Week of April 15, 2018 Third Sunday of Easter The Pastor s Musings The Week at a Glance Dear Family in the Lord, As we continue to live these 50 days of Easter, we realize, as our scriptures today clearly point out, that the resurrection cannot be limited to an historic event that happened to Jesus over 2000 years ago. It is a present reality whose light and warmth we should be experiencing! We would not have had the Eucharist to share, bringing the very life of Jesus within us, if it were not for the reality of resurrection. Our souls would not emerge totally purified from confession if He had not breathed His risen life into us through the Holy Spirit as the first gift of the Risen Lord, as we celebrated with Divine Mercy Sunday last weekend! Resurrection must be lived here and now in the life of every disciple of Jesus. We never know what true life means until we live it in the footsteps of Jesus. This is not something we achieve overnight, but is a gradual transformation that takes place within us as we turn away from deeds of darkness and seek to live more authentically and unconditionally our life in the Risen One, our baptismal identity as sons and daughters of God. Gradually, we come to view the world, and all within it, not with our eyes alone, but with a Christ like gaze. The Gospel today (Luke 24:35-48) tells us how Christ opened the minds of the disciples to the understanding of the scriptures. He took them deeper! He explained why He had to suffer and rise. Moreover, they were to be His witnesses. Today, our prayer is an invitation to Jesus to take us deeper, to come into our lives so that our minds and hearts may be opened to let God s Word, in its fullness, enter into us, form, and reform us! Our relationship with Jesus requires us, as the disciples, to communicate the good news by our attitudes, lifestyles, values, and the joyful witness of our lives. The Gospel message is never fully ours until we ve shared it within our family, friends, and all the Lord puts in our lives. If we are to be authentic disciples, we have to be sure we are not living in a half-hearted manner, fulfilling obligations and not really manifesting the joy that comes from going deeper, grasping the gift, really getting it! We are a powerful way the life of the Risen One can impact the world it s the good news and we are bearers of that news! With you on the Journey, Monday, April 16 SPA School Mass 9:15 AM (C) Tuesday, April 17 Televised Parish Mass 7 PM, Channel 98 Wednesday, April 18 Prayer Cenacle 2:00 PM (C) Thursday, April 19 Exposition/Adoration 8:30AM-5PM (C) Frasatti Fraternity 6:00 PM (CLL) Contemporary Group Practice 7PM (CLL) Televised Parish Mass 7 PM, Channel 98 Confirmation Prep Meeting 7:30 PM (YC) Friday, April 20 Italian Class 7:00 PM (SO) Saturday, April 21 Rosary 3:30 PM (C) Sunday, April 22 Children s Dismissal during 8:30 Mass (C) Televised Parish Mass 10 AM, Channel 98 RCIA 11:30 AM (PC) Music Ministry Rehearsal 11:45AM (C) Choir Practice Spanish Mass 1:00 PM (CLL) Rosary 1:30 PM (C) Spanish Mass 2:00 PM (C) KEY: C = Church CLL = Lower Level of Church VH = Vianney House (rectory next to Church) PC = Parish Center (845 Woodbury Ave) PO = Parish Office (845 Woodbury Ave) YC = Youth Center (845 Woodbury Ave) SPA = St. Patrick Academy SO = SHARE Office (lower level Vianney House) Sanctuary Lamp & Votives The sanctuary lamp will burn this week in memory of Mary Canino. The votives at the Mary altar will burn with Birthday Blessings for Bob Krasko. Traveling Vocation Icon This week, Elaine Wilder will receive the Icon of Jesus Knocking at the Door into her home and intercede in a special way for Joe, Dan, and all in formation, for those discerning, and for many vocations to rise up from our community.
Intentions For Holy Mass Monday 9:15AM Tuesday APR 16 Easter Feria (weekday) Edmay Roy, by Dorothy Smith St. Patrick Academy Mass For all the Volunteers who help at St. Patrick Academy APR 17 Easter Feria Jacqueline Ouellette, by her Newmarket Nieces Wednesday APR 18 Easter Feria Robert McDonough, by his Family Thursday Friday Saturday 4:00PM APR 19 Easter Feria Anna & Erminio Ricci, by their Family APR 20 Easter Feria Silvie & Anna Crow, by Sue Ford APR 21 St. Anselm Gregory Guerra, by his Family Vigil 4 th Sunday of Easter Raymond & Maria Hamilton, by their Daughter Sunday APR 22 4 th Sunday of Easter 8:30AM John Sauerman, by Kevin & Del Herzog 10:30AM Dante Tosi, by his Wife & Children 2:00PM in Spanish George MacDonald, by Lisa & Michael Roche 4:30PM Pro Populo (For our Parish Family) To schedule Mass intentions or for sacramental records, please see Marilyn Chavez at the parish office, 845 Woodbury Avenue, or call 436-4555. Our reflection of God s generosity to us! Weekend of April 7/8, 2018 Envelopes/EFT $ 14,600.00 Loose $ 2,225.82 Total $ 16,825.82 Last weekend 233 envelope/85 Online Giving users contributed 87 % of our income. Poor Box Donations $ 746.12 Catholic Relief Services $ 1,406.00 March Repairs/Maintenance $ 1,485.00 20/20 WINNER$ $25 Winners ~ Week 9 # 233 Mary Keenan # 203 Mark Chavez Admission to Candidacy When a man enters the Seminary to continue his discernment of God s call to Priesthood and begin formation, he moves through two years of Pre-Theology, a time to study philosophy and other foundational courses, to develop in terms of spiritual and human formation, and to be immersed in some pastoral experiences. All the while, with the help of spiritual directors, formation faculty, as well as mentors and supportive parish communities, the man reflects on his call and enters more deeply into discernment. From these years, he moves into the major seminary, the graduate level studies and deepening of formation for priesthood. At a certain point, in this case halfway through the six years, a man is asked if he has a deepening sense of his call, a growing desire to serve as priest, and the seminary and diocese attest to their observations of this man, his development, and his growth. If all of these factors are pointing toward the maturity of the call, the man can petition the Bishop to be recognized and admitted as a candidate for Ordination. It is the first step, followed the next year with institution in the ministry of reader, then acolyte, then ordination as a transitional deacon, and ultimately, ordination to the Priesthood. The admission to candidacy marks a significant moment in the man s journey to Ordination and is the church s recognition and celebration of that growth and gift! We are happy to announce that our seminarian Joe, a native son of this parish and a resident among us here in our rectory, Vianney House, who discerned his vocation prayerfully among us at Nazareth House before he entered seminary in 2015, will be admitted to candidacy! The Rite of Candidacy will take place at the Seminary within the context of Holy Mass on Sunday, April 29th! Let s keep Joe in prayer in a special way in these coming weeks as he prepares for this step, and, if at all possible plan to join together with our parish family on the Thursday before, April 26th, for a Communal Holy Hour from 6:00 to 7:00 PM in our church. If you would like to send him a note of congratulations and assurance of your prayers, please send it to him at the following address: Seminarian Joseph Moynahan St. John Seminary 127 Lake Street Brighton, MA 02135 Rosary Volunteers Needed We are in need of volunteers to lead the rosary on Saturday afternoons at 3:30 PM before Mass. If you are able to commit to one Saturday a month, or even just sign on as a substitute when needed, please contact Carol Jacques-Dow at 436-4555, X115 or pastoralassoc.ccnh@gmail.com.
Parish News NEW! Easter Extra Effort Sincere thanks to all who supported our Easter Extra Effort appeal with such outstanding generosity! To date a total of $ 37,573.00 has been contributed. This annual effort helps us to meet our budget requirements as well as to have funds for the unexpected situations that can arise. Just as the investment of time and talent in so many aspects of parish life is growing and developing our parish, so your financial support is making so much possible! NEW! New Reliquaries As of last weekend, we now have the relics of both St. Padre Pio and St. Faustina Kowalska in our Divine Mercy Shrine. As we seek their intercession for a deepening of appreciation of the mercy of God, and the grace to be merciful, it is a great honor to have their relics (bone fragments) in the reliquaries that are mounted above each statue. We thank the two benefactors who donated the funding for these reliquaries as memorials. NEW! New Eucharistic Ministers This weekend at various Masses, Fr. Gary will commission a group of new Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion to assist in distribution of the Holy Eucharist at Mass, to shut-ins, and to those in the hospital. As we welcome them, we offer thanks to them, and to all who have been serving in this ministry, for the reverence and care with which they offer this service to the Lord and His people! Mother s Day Spiritual Bouquet Once again, we will offer an opportunity for you to enroll Mothers, living or deceased, in a special remembrance at Masses offered in our parish on Mother s Day. We have beautiful cards which you can use to send to the mothers you enroll your mom, grandmother, godmother, daughter, or relatives and friends who are mothers to let them know of the spiritual gift you are offering them. There is a printed envelope you need to take, fill in, enclose your free will donation, and return to us by May 10 th so they can be placed at the altar for the Masses on Mother s Day weekend. These are available after all the Masses beginning this weekend and in the parish office during the week. NEW! Parish Scholarships Each year, Corpus Christi parish offers a number of partial scholarships to students who will be/are attending college for undergraduate studies. Father David Alexander Sullivan Scholarships are available to parish members who ve attended area high schools. Applications are available from the parish office or at: www.corpuschristinh.org. The deadline is May 4. NEW! Called Home to the Lord We remember in prayer the repose of the souls of Carol Murphy, Palma Paola, and Jackie MacDonald, whose funeral Masses were recently celebrated here. To their families we extend our heartfelt sympathy and prayerful support. NEW! Catholic Charities Appeal Next weekend, we will launch the annual appeal to support the many diverse works throughout our state that count on the generous response to this annual appeal for their funding and continuation. The needs increase, as you can well imagine, and, in a diversity of ways, the programs of NH Catholic Charities makes tangible the care and concern of Christ and His Church for those in need among us. We urge you to take a brochure that gives more details, along with an envelope, from the church doors. Prayerfully consider your pledge or one time gift. Simply return the envelope in the collection or mail in directly. Know that your response will make a difference! The appeal runs through the end of May. NEW! High School Guys Invited Fr. Gary would like to invite all guys in high school to join him for a St. Andrew Dinner on Friday, April 27th, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Joseph House in Manchester. These opportunities are being offered at various places throughout our diocese. Fellowship, a good meal, and an opportunity to reflect a bit on how to discern God s call in our lives is what is involved. This is not just for guys who feel called to priesthood. Guys who might be feeling nudged will benefit certainly, but it s also about ways everybody can prayerfully consider their gifts, talents, and hopes and bring God into the mix in considering what do I want to do with my life? Relaxed and informal, everybody welcome! Want to join us? Please email Fr. Gary (frgary.ccnh@gmail.com) or see him after Mass and let him know you re interested. We will provide transportation. We ll meet at 5:00 PM that night at the rectory and head out from there. Please let Fr. Gary know by Monday, April 23rd, if you can join us! NEW! Real Estate Closing The final closing on the sale of our property at 2075 Lafayette Road, site of the former St. James Church and rectory, is slated for this Wednesday, April 18th. Since permits have already been obtained by the buyer, it is anticipated that demolition of both buildings will take place in the near future. Obviously, this is a sad moment in one way, and we should be particularly mindful on Wednesday of offering thanksgiving to God for the many blessings that took place in the years from 1958 to April of last year in that church. It is in embracing a new time, new opportunities, and experiencing new growth, that we move forward into a future full of hope. As we ve said, the proceeds from the sale will be invested in making our new parish hall and meeting center a reality as we repurpose the former St. Catherine Church. More details on this, along with the project at Woodbury Avenue soon to get underway, will be forthcoming. NEW! Recently Baptized We warmly welcome Gabriel Joseph Seedner, who was given new life through water and the Holy Spirit in our parish community! To his parents and godparents we extend our congratulations and prayerful support as they live out the commitment they made to be the first teachers of these children in the ways of faith. In the words of the rite, may they be the best of teachers, bearing witness to the faith in what they say and do.
Special Holy Hours As you know, the Blessed Sacrament is exposed for adoration in our parish church every Thursday, in remembrance of the Holy Thursday night when, at the Last Supper, the Lord Jesus instituted the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. Adoration opportunity extends from 8:30 AM until 5:00 PM each week. (In addition, the Blessed Sacrament is exposed from 7:00 to 7:55 AM, before daily Mass, every weekday, Monday through Saturday, a wonderful opportunity to start one s day with the Lord!) In the coming weeks, we will extend adoration from 5:00 to 6:00 PM, and at 6:00 PM we will offer a Holy Hour of Communal Prayer. One will be offered for all college students as they prepare for finals, transition into summer, and, we pray, remain rooted in their faith, or rediscover it! The second will be for our seminarian Joe Moynahan as he takes the next step in his journey to the priesthood with the Rite of Candidacy. Please plan now to join us! Holy Hour to pray for Seminarian Joe Moynahan at 6:00 PM on Thursday, April 26th Holy Hour to pray for our College Students at 6:00 PM on Thursday, May 3 rd Parish Mission 2018 In the past few years we have had our annual Parish Mission, in different styles and with varied focus, in the Fall. This year, we were able to get a well-known speaker, Father David Gunther, a Marian Father from Stockbridge, to come to offer a Parish Mission focused on deepening our appreciation of Mary, authentic Marian devotion, and the powerful heavenly message our Lady has brought to the world. Many have remarked about the deepening of their relationship with Mary, a desire to grow in that relationship, and to be able to give witness to the role of Mary in our lives as Catholic Christians. This Mission The Triumph will be a great follow up to last year s observances in the 100th anniversary year of the Fatima apparitions. Fr. David Gunther will introduce the Mission in the homily at all the weekend Masses on May 5 and 6. The Mission talks will take place nightly from Sunday, May 6, to Wednesday, May 9, from 7:00 to 8:00 PM. Save the dates! Get info cards from the church entrance to share with friends! Plan now to go deeper in your appreciation of the wonderful gift Jesus gave us all from the cross: Behold, your Mother! Confirmation Preparation Meeting All 7th, 8th, & High School families invited to attend April 19th 7:30 PM at the JPII Youth Center Questions? Email Brittany, youthmin.ccnh@gmail.com St Patrick Academy Updates There was a wonderful spirit of gratitude for blessings of many years past, and excitement and hope for all about to begin, as many gathered at the old school at 125 Austin Street last week for a farewell event: Catch the Spirit. Stories, pictures, memories, dreams, and lots of excitement filled the air! We thank and commend the SPA staff for an event well done! This coming week will be the last week classes will be held in the old building! The students are on vacation the week of April 22, and transitioning to the new building will make it a very busy week. Upon return from vacation, students will be dropped off that morning at the new facility on Banfield Road, with classes starting there April 30th. Final touches will still be underway, but it will be possible for the school to be up and running! On Friday, May 11th, Bishop Libasci will be with us to offer the first school Mass for students and staff and bless the school chapel. From that day forward, the Blessed Sacrament will be reserved in the chapel s tabernacle, located in the very center, the heart of the new school! On Sunday, May 13th, the Bishop will return for the official Blessing and Dedication of the new school building at 3:00 PM (one year to the day that the groundbreaking shovel touched ground there)! More info can be found on the St. Patrick Academy website. All are invited to come and share the joy. With the opening of the new school, we wrap up the 149th year and enter into the 150th anniversary year of Catholic education in Portsmouth! We have so much to be thankful for!! Guys 20 or 30 Something Invited! Our next Frasatti Fraternity get together to share a meal, and fellowship, and to go deeper in our understanding and living out of our Catholic faith as men of God will happen this Thursday, April 19, starting at 6 PM. We ll watch an enlightening DVD called Convinced, which offers great insights into appreciating the depth of our faith, as well as giving good insights to help in witnessing that faith or standing firm when we are bombarded at work, among acquaintances, or even family, from atheistic perspectives or misguided or misinformed ideas about Catholic faith. Relaxed, informal, and a chance to connect with other guys your age who want to go deeper and live out their faith with greater authenticity. Bring a friend! In order to plan for seating, food, etc. please let us know you re coming by this Tuesday (April 17) by emailing Fr. Gary at frgary.ccnh@gmail.com. (We will meet in the lower level hall at Immaculate Conception Church. The entry is on the bell tower side; a wooden structure is over the basement door of the church, opposite the steps leading into bell tower.)
PILGRIMAGE MEETING We are anxiously awaiting our May 20th departure for our parish Holy Land Pilgrimage, In the footsteps of Jesus! All who are registered are reminded of our pre-trip get together to go over details, answer any questions, and share fellowship on Saturday, May 5th. Due to construction and lack of available space, we had to change plans for the night slightly. Rather than a supper, we will meet at 7:00 PM that night in the back section of the church for the meeting portion, and then all are invited next door to the rectory, Vianney House, for wine and cheese, desserts, and coffee. Please let Fr. Gary know via email (frgary.ccnh@gmail.com) if you can t attend, and he will put aside your info and things for pick up later. Diocesan Vocation Prayer Weekend Usually our diocese ordains new priests on the first Saturday of June. The weekend before, we ordain men to the transitional diaconate (deacons who will be ordained priests a year later). This year, however, while we have two men to be ordained deacons on Memorial Day weekend, we have no candidates for Ordination to the Priesthood for the following weekend. Our Bishop is asking that every parish in our diocese observe that first weekend of June as a time of special prayer and adoration to pray for priestly vocations. We have had many positive changes in our vocation promotion and accompaniment efforts within the past year. We have some very hopeful signs. You will continue to hear of many diverse and creative opportunities that will be offered for men of all ages who might want to explore discernment of vocations. We have some great men in formation in the seminary current-ly, and, we are blest to have Dan and Joe, in residence with us, among them! There are a number of men in application to start seminary next Fall. In light of all this, the Bishop asks that we observe this year without Priestly Ordinations as a time to kick up our commitment to praying for, fostering, and encouraging priestly vocations as never before! That first weekend of June is the Feast of Corpus Christi the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ. Without priests, we cannot have the Eucharist! What better weekend to dedicate to this state-wide effort at storming heaven? In the future, other initiatives to promote and support vocations will be announced for implementation in every parish of our diocese. For now please watch for opportunities to be part of this weekend of prayer here as we observe our patronal feast day that weekend Corpus Christi! We will be holding 40 Hours Devotion here! Friday, June 1st, through Sunday, June 3rd, will have extended times of Eucharistic adoration totaling 40 hours. Folks will be asked to sign up as scheduled adorers so we are assured of continued presence of adorers before the Blessed Sacrament exposed. This will be ongoing through the day and night. We will look to have four people committed to each hour, and of course, hope everyone in the parish, whether you can commit to a certain time or not, will drop in at varied times or at least once, in the 40 hours! Special Touch the Hem of His Garment candlelight Mass/Procession will take place that Friday and the annual outdoor Eucharistic Procession will take place after the 10:30 AM Solemn Mass that Sunday. Watch for more! Baby Shower Underway! The Elizabeth Ministry will be holding their third annual Baby Shower to benefit Seacoast Birthright and New Generation (a safe, family-oriented shelter for homeless pregnant women, their babies and children). Next weekend, April 21/22, we will hand out baby bottles after the Masses for you to take home to fill with coins. They will be collected, along with donations of any of the items listed below, on the weekends of April 28/29 and May 5/6. Thank you for your support of these important organizations which are providing support to pregnant women. For information, please contact Bridget Barker at 603-498- 5460 or bridgetbarker@comcast.net. teethers diapers size 4,5,6 baby monitors rattles unscented wipes swaddle blankets bottle brushes sleep/play sets <12 mos crib sheets onesies (white) baby bath products/towels baby sunscreen Community Postings NYC Bus Trip! Members of Corpus Christi Parish are organizing a trip to New York City and St. Patrick Cathedral. We will be there in time to attend the mid-day Mass, and then everyone will be free to spend time in the city as they please. The cost is $130 per person, which covers the cost of transportation. The bus will leave at 6:00 AM on Saturday, May 5th, and return by 1:00 AM. For information or to make a reservation, contact Egizia Brown at 603-436-6381, 603-512-4754, or egiziabrown@comcast.net. 5th Annual Catholic Literature Conference Join us for a day of engaging and enlightening discussion of literary works from a Catholic perspective. Innocence and Wisdom will be presented on Saturday, April 21st, from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM, at St. John Church Activity Center, Christ the King Parish, in Concord. Tickets are $25; lunch is included. FMI/for tickets, please visit http://bit.ly/2jeeuqq. A Women s Retreat All are welcome on April 21st for Nurturing the Nurturer, a women s retreat at St. Christopher Church in York. Registration at 9:30 AM; presentation from 10AM noon. Breakfast munchies and beverages provided. FREE. To pre-register, contact Kathy Leroux at 207-451-3433 or kleroux@maine.rr.com. In prayerful support of those suffering from infertility or pregnancy related loss, all are welcome to attend this celebration of the Most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass on Tuesday, April 24th, at 6:00 PM in St. Joseph Cathedral Chapel. A light reception in the rectory will follow Mass.