UNITED HEARTS PRAYER LINE PARISH
The number to call for prayer requests, or if you wish to pray with us, is 622-2094.
ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA
CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE
Christmas Eve Wednesday, December 24
4 p.m. Contemporary Group
4 p.m. School Gym-Piano and Cantor
6 p.m. Children’s Pageant
Midnight Mass
Parish Choir-Instrumental Group
Christmas Morning, Thursday, December 25
9 a.m. Mass with Organ/Piano and Cantor
10:30 a.m. Mass Organ/Piano and Cantor
A CHRISTMAS WISH AND BLESSING
On behalf of the staff and myself, I wish you all a very happy Christmas and a promise of my most fervent prayers. I wish you a blessing of peace, beauty of hope, spirit of love, and the comfort of faith. May these be your gifts this Christmas Season. Fr. Paul
THE RETIRED RELIGIOUS THANK YOU
“We can certainly call you friends because of the way you care for our retired member,” writes a religious brother. Your gift to last week’s collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious benefits some 35,000 senior sisters, brothers and religious order priests. May God bless you for your generosity!
BASKETBALL FREE-THROW SHOOTING
COMPETITION
The Knights of Columbus Free Throw Shooting Competition will take place on Friday, January 16 at 7 p.m. in the St. Catherine School Gymnasium. This competition is open to all boys and girls ages 10-14. The winning boy and girl of each age group will advance to compete in the Knights of Columbus NH State Competition. Register at the door or by calling Scott McDonough at 540-4976.
THANKS FOR CALENDARS
Heartfelt thanks to Phaneuf Funeral Homes and Crematorium for the 2015 Religious Art Calendar. Proceeds from the purchase of JS Paluch calendars support vocation ministry across the United States.
CHRISTMAS FLOWERS
If you would like to make a donation toward our Christmas flowers and decorations in memory of a loved one, please use the special envelope found in your boxes or designate your gift through your E-Give account. If you do not use envelopes or E-Give, place your donation in a plain white envelope marked “flowers” and drop it in the collection basket. A list will be published in a future bulletin.
UNCLAIMED PENNY SALE PRIZES
There are many unclaimed gifts from the Penny Sale as well as several gift cards. Please check your tickets to see if any of them belong to YOU! The list of winners has been published on our website and lists are also available on the bulletin boards at church, the rectory office and the doors at school. You may claim your prize or prizes at the rectory office during office hours.
ST. CATHERINE SCHOOL NEWS
We extend warm Christmas blessings to you. The school is now closed for Christmas vacation. This past week, both 5th and 6th Grades traveled to sing Christmas Carols for the Sisters at Holy Cross Manor. They brought Christmas cookies and hot chocolate to share with the Sisters and enjoyed their company.
We had a wonderful response to our “Nickels for St. Nicholas” fundraiser to benefit the Sisters of Holy Cross Learning Center. We will report on the total collected in next week’s update. These funds will help provide warm clothing for the growing immigrant refugee population of the greater Manchester area.
Challenging Minds, Sharing Our Faith, Cherishing Families. Are you interested in a tour of our school for your child? Call us at 622-1711 or visit our website at scsnh.com
MONTHLY MASS FOR THE DECEASED
The monthly Mass for the deceased will be celebrated in Saint Augustin Cemetery Chapel, South Beech Street on Saturday, December 27 at 9 a.m.
JESUS WAS BORN IN A
SHELTER
The box at the main entrance of the church is to collect items for those who live in shelters in Manchester. The needs for December are: shampoo, conditioner, hair styling products, paper towels, and wipes.
INTERESTED IN BECOMING CATHOLIC?
Would you like to learn more about the Catholic faith? We invite you to attend the inquiry sessions held at 9:15 a.m. each Sunday in the school conference room. For more information, contact Derek at 622-6264, Norine Calvano at 624-8331 or Fr. Paul 622-4966.
FAITH FORMATION SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
There are many Adult Faith Formation and community opportunities coming up. There are three simple ways to get information you need: check the bulletinfor new events that are being advertised. You may check our website saintcatherineparishnh.com where a new calendar feature displays all our events. Also, check the stands at the back of the church for the calendar.
WOMEN OF MARY / MEN OF ST. JOSEPH
The Women of Mary meet on the 1st Saturday of each month in the school cafeteria. The Men of St. Joseph meet on the 2nd Saturday of each month from 8-10 a.m. in the school cafeteria. Each meeting includes Mass, a recitation of the Rosary, full breakfast, and a special guest speaker. You are warmly invited to join us.
LEARN WHILE YOU DRIVE
There are numerous titles about the Catholic faith in the kiosks located in the back of the church. Listen to one about family life or prayer while you drive, and then pass it along to someone else. CDs are 1 for $3 or 2 for $5. Donations are gratefully accepted.
VITA NOVA CATHOLIC MEN’S RETREAT
AHA! Get ready for the God moment that changes everything! Join Spiritual Director, Fr. Marc Montminy for the 30th Annual Vita Nova Catholic Men’s Retreat January 9-11, 2015 at the Barbara C. Harris Center in Greenfield, NH. Have you been wondering what to get the man who has everything for Christmas? A renewed sense of spirituality & commitment to the truth is just what God is seeking for men. Discover the power of knowing a personal God who loves and cares for us.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT
December 13/14
Cash: $ 2,563.00
Checks: $ 8,678.00
E-Give: $ 1,679.00
Total: $12,920.00
Maintenance of Buildings: $1,367.00
Immaculate Conception: $1,163.00
Retired Religious Collection: $6,002.00
SATURDAY DECEMBER 20
4:00 ANDREW BROWN
by his grandmother Joan Churas
MAURICE VACHON by his wife, Doris
GARY FOYE by his wife, Mary
LUCIEN DOYON by his wife (16th Anniv.)
THE REYNOLDS FAMILY by Denise Reynolds
SUNDAY DECEMBER 21
7:30 MARIE BLAIS
9:00 WALTER SWIST by his family (4th Anniv.)
DECEASED MEMBERS OF THE KIRBY AND
MCNAMARA FAMILIES
VIOLETTE THOMPSON by her daughter, Priscilla
11:00 JOSHUA MICHAEL DUNN by his mother
DECEASED MEMBERS OF THE HASKAMP
AND LINK FAMILIES
KATHERINE KEARNEY by Patti & Bob Webster
MONDAY-THURSDAY - Evening Prayer 5:00 p.m.
MONDAY DECEMBER 22
5:30 REV. ALBION BULGER
DONALD AND JULIET LIBBY
by Richard & Monique Langlois
TUESDAY DECEMBER 23
SAINT JOHN OF KANTY, priest
5:30 ELMER R DAHLQUIST by the Dahlquist Trust
GEORGE PREBLE by Jeanne & Christopher
(4th Anniversary)
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 24
4:00 REGENT LACHANCE by the family DONALD J. ALBERT AND
MARTHA MCNAMARA by the family
6:00 JULES TRUDEL by his wife and children
Midnight LUIGI AND JOSEPHINE CARUSO by the family
THURSDAY DECEMBER 25
THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD
9:00 THE KAMIENIECKI FAMILY
DECEASED MEMBERS OF THE
FRANKLIN AND DESROCHERS FAMILIES
FOR THE INTENTIONS OF FR. PAUL
ROBERT E. KIRBY by the family
JOSHUA MICHAEL DUNN by his mother
EDWARD AND ALICE BIRON
by Barbara & Bob Thinnes
10:30 STEPHEN AND BEN ROY by Gloria Roy
FOR THE INTENTIONS OF FR. PAUL
JASON AND LORRAINE LAVIGNE
by Butch Lavigne
SATURDAY DECEMBER 27
4:00 DIANN BALL by her husband, John
ANDREW BROWN by Jane Piecuch
MAURICE VACHON by Diane & Rich Hebert
(3rd Anniversary)
M/M GUS CODERRE by the Dion Family
(45th Wedding Anniversary)
ALYSSA SKOGLUND by Mom & Dad (8th Anniv.)
LOIS MCDONALD by the McDonald family
(2nd Anniversary)
THE GERVAIS FAMILY by Denise Reynolds
SUNDAY DECEMBER 28
7:30 MICHAEL ABERNETHY
GRACE MINOR
9::00 REV. ALBION BULGER
MARGARET HUNT by Fr. Paul
11:00 ALBERT BUREAU by Herman & Joan Mooney
CALLING ALL WOMEN
At this time of year, we are consumed by lists. Lists for shopping, for getting the house ready, for invitations to send/respond to, and of course, my St. Catherine Women’s Group list. Let me share it with you: Wonder if this group would be for me when I read about it in the bulletin?…check. The day before the meeting wonder, again, if I should actually attend?...check. Make the decision to attend a meeting? (after all it’s only a couple of hours, max)…check. Notice that the group is informal as well as eclectic?...check. During the social part of the meeting, enjoy some deliciousness while chatting with women you’ve seen many (perhaps hundreds) times at Mass but never knew who they were?…check. Listen to updates on upcoming events, any community needs and new business during the actual meeting?…check. Decide that this may actually be fun and it’s not scary?…check. Make friends and notice you feel good about joining?...check. Place the second Tuesday of the month in your scheduler/planner for 6:30?…check, check, check! We invite all women to join us in fellowship. We are in the process of reinventing our group and would love to hear your ideas and share your enthusiasm. Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, January 13 at 6:30 p.m. in the school conference room. Enter on the Hemlock Street side of the school and be welcomed!
TEACHING POSITION AVAILABLE
St. Casmir School in Manchester is looking to hire a Computer Teacher for their school. The position entails teaching only on Wednesdays each week. Anyone interested in the position can contact 518-5505.
QUALIFIED CHARITABLE DISTRIBUTION
A direct transfer from your IRA to Saint Catherine of Siena can be a great way to make a tax-wise gift. A qualified transfer counts toward your required minimum distribution and be excluded from your gross income.
TO QUALIFY FOR THESE BENEFITS:
*You must be age 70 ½ or older at the time of the gift
*Your gift must be made directly from your IRA to
St. Catherine of Siena Parish
*You may transfer up to a total of $100,000
*The gift must be outright and cannot be used
to create a gift annuity or charitable trust.
This opportunity may have great tax benefits for you, while also providing support for the parish. For more information, please contact: Barbara Letvinchuk at 866-477-3879 toll free or call 577-4902 directly.
Thank you for your generous support
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
As of December 16, 2014
Total Pledges: 1,105,595.69
Total Cash Received: $760,682.11
Our goal is $1,700,000
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING GREETING
CARDS FOR PRISON MINISTRY
Your continued support of providing greeting cards for the inmates of NHSP, which is a meaningful contact for the inmates with their families, is greatly appreciated. Over the past year, the parish of St. Catherine of Siena has played an integral part in helping us keep up with the demand. Tens of thousands of cards have been collected and we cannot thank you enough for your generous support of this ministry. For those of you who are interested, we do accept new cards such as: birthday, get well, thank you, holiday and special occasion cards and plain (no message cards). What we cannot use are cards with notes such as "a donation was made" or Mass cards. You may bring these to the rectory where a representative will pick them up. God bless you and your families this Christmas season and throughout the New Year, and thank you for your continued support.
RETROUVAILLE OF NEW ENGLAND
If your marriage is tearing the two of you apart, no meaningful communication, considering separation or divorce, we can help you. You are not alone. Rediscover a loving marriage with a Retrouvaille weekend. The 2015 weekends will be held January 9-11, April 10-12 and September 11-13. To register or for information, call 800-470-230 or visit www.HelpOurMarriage.com
WHAT IS CURSILLO?
Cursillo is a Catholic 3-day short course in Christianity to help strengthen our baptismal commitment. It is offered four times a year at the Sarto Center in Hooksett, twice for men and twice for women. The next set of weekends is scheduled for Men on March5-8, 2015 and for Women on April 2-5, 2015. If you have any questions about Cursillo, contact Deacon Geoff Ashman at 627-8898 or email him at
ST. CATHERINE PARISH WEB STORE
If you are looking to purchase anything Catholic throughout the year, including gifts and rosaries, purchase your merchandise through our Parish Web Store. You will find the Web Store Banner on the home page of our website. Just click the banner, browse and make your purchase. Most items ship free and St. Catherine receives 12% back from every order.
Lord, in this holy season of prayer and song and laughter, we praise you for the great wonders you have sent us: for shining star and angel's song, for infant's cry in lowly manger. We praise you for the Word made flesh in a little Child. We behold His glory,
we are bathed in His radiance.