Author: Fr. Mahoney (Page 2 of 71)

Dear Parishioners and Visitors,

“Our grandparents and elderly are treasures for us,” said Pope Francis, “like fine vintage wine … grandparents and the elderly pass on history, doctrine, and faith, and they leave them to us as an inheritance.” 

When people think of Jesus being raised as a boy, they usually think only of Mary and Joseph. But his grandparents played a vital role, too. They were Saints Anne and Joachim, whose feast day is July 26. Anne and Joachim were the Blessed Virgin Mary’s parents. They knew she was a gift from God because they’d had great difficulty conceiving a child. Their faith, patience, wisdom and love had a profound influence on Mary, and on Jesus as well. St. John Damascene described them as a “blessed and spotless” couple to whom all creation is indebted.

In 2013, Pope Francis called all grandparents a “treasure,” and said that Anne and Joachim were part of a long chain of people who had transmitted their love for God and expressed it in the warmth and love of family life. We owe so much to our grandparents, not least for our very existence. They, and all the elderly, have played a significant role in our lives, both directly and indirectly, and despite any flaws, we have much to thank them for as we celebrate “World Day of Prayer for Grandparents and the Elderly” on Sunday, July 27, 2025.

With prayerful best wishes,
Fr. John Mahoney

The theme of Pope Leo XIV’s first message for the Fifth World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, celebrated on Sunday, July 27, 2025, is ‘Blessed are those who have not lost hope’ (Sir 14:2) and fits into the context of the Jubilee of Hope 2025. These words, taken from the Book of Sirach, express the  blessedness of the elderly and indicate hope placed in the Lord as the way to a Christian and reconciled old age. The Holy Father  invites us to recognize the elderly not only as recipients of pastoral care, but as witnesses of hope who are active protagonists in the life of the Church.  In the Jubilee year, the Day is intended to be an opportunity to reflect on how the presence of grandparents and the elderly can become a sign of hope in every family and church community.
 

We are very grateful for all the donations given in memory of fathers, living and deceased, on Father’s Day 2025.  While many were given anonymously, we    entrust them all to St. Joseph and the Father in Heaven.

* Patrick and Christine Walsh: Our Father in Heaven, Joseph, Mathias, James, Edward, Andreas

* Rose Marie Henderson: Nicholas Ciarleglio, Robert Henderson Sr.,
Raymond Henderson

* Quentin Boyle: Sam Boyle, Quentin W. Boyle, Curtis Sawyer, William Boyle, Joseph Boyle, Donald Sawyer

* Janet Peltier: Herman Cadorette, Lawrence Peltier

* Mary Pieroni: Michael Iarocci Sr., Albert Pieroni, Louis A. Pieroni, Michael Iarocci, Jr., Iarocci-Pieroni Grand-parents

* Richard and Lynne McMahon: Robert McMahon, Keith Packard

* Susan Whitman: Randolph Boyle, Winfield Whitman, Dale Whitman

* Patricia Hamdan: Fausto Hamdan, MD

* Nancy Bujeaud: James Bujeaud, Joseph Bujeaud, Joseph Colford

* Ed & Elaine Whitlock: James Whitlock, Harry Lent

* Nina Haynes: Nate Haynes, Joseph Lehouillier, Irving Haynes

* Pauline Harrington: Charles Harrington, Leonard Bossie

* Edward and Margie Rody: G.E. Rody, J.P. Misejko

David and Vivian Goss Lessard
Committal Service on Saturday,
August 2, 2025 at 11:00am at Riverside Cemetery

Dear Parishioners and Visitors,

“God does not want golden vessels but golden hearts!”
– St. John Chrysostom

As tax-collector-turned-apostle, Saint Matthew may not have had the most popular job when Jesus called him, but the key is not what we do before we hear the call, but what we do after.  Matthew dropped his lucrative post and followed Jesus without looking back.  He gave up the big bucks for even greater treasure—the honor of giving his riches to the poor. 

As you can tell by the posters you see at the church entrances, the 2025 New Hampshire Catholic Appeal (NHCA) is about to “rock full tilt” here at
St. Joseph’s.  As you recall, the NHCA supports the care for our retired and elderly priests, seminarian vocations and education, Catholic schooling, evangelization through Parable magazine, the Community Services programs at Catholic Charities NH, and more.  Last year, we met our parish’s goal of $16,720, and even received a modest return in rebated funds for donations that exceeded our goal.  This year, the parish’s goal is $20,136.  I wish to invite all parishioners and visitors to pray for financial guidance before giving, as I send along special and prayerful thanks for your anticipated generosity.

God bless,
Fr. John Mahoney

The Summer Online Bereavement Support Group from Catholic   
Charities NH will take placeTuesdays (July 29–August 26)  from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. 
To register, visit www.cc-nh.org/bereavement, call Shannon at 603-448-5151, or email shannon.popescu@nh-cc.org.