Week of August 21, 2016 Twenty-First Sunday of Ordinary Time The Pastor s Musings The Week at a Glance Dear Family in the Lord, Hard to believe, but summer days are waning! While we still have some good summer weather to bask in for a bit longer, everything is gearing up and pointing toward the close proximity of a new season of activity around our school and parish. It s exciting, and there will be lots of opportunities for everyone! As you read this, I myself am catching a little time of R & R as I prepare to gear up for all that is ahead as well. Later this week, our teachers will be in for days of planning, reflection, and organization. Please keep our great school staff in prayer as they get things stirring. I look forward to sharing a morning of prayer and focus around the themes of discipleship and Catholic identity later this week. We welcome the kids back, and new families for the first time, on Monday, August 29th! The summer has been a busy season for members of our pastoral staff, as new programs have been developed and existing ones expanded or tweaked. It s been great to see so many continuing to plug in for liturgy, special events, and opportunities such as VBS and the Summer reading group as well. The Core teams of our Men s and Women s Ministries enjoyed a great weekend of prayer and formation around the theme of Servant Leadership as they spent some time on retreat at the Franciscan Monastery in Kennebunk, helping them to better minister to all who will desire to be part of these ministries. The cookout in June, linked with the showing of the DVD Convinced, the Ecuadorian Feast we enjoyed on July 31st, and the Hispanic Festival happening in our parish next Sunday, all have been great occasions of fellowship and time to form new relationships. As you read through the bulletin you will see a full Fall line up! You ll note we are launching an exciting new family-centered approach to catechesis with our new BRING IT HOME! program. Parents will be gathering to get details about this enrichment opportunity for all ages. As you read through the various programs, you will certainly see that our staff has spent a good amount of time this summer in creativity and hard work to make this all possible! The Fall will bring an exciting Parish Mission with a very wellknown preacher from the Fathers of Mercy. The Jubilee Year of Mercy will close on the last Sunday of the Church Year, November 20th. Since we have the Holy Door, we will have special events to mark this weekend. The Mission is a wonderful way to culminate your embrace of this Year of Mercy as well. As Fall unfolds, we will also be spotlighting various local communal ways we can embrace the corporal and spiritual works of mercy through parish ministries and programs as well as local community opportunities. Watch for more! Finally, as we continue to pray for our nation and world, I urge you to join us this Friday as we keep the Feast of the Black Madonna Our Lady of Czestochowa who is venerated as mother of mercy and companion of all who suffered violence, oppression, and violation of their rights and dignity. Holy Mass is at 7:00 PM Friday night and will be followed by intercessory prayer before the Holy Icon venerated in the Shrine of our Immaculate Conception Church. If you ve yet to discover her, stop by and get a pamphlet that explains the origin and history of the ancient image. They are next to the votive candles at the shrine in the right front wing of the church. Join us as we go to Jesus through Mary, asking her to stand by us and our world as we endure the cross, just as she was faithful at the cross of her Son. With you on the Journey, Monday, August 22 RCIA Ministry Meeting Noon-9PM (SC H) Tuesday, August 23 Televised Parish Mass 7 PM, Channel 98 Wednesday, August 24 Prayer Cenacle 2:00 PM (SC C) Thursday, August 25 Exposition/Adoration 8:30 AM-Noon (SC) Televised Parish Mass 7 PM, Channel 98 Friday, August 26 Breakfast Group 8:30 AM (SC H) Wedding Rehearsal 4:00 PM (IC C) Italian Class 7:00 PM (EDPC LL) Saturday, August 27 Baptism 10:00 AM (IC C) Wedding Liturgy 1:00 PM (IC C) Rosary 3:30 PM (IC C) Sunday, August 28 Televised Parish Mass 10 AM, Channel 98 Hispanic Festival 11AM-3PM (SC grounds) Spanish Mass 3:30 PM (SC C) Bible Study in Spanish 3:30 PM (SC H) Young Adult Beach, BBQ, Bonfire 6:30 PM Traveling Vocation Icon This week, Denis & Ann Hebert will receive the Icon of Jesus Knocking at the Door into their home and intercede in a special way for Sr. Jacinta Pio, Joe, and all in formation, for those discerning, and for many vocations to rise up from our community. Sanctuary Lamps At Immaculate Conception Church this week, the sanctuary lamp will burn in memory of Donna Haynes LaMontagne and the LaMontagne Family, as requested by the family. The votives at the Mary altar will burn for Grace von Bartheld, requested by her daughter Terry Sofarelli. At the St. Joseph altar, the votives will burn in memory of André Deshaies, requested by his wife and children. New 20/20 Series Begins Soon! Tickets for the next series will be available after Masses this weekend and also during the week at the St. Catherine office, 436-0344; and the Eileen Daly Pastoral Center, 436-4555.
Intentions for Holy Mass Monday AUG 22 The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary 8:00AM SC Donna Haynes LaMontagne and the LaMontagne Family, by the Family Tuesday AUG 23 St. Rose of Lima 8:00AM SC Intentions of Alejandra Martin, by Ramona Yuva Wednesday AUG 24 St. Bartholomew 8:00AM SC Birthday Blessings for Henry Belliveau Thursday AUG 25 St. Louis, St. Joseph Calasanz 8:00AM SC Joseph Parmentola, by his wife Anne Friday AUG 26 Our Lady of Czestochowa 8:00AM SC Harry Dowdell, by Frances Lebel 7:00PM IC Intentions for all in formation Saturday AUG 27 St. Monica 8:00AM SC Stanley Wojnar, by his son Rick Vigil 22 nd Sunday of Ordinary Time 4:00PM IC Andre Deshaies, by his Wife & Children Sunday AUG 28 22 nd Sunday of Ordinary Time 8:30AM IC Rev. Msgr. Lawrence E. Burns, by Marilyn Chavez 10:30AM IC Josephine Singer, by her daughter Delores Brown 2:00PM SC in Spanish Celebrant s Intention 4:30PM IC Pro Populo (For our Parish Family) To schedule Mass intentions, please call Marilyn Chavez at the St. Catherine office, 436-0344. Morning Prayer All are invited to join the community gathered before the daily Mass, Monday through Saturday, as they pray Lauds (Morning Prayer) from the Liturgy of the Hours at 7:40 AM at our St. Catherine Church. Our reflection of God s generosity to us! Weekend of August 20/21, 2016 Envelopes/EFT $ 9,605.50 Loose $ 2,358.01 Total $ 11,963.51 Last weekend 270 envelope/28 Online Giving users contributed 80 % of our income. Poor Box Donations $ 831.38 Online Giving helps the parish streamline its cash flow, especially summer vacation time. We encourage you to check out OLG! Visit www.corpuschristinh.org, scroll down to Registration & Online Giving, and follow the instructions for First Time User. If you don t use the Internet, you can still establish an account and set donation preferences. To learn more, please contact Norm Houle at 436-4555, X16 or aa2.ccnh@gmail.com. Now is the Time of Mercy Experience a breathtaking film journey that combines history, Scripture, prophecy, and personal sacrifice to show God s merciful desire for you. Divine Mercy In The Second Greatest Story Ever Told is a dramatic 10-session film journey featuring the renowned Fr. Michael Gaitley, MIC. With his characteristic skill and lucid style, Fr. Gaitley interweaves the dramatic history of Poland, the transformative message of St. Faustina, the miraculous appearance of Mary at Fatima, the witness of St. Maximilian Kolbe, and the world-changing papacy of St. John Paul II into a tapestry of wonder and beauty. And now, for the first time, Fr. Gaitley s luminous teaching is presented with the cinematic artistry of the Augustine Institute s film team, bringing to life the vast panorama of God s work of mercy in the world, and his calling to the hearts of all who will embrace it. Don t miss this fascinating study! Sign up now! Session Dates: Time Options: Location: Tuesdays Sept. 20, 27, Oct. 4, 11, 25, Nov. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, Dec. 6 9-10:30 AM or 6:30 8 PM St. James Church Hall --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Divine Mercy Study Registration Morning Session Evening Session Name Address City Zip Phone Cell Phone Email Registration Fee: (includes study materials) $25 per person = $ Donation (opt) = $ Total = $ Make checks payable to Corpus Christi Parish No one is ever turned away due to an inability to pay. Simply mail the form without the fee. Drop the form in the collection basket, bring to the parish office, or mail it to: Corpus Christi Parish/2075 Lafayette Road/Portsmouth 03801 For additional information, contact Brenda Stinson at 603-436-4555
Parish News NEW! RCIA Anyone? Do you know someone who was never baptized, baptized in another Christian denomination, or, baptized Catholic but not brought up in the faith? Maybe they never received formation, made their First Communion or Confirmation? Maybe this is you and you have been joining us for Mass with a family member or friend? If you, or someone you know, would like to explore the Catholic faith and discern further if, perhaps, the Lord might be inviting you or them to become a full member of the Catholic Church, then RCIA Inquiry sessions are for you! Simply call or email Brenda in our Office of Faith Formation to express your interest and you will get an invitation to join us in some informal info sessions, no obligation, that start in early September after the 10:30 AM Sunday Mass. She can also set up a time to get together and explain a little more about this Journey of Faith known as R (Rite) of C (Christian) I (Initiation) of A (Adults). You can email her at faithformdir.ccnh@gmail.com or call 603-436- 4555, X20. NEW! Wedding Bells! Next Saturday, Caitlin Proia & Michael Dunham will pledge life and love in the sacrament of Marriage in our Immaculate Conception Church. We extend our congratulations and prayerful best wishes to them! May He who brought you together bless you in abundance in the years ahead as you live out this wonderful vocation. NEW! Open Choir Rehearsal All music ministers who have been so faithfully and generously part of our music ministry, and anyone who would like to consider joining us, are invited to a kick off open rehearsal at 11:45 AM next Sunday, August 28 th, in the choir loft at Immaculate Conception. We look forward to kicking off a new season in early September with our choir singing at the principal Solemn Mass on Sundays at 10:30 AM. We've been hearing beautiful voices coming from the pews and in the communion line! Consider coming up and joining in! And, if not, let's keep singing out! Visitors are always commenting to Fr. Gary about the great participation in singing in our Masses here! It s so encouraging and it lifts us up, as well as glorifies the Lord! NEW! Youth Choir Interest? We re looking for youth in grades 2 through 8 who might want to be part of music ministry for our parish family. We are hoping to form a choir to sing once a month at the 8:30AM Mass as Fr. Gary gives special focus to children in his homily and celebration. Parents, encourage your kids to share their gifts! We will have two info/registration meetings for parents and kids to get together with Lisa, our Director of Music. Join her in our Immaculate Conception Church at 9:30 AM on Sunday, August 28 th, or Sunday, September 11 th. Once we're sure there's interest, it will be full speed ahead! Join us! Let's make this happen! This Friday, August 26 th 7:00 PM Solemn Feast of Our Lady of Czestochowa Scriptural Rosary will be prayed at 6:30 PM Solemn Holy Mass at 7:00 PM Devotions with Litany and Solemn Act of Entrustment to our Lady follows Mass. Centered around our Shrine honoring the Black Madonna, our Merciful mother, in our Immaculate Conception Church Young Adult Events All 21 to 30-something are invited to attend these up-coming events of our Young Adult Ministry and should feel welcome to invite friends as well! BEACH, BBQ, & BONFIRE Sunday, August 28 th, at 6:30 PM at Seapoint Beach in Kittery. We ll grill some burgers and dogs, hang out, and have a chance for a little volleyball and some fellowship with other young people grounded in faith. Please email by Thursday, August 25 to Meghan McCoy Seedner at mlz735@hotmail.com to RSVP, so we get a food count. DVD, DINNER, & DISCUSSION A compelling documentary called Convinced came out last January and has received rave reviews both times we have screened it in the parish. It has helped many on the edges to find their way back to the active practice of the faith and has given good info and tools to those of us who often have our faith challenged or put down, or just not understood, by our friends and coworkers. On Sunday, September 18 th, we will get together for a special screening for young adults, with an opportunity to share a simple supper and then talk a bit about what we saw after. Save the date! We will gather in the lower hall at Immaculate after the 4:30 Mass. DVD at 5:30 PM, dinner and discussion following with 7:30 PM wrap up. RSVP to Meghan at mlz735@hotmail.com by Friday, September 16 th, if you can join us!
Many families struggle to provide their children with basic necessities as the school year begins. Help a homeless child or teen in our community by donating a gift card in amounts ranging from $5 to $25. Most families in residence at Cross Roads House can only shop at stores easily accessed by public transportation. Please select your donation from the list below and return your item no later than Sunday, August 28 th, (in basket in the back of the Immaculate Conception Church). Clothing store gift cards: Kohl s, Walmart, Fox Run Mall (mall certificate), Fox Run Mall clothing stores Shoe wear and sports gift cards: Dick s Sporting Goods (athletic shoe wear and sports gear & equipment), Kohl s, Walmart School supplies gift cards: Staples, Walmart Gas gift cards: Any local gas station in small amounts to help parents with cars provide transportation to and from after-school programs and sports practices For more information about how to adopt a resident child and fill a Back to School Wish List, please call Jessica Parker at 603 436-2218, X 112. For additional information about parish donations, please contact Lisa Bald at 207-337- 0934 or Roxanne Raeside Wilton at 603 436-4555, X 24. Jubilee Parish Mission Save the Dates! Save these nights October 17 20, at 7:00 PM, Monday Thursday, when we will welcome Father Wade Menezes of the Fathers of Mercy for our Parish Mission on Mercy, as we draw close to the conclusion of the Year of Mercy later in November. Father Wade is an outstanding preacher and teacher, perhaps familiar to many for the many series and homilies he has offered on EWTN. He was, for a few years, the chaplain of Mother Angelica s Sisters at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville, Alabama. Father Wade was ordained in 2000 and is part of a religious community that is dedicated to bringing parish missions all over the country. Plan to invite friends... save these nights now! our new family faith formation program, helps family members become more aware of the reality of God in our lives to recognize God in the midst of family life; to know His abiding presence in our daily joys and struggles, challenges and triumphs and to hear God s voice in our everyday encounters. inspires us to practice the example of Jesus in the ways we react to and treat others and by doing so to experience the transformative power of joy! Choose one: Don t Miss This! Parent Information Sessions Thursday, September 8 7:00-8:00 PM Sunday, September 11 5:30-6:30 PM In St. Patrick School Cafeteria Details of this exciting, new family formation program were mailed to families with youth in Pre-K though High School last week. If you have questions or did not receive the letter, contact Brenda Stinson or Brittany Molda at 436-4555. Women s Ministry Volunteers Needed The Women s Ministry is inviting women of every age to prayerfully consider joining in two new ministry opportunities: the Elizabeth Ministry and the Kitchen Angels Ministry. The Elizabeth Ministry centers on the gifts of the Visitation and Mary s example of loving service to her cousin Elizabeth. It provides support to women through pregnancy and early parenting years. The Kitchen Angels Ministry invites women to do little things with great love by providing kitchen support for our upcoming ministry events. If you are interested in learning more or would like to volunteer, please contact Lisa Bald at 207-337-0934 or Roxanne Raeside Wilton at 603-436-4555, X 24. SEMINARIAN SENDING On Friday at the 7:00 PM Solemn Mass honoring our Lady, we will bestow a sendoff blessing upon a new Seminarian of our diocese, Michael Niemaszyk, and welcome his family among us as Mike entrusts his vocation and formation to Mary. Mike grew up in Fr. Gary's former parish and has been spending time during his period of discernment with Fr. G and Seminarian Joe. At various breaks in the year you will see Mike around as he shares life at our Vianney House. Join us for this celebration of vocations!
August 21, 2016 Corpus Christi Parish Portsmouth, NH Upcoming Fall Events Small Discipleship Groups The Choice Wine: 7 Steps to a Superabundant Marriage is a pathway to authentic marital happiness. Couples will learn how to virtually divorceproof their marriages, experience the superabundant love and mercy of God, and realize a foretaste of Paradise in their marriages and families. To learn more about this fall offering, join us for an information session on Sunday, September 11, at 6:30 PM at St. Catherine Hall. Forming Intentional Disciples Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. (Matthew 28:19 20) When Jesus started His ministry, the first thing He did was form a small group. Since the earliest days of the Church, most of the ministry that occurs takes place in small groups of disciples where people come to know and love one another as brothers and sisters in Christ. Join us as we begin the journey of Small Discipleship Groups where we pray, study, and share to become more faithful disciples in our daily life. Watch for sign-ups after weekend masses! Bad Girls of the Bible and What We Can Learn from Them A mini-series Saturdays: October 29 November 5 November 12 November 19 December 3 Return How to Draw Your Child Back to the Church 9:00-11:00 AM St. Catherine Church Hall Join us this fall to explore the lives of five of the Bible's best-known femme fatales. From Eve to Delilah, each woman's story and struggles come to life. Divided into five independent gatherings, the Bad Girls of the Bible series offers a fresh way to engage with the truths found in Bible. For more information or to register, please contact Lisa Bald at 207-337-0934 Sponsored by the Women s Ministry You're worried about your child. He's stopped going to Mass. Maybe she's found another religion. Maybe he's rejected God. Maybe she just doesn't care anymore. Whatever the case... You want your child to return to the Church. You need a game plan! It's time to stop waiting and just hoping for the best. You need proven tools and strategies to draw your child back to the Church. Information Night: Wednesday, September 21 St. James Church Hall at 6:30 PM For more information or to register for any of these programs, please contact Roxanne Raeside Wilton at 603-436-4555, extension 24.