St. Patrick Parish Living Catholic Tradition in Nashua 29 Spring St., Nashua, NH 03060 Tel. 603-882-2262 Fax: 603-577-9817 Website: www.stpatricksnashua.org PARISH STAFF Rev. Michael Kerper Pastor Rev. John Healey Priest-in-Residence Linda Marolla, Office Manager Jean Dickson, Finance Manager Gary MacDonald, Music Director Paul & Jennifer Murano, Faith Formation David Santerre, Maintenance St. Vincent de Paul Society Help for those in Need Tel. 603-821-5267 Mass Schedule Mon. - Fri. 12:05 PM (Daily Mass) Sat. 4:00 PM (Organ & Cantor) Sun. 7:00 AM (Quiet Mass) 9:30 AM (Organ & Cantor) 12:00 PM (Organ & Choir) Latin Mass (Extraordinary Form) Sat: 8:00 AM Second Sunday of each Month at 12:00 PM Confession Sat. 3:00 PM Sun. 9:00 & 11:30 AM Tues. through Fri. 11:30 AM Office Hours Mon. - Thurs. 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Fri. - 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Cemetery Office Mon. - Thurs. 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Tel. 603-881-8131
St. Patrick Parish Nashua, NH November 5, 2017 LITURGICAL CALENDAR & INTENTIONS Saturday, November 4, 2017 - Vigil - 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time 4:00 PM Richard J. Piwowarski By Janet and Joe Sweklo Sunday, November 5, 2017-31st Sunday in Ordinary Time 7:00 AM George Pelletier, 7th Anniversary By the Family 9:30 AM Charlie Hanafin By the Provost Family 12:00 PM People of the Parish Monday November 6, 2017 - Weekday 12:05 PM Francis and Jeanne Mercier By their son, Eugene Mercier Tuesday, November 7, 2017 - Weekday 12:05 PM Gerard LaGace By his sister, Pauline LaGace Wednesday, November 8, 2017 - Weekday 12:05 PM Sara Magnanini By Sandy and Paul Statz Thursday, November 9, 2017 - The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica 12:05 PM Richard Cardin By the Family Friday, November 10, 2017 - St. Leo the Great 12:05 PM Priest s Intentions Saturday, November 11, 2017 - Vigil - 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time 4:00 PM James Waisolonis By his daughter, Mary Doyle Sunday, November 12, 2017-32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time 7:00 AM Deceased members of Ennis Family Matt Sr., Matt Jr., Florence, Priscilla By Caroline Kemezys & Kathy Ennis 9:30 AM Charles R. & Margaret M. Provost By the Provost Family 12:00 PM People of the Parish Thank you for respecting God s Holy Presence by keeping mobile phones and other electronic devices outside of this Sacred Place. GIFTS FOR THE LORD S WORK Weekend of October 28 & October 29 From (142) Envelope Users: $4,538.00 From All Others - Checks: $1,000.15 - Cash $1,543.00 Electronic Giving Users (38) $1,314.00 Total Collection $8,395.15 Mass Count: 705 St. Vincent de Paul Weekend of October 29, 2017 $ 526.00 Poor Box money is used to assist people in temporary need who approach our Parish for financial assistance with clothing, food, utilities, rent, prescriptions, etc. Indirect assistance is also provided through funds given to several local charities, including the Corpus Christi Food Pantry and the Nashua Soup Kitchen. Donations are never used for parish expenses. Your continuing contributions allow our Parish to fulfill the Lord s command to help the least of my brothers and sisters. Our St. Vincent de Paul members conduct confidential personal visits to provide spiritual and financial support as necessary. If you know of persons, either in or outside the Parish, who might benefit from our assistance, please encourage them to call our dedicated phone line at 821-5267. Thank you! UPCOMING LATIN MASSES 12:00 Noon December 10, 2017 2nd Sunday of Advent Saturday Mornings 8:00 AM November 18, 2017 Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Divine Providence November 25, 2017 St. Catherine of Alexandria FLOWER DONATIONS FOR OUR LADY OF FATIMA November 4 - November 10, 2017 Mrs Rose M. Garant and family have donated money for Our Lady of Fatima flowers in memory of Mr. Albert L. Garant from November 4 - November 10, 2017 THANK YOU! 969 - St. Patrick Parish, Nashua, NH - Pg. 2
Missa Cantata for the 23 rd Sunday after Pentecost Sunday, November 12 12:00 Noon St. Patrick s Parish is pleased to host the combined choir of religious sisters and brothers from the Saint Benedict Center located in Still River, Massachusetts. The choir will sing the chants, Mass parts, hymns and anthems. This is a great opportunity to hear a large choir praising God in a very ancient and noble manner. Following Mass, we will have a light reception for the sisters and brothers in appreciation for their presence with us. Please join the sisters and brothers in this beautiful act of worship! Parish News and Updates Parish Outreach Our Parish Outreach group tries to maintain contact with people who become home bound, hospitalized, or transferred to facilities for the elderly. Because of privacy laws, it has become increasingly difficult to find people in institutions. If you know anyone who would like a visit from a parish member or who desires Holy Communion, please let us know. We currently have Mass every month at the Hunt Community and Nashua Crossing. Other priests celebrate Mass at Greenbriar and Fairview. Please call Linda, our parish secretary, with names and their contact information. The number is 603.882.2262. Parish Registration Recently our staff reviewed and updated our parish membership list. One sign of being on the rolls with a correct address is the arrival of PARABLE magazine every other month. If you re not receiving the magazine or our Christmas and Easter mailings, then we don t have you on our roster. Please contact us by calling the office (603.882.2262) Monday through Thursday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Thanks! Parish Financial News Retired Priests Fund Collection Last week we concluded the annual collection to assist the 41 retired diocesan priests, including some who once served at St. Patrick s. As in the past, the people of St. Patrick s responded with great generosity, contributing $9,773 to the retirement fund. Thanks! 969 - St. Patrick Parish, Nashua, NH - Pg. 3
Please Consider Electronic Giving About 43 households have switched from envelopes to various forms of electronic giving. As we move toward a cashless economy, this is now the preferred way of making financial transactions. For the parish, electronic giving is the safest and most costeffective way of funding our work. If you currently pay most of your bills online, please consider adding St. Patrick s to your list of vendors. Formation for Adult Confirmation Parish Faith Formation News Our Adult Confirmation group meets on Saturdays from 2:00 to 3:00 PM in the lower level of the rectory. We will also accommodate people who once participated in Confirmation programs but never finished. To sign up or to explore your personal situation and needs, please call Fr. Kerper at 603.882.2262. Liturgical Events and News Book of the Dead during November During November, we prayerfully remember the dead whose names are inscribed in The Book of Dead located to the left of the Blessed Mother s altar. Everyone is invited to write the names of deceased loved ones in the book. Everyone inscribed will be remembered in all our parish Masses during the month of the Holy Souls. Spiritual Events at St. Patrick s Spirited Theology Event, Tuesday, November 14 The next Spirited Theology session will feature Sister Elizabeth Castro, HMSP who will speak on the New Evangelization. Sister Elizabeth served for several years at St. Patrick Parish where she worked with young people, conducted Bible Studies, and visited the sick and home bound parishioners. The event will be held on Tuesday, November 14 at the Radisson Hotel near Exit 1 of the turnpike. Please join Sister Elizabeth and other local Catholics at 6:00 PM at the Shades Bar and Grill located on the first floor of the hotel. Her talk will begin at 7:00 PM. Prayer Group for Men, Second Saturday of the Month Bishop Thomas Olmsted in his message to Catholic men in Phoenix presented this challenge: "Men, do not hesitate to engage in the battle that is raging around you, the battle that is wounding our children and families, the battle that is distorting the dignity of both women and men...it is primarily spiritual..." With Bishop Olmsted s thought in mind, a new Men's Group, dedicated to St. Patrick and St. Joseph, will meet at St. Patrick's on the second Saturday of each month, starting on Saturday, November 11. We will attend the 8am Mass, have time for confession, simple adoration, 969 - St. Patrick Parish, Nashua, NH - Pg. 4
and the rosary. All men and boys old enough to focus on prayer are encouraged to join us in this most important work! Questions can be directed to the parish office at 603-882- 2262. First Saturday Devotions Our Women s Group, dedicated to Our Lady of Perpetual Help, now meets on the First Saturday of every month. This special time begins with the 8:00 AM Mass at Our Lady s Altar followed by the Holy Rosary and the Little Office of Mary. Confessions will be heard immediately after Mass. At the conclusion of the prayer time in church, every one is invited to share some social time together in the Parish Center, including a light breakfast. The next First Saturday is December 2. Anointing of the Sick Every Friday after the 12:05 PM Mass, we offer the Anointing of the Sick. The Sacrament can be received by anyone preparing for surgery, suffering from a chronic illness, or recovering from injuries. The Sacrament is administered in front of the Blessed Virgin Mary s altar on the left side of the sanctuary. Postings from Friends in the Area Open House at Nashua Catholic Junior High Nashua Catholic Junior High School is hosting an Open House on Wednesday, November 15 from 6:30 to 8:00 PM. The school enrolls boys and girls in grades 7 and 8, offering a rigorous, Catholic-based curriculum. The Open House will begin in the gym located at 6 Bartlett Avenue in Nashua. Christmas Fair, St. Lawrence Parish in Goffstown St. Lawrence Parish in Goffstown is having its Christmas Shopping Fair on Saturday, November 11 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The fair will include a bake sale, breakfast, and lunch. St. Lawrence Church is located at 1 East Union Street. Please enter the parish hall through the rear entrance. Craft Fair, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Bedford St. Elizabeth Seton Parish in Bedford will have a craft fair on Saturday, November 11 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Over 45 crafters will over a vast variety of handmade items, including fine art objects, chocolates, and much more. Excellent food and baked goods will be available throughout the day. Books by Mail from the Nashua Public Library The Nashua Public Library will provide disabled or visually-impaired Nashua residents with books, audiobooks, and magazines through the mail. To participate, please call the library staff at 603.589.4610 or send a message to booksbymail@nashualibrary.org. 969 - St. Patrick Parish, Nashua, NH - Pg. 5
Enduring Bad Example Many people who drop out of the Catholic Church cite the bad example of Catholics, especially clergy, as their main reason for leaving. However, some great saints endured monumental forms of bad example, which Pope St. John Paul II called the counter witness of Catholics. Indeed, this remarkable ability to look beyond the bad example of Catholics undergirds the resilient sanctity of some heroic people, most of them very simple even naïve believers. Consider the situation of St. Martin de Porres, who faced bad example constantly. St. Martin began with his own father s very bad example. In or around 1579, Don Juan de Porres, a high-ranking Spanish diplomat, who eventually became the governor of Panama, began an illicit relationship with Anna Velazquez, a freed slave of African origin. Don Juan fathered two illegitimate children: Martin born in 1579; and Juana born in 1581. After the birth of the little girl, Don Juan abandoned his family. Moreover, it appears that he never even acknowledged the paternity of St. Martin, thereby leaving him in legal jeopardy. Anna Velazquez, a freed slave with very few legal rights, supported her children by taking in laundry. She eventually got Martin into school for just two years. He then went on to become a barber, which in those days included some surgical skills. Amazingly, St. Martin became a very fervent Catholic, spent long hours in prayer, and enjoyed mystical experiences. He loved his mother and had no resentment toward his father. The next bout of bad example came from the Catholic state and the Dominicans. St. Martin wanted to enter religious life as a brother. Unfortunately, under Spanish laws that governed Spanish colonies, it was illegal for Catholic orders to grant membership to mixed race or colored people. Hence, St. Martin could not become a brother. There was, however, a legal loophole. A mixed race young man like St. Martin could donate himself to the Dominican community as a quasi-slave. In return, they would grant him the privilege of wearing the black and white Dominican habit, though he had no rights. St. Martin, just 15-years old, gladly accepted that arrangement. In 1603, Fr. Juan de Lorenzana, the head of the Dominican community, decided to ignore the law and allow St. Martin to become a fully professed member of the Dominican order. Despite Fr. Juan s generous efforts to treat St. Martin justly, some Dominicans opposed admitting him as an equal member. One priest even berated him for being the son of a slave! Despite the animosity of some of his fellow Dominicans, St. Martin truly loved them. Once when the community ran into severe financial problems, he offered to be sold into slavery so as to generate funds. This would have been perfectly legal. The superior, fortunately, refused. St. Martin lived faithfully as a Dominican brother until he died in 1639 at age 59. The mystery of St. Martin s story is twofold: How is it that his father, a birth Catholic of high rank in a regime explicitly committed to promoting Catholicism was so bad? How is it that his mother, an illiterate freed slave caught in an irregular situation and probably poorly instructed as a Catholic was so good? Indeed, God s grace can penetrate into bad situations and produce saints. Grace overpowers bad example. Fr. Michael Kerper 969 - St. Patrick Parish, Nashua, NH - Pg. 6