Category: From the Pastor’s Desk (Page 17 of 76)

Dear Parishioners and Visitors:

On Veterans Day we remember the sacrifices large and small made by members of the armed forces in defense of their country. It is also a day when the Church remembers Saint Martin of Tours, a teenaged Roman soldier when the early Church was in its infancy stages. Although raised a pagan, Martin was interested in becoming a Christian. One night while he was on duty with his troops, Martin encountered a beggar who was half-naked and freezing in the bitter cold. Moved with compassion, Martin cut his military cloak in half and shared it with the beggar. Later that night, Martin had a dream in which he saw Jesus wearing the half-cloak he had given away. Jesus said to him, “Martin, who wishes to become a Christian, clothed me with this robe.” The vision had a great impact on Martin, who converted from paganism to Christianity shortly thereafter! He later became Bishop of Tours, and is the patron saint of horses and those who serve in the military.

To all veterans, living, MIA, and deceased: Thank you for your part in bringing peace to the world!

With prayerful best wishes,

Fr. John Mahoney

Please pray for all our duly elected leaders and public servants, that God will protect them and the Holy Spirit will guide them to devote themselves to the     common good and work for justice and peace at home and around the world. Pray that God will heal us from our differences and unite us with common purpose,    dedication, and commitment to achieve liberty and justice in the years ahead for all people, especially those who are most vulnerable in our midst.

During the week of November 3-9, 2024, the nation and our diocese will once again celebrate Vocation Awareness Week. The theme of the diocesan celebration this year is “Sent to Proclaim the Gospel.” Even as Jesus sent his disciples to announce the kingdom, heal the sick, and proclaim good news to the poor, so the Lord continues to send out laborers to proclaim the good news of salvation to all people in the world today.

Very Rev. Christopher Martel
Director of Vocations

(603) 663-0196   cmartel@rcbm.org

“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Are you being called to love the Lord with an undivided heart as a priest or religious brother or sister?    Talk to your priest or reach out to Fr. Martel.

Dear Parishioners and Visitors:

Among the Body of Christ, there exists a variety of ministries that are especially evident when we gather at Holy Mass on Sundays. By  virtue of Baptism into the life and ministry of Christ, some individuals are called by the Holy Spirit to serve as Lectors and Extraordinary  Ministers of Holy Communion (EMs). Lectors  and EMs are laypersons called forward from the assembly of the faithful in a parish church to   proclaim the Word of God and to assist with the distribution of Holy Communion at Holy Mass.   To serve the assembly and the local Church in these ministries is both an honor and a responsibility. I am grateful to the new Lectors and EMs, who were trained last week, and are prepared now to assume the responsibilities of their respective ministries.

May the Holy Spirit guide and support all of our parish ministers, both those who are serving    under continuing appointments, and especially those newly-appointed and those newly-reappointed Lectors and EMs:

The month of November will be dedicated to the  souls  of our faithful            departed.  Remembrances may be specifically made with assigned offertory       envelopes, envelopes located in the pews and/or listed in the Book of Intentions located to the left of the Fatima statue, throughout the month.   We pray that our intentions, on their behalf, might be received by Almighty God in a special
way during celebrations of Holy Mass.