SAINT MATTHEW PARISH 2 Searles Road, Windham, NH 03087 Telephone: 603-893-3336 Sunday, September 24, 2017 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time MASS SCHEDULE WEEKENDS IN ST. MATTHEW CHURCH SAT: 4:00 PM SUN: 7:30, 9:30, 11:30AM & 6:00 PM WEEKDAYS AT WARDE HEALTH CTR 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 EMAIL windstmatt@comcast.net PARISH WEBSITE stmatthew-nh.org Office: 603-893-3336 Rel.Ed.: 603-898-4818 Fax: 603-898-4008 Rev. Brian Kennedy, CSsR, Pastor Reverend Brian Kennedy, CsSR, Pastor
LITURGY Dear Family of Saint Matthew, You too go into my vineyard, says the landowner. When a son of Saint Matthew gets up in the morning and prepares to attend Mass, he places seven cards in his pocket. He must carry them with him at all times. You might call them credit cards of health. Each one indicates a different artery location where a stent has been surgically implanted. Imagine looking down at them: rosary beads of pain, fear, surgery, the first post-op steps, recovery. No matter if we are at the dawn of our life s energy force or at it s evening, we are called by the landowner to go out into the vineyard. The one who prays with seven stent cards knows he is to close to the night. His effort to gather grapes for the harvest and volunteer his prayer, is hallowed by that memory. If you want your faith to be strengthened, volunteer. Respond to the call of the landowner. If we don t volunteer, it s inevitable that a sense of debilitating faith will pursue us. For the one who has, more will be given... We honored Saint Matthew as many volunteers came together to create our prayer path. Every stone, every root pulled out of the ground is an offering to the Landowner. It s completion coincides with the great act of volunteering that he himself was inspired to offer God through his Catholic community: the work of writing a gospel. When you hold a Bible in your hands, you are holding thousands of offerings: volunteer acts of loving service to God. The story tellers, the heralds of community memory, the song writers, poets and scribes... all of them both young and old contributed to this incredible book we recognize as: God s Word. Will you find a way to volunteer your prayer, your time and energy? If you do, the Mystical Body of Christ will be strengthened! -Father Brian Kennedy Mass Intentions For The Week SATURDAY, September 23 4:00 PM Frank J. Nicholson by Jacqueline Nicholson SUNDAY, September 24 7:30 AM Annette Audet by Beatrice Rizzo 9:30 AM Sergio Ramos Rodriquez by Peter & Kathy Mahoney 11:30 AM Geraldine Faiella by her husband, Ralph & family 6:00 PM For all parishioners of St. Matthew DAILY MASS WARDE HEALTH CENTER CHAPEL MONDAY, September 25 8:30 AM Deacon Geoff Ashman by Deacon Bernie & Suzanne MacDonald TUESDAY, September 26 8:30 AM For all Sisters of Mercy (living & deceased) WEDNESDAY, September 27 8:30 AM In memory of Mother Catherine McAuley (born Sept. 29, 1778) foundress of Sisters of Mercy 7:00 PM Joyce Dufresne by Tim & Jane Higgins (church) THURSDAY, September 28 8:30 AM Richard Talbot by his family (1st Anniversary) FRIDAY, September 29 8:30 AM Clayton Dunn by Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Dunn (church) SATURDAY, September 30 * * * * * 4:00 PM Walter Hewitt by his wife, Roni Hewitt SUNDAY, October 1 7:30 AM Warren Hyam by his wife and daughters 9:30 AM Mary Pogash by the Behl family 11:30 AM Cecile Lavallee by her family 6:00 PM For all parishioners of St. Matthew The heart of a volunteer is not measured in size, but by the depth of the commitment to make a difference in the lives of others.
FAMILY Full of Grace foundational study for women will begin on Wednesday, October 4th at 9:30 in the parish center, Room 208. Full of Grace is an 8 part series of lectures by Johnnette Benkovic as seen on EWTN Women of Grace series. Come join us as we explore Women and the Abundant Life. All women of the parish are welcome to join. For information please contact Pat Kennedy at 603 475-3412 or e-mail st.pat52@comcast.net BAPTISMS With joy, we welcome into our family of faith those children recently baptized at St. Matthew... Khloe Gallagher, Tyler Gallagher, Ivanka Gatsi, and Bryce Miedico Please pray for these little ones that they always walk in the light of Christ! RCIA Are you interested in becoming Catholic? Were you baptized Catholic but never received Communion or Confirmation? Would you like to join us from another Christian Faith? The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults team will be offering instruction/faith formation in the evenings this fall. For more information, please contact Peg at the Religious Ed Office by calling 898-4818. IN THE NEWS OUR DIOCESE WILL BE RESTORING THE ORDER IN WHICH THE SACRAMENTS OF INITIATION ARE CELEBRATED BAPTISM, CONFIRMATION, FIRST HOLY COMMUNION. Over the next few years, the standard age of Confirmation is going to be third grade throughout the Diocese of Manchester, and Confirmation will be celebrated before, not after, First Communion. This practice restores Confirmation to its original place. Through this process, the three Sacraments of Christian Initiation return to the logical order in which they were designed to be received: first Baptism, then Confirmation, then Eucharist. It also restores the practice of administering the Sacraments of Christian Initiation to young children as early as possible. Our parish is preparing a plan for an implementation schedule, as well as a renewed vigor for implementing this change within the context of Lifelong Faith Formation. This will help us to provide an enriching experience of God's love through the sacramental life of the Church. For more information on the Lifelong Faith Formation and Restored Order of the Sacraments of Initiation, you can visit the RESTORE, RENEW, PROCLAIM page on the diocesan web site www.catholicnh.org/lifelong or you can contact the Catholic Formation Offices at 669-3100. Responsorial Psalm The Lord is near to all who call upon Him. LIVING FAITH BOOKS ARE HERE Our Living Faith Books for Oct, Nov, Dec are here! Please take one home today! These beautiful daily reflection books are a FREE GIFT to all parishioners thanks to the generosity of a caring benefactor! There are versions for Adults and Children. Quo Vadis - Vocation Camp Attention all Catholic young men ages 15-30! The Lord has great plans for you! You are invited to attend the annual Quo Vadis Vocation Camp with other young men your age looking at the Lord s call in your life while having fun. The day will be hosted by Bishop Libasci and led by priests and seminarians of the diocese of Manchester. Questions or interested in attending, contact Father Jason Jalbert at 603-663-0132 or email him at jjalbert@rcbm.org. October 28, 2017 from 9:00am-4:00pm St. Joseph Cathedral, Manchester, NH Presentation of Mary Academy - Open House Sunday, October 29 from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm Don't miss the opportunity to see what a PMA education is all about. Come tour the campus, speak with students, faculty and coaches, register for the High School Placement Test and schedule a Shadow Day. 6th, 7th, and 8th graders welcome as well as transfer students. PMA - 209 Lawrence Street, Methuen, MA 01844 www.pmamethuen.org. Mark your calendars and join us as we honor the feast of Saint Francis with a Pet Blessing! This Saturday, September 30th at 10:00am outside at the Warde Health Care Center, (21 Searles Rd.) up the street from the church. All creatures welcome, big or small!
CATECHESIS TEACHERS AND AIDES ARE STILL NEEDED! Many of our classes have NO teacher or aide to cover and we are unable to offer those classes to students. RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CLASSES HAVE BEGUN! It s not too late to sign up your children for fall classes! Stop by the Parish Office this week to register and pick up your class calendars. CLASSES THIS WEEK: Sunday, 9/24 8:00am Gr. 6, 7, 8, Yr. I & II 8:15am Grades K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 11:00am Grades K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 4:30pm Gr. 6, 7, 8, Yr. I & II Monday, 9/25 4:15pm Grades K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Wednesday, 9/27 4:15pm Grades K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 6:00pm CLASSES NEXT WEEK Gr. 6, 7, 8, Yr. I & II Sunday, 10/1 8:00am Gr. 6, 7, 8, Yr. I & II 8:15am Grades K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 11:00am Grades K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 4:30pm Gr. 6, 7, 8, Yr. I & II Monday, 10/2 4:15pm Grades K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Tuesday, 10/3 6:30pm Home School Session Wednesday, 10/4 4:15pm Grades K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 6:00pm Gr. 6, 7, 8, Yr. I & II First Penance Parent Meetings Grade 2 Parents: Please mark your calendar and join us for ONE of our upcoming Parent Meetings. Monday, October 2nd at 7:00pm Wednesday, October 4th at 7:00pm Thursday, October 5th at 9:30am Important information regarding celebrating the Sacrament of First Penance will be shared. Please make every effort to attend ONE of these meetings. (Parents Only - meetings will be held in the Parish Hall) You are forgiven! Volunteer Needs for Grades K - 5 : Catechists: Mon. 4:15pm Grades 5 Wed. 4:15pm Grades 1, 3, 5 Aides: Sun. 11am Grades 5 Mon. 4:15pm Grades 2, 5 Wed. 4:15pm Grades 1, 3, 5 If you would like to help, please call Peg or Sue at 898-4818 for more information! Gospel For All Ages "Are you envious because I am generous?" So often, we expect God to operate the way we do. We expect to be able to understand everything he does. When we don't, it's tempting to think that the problem is on God's end, not ours. In today's Gospel, Jesus tells a parable about God's mercy. And some of us may not understand it at first glance. Why should the "lazy" workers who showed up late in the day be given the same wage as the diligent ones? Doesn't this suggest a kind of fundamental disrespect for the efforts of the first group? Extending the principle spiritually, we might ask a similar question. Why should sinners who spend much of their lives doing wrong be allowed to "show up" suddenly and receive the mercy of God? What about those faithful Christians who have walked the road of virtue all along? Shouldn't they receive something more than these ne'er-do-wells? As Jesus points out, there is nothing unjust about being generous (or merciful) to a certain group or individual. As long as no one is cheated out of what they were promised, there is no reason for envy or anger. Furthermore, and perhaps this is the real point of the parable, no one should be so quick to assume that he or she is a diligent worker. In fact, when we honestly assess our own weaknesses and sins, when we acknowledge the ways that we personally have fallen short of perfect virtue, the picture changes. It becomes clear that in fact we are the beneficiaries of God's generous mercy. We are the ones who showed up late in the day. Instead of calculating the degree of others' sins, let us call to mind and be sorry for our own. Then we can truly rejoice in God's forgiveness, no matter who is so fortunate as to receive it. Life Question: When have you been jealous that someone received something you felt they didn t deserve?
YOUTH THIS Sunday, September 24th! Kick-off our Religious Education & Youth Ministry Year with our famous MEGA MASS at 6:00pm, followed by Ice Cream Social & Fellowship in our Parish Hall! Reconnect with friends, Enliven your faith! Don t miss it! All are welcome! MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL CLASS SCHEDULE: Sun. Sept. 24th Weds. Sept. 27th Sun. Oct. 1st Weds. Oct. 4th Gr. 6, 7, 8, Yr. I & II 8-9:30am Gr. 6, 7, 8, Yr. I & II 4:30-6pm Gr.6,7,8, Yr. I & II 6:00-8:00pm Gr. 6, 7, 8, Yr. I & II 8-9:30am Gr. 6, 7, 8, Yr. I & II 4:30-6pm Gr.6,7,8, Yr. I & II 6:00-8:00pm A HUGE THANK YOU! To all those who supported our Youth Ministry Mum & Pumpkin Sale It was a wonderful success, as always, thanks to the many generous parishioners of St. Matthew. We can always count on you, and appreciate the generosity you show! May God bless you! Talking to Teens About Suicide Workshops Is your teenager struggling with suicidal thoughts? Do you know the signs and symptoms of suicidal behavior? How do you talk to a teenager or young adult about suicide? Parents and all who work with teens and young adults are welcome. Thursday, October 26, 2017 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. St. Charles Borromeo Church, 300 NH Rte. 25., Meredith RSVP by October 24 Free Register Online: www.catholicnh.org/teensuicide College Connection Core Team Anyone interested in joining our new College Connection Core Team, please contact Sandy Gibbons at X21. We need caring people to help reach out, and organize different ways to keep our college students connected to St. Matthew s! It s a small task that makes a big impact! We need you! Welcome, Kyle! With open hearts, we welcome Kyle Erickson, our new music minister for the 6:00pm Sunday Night Youth Mass. Let us praise God in Song, Lift our Voices High! Be sure to check it out! This Mass is for EVERYONE! Pope Francis Tweeted this on September 17th The more Jesus occupies the center of our lives, the more he allows us to come out of ourselves and brings us closer to others. Follow Pope Francis on Twitter @Pontifex Welcome to our Middle and High School Catechists! This intrepid and fearless group said YES to sharing their faith with our teens! Please PRAY for them, all our students and for the success of this year s program. We couldn t do it without you!
OUTREACH DR 10 - Upcoming Information Meetings Anyone interested in joining Father Brian on our next Dominican Republic Mission Trip (DR10) in February is urged to attend one upcoming information meeting: Saturday, Oct. 14th after the 4pm Mass in church Tues., Oct. 17th at 7pm at St. Michael s, Exeter Sunday, Nov. 5th after the 6pm Mass in church Deadline for signing up for the Mission Trip is DEC. 1st We will be having a special fundraiser for DR10 on Saturday, November 18th after the 4:00pm Mass. Save the date and join us! HONOR ROLL SACRIFICIAL GIVING Sacrificial Giving for September 16 & 17 $8,396.00 God bless you for your faithful & generous support! Worldwide Marriage Encounter Seek the LORD while he may be found, call him while he is near. Encourage those moments by attending a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend. The next WWME Weekends are Oct 21-22, 2017 in Contoocook, NH and Dec 2-3, 2017 in BREWSTER, MA. For more information, call Stephen & Michelle O'Leary at 800-710-9963 or visit us at https:// wwmema.org/. Readings for the Week of September 24, 2017 Sunday: Is 55:6-9/Ps 145:2-9,17-18/Phil 1:20c-24, 27/ Mt 20:1-16 Monday: Ezr 1:1-6/Ps 126:1b-6/Lk 8:16-18 Tuesday: Ezr 6:7-8, 12b, 14-20/Ps 122:1-5/Lk 8:19-21 Wednesday: Ezr 9:5-9/Tb 13:2-4befghn, 7-8/Lk 9:1-6 Thursday: Hg 1:1-8/Ps 149:1b-6a, 9b/Lk 9:7-9 Friday: Dn 7:9-10, 13-14/Ps 138:1-5/Jn 1:47-51 Saturday: Zec 2:5-9, 14-15a/Jr 31:10-12, 13/Lk 9:43-45 Next Sunday: Ez 18:25-28/Ps 25:4-9/Phil 2:1-11 Thank you! To all those who supported the bake sale last weekend for the Bench for the prayer labyrinth. Be sure to stop by and see the path, behind the parish center. It s still in progress, but we are getting there, it s almost ready! Vocation Awareness This is the Lord s doing and it is amazing in our eyes. Being chosen to serve as a priest or in the consecrated life is an amazing work of the Lord. Ask the Holy Spirit and our Blessed Mother to help you recognize and be faithful to your vocation. Call Father Jason Jalbert 663-0132, or write: jjalbert@rcbm.org. Tuesday: Sts. Cosmas and Damian Wednesday: St. Vincent de Paul Thursday: St. Wenceslaus; St. Lawrence Ruiz Friday: Sts. Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael Saturday: St. Jerome Next Sunday: Respect Life Sunday Autumn Craft Fair Hosted by the Knights of Columbus #7572 Saturday, October 14th 10AM - 3PM St. Matthew Parish Hall Local artisans, crafters and creations Food available for purchase. Always a great day! 2017 HIKE FOR HOPE To Benefit Lazarus House Where: The Park on Bartlet Street, Andover When: Oct. 1; Registration begins at 11:30 a.m., Hike starts at 1 p.m. Visit hikeforhope.org for more info!