David and Vivian Goss Lessard
Committal Service on Saturday,
August 2, 2025 at 11:00am at Riverside Cemetery
Author: Fr. Mahoney (Page 5 of 73)
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.
Next week begins the annual New Hampshire Catholic Appeal (NHCA): Future of Our Faith II, Jesus, I trust in You. The NHCA is the Church in New Hampshire’s annual campaign to support essential ministries and programs of our faith. Last year, our parish along with the other 87 parishes raised more than $4.3M. Thank you to all who donated to the appeal last year. The appeal will take place over the next two weekends at Mass. The NHCA supports the care for our retired and elderly priests, seminarian education and vocations, Catholic education, faith formation, evangelization through Parable magazine, the Community Services program at Catholic Charities NH and more! Every registered parishioner will receive a letter from Bishop Libasci along with appeal materials in the mail soon. Please keep the Church in New Hampshire in your prayers that we may grow together and carry our faith into the future. For more information, go to www.catholicnh.org/nhca.
Your generosity is most appreciated!!
Dear Parishioners and Visitors:
Mike Cummings, Lector and Greeter during the winter months here at St. Joe’s, and a member of the New England Disabled Sports (NEDS) family, writes a weekly column for the bulletin at his hometown parish, St. Augustine Church in Andover, Massachusetts. From time to time, I like to share his theological musings in our parish bulletin as food for spiritual growth. Here are Mike’s thoughts on miracles and faith development:
Have you ever personally experienced a miracle? I have on a couple of occasions. Did you tell everyone you know that God interceded in your life? I didn’t. Putting aside the question of “why not?”, it is safe to say that miracles occur far more often than they are reported. In a way, they are like UFO sightings. They happen, but until recently were largely ignored. Surveys show that roughly 25% to 50% of people questioned in multiple countries say they have experienced a miracle. Often, they are related to health issues. Interestingly, about three-quarters of doctors say they believe in miracles. The online Miriam-Webster dictionary defines “miracle” as “an extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs”. The online Oxford Dictionary defines it as “a surprising and welcome event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws”. Ask your friend who is a “None” or an atheist how they personally account for miracles that are inexplicable by even the most passionately secular scientists.
With prayerful best wishes,
Fr. John Mahoney