Divine Mercy Parish Newsletter

“Coming Together, Growing in Faith”

Vol. 2 Issue 7- December 2010

Divine Mercy Parish Mission Statement

“Guided by the Holy Spirit and in communion with the diocese of Manchester, we, the members of Divine Mercy Parish, place our trust in God. We devote ourselves to the proclamation of the Gospel according to the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. We seek to provide a safe and supportive home dedicated to the vibrant celebration of the Eucharist in Holy Mass and all the Sacraments. Through our acts and our words, we embrace all those who are in need. We resolve to defend the sanctity of human life and to promote peace, within our community and throughout the world.”

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Divine Mercy Parish Newsletter

“Coming Together, Growing in Faith”

Vol. 2 Issue 7- December 2010

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Divine Mercy Parish Newsletter

Vol. 2 Issue 7- December 2010

A NEW MISSAL IS COMING!

BY: Fr. Gerry Belanger

I have been asked to write a series of articles on the new Roman Missal, which we will begin to use on the First Sunday of Advent, November 27, 2011.

In November, 2010, I attended a two-day workshop designed to help the priests of the diocese understand the new Roman Missal (third edition), so that we can help explain it to our parishioners.

What is a Missal? Why do we need a new one?

The Missal is the official prayer book used for the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. A new Missal is being published to replace the “temporary” Missal that the Church has used for more than 35 years!

Some of you reading this will remember the drastic changes that occurred to the Mass as a result of the Second Vatican Council, which ended in 1965. Well, rest assured that the changes to the Mass that will begin on November 27, 2011, will be mild by comparison! In the early 1970’s, the entire ritual or structure of the Mass was changed. You might say that those changes were revolutionary.

The changes to the Mass, which begin on the First Sunday of Advent 2011, will be evolutionary, not revolutionary. The structure of the Mass will not change at all. What will change will be the wording of some of the prayers we recite during the Mass.

To give you an example: at Mass, when the priest says “The Lord be with you,” you respond,“And also with you!” With the third edition of the Roman Missal your new response will be,“And with your spirit!”

For now, I’ll leave you with that little teaser! In the next newsletter, I’ll explain the changes to some of the prayers that we’ll experience in the Mass beginning with the First Sunday of Advent – November 27, 2011.

CATECHETICAL PLANNING
COMMITTEE UPDATE

In our last Newsletter, the creation and purpose of the Catechetical Planning Committee were communicated. The Committee was formed to create a catechetical plan to provide greater spiritual support to all parishioners. The Committee has met monthly and has now articulated the Mission Statement, as follows:

The mission of the Divine Mercy Parish Catechetical Planning Committee, guided by the Holy Spirit, and with input from the parish community, is to assess our lifelong faith formation needs. A plan will be developed which will provide opportunities for all parishioners to grow in their faith.

This committee is charged with identifying the life-longspiritual needs of all our parishioners: children, teens, young adults, married and single adults, middle- aged adults and elders. Our desire is to provide, as best we can, additional opportunities to assist us all on our Faith Journey and to allow the Spirit to lead us toward a more vigorous and dynamic life of discipleship in Jesus Christ.

Presently the committee is formulating a survey to be distributed to the parish membership in the near future. Please begin to think about your Spiritual Journey so you are better prepared to respond to the survey when it is presented. Perhaps you can begin to focus, at this time, on these two questions:

  1. To date, what has been helpful on my Faith Journey at Divine Mercy Parish?
  2. Concerning my Faith Journey, what would I like to see implemented in the future?

Please pray that our DivineMercyChurch community is open in mind and heart to God’s Spirit.

FROM THE ARCHIVES

St. Patrick Church Bell

The history of the St. Patrick Church bell was recently discovered in the old sacramental register. The bell was donated by Colonel Arthur J. Pierce in memory of his wife. It was blessed on June 29, 1947, by Bishop Matthew F. Brady and assistant priests Fathers Hurlye, McSweeney, Quinn, Horgan, Crowley, Leddy, and Blankinship. High Tea was served at Colonel Pierce’s home.

The bell was hoisted July 8, 1947, and rung for the first time on July 9by Colonel Pierce. The Angelus was rung for the first time on July 10, 1947, at 7:00 AM.

The bell was manufactured by the Meneeley Bell Co. of Troy, NY. The electrical equipment was purchased from the Verdin Co., Cincinnati, Ohio. The total cost was $2600.

HOLLY FOR CHRISTMAS

Since at least the 15th century, holly has been used for decoration in the church. Its symbolism is told in carols like "The Holly and the Ivy" and the "Sans Day Carol."

Holly is an evergreen, and so like theconifers of Germany, it came to signify for theEnglish in the cold of winter, the eternal life that ispromised by the Savior's birth. The holly's whiteflower recalls the virginity of Mary, as well as themother's milk that would nourish the newborn babe.

In the best of Christmas tradition, whichpoints eventually to the life-giving death andresurrection of Jesus, the symbolism of the holly isexploited to highlight Christ's passion. The sharpprick of the holly leaf is a reminder of the crown ofthorns. The red berry signifies the blood that Christshed. The bark of the holly is "as bitter as any gall"recalling the mixture of wine and gall offered toJesus as he hung upon the cross.

In a nod to the Cornish miners, whose coalfed England's furnaces and fireplaces, "the hollybears a berry as black as the coal," as the red berrydies and shrivels. "And Mary bore Jesus, who diedfor us all," so that even in death, the holly is a signof Christ, whose risen life is eternal, just like thegreenwood of the holly.

Holly's rich symbolism, which leads usfrom the birth of Jesus all the way to his deathand resurrection, is an apt reminder to us thatChristmas is not the end of the story. The hollyhelps us remember that death accompanies anybirth, even that of Jesus. So put a sprig of holly byyour manger, and remind yourself that this newbornchild will grow, and one day die, to save us all.


The beloved carol, “Adeste Fidelis,” translated as "O Come, All Ye Faithful," was once attributed to the 13th century monk, St. Bonaventure. But research published in 1947, by the English Benedictine John Stephan, revealed that the carol was actually the work of an 18th century Catholic layman who lived in exile in France.

John Francis Wade was born around1711 in England. As a Catholic, he fled religious persecution in England, and by 1731 he was copying plainchant at a Dominican college in Flanders. Eventually, he settled in Douay, France, with its large colony of English Catholics and major Catholic college established by Phillip II of Spain.

According to a history of the college, John Wade made his living by copying and selling plainchant and other music and the teaching of Latin and Church song. According to his obituary, he produced beautiful copies of plainchant and hymn manuscripts for local chapels and private use.

Wade was also well connected with prominent Catholic musicians of the time, and is considered an instrumental force in the English revival of plainchant.

Until Frederick Oakley's 1845 translation of Wade's original Latin became the standard, there were several variations of this carol being sung in the English-speaking world. It is a sure bet that if we were still voicing, "O hie, ye believers" instead of "O come, all ye faithful" that the song would have faded from memory long ago. In this case, we owe the popularity of this great hymn to both the composer, John Francis Wade, and the translator who made it accessible, Frederick Oakley.

FATHER DESRUISSEAUX’S
NATIVITY COLLECTION

This year Father Charles DesRuisseaux's Nativity collection will be on display at the America's Credit Union Museum located in Manchester, New Hampshire, from November 29, 2010 through January 2, 2011.

Museum Hours: Sunday (12/5, 12/12, 12/19 and 1/2) 1 p.m. - 3 p.m., Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10:00 a.m. - noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. or by appointment.

Holiday week hours will vary so please call (603) 629-1553 for more information. For directions visit the museum's website at:

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Divine Mercy Parish Newsletter

Vol. 2 Issue 7- December 2010

EMBLEMS OF THE APOSTLES

As part of its décor, St. Peter Church has a series of apostolic shields in the sanctuary. Painted either blue or red, each shield displays an historic symbol for each of the original 11 apostles and Matthias, who was selected to succeed Judas.

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Divine Mercy Parish Newsletter

Vol. 2 Issue 7- December 2010

St. Andrew, depicted by an x-shaped cross, was the brother of Peter and the first of Christ’s disciples. He is the patron saint of Russia and Scotland. Tradition holds that in 60 AD, Andrew was crucified on a cross saltire in Greece, by order of the Roman governor Aegeas. A church currently stands over the supposed site of his crucifixion. It is said that St. Rule brought St. Andrew’s relics to Scotland to obey the dictates of a dream. Fishermen may also claim Andrew as a patron. Lesser used symbols are a fishhook, net and crossed fish or a builder’s square with a spear. St. Andrew’s Day is November 30.

St. Bartholomew, whose name means “son of Tolomai,” is believed to be the Nathaniel mentioned in John. The Roman Martyrology credits him with missionary labors in India and Armenia. He is also credited with one of the Gospels. While preaching in Albanople, he was seized by the governor, flayed, crucified and then beheaded. Bartholomew is portrayed with flaying knives, a cross with skin stretched on it, a Bible with a flay knife in it and/or scimitar. These items represent his martyrdom. He is the patron of bakers, bookbinders, butchers, miners, shoemakers, shepherds, tailor, tanners and winegrowers. Bartholomew is the patron saint of Armenia,and Belgium. Florentine merchants also claim his patronage. His feast day is Aug. 24.

St. James the Greater, was the brother of John and a son of Zebedee. James and John were fishermen and were together, mending their nets, when Jesus called them to become His disciples. James was the first disciple to be martyred and the only apostle whose death is recorded in scripture. He was beheaded with a sword by Herod Agrippa. His remains were reportedly taken to Compostela, Spain, which has become one of the most visited sites on the pilgrimage trail. James’ great connection to Spain led to his being appointed the patron saint of that country. James is usually depicted as an elderly man or pilgrim with scallop shells as adornment. Scallop shells were used by pilgrims to scoop water from the streams to drink as they traveled. St. James’ feast day is July 25.

St. James the Less, or the Just, known as such to distinguish him from St. James the Greater, was the son of Alpheus and comes from the same lineage as Jesus. He was also known as “the Just” because he was a very spiritual man. James worked in Jerusalem and was probably its first bishop. According to Mark (15:49), he stood with the woman Mary (called “the mother of James” by Mark 16:1) and Mary Magdalene at the Crucifixion. One account claims that James was pushed from a pinnacle of the temple at age 96. Near death, he rose to ask forgiveness for his enemies, who then stoned, clubbed and finally cut him in half. Because of the traditions of his martyrdom, the fuller’s bat, stones and a saw all represent James. His feast day is May 3.

St. John the Evangelist was a son of Zebedee and brother to James the Greater. He was the disciple “whom Jesus loved” and the disciple to whom, at the crucifixion, He entrusted his mother Mary. During John’s ministry, several attempts were made on his life. One such attempt involved a poisoned chalice from which two servants had already drunk and died. John drank from the cup and then proceeded to raise the two dead men back to life. Towards the end of his life, John would be exiled to the Island of Patmos where he saw visions of Heaven. These visions would be written down and become known as the Book of Revelation. After his release from Patmos, John would retire to Ephesus and write the Gospel and three epistles credited to him. John apparently died of old age, making him the only Apostle known with some certainty not to have died a martyr. The main symbol for John is an eagle. Other symbols for John, the chalice and snake, and the cauldron and eagle, refer to his miraculous escapes from death. John’s feast day is Dec. 27.

St. Judeis also know as Thaddeus. Little is known about Jude. He is considered to be the brother of James the Less and reputed author of the Epistle of St. Jude. Tradition and legend declare that he traveled widely with Simon and visited Arabia, Syria, and Mesopotamia during his lifetime, and was martyred with Simon in Persia. Jude is one of the most popular saints in the Church and is venerated as the patron saint of hospitals and hopeless causes. A popular symbol of Jude is the sailing ship. He shares a feast day with St. Simon on October 28.

St. Matthew was the son of Alphaeus and a tax collector. He was called Levi in the gospels of Mark and Luke. Matthew was the author of the first gospel, written between 60-90 A.D. He preached in Jerusalem and then went to Ethiopia; he was martyred either in Persia or Ethiopia. Matthew’s work focused on Christ’s humanity and is designed to provide a true recognition of Christ as the Messiah. Matthew’s shield displays three purses. Other symbols are a money box or elderly man with spectacles writing at a desk. His feast day is September 21.

St. Matthiaswas chosen by the eleven Apostles to replace Judas Iscariot. Little is known about Matthias’ life. His places of missionary work, like Asia Minor, the Caspian Sea and Ethopia, and the way he was martyred, either by halberd or battle axe, are strangely similar to that of Matthew. This has led scholars to believe that Matthias was sometimes confused with Matthew. Other scholars believe he was stoned to death in Jerusalem and then beheaded at Colchis or Sebastopolis. St. Helen brought his relics to Rome and some were transferred to Trier, Germany. When portrayed, Matthias is symbolized by a halberd, battle axe or scimitar, referring to this martyrdom. Some other symbols are a double-edged hatchet over a book or three stones and a lance.. When the twelve disciples are portrayed together, Matthias is often used as a substitute for the traitor Judas. His feast day is May 14.

St.Peter was also known as Simon or Cephas. He was the brother of Andrew. He became the leading Apostle after Pentecost until the Council of Jerusalem in 50 A.D. Peter would be the first to acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of the Living God. Peter was instrumental in bringing the Gospel to the Gentiles, thereby permitting the new Church to become universal, and is considered our first pope. Peter died in Rome under the reign of Emperor Nero, probably in 64 A.D. According to tradition, Peter was crucified on Vatican Hill upside down because he declared himself unworthy to die in the same manner as the Lord. He was then buried on Vatican Hill, and excavations under St. Peter’s Basilica have unearthed his probable tomb; his relics are now enshrined under the high altar of St. Peter’s. Two crossed keys (one traditionally gold, the other silver) refer to the discourse Peter had with Jesus “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.” St. Peter’s feast day is June 29.

St. Philipwas born in Bethsaida, Palestine. He is mentioned in connection with the feeding of the multitude, Jesus’ meeting with the Greeks, and at the Last Supper where Jesus says, “Have I been with you so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.” (John 14:9) Tradition holds he was a missionary to Phrygia and Galatia. Few details are known of his activities after Pentecost. It was reported by Clement of Alexandria that Philip died during the reign of Domitian (81-96) by being crucified upside down. Two symbols appear for Philip. One is a sword and scripture. The other presents two loaves of bread with a cross added, showing us his participation in the feeding of the multitude. Philip’s feast day is May 1.