PARISH TITHING

ST. LUKE THE EVANGELIST
MUSIC FOR THE LITURGY
`
Sunday, January 18, 2015
Second Sunday In Ordinary Time
4:00 PM
7:30 AM
9:00 AM
11:00 AM
Gathering:
FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION
STATEMENT
If you would like an “end of year” financial
statement of your contributions to the
parish for 2014, please call the Parish
Office at 382-8324. Financial Statements
are issued on a request only basis.
PARISH OFFICE CLOSED
In observance of Martin Luther King
Day, the Parish Office will be closed
on Monday, January 19, 2015. The
office will reopen at 8:30 AM on
Tuesday, January 20th.
All Are Welcome BB 418
Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 100)
All the earth proclaim the Lord, sing
your praise to God.
Preparation
Here I Am, Lord BB 378
Mass Parts
Mass of Creation BB 881
Communion:
The Supper Of The Lord
BB 361
Take And Eat BB 366
Recessional:
Church Of God, Elect And
Glorious BB 417
WORLD MARRIAGE DAY
The Church celebrates World Marriage Day on the
weekend of February 14-15, 2015 and the faith
commitment of countless couples living out the
sacrament of Marriage. At the conclusion of all
Liturgies that weekend, married couples will be invited
to renew their own wedding vows. Please pray for
those married among us, and remember those
preparing to be married as well.
GLUTEN INTOLERANT?
The Parish now provides an option for receiving
Holy Communion for anyone suffering from gluten
intolerance or celiac disease. We have obtained
special altar breads that are fully certified for use
at Mass by the United States Conference of
Catholic Bishops, and laboratory tested to contain
only .001% gluten. Please see the Pastor or the
Sacristan
before
Mass
about
receiving
Communion using one of these special hosts.
UPCOMING SECOND & SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
January 18, 2015
January 25, 2015
February 1, 2015
February 8, 2015
 PARISH TITHING 
January 11, 2015
Offertory
Visit our website to view our
Weekly Church Bulletin and
Upcoming Parish Events:
http://stlukenh.org!
Fuel
Seminarian Fund
Property Management
Catholic Schools
$6,273.00
Thank you for your generosity to your parish. Your
weekly contribution helps ensure that the parish
remains a vibrant community. Please remember to
submit your weekly gift even if you will be away.
We depend upon your support!
 PARISH DIRECTORY 
Parish Office
Parish Prayer Line
St. Vincent de Paul Society
St. Luke’s Food Pantry
Preschool
Presentation of Mary Convent
382-8324
382-8324 x 314
382-8324 x 315
819-4949
382-9783
382-2744
Fr. Albert Tremblay
Cathy Smith
Joyce Szczapa
Jackie Tremblay
Thomas Kondel
Val Barczak
Robin Thompson
Parish Council
page one 957
[email protected]
[email protected]
jszczapa@stluketheevangelist,net
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
HOLY IS HIS NAME
 PARISH NEWS 
PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, at St. Luke
the Evangelist Parish, invites you to join our
Prayer Shawl Ministry! Shawls can be made with
yarn, quilt fabric, or fleece. They are filled with
prayer, care, and love. They will be given to
anyone in need of comfort or solace. If you are
interested in prayerful camaraderie and in joining
the group, or if you or someone you know is in
need of the comfort of one of our shawls,
scarves, or crochet crosses contact Barbara
Metcalf
at
603-642-8334
or
[email protected].
The Sanctuary Candle in
Holy Angels Church
will burn this week
in loving memory of
Medina Arsenault
requested by Verna Carbone
MARRIAGE IN THE CHURCH
Did you know that ALL Catholics
are required to be married in the
Church as a condition of the
validity of their marriage?
Any Catholic married in a civil ceremony (JP) or in any
religious ceremony other than a Catholic one (unless
specifically excepted by the Bishop) is not living out the
Sacrament of Marriage in its fullness according to the
teaching of the Church. Contact Father Albert at the parish
office for more information.
SANCTUARY CANDLES
The Sanctuary Candles in both Newton and Plaistow may
be offered in memory or honor of a loved one. The
suggested offering is $10.00. Please call the Parish Office
382-8324.
PRAYER LINE
St. Luke’s offers a prayer line as a resource for those
seeking prayer assistance. Submit your prayer request to
[email protected] or call 382-8324, ext.
314.
RETROUVAILLE…A Lifeline
Rediscover a loving marriage with a Retrouvaille
weekend. If your marriage is tearing the two of you
apart, if there is little or no meaningful communication, if
you are considering separation or divorce, we believe
Retrouvaille can help you. Retrouvaille marriage renewal
weekends will be held on April 10-12, 2015; and
September 11-13, 2015. To register, or for more
information,
call
1-800-470-2230
or
visit
www.HelpOurMarriage.com.
ST. LUKE THE EVANGELIST
FOOD PANTRY
Food or care items are always
needed – donations can be
dropped off at Church or are
welcome at the Parish Office
during regular business hours.
Cash donations for food are
always welcome – make checks
payable to St. Luke the
Evangelist Food Pantry.
All
donations to the Food Pantry go
toward helping the needy of our
communities.
HOLY ANGELS CEMETERY CLOSED
The Holy Angels Cemetery in Plaistow is closed for
all activity until Spring. This decision comes as
result of the real dangers of snow and ice in the
Cemetery and the costs to Parishioners to inter
during the winter months. Please contact the
Parish Office with any questions. Fr. Albert
FOOD PANTRY HOURS
Wednesday from 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon
Thursday from 6:00 to 7:00 PM
Friday from 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon
For more information call the St. Luke Food
Pantry at 603-819-4949.
WHILE AWAY THIS WINTER…
We appreciate all of you who remember to send in your Parish Offertory during the winter even when on
vacation or visiting other parishes. Thank you for remembering that our expenses also continue through the
winter months. We invite others to consider doing the same before or even after you return home.
page two 957
SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
 MASS INTENTIONS 
 WEEKLY CALENDAR 
Sunday, January 18
9:45 AM NO Religious Ed, Levels 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
12:00 PM Choir Rehearsal
6:00 PM NO Confirmation I & II
Plaistow
Plaistow
Plaistow
Monday, January 19
PARISH OFFICE CLOSED
4:00 PM NO Religious Ed, Levels 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
6:30 PM NO Religious Ed, Levels 6, 7, 8
Plaistow
Plaistow
Tuesday, January 20
9:00 AM Scripture Share – Catholicism
6:00 PM Finance Council Meeting
Plaistow
Plaistow
9:30 AM
4:15 PM
7:00 PM
7:00 PM
9:30 PM
Wednesday, January 21
Eucharistic Adoration Begins
Intercessory Prayer Group
Scripture Share – Catholicism
St. Vincent de Paul Society Meeting
Eucharistic Adoration Ends
Thursday, January 22
8:30 AM Eucharistic Adoration Begins
7:00 PM RCIA
8:30 PM Eucharistic Adoration Ends
Saturday, January 24
9:00 AM First Communion Retreat
3:00 PM Sacrament of Reconciliation
9:45 AM
12:00 PM
4:00 PM
6:00 PM
Sunday, January 25
Religious Ed, Levels 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Choir Rehearsal
Parish Pastoral Council Meeting
Confirmation I & II
Saturday, January 17 ~ Vigil / 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
1 Sm 3:3b-10, 19; 1 Cor 6:13c-15a, 17-20; Jn 1:35-42
4:00 PM
Medina Arsenault by Verna Carbone
Plaistow
Sunday, January 18 ~ Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
1 Sm 3:3b-10, 19; 1 Cor 6:13c-15a, 17-20; Jn 1:35-42
Plaistow
Plaistow
Plaistow
Plaistow
Plaistow
7:30 AM
Janice McLean by her sister Kathy White
Newton
9:00 AM Thomas Sceggell (Birthday Remembrance)
by his mother
Newton
11:00 AM Conrad C. DeVeau
by Ann Marie & Joe Sheehan
Plaistow
Monday, January 19 ~ Weekday
Heb 5:1-10; Mk 2:18-22
8:00 AM
People of the Parish
Newton
Tuesday, January 20 ~ St. Fabian & St. Sebastian
Heb 6:10-20; Mk 2:23-28
Newton
Plaistow
Newton
8:00 AM
Medina Arsenault by the Women’s Guild
Plaistow
Wednesday, January 21 ~ St. Agnes
Heb 7:1-3, 15-17; Mk 3:1-6
6:30 PM
Plaistow
Plaistow
Mary Denman by Joe & Ann Marie Sheehan
Plaistow
Thursday, January 22 ~ Day of Prayer for the Unborn
Heb 7:25—8:6; Mk 3:7-12
8:00 AM
Plaistow
Plaistow
Plaistow
Plaistow
Janet Gavin (Month’s Mind)
Newton
Friday, January 23 ~ St. Vincent and St. Marianne Cope
Heb 8:6-13; Mk 3:13-19
No Mass
Saturday, January 24 ~ St. Francis de Sales
Heb 9:2-3, 11-14; Mk 3:20-21 (Daytime)
Jon 3:1-5, 10; 1 Cor 7:29-31; Mk 1:14-20 (Vigil)
4:00 PM
Frank Tatarka by his wife Sonia
Plaistow
Sunday, January 25 ~ Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Jon 3:1-5, 10; 1 Cor 7:29-31; Mk 1:14-20
7:30 AM
9:00 AM
Drop-a-Dollar in the St. Vincent de Paul box
on your way out of church.
Remember ~ 100% of your donation is used
to help those
who need a hand up, not a hand out.
11:00 AM
If you’d like to join the St. Vincent de Paul Society and
help us help the poor and needy, please come to our
next meeting on Wednesday, January 21st at 7:00 PM.
We meet downstairs in the Holy Angels Church Hall in
Plaistow. New members are always welcome!
If you seek assistance or need information about the
St. Vincent de Paul Society,
Call 603-382-8324 x315.
Intentions of Joseph Thompson
by his wife Robin
Newton
People of the Parish
Newton
John V. Milone, Sr.
by Joe and Ann Marie Sheehan
Plaistow
PLEASE HELP US!
As you leave church, kindly take your Bulletin with
you – or return it to the basket at the entrance of the
Church, return your music book and Mass card to
their proper place, and pick up after yourself as you
leave. Our Ushers are wonderful and diligent, but
they should not have to face a Foxboro aftermath as
each Mass ends! Thanks for being attentive and
respectful! F. Albert.
page three 957
JANUARY 18, 2015_________________________________
 FAITH FORMATION & PARISH INFORMATION 
DISCIPLES ON THE JOURNEY
Lent beings with Ash Wednesday on February 18, 2015!
This Lent, Saint Luke the Evangelist Parish invites all to
renew their faith by participating in the Church’s annual
retreat time of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. We are
pleased to once again utilize the “Disciples On The
Journey” book for our text. Consider joining a small group.
Groups meet during Lent to discuss the upcoming Lenten
Sunday Readings and to share experiences of discipleship.
We will use a text that follows the Sunday Lenten readings
published by the Office of Catechetical Ministry of the
Diocese of Victoria, TX. Adults, families, and youth will
learn more about Scripture, participate in interesting
discussions, meet some wonderful people, and have the
opportunity to build up the Body of Christ. Beginning next
weekend, registration forms for Disciples On The Journey
will be available in the bulletin. You will also be able to find
them on our website (http://stlukenh.org) under “News
and Events.” Group meetings will begin during the week of
February 15th. We hope you will join us!!!!
FREE Teen and Family downloads are available for
Disciples
On
The
Journey
by
visiting
www.victoriadiocese.org/catechetical/journey_files/journey.h
tm.
ADORATION
We are truly blessed to have times for perpetual Adoration
of Our Lord in our Parish. This time of prayer and
intercession is not only a source of great grace for the
individual, but it is a great source of grace for us as a
parish family, as well. We have many who have made the
commitment to spend an hour each week with our
Eucharistic Lord. If you can commit to one hour a week in
Adoration of our Lord, please contact Cathy Smith at 603382-8324
or
email
her
at
[email protected].
RCIA
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is the process
by which people become members of the Roman Catholic
Church. RCIA is intended to serve:
•
•
•
Those not Baptized who would like to learn more
about the Catholic religion.
Those Baptized in another religion who think they
might like to become Catholic.
Those Baptized Catholic but have not been
raised in the Faith.
If you or someone you know is interested in inquiring
about becoming a member of the Roman Catholic
Church, please call Cathy Smith at 603-382-8324 or
email: [email protected].
Please pray for the repose of the soul of
Norman Ducharme
Come join us on Friday, February 6, 2015 at 7:00
PM in the Church Hall for Ultreya. The format of
the Ultreya is designed to create an atmosphere of
sharing with each other our life as a Christian and
witnessing to each other how Christ is working
through us in our families, neighborhood, and other
environments. The Ultreya provides the ongoing
conversion process that started in the three-day
Cursillo weekend. If you have any questions about
Ultreya or Cursillo, please contact Cathy Smith at
[email protected] or call 382-8324.
ADULT CONFIRMATION
Are you an adult who has been Baptized and received
Eucharist, but has not celebrated the sacrament of
Confirmation? The adult Confirmation process is an
opportunity to complete the Sacraments of Initiation. If
you would like to prepare for Confirmation, or if you
have any questions, contact Cathy Smith at 603-3828324 or email her at [email protected].
PARENTS BAPTISM
PREPARATION SESSION
The monthly preparation session for infant Baptism
will be held after the 11:00 AM Liturgy on Sunday,
February 1st in the Parish Office living room. All
parents planning to celebrate the Sacrament of
Baptism are welcome.
Families wishing to celebrate Baptism in the Church
must be registered (according to Church Canon Law)
and practicing (attending Sunday Mass) for 3 full
months before a Baptism can be scheduled. The use
of the envelope system is always optional; however,
it does guarantee a manner of accountability. For
most families, the Pastor or staff can easily verify
attendance during these three months.
Baptismal sponsors (godparents) are also regulated
by Church Canon Law. Sponsors must be at least
16, fully initiated (having received Baptism, Eucharist,
and Confirmation), and be practicing Catholics living
Christian lives consistent with the Church’s teaching.
Please see Fr. Albert with questions.
page four 957
SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
 Youth And Parish News 
COLD AND FLU SEASON
Feeling a little sniffle coming on?
Everyone should have a sense of prudence about
safe health practices at all times of the year. If
someone is truly ill, the obligation to participate in
Sunday Liturgy does not apply.
Those who are sick should refrain from receiving from
the cup at communion – remembering that the Risen
Lord is truly and completely present in both the host
and cup.
While precautions and practices are a necessary part
of the cold and flu season, it’s always important to be
reasonable and prudent when we are ill. Our care for
each other also extends to making sure everyone is
attended to in the best way possible.
And remember… bed rest and chicken soup can
sometimes be a “sacramental” experience!
OPEN HOUSE
St. Joseph Regional Catholic School
St. Joseph Regional Catholic School in Salem, NH,
will hold Open House tours for prospective students
and their families during Catholic Schools week
January 26-30 from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM each day.
Invest in your child’s education from preschool through
grade 8 with our strong academic curriculum
intertwined with spiritual formation and a range of
enrichment and athletic programs. For instance,
SJRCS sent three teams to the NH Robotics finals
and 1 to the MA finals, with their award winning coach
and technology teacher.
SJRCS incorporates
technology for all with interactive whiteboards for
lesson planning, virtual field trips, and include 1-1
ipads and robotics in grade 8. Check out their website
at www.sjrcs.org. You may visit unannounced within
the times listed above or call ahead at 603-893-6811.
ALZHEIMER’S CAFÉ
The Alzheimer’s Café at the Atkinson Country Club is a
welcoming place where people living with dementia, along
with their care partners and family members, come
together for a casual social gathering each month. Spend
a morning enjoying interesting conversation with new
friends who are experiencing similar circumstances. The
Alzheimer’s Café happens on the third Monday of each
month from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Atkinson
Country Club. Refreshments are served. No reservations
are necessary. For more information, contact Elaine
Lawrence at 603-819-4599.
HOSPITAL VISITATION
If you or someone you know is in the hospital
and wants to receive a visit, please contact the
parish office at 382-8324. If you or someone
you know faces a hospital admission, make sure
they know to inform the hospital that they are
Catholic and are members of St. Luke the
Evangelist Parish. If a person cannot make this
information known at the time of admission, a
family member may be able to make that
information known to the hospital staff.
HOLY ANGELS PRE-SCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN
THANK YOU!
St. Luke the Evangelist
Youth Ministry WARMLY
thanks
everyone
who
donated blankets. Because
of you, 59 blankets were
delivered to the Emmaus
House
in
Haverhill.
Families are now cozy and
warm
due
to
your
generosity. Thank you!!!!!!!
Holy Angels Preschool and Kindergarten is now
accepting registrations for the 2014-2015 school
year. There are openings in the Three-Year-Old
Program, Four-Year-Old Afternoon Program, and
half-day or full-day Kindergarten Programs. We
have flexible hours and we offer Kindergarten
Enrichment after the public Kindergarten day ends.
All teachers are licensed and certified and we offer
a welcoming environment. We are based upon a
"hands-on learning" approach which promises a
well-rounded beginning education for your child.
We are located in the Parish Center of Saint Luke
The Evangelist Parish in Plaistow, NH. Please call
Jeannie at 382-9783.
page five 957
Out of respect, please
remember to silence or turn
off your cell phones during
Mass. Thank you!
Do Something for Lent.
Renew your faith.
Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, February 18, 2015! This Lent, Saint Luke the
Evangelist Parish invites all to renew their faith by participating in the Church’s
annual retreat time of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
This year we are pleased to, once again, utilize the “Disciples On The Journey”
book for our text.
What is the Lenten Journey about?
It is about prayer! Today we begin with prayer as our 2015 Lenten Journey
program gets underway. Begin to pray in an active way about the
upcoming Lenten season. Ask for the Spirit’s guidance as you consider
your involvement; pray that our Parish’s Lenten Journey through the
desert be blessed.
Consider a small group! Groups meet during Lent to discuss the
upcoming Lenten Sunday Readings, and to share member’s
experiences of discipleship. We will use a text that follows the Sunday
Lenten readings published by the Office of Catechetical Ministry of the
Diocese of Victoria, TX. Adults, Families and Youth will learn more
about Scripture, participate in interesting discussions, meet some
wonderful people, and have the opportunity to build up the Body of Christ.
FREE Teen AND Family downloads are available for Disciples on the
Journey by visiting www.victoriadiocese.org/catechetical/journey_files/journey.htm. El website para Disciples on the Journey proporciona secciones additional gratis para jóvenes y
familia.
What else? During Lent, special Paschal Mission inserts in the weekly bulletin will focus on
the Lenten Scriptures and on discipleship in the real world. Sunday Homilies will touch on
living Jesus’ Gospel and on the questions discussed at Group meetings.
Small Group sign-ups begin next weekend, January 24, 25!
Small Group
sign-ups Forms
begin the
of bulletin.
January 28, 29!
Registration
willweekend
be in the
Group
Meetingsbegin
begin the
19.15.
Group
Meetings
the week
weekofofFebruary
February
 PARISH MINISTRIES & INFORMATION 
JOIN THE CHOIR!
Why not join the Choir? We have
lots of fun, work hard, and singing
is a great way to worship! We
rehearse on Sundays following the
11:00 AM Mass in Plaistow. You
don’t have to know how to read
music to join – come on down!
ALTAR SERVERS
Students wanting to become
Altar Servers at Liturgy are
welcome to see Father Albert for
more information. We welcome
any student who has celebrated
their First Eucharist to become
an Altar Server.
Training
typically begins with the new
server being an “observer” until
they are ready to function as
servers.
Parents – call the
Parish
Office
for
more
information at 382-8324.
READERS WANTED
Our Parish community is in need of new READERS for
weekend and weekday Liturgies. Readers proclaim
the readings and lead the Assembly in the General
Intercessions on Sundays. A good heart and clear
speaking voice are the only qualifications needed – all
other training and materials are provided. Any adult or
high school age student is welcome to become a
READER. Anyone who is interested can see Father
Albert. Prospective READERS can also call the Parish
Office for more information at 382-8324.
GREETERS AND USHERS WANTED
Our Parish community is in need of GREETERS and
USHERS to assist us at the weekend liturgies. Greeters
are principally concerned with offering a welcome to all
who come through the doors of our churches, distributing
the weekly Bulletin and making guests feel part of our
Parish. They also help designate people to bring up the
gifts during the offertory. The ministry of Usher is also
concerned with hospitality; helping with the collections at
Mass, helping people who need handicap access to the
church in Plaistow, and helping to designate people to
bring up the gifts during the offertory. Couples or
families are invited to serve together! Anyone who is
interested can see Father Albert.
Prospective
GREETERS and USHERS can also call the Parish
Office for more information at 382-8324.
ALTAR FLOWERS
Altar Flowers are a special opportunity for
remembering a departed loved one or offering
thanksgiving for a blessing or family event. A floral
arrangement placed in front of the altar for the Sunday
Liturgy can be purchased for an offering of $50, with an
accompanying announcement in the weekly bulletin.
Availability is limited according to the Liturgical
Calendar. Offerings can be reserved on a first-come
basis by contacting the Parish Office at 382-8324.
HOSPITAL VISITATION
If you or someone you know is in the hospital and wants
to receive a visit, please contact the parish office at 3828324. If you or someone you know faces a hospital
admission, make sure they know to inform the hospital
that they are Catholic and are members of St. Luke the
Evangelist Parish.
If a person cannot make this
information known at the time of admission, a family
member may be able to make that information known to
the hospital staff.
PRAYER LINE
St. Luke’s offers a prayer line as a resource for those
seeking prayer assistance. Submit your prayer request
to [email protected] or call 382-8324,
ext. 314.
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
ST JUDE COUNCIL #6617
SEEKING NEW MEMBERS
The St. Jude Council is a vital part of your parish.
We are a Catholic men’s fraternal organization
whose main purposes are charitable works and
supporting our parish and community. We are
involved with many activities during the year,
including: A yearly Golf Tournament to raise money
to help local families in need; Blood Drives; A
Wedding Vows/Valentine’s Day Meal & Dance; Food
Baskets; Family Pool Party & BBQ. This is just a
small sampling of the many activities of the St. Jude
Council. We offer opportunities not just for the men,
but for our members’ entire family, including a
Squires Club for young men between the ages of 10
and 18. The only requirement for membership is
that you are a practicing Catholic who wants to join
other men and their families of the parish to help
those who are in need, support your parish, and
enjoy the fellowship of other members and their
families. If you would like to find out more about the
Knights, please contact Bernie Gosselin at 603-6424012.
 AROUND THE DIOCESE 
MARRIAGE IN THE CHURCH
Did you know that ALL Catholics
are required to be married in the
Church as a condition of the
validity of their marriage?
Any Catholic married in a civil ceremony (JP) or in any
religious ceremony other than a Catholic one (unless
specifically excepted by the Bishop) is not living out the
Sacrament of Marriage in its fullness according to the
teaching of the Church. Contact Father Albert at the
parish office for more information.
The Pregnancy Care Center
The Pregnancy Care Center is a non-profit organization
that offers its confidential services at no cost to its
clients. We are committed to promoting the culture of
life by assisting expectant parents in the birth and
subsequent development of their child during his or her
first year of life. We are also committed to helping
young people embrace the virtues of chastity and
continence as a sign of their Christian dignity.
Main Center
496 Main St., Haverhill, MA (978-373-5700)
www.pccnortheast.org
Helpline: 866-254-4440
MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER
STAY INFORMED WITH
FAITHFUL CITIZENSHIP NEWS
The Diocese of Manchester wants to inform Catholics about
important public policy matters facing our elected officials.
Faithful Citizenship News provides briefs on legislation as
well as information about Catholic social teaching on some
of today’s pressing issues. To read the current issue of
Faithful Citizenship News and to subscribe, visit
www.catholicnh.org/fcnews.
CATHOLIC CHARITIES COUNSELING
New Hampshire Catholic Charities provides individual,
marital, family, and couples' counseling, helping people with
a variety of personal difficulties, including: Depression,
Stress, Family Conflicts, Relationship Problems, Anxiety,
Substance Abuse, Life Adjustment Issues, Grief and Loss.
Counseling also helps individuals and families strengthen
communication skills in order to build and sustain healthy
relationships and live more satisfying lives. A sliding scale
fee is offered. Contact Arlene Dody, LCMHC in Salem at
603-893-1971 for more information.
HOW TO MAKE A REPORT OF SEXUAL ABUSE
Child sexual abuse is a crime in the State of New
Hampshire and the Church. New Hampshire law requires
that anyone who has reason to suspect that a child is being
or has been abused or neglected must make a report to the
Division for Children, Youth & Families (“DCYF”) of the
State of New Hampshire, 1-800-894-5533. Any person who
suspects or alleges child abuse on the part of a priest,
deacon, employee, or volunteer of a parish, school, or
institution of the diocese of Manchester is also encouraged
to make a report to the Office for Ministerial Conduct, 603669-3100. Church personnel – clergy, paid employees, and
volunteers – have additional reporting requirements if they
believe that Church personnel have sexually abused a child.
You can learn more about these reporting requirements on
the diocesan website at www.catholicnh.org or by
speaking with our Parish Safe Environment Coordinator,
Cathy Smith at 382-8324.
Don’t you and your spouse deserve a beautiful, romantic
weekend away together? Get away from all those worldly
anxieties and take time to just focus on each other by
making a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend.
Deepen your communication, strengthen your relationship,
rekindle your romance, and renew your sacrament by
attending the next Worldwide Marriage Encounter
weekend in New England. For more information, call
Ralph & Jane Becker at 1-800-710-9963 or visit
www.wwme.org.
NH COUPLE ENRICHMENT CIRCLE
Have you attended a Marriage Encounter Weekend? If
your answer is yes, you are invited to participate in the NH
Couple Enrichment Circle to continue to strengthen your
marriage relationship. For more information, contact David
and
Karen
Demers
at
617-480-9989
or
[email protected].
RETROUVAILLE…A Lifeline
Rediscover a loving marriage with a
Retrouvaille weekend.
If your
marriage is tearing the two of you
apart, if there is little or no meaningful
communication, if you are considering
separation or divorce, we believe
Retrouvaille can help you. For more
information, call 1-800-470-2230 or
visit www.HelpOurMarriage.com.
SUPPORT FOR DIVORCED AND SEPARATED
Divorce and separation can be painful experiences.
Support groups are available to those who are seeking
healing,
comfort,
and
empowerment.
Visit
www.catholicnh.org/support for a listing of groups.
Now from Liguori Publications!
Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
January 18, 2015
Do You Know Jesus?
By Janel Esker
“
T
he Lamb of God,” “the one who
takes away the sin of the world,”
“a man who is ahead of me
because he existed before me,” “the one
who will baptize with the Holy Spirit,”
and “the Son of God” are some of the
profound descriptions for Jesus we hear
from John the Baptist in today’s Gospel.
John could have added “my cousin” to
the list, but clearly he wished to draw
attention away from himself and only to
Jesus.
Sunday Readings
1 Samuel 3:3–10, 19
Samuel, hearing the Lord in the night,
goes to Eli three times, thinking he
had called him. Eli directs him to reply,
“Speak, for your servant is listening.”
1 Corinthians 6:13–15, 17–20
Saint Paul teaches that the human
body is “a temple of the Holy Spirit”
and exhorts the Church to morality
regarding others’ bodies and our own.
John 1:35–42
Seeing Jesus, John the Baptist says,
“Behold, the Lamb of God.” Hearing that,
Andrew and another disciple of John’s
part to follow Christ.
I wonder what other descriptions we
might add to the list. If someone asked
you to describe who Jesus is, what
would you say? Could you speak from
your personal experience of Jesus? I
think sometimes, as Catholics, we miss
opportunities to really get to know Jesus
on a more personal level. We relate to
God, the Trinity, as a whole, but we may
forget to spend time with the second
person of the Trinity, Jesus—who, of
course, fully experienced our humanity
by becoming one of us.
This week we begin the liturgical
season of Ordinary Time, and we’re
probably back into patterns of our
“ordinary” lives after holidays—back to
school, back to work, back to having
Christmas decorations packed away.
But even in this most ordinary of times,
we have a tremendous opportunity to
come to know Jesus on a deeper level.
Yes, he the Lamb of God, the one who
takes away the sin of the world. But
might we through prayer, conversation,
and reflection also come to know Jesus
as brother, partner, healer, motivator,
confidant, supporter?
If we spend some “ordinary” time with
Jesus this week, we may come to know
him in a whole new and not-so-ordinary
way. †
Liguori Publications l Liguori.org
• How would you describe your
relationship with Jesus?
• Do we treat the human person
and body as holy and having
dignity?
Prayer for Christian Unity
Lord Jesus, we pray that all
Christians may be one. Grant
us the freedom and courage
to see our common purpose,
to serve others in your
name, and to witness to the
Good News.
—Adapted from Let’s Begin With a
Prayer: 101 Prayers for Meetings
by Sally Macke
The Sages of Various
Gray Matters
By Fr. Kenneth G. Davis, OFM
By Fr. Rick Potts, CSsR
T
C
easing Sister Veronica on her
sixtieth birthday, I asked if she
was going to dye her hair or get a
face-lift. “Oh, no!” she countered. “Those
are my badges of honor, my medals for
having fought the good fight.”
Now that I qualify for AARP, I recall
Sister’s wisdom. The most interesting
faces, like the most appealing landscapes,
reflect the turbulence of time. Flat
and featureless expanses, perfect for
corporate farms, are dreary for the driver
who endures yet never enjoys such visual
deserts of straightness and sameness.
Although tractors purr through
topography without rock or stump,
painters stir through terrain where
glaciers once trudged or lava steamed.
Time-trudging and passions-steaming
mark faces like places. Just as ridges
ripple the sunshine, wrinkles crinkle the
laughlines. Hollows dapple shadows as
dimples brindle smiles. The fascination
of a landmark, like a birthmark, is its
individuality. Yet while organizations rail
when a landmark is overwhelmed by
development, industries race to vanquish
a birthmark with any dermatological
advancement.
Oddly, our culture markets
individuality by selling sameness.
Contestants at a beauty pageant
only differ in the degree by which
they conform to a single standard of
attractiveness. The unexamined paradox
is that all models must conform to
one standard to market “be yourself”
nonconformity.
WEEKDAY
READINGS
January 19–24
Mon.
Tue.
Wed.
Even in writing this piece, my attempts
at a contradistinction to beautiful prove
my point. Antonyms include plain, but
that means featureless, which is what
the beautiful strive for with cosmetics
injections. Other opposites are regular
or common, but again commonality
describes those who have had plastic
surgery to realize a shared aesthetic, not
those of us content with our inherited
genetics.
So we children of the counterculture
continue to be today’s real mavericks.
Sister Veronica was right. Our distinctive
laughlines and receding hairlines, like
whorls and beauty marks, make us
unique and nonconformists. By giving
up the fight for “perfection,” we are
revolutionaries. Because we cooperate
with nature rather than attempt to
dominate it, we are all still distinct and
varied. This is just as relevant now as it
was in the Age of Aquarius! †
Hebrews 5:1–10 / Mark 2:18–22
St. Fabian, St. Sebastian: Hebrews 6:10–20
/ Mark 2:23–28
St. Agnes: Hebrews 7:1–3, 15–17 /
Mark 3:1–6
Thu.
Fri.
Sat.
hoosing the right thing to do is
rarely simple. Yet it seems many
wish to reduce issues to black and
white. It is easier to flip a coin, but rarely
does the problem stop there.
In the Bible, the Sadducees and
Pharisees confront Jesus continually on
points of law being ignored, such as not
pulling the grains of wheat or not healing
on the Sabbath. They say: It’s the law, so
we need to obey it. Period. Jesus didn’t
think Sabbath regulations were silly or
unimportant, but he realized some things
were more important than others.
Most decisions involve compromise,
but not abortion. It is squarely wrong.
Abortion is an individual sin and a
communal sin. It illustrates the low value
we often place on human life, not just
that of the unborn. It speaks of frightened
people making desperate decisions. It can
also speak of decisions made for the sake
of convenience. We must end legalized
abortion.
As a community, we must decide how
to respond to the circumstances that
lead to unwanted pregnancies. How do
we teach young people to understand
the sacredness of life? How do we help
them meet all the needs of unexpected
parenthood? What about when the life of
the mother is in jeopardy?
If even apparent black-and-white moral
issues are shrouded in gray, how do we
decide what to do? As Catholic Christians,
our chief measuring stick must be the
Gospel. We must always ask ourselves, as
Jesus did, “What serves the greater good?
What is the loving thing? And of course,
What gives greater glory to God?” †
Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of
Unborn Children: Hebrews 7:25—8:6 /
Mark 3:7–12
St.Vincent, St. Marianne Cope:
Hebrews 8:6–13 / Mark 3:13–19
St. Francis de Sales: Hebrews 9:2–3,
11–14 / Mark 3:20–21
Copyright © 2015 Liguori Publications, One Liguori Drive, Liguori, MO 63057. 1-800-325-9521. Liguori.org. • Editor: Julia A. DiSalvo. Designer: Mark Bernard.
• Scripture quotations in this publication are from New American Bible, revised edition, © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, DC. •
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January 18, 2015