4 Dracut Road, Hudson, NH 03051 • Tel (603) 882-7793 • Fax (603) 595-1465
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SAINT KATHRYN PARISH Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, Thank you for your prayers and good wishes during my retreat last week. I found great consolation in knowing that we were praying for one another. Your prayers were certainly heard since this was probably among the best silent retreats I’ve had in several years. While there were plenty of people to pray for, many intentions that I brought to the Lord, and some concerns about decisions that need to be made, the one thing that I can tell you definitively is that there was a lot of peace and clarity during the week. I attribute that in large part to your prayers—so I thank you. One of the great blessings that Father Michael and I had during the week was the opportunity to celebrate Mass together. Foregoing the community Mass at 6:30 a.m. (I have to admit that it was different sleeping beyond 5:30), we celebrated Mass together in the retreat house chapel. We had plenty of time to reflect on the readings and to pray the Mass, so for those few days, time really did stop as we took that kind of time to be mindful and to celebrate the liturgy. If you’ve known me for more than five minutes, you know that I love language. I especially get caught up in the depth of the meaning of words when there’s no real time constrictions. So, we had the opportunity to celebrate Mass in Latin each day and to simply reflect on the prayers in all of their original beauty. Maybe it sounds stuffy to some or perhaps that some red flags are going up for folks who may be wondering, “Is he proposing that we have Mass in Latin?” I can set your hearts at ease rather quickly by saying, “No.” I’m not proposing this at all. What I am saying is that having the luxury of being able to renew the meaning and sense of the words in my own mind helps me to pray those words in a fresh way with you. You don’t have to worry—Mass isn’t going to be extended at all because of this. It’s just that the inflection and cadence of the prayers have been refreshed and that’s what I hope to share with you. And one of the most satisfying things with just the two of us (although a couple of other retreatants joined us on a couple of days) was that no one left early! Everyone present actually stayed until the very end of Mass and no one bolted out of the door as soon as the “Deo gratias” (Thanks be to God) was uttered! Just sayin’….. The whole Church now enters into a kind of retreat for these next forty days. We’ll all have the opportunity to take time with the Lord to pray, to reflect, to change. Perhaps what we all need is a little more silence in our lives—less TV and radio, fewer distractions and greater intensity in prayer. How can we do this? How can this Lent be a time of greater transformation? Do we have the courage and spiritual stamina to ask ourselves questions like, “Will I be brave enough to open my heart to the Lord so that ‘hearts of stone’ may become ‘hearts of flesh’?” “Will I bother to take time with the Lord each day—not out of duty, but out of love?” “Will I learn to fast from something that will make me hunger for God more—perhaps from the telephone or text messages, from television or Netflix or computer time/video games, perhaps putting out less food on the dinner table so that I can be mindful of others who don’t have the luxury of fasting, of pushing aside some of those favorite foods or pastimes that distract me from God?” “Will I accept the truth that abstinence from meat on Fridays is but a symbol of a greater sacrifice—of abstaining from gossip and negativity, from the easy ‘dig’ at somebody so that I can somehow feel superior to them—even for a moment; from the need to control someone else or a group of people; from the need to have the last word?”
One of the graces that came about because of retreat was a renewed love of silence. It’s too easy to fill the day with noise, with chatter, with anything that can distract us from hearing the Lord’s voice. Perhaps the very thing this Lent can give to us is an opportunity to be silent with the Lord. Leaving the car radio off on the way to and from work can be an amazing thing. Giving ourselves permission to clean the yard or house or doing the simple, everyday things of life without being bombarded with sound can be strangely refreshing. A Lent spent in this way may be more productive than a thousand resolutions that we make and forget about within a week. Don’t forget that we have many wonderful programs and spiritual exercises during this Lent. From daily Mass in both the morning and evening, to regular confessions, to the Lectio: Prayer program, to the production of Vianney next Saturday, to Sunday adoration and Vespers and Friday Stations of the Cross, there are many opportunities for this Lent to be fruitful. Take full advantage of the spiritual opportunities that we are offering.
Father Joe
Until next week...God bless! 2
MARCH 5, 2017
Sunday, March 5th Religious Education Classes—Group 2/RMs 1-6 (10:00A-12:00N) Rite of Sending/Church (10:30A) Rite of Election/Cathedral (2:00P) Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Confessions/Church (3:00P) Lenten Vespers/Church (4:00P) Religious Education Classes, Grade 10/Hall B (4:15-6:15P) Religious Education Classes, Grades 7-9/RMs 1, 2, 3 and 6 (4:30-6:00P)
Saturday, March 4 Vigil (First Sunday of Lent) 4:00PM—+Janice Turmel, by her family Sunday, March 5 (First Sunday of Lent) 8:30AM—+Irene McAvoy, by Cecile Desrochers 10:30AM—For the People of the Parish 6:30PM—+Father Maurice Lacroix, by the Parish Staff Monday, March 6 (Lenten Weekday) 8:30AM—+Ida Sojka 7:00PM—+Angel Marin, by the Dragas family Tuesday, March 7 (Saint Perpetua and Saint Felicity) 8:30AM—+John and Patty Murphy, by Saint Kathryn Parish 7:00PM—+Grace Connolly, by Saint Kathryn Parish
Monday, March 6th Religious Education, Grades 7-9/RMs 1-3 (5:006:30P) RCIC/RCIA/Parish Office (2:45P)
Wednesday, March 8 (Saint John of God) 8:30AM—+Father A. Albert Bellefeuille 7:00PM—+James Cosier, by his wife, Theresa
Tuesday, March 7th Crafters/Craft Room (1:00-8:30P) RCIC/RM 3 (4:00P) Cub Scouts/RMs 2, 3, 5 (6:00-8:00P) Boy Scouts/Hall B (7:00-8:30P) RCIA/RM 1 (7:30P)
Thursday, March 9 (Saint Frances of Rome) 8:30AM—+Judy Ann Maurer, by Theresa Roberge 7:00PM—Intentions of the Hoskins family, by Bill Incera
Wednesday, March 8th Adoration/Chapel (5:30-8:15A and 1:00-6:45P) Choir Rehearsal/Church (7:30P)
Friday, March 10 (Lenten Weekday) 8:30AM—Intentions of Sister Janet Eppolito, by the Vocation Support Association 7:00PM—Intentions of Our Parish Candidates and Elect
Thursday, March 9th Lectio: Prayer/Hall B (10:30A-12:00N and 7:459:15P)
Saturday, March 11 (Lenten Weekday) 8:30AM—+Alexander Bucchio, III, by his daughter, Rosa
Friday, March 10th Moms’ Rosary Group/RM 1 (9:30-11:00A) K of C Chowder Night/Hall A (5:00-7:00P)
Vigil (Second Sunday of Lent) 4:00PM—+Frances and Juillette Bucknam, by Joan Malone
Saturday, March 11th Men of Saint Joseph/RM 1 (7:00-8:30A) Secular Carmelites/RM 2 (8:00A-12:00N) Rainbow Seekers/Parish Hall (9:00-1:00P) Vianney Production/Church (7:00P)
Sunday, March 12 (Second Sunday of Lent) 8:30AM—+Jay Guarino (9th Anniversary), by his wife, Carol 10:30AM—For the People of the Parish 6:30PM—+Maria E. Casallas, by her granddaughter, Luzstella Marinilli and family
CONFIRMATION 2017 We will welcome Bishop Peter A. Libasci to Saint Kathryn’s on Sunday, March 26th at the 10:30 a.m. Mass to confer the Sacrament of Confirmation on our young people. We are happy to receive Bishop Libasci here and pray that our Confirmation candidates will be filled with God’s Holy Spirit.
One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God. 3
THE FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT
PLEASE PRAY FOR: Our men and women in formation for religious life: Sister Faustina Kolbe Burda, DMN Roxanne Day Diane Dube Sister Athanasius Munroe, OP Brother John Mark Solitario, OP Brother Marius Strom, TOR
VIANNEY
Vianney, the inspiring live production performed by Leonardo Defilippis of Saint Luke Productions, will be presented at Saint Kathryn Church on Saturday, March 11th at 7:00 p.m. Experience the gripping story of Saint John Vianney, the humble priest who battled the devil to save souls. Filled with all of the elements of professional theater, the production runs 90 minutes and is suitable for ages 9 and up. For tickets and additional information, contact Charlene Maniotis at the Parish Office at 603-882-7793 or
[email protected] or visit www.stkathryns.org. Watch the trailer at www.VianneyDrama.com Tickets are now available for purchase from the parish office at a cost of $25.00/person for the first four rows (96 seats) and $20.00/person for rows 5 and beyond (as well as seating on the Transept Chapel side). For families (parents and up to 4 children under the age of 16), there is a maximum $50.00/family. Tickets will be available in the parish office until Thursday, March 9 at 4:00 p.m. No tickets will be available after that time on Thursday, nor on Friday, nor at the door.
Our Parishioners in the Armed Services: Frank Cunniff Clare Handy Zack Hurley David Jarry Joshua Keller Zach Keller Thomas Laste Our sick and our homebound: Lena Lajoie Joshua Keller Our Deacon-Candidates: Joseph Dion Randy O’Neill
Jared Auclair
VOCATION BIRTHSTONE ROSARIES
This week, Bill Incera will be praying the traveling rosary for our parish seminarians and permanent deacon candidates and Laura and Keith Phillips for vocations to the religious life. Thank you to all who are part of this ongoing spiritual support for our men in formation for the priesthood and diaconate and for our religious in formation.
ROYAL FAMILY KIDS CAMP
Royal Family Kids is looking for men and women willing to create life-changing moments for children of abuse and neglect. By volunteering to take a vacation that matters to kids in foster care (July 30-Aug. 4, 2017), you can share God's unconditional love to kids who need it most. A few of our parishioners have answered the call and say it is an amazing life-changing experience. For more information contact Tina Murguia at
[email protected], David Wilder at
[email protected], or visit rfk.org.
REFLECTING GOD’S GENEROSITY TO US Offertory: Online Giving Total
TAX STATEMENTS
We have closed out another tax year and are happy to provide a statement of your contributions to the parish in 2016. Call Jeanette or Charlene in t h e o f f i c e (603.882.7793) . Please help us to help you— don’t wait until the last minute to make the request. Depending upon volume, it may take us a few days to put the report together. Thank you!
$ 7,442.42 $ 2,601.00 $ 10,043.42
Thank you for your generosity to our parish. Our weekly budget is $11,900.00. Your generosity to the church allows us to continue the routine maintenance and running of the parish. We are most grateful!
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MARCH 5, 2017
FORMED
STEUBENVILLE
As we prepare for our next Lectio series, Prayer, you’ll want to be able to sign in to Formed for a review of the videos. While you can get a lot from watching the videos alone, we also encourage you to participate in the sessions of Lectio: Prayer for the discussion and questions. How do I sign up? Type https://formed.org into your internet browser; go to “Register: Sign up free using your parish code, and type in 748649. Feel free to share this information with your family and friends. There are talks and lectures, Catholic movies, aids to prayer, the entire Symbolon, Lectio and Catholicism series. This is our parish gift to you, so please share it with family and friends and grow in the faith!
EAST
The date is set! July 14-16, 2017 is the time for Steubenville East—an experience that you won’t want to miss. Plan to join thousands of other young people (those who have graduated from eighth grade through those who have graduated from high school) for a life-changing three days. Steubenville East will take place at the Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell and will feature great speakers and musicians, including Chris Mueller, Jon Niven, Father José Robles-Sanchez, Leah Darrow, Joel Stepanek, and Kelly Colangelo. If you’re interested in attending Steubenville East this year, please join us for a brief organizational meeting at the next Youth Group Meeting on Sunday, March 19th at 7:30 p.m. in Hall A. We’ll set you up with registrations and additional information at that time. (You do not have to be a member of the youth group to attend this meeting. All students who will have graduated from eighth or twelfth grade are eligible to participate in Steubenville East.)
LECTIO: PRAYER
Have you ever wanted to pray but weren’t quite sure if you were “doing it right”? Or maybe prayer has become a little dry or predictable. This series might just be the boost you need this Lent. Unlike the other Lectio series, this program builds one session on the other, so we would ask that if you are going to attend, please make the commitment to attend each session. We are going to attempt to video the morning sessions and post them to the website. We’re not quite sure how to do it yet, but we’re working on it for those who would like to participate but may not be able to because of young children at home or an inability to leave the house. When we figure out the details of recording, we’ll let you know! We’ll be exposed in a new way to an ancient tradition in our Church known as “Lectio Divina,” which is Latin for “Holy Reading.” In this, we’ll have an opportunity to read the Sacred Scriptures and discover what treasures they possess. The topics for Lectio: March 9 Guigo’s Ladder: A Way of Ascent March 16 Lectio and Meditatio: Climbing the First Rungs March 23 Oratio: Conversation with God March 30 Contemplatio: The Gaze of Love April 6 Resolutio: Putting Love into Action Sessions will be held from 10:30 a.m.-12:00 noon and again from 7:45-9:15 p.m. in Hall B. Pre-registration is helpful but not required. Materials will be provided for all who attend the sessions.
CHOWDER NIGHTS
Once again, the Knights of Columbus, Council 5162, will sponsor “Chowder Nights” on the Fridays of Lent. Plan to come down for some delicious soup, salad, bread, beverage, and dessert. For those who don’t like chowder, other options are available. A “children’s menu” is also available. Then, after food and fellowship, join us for Holy Mass in the Chapel. It’s a great way to spend a Friday night—with your fellow parishioners and with your Lord!
CONGRATULATIONS!
This Sunday, we will send forth our catechumens and candidates to Saint Joseph Cathedral for the Rite of Election and the Call to Continuing Conversion. We congratulate our catechumens soon-to-be elect: Diane Briand, Brooke Wisnosky, Janelle Ogle, and Jayla Gathwright. We also congratulate our candidates for full reception into the Church: Tracy Lee Carroll, Jessica Hird, Evan Bettencourt, Danielle Lord, and Christal Reddington. We thank God for the gift of each of these people, and pray that they will continue in their journey of faith to the joy of the Easter sacraments.
SPIRITED THEOLOGY A fun way to connect with fellow Catholics in the area and learn more about our Faith! Bring your Catholic and seeking friends and join us at Shade Bar and Grill, the Radisson Hotel, 11 Tara Boulevard, Nashua, NH on Tuesday, March 14th. Join us at 6:00 p.m. for yummy food (order from menu and pay as you go) followed by a talk by Ryan Topping, D. Phil. (Oxon.), Fellow, Thomas More College. Topic: Christ’s Passion and Our Suffering. 5
THE FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT
RELIGIOUS GOODS STORE NEWS
COLLETTE TOURS
Now that Lent is upon us, you may be looking for some aids to prayer or some good spiritual reading. We have a full stock of books and devotionals available in the store and some beautiful rosaries, chaplets, and statuary to help you during these forty days. We’re also pleased to let you know that we do have copies of the Magnificat Lenten Companion available for purchase. If you haven’t seen our store yet, this is the perfect time to stop in to see what great stock is available!
We still have some open spaces for our trip to Switzerland, Austria, and Bavaria for September, 2017. If you’re interested in joining us, please sign up as soon as possible. If we have fewer than 35 people, we will open participation up to other parishes. We have a few “singles” who are waiting for other “singles” with whom they can share a room. Are you among those who are weighing the options? We don’t have much time left at the reduced price, so plan to sign up today! For more information, contact Father Joe at 603.882.7793 or
[email protected]
VOICE FOR VETERANS
To all veterans, their families and friends -Our first Veterans’ Meeting in 2017 will take place on Saturday, March 25th in Saint Kathryn's church hall beginning at 5:30 p.m. Manchester VA Experts will be on site to assist you with: *VA Healthcare Application *Virtual Lifetime Electronic Records *Please bring a copy of your DD214 *Informal Roundtable discussion and time for one on one interaction.
GREETERS
NEEDED!
Do you often (or always) attend the 4:00 p.m. Vigil Mass? If so, we could certainly use your help! We are looking for a person or two to welcome folks to our Saturday evening Vigil Mass and to distribute bulletins, arrange for people to take up the collection, and bring forward the gifts— usually once a month. The greeters also straighten up the church after everyone has left, ensuring that nothing is left in the pews and that the hymnals are all upright. The greeters are also the “go to” people for those who may not know where the restrooms are as well as in the event of a medical emergency during Mass. While we’re looking for someone specifically for the 4:00 p.m. Mass and 6:30 p.m. Mass, we’re open to anyone who may be interested in this ministry for any of the weekend Masses. If you are interested, please contact Nancy Phaneuf at
[email protected] Your help is greatly appreciated!
"Opportunities are like sunrises. If you wait too long you miss them"! We will always have your back!
WEEKLY AND SUNDAY ADORATION AND VESPERS Wednesday adoration will continue through the Lenten season as always—5:15-8:15 a.m. and 1:00-6:45 p.m. However, because of the evening Mass on Wednesdays, there will not be Vespers and Benediction on Wednesday evenings. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will take place on the Sunday afternoons of Lent beginning at 3:00 p.m. followed by sung Vespers at 4:00 p.m. in the church. Confessions will be heard from 3:00-3:45 p.m. Vespers will also be sung at 4:00 p.m. on Easter Sunday (April 16) and Divine Mercy Sunday (April 23). Confessions will be heard on Divine Mercy Sunday from 3:00-3:45 p.m. in the church.
PARISH WEBSITE
If you haven’t checked our parish website lately, you’ll want to do that soon! There is a lot of information available about our parish and our outreach ministries as well as updates on our parish activities. Our website is also a great resource for parish announcements, policies, and events. Want to check it out? Go to www.stkathryns.org and be amazed at all of the good things that are happening here! Do you also have a Facebook account? Visit our Facebook page for additional parish information, events, and reflections at Saint Kathryn’s Church. “Like” us and build up our fan base! Also, visit Saint Kathryn Religious Goods Store on Facebook and sign up to receive a one-time 20% discount!
DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME RETURNS
It’s a sure sign of hope that spring is on its way! Daylight Savings Time returns this Sunday, March 12th at 2:00 a.m. That means you set your clocks ahead by one hour before retiring on Saturday night. Don’t be late for Mass on Sunday! It’s true—we lose an hour of sleep, but we gain an hour of sunlight! 6
MARCH 5, 2017
LENT, 2017 As Catholics, we take this season very seriously in preparation for the renewal of baptismal promises and initiation of new members this Easter. So that we are prepared for this season, we offer you the following:
REGULATIONS FOR FASTING AND ABSTINENCE Ash Wednesday is this Wednesday, March 1st, and Good Friday is April 14th. These are days of fast and abstinence. Fridays of Lent are also days of abstinence. Fasting is to be observed by all who are 18 years of age and older and who have not yet celebrated their 59 th birthday. On a fast day, one full meal is allowed. Two other meals, sufficient to maintain strength, may be taken according to each one’s needs, but together they should not equal another full meal. Eating between meals is not permitted, but liquids, including milk and juices, are allowed. Abstinence is observed by all 14 years of age and older. On days of abstinence, no meat is allowed. Note that when health or ability to work would be seriously affected, the law does not oblige. When in doubt concerning fast and abstinence, the parish priest should be consulted. Fasting, almsgiving, and prayer, are the three traditional disciplines of Lent. The faithful and catechumens should undertake these practices seriously in a spirit of penance and of preparation for baptism or of renewal of baptism at Easter.
Our parish Lenten tithe will be directed once again to the Food Pantry at Saint John’s and the Feed Our Kids program. Our willingness to share with those who are struggling in our community by our generous sacrifice is greatly appreciated by thousands in our area who may remain hidden from our sight, but never hidden from our hearts and from the heart of God.
LENTEN LITURGIES AND EVENTS
A special production of Vianney will take place in our church on Saturday, March 11th at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are available in the parish office; Masses will be celebrated at 8:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday; Confessions will be heard Monday through Friday after the 8:30 a.m. Mass and from 6:30-6:50 p.m.; on Saturdays, Confessions will be heard from 9:159:45 a.m. and from 2:45-3:45 p.m.; on Sundays, Confessions will be heard from 3:00-3:30 p.m.; Stations of the Cross will be prayed after the morning Mass each Friday and after the evening Mass each Friday (with the exception of First Friday); Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will take place on Sundays from 3:00-4:00 p.m. and conclude with Vespers; Vespers will be sung each Sunday of Lent, on Easter Sunday, and Divine Mercy Sunday at 4:00 p.m.; Morning Prayer will be sung in the church on Holy Thursday and Good Friday at 8:30 a.m. and in the Transept Chapel at 8:30 a.m. on Holy Saturday; the blessing of Easter Baskets will take place at noon in the plaza on Holy Saturday; The Triduum begins on April 13th with the celebration of the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7:00 p.m.; Good Friday services on April 14th will take place at 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. with Stations of the Cross in the grotto at 12:00 noon; the Great Easter Vigil on April 15 th will begin at 8:00 p.m. (there will not be a 4:00 p.m. Mass on April 15th); the Masses for Easter Sunday, April 16th, will be celebrated at 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. (please note the earlier start time for Mass on Easter Sunday and no 6:30 p.m. Mass); The Novena of Divine Mercy begins on Good Friday immediately following Morning Prayer. 7
ST. KATHRYN PARISH HUDSON, NEW HAMPSHIRE 03-0779 March 5, 2017 – Week 15
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