes to receive Communion, Confession, or the Sacrament of the Sick, please contact the parish office. RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: Kindergarten through Confirmation and Vacation Bible School: Our religious education program is open to all children grades K through Confirmation, each year building on the next to provide a strong faith foundation for your child. Sacramental preparation and celebration is included. Classes are held weekday afternoons and on the weekends during the school year. LITURGICAL MINISTRY COORDINATORS: Eucharistic Ministers: Tim Stevens Ushers: Terrence Gibbons Lectors: Leo Hart Altar Servers: Maureen White PARISH CONTACTS: Parish Council: Larry Thibodeau Finance Council: David Centazzo NH Catholic Charities: Judy Nelson Saint Matthew Icon by: George & Sergio Pinecross 966 St. Matthew, Windham, NH (U) John Patrick Publishing Company