Ash Wednesday (February 14th) and Good Friday (March 29th) are days of universal fast, observed by all who are 18 to 58 years of age, inclusive, permitting one full meal and two much lighter meals, with nothing to eat in between meals other than water, milk, and juices. In addition, both of these holy days are days of full abstinence from meat (unless excused for reasons of health) as are all Fridays of Lent — binding all who are 14 years of age and older.
Category: From the Pastor’s Desk (Page 29 of 78)
Dear Parishioners and Visitors,
For centuries, the Memorial of Saint Blaise has been celebrated with crossed candles held under the throat of the Christian faithful and the invocation pronounced, “Through the intercession of Saint Blaise, bishop and martyr, may God deliver you from every disease of the throat and from every other illness. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” Saint Blaise’s life is known primarily through legend written some 400 years after his death, yet the tradition of seeking his intercession and blessing throats lives on in countless parishes today. It is a good time to remember that when you come to God or seek the prayers of a saint or a blessing of some kind, you are not practicing magic or being superstitious: You are acting out your faith in God’s love and care. See in the story of Saint Blaise an occasion to commit yourself again into God’s hands.
With prayerful best wishes,
Fr. John Mahoney
January 18-25, 2024
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is a worldwide movement among Christians to pray together to promote dialogue among Christian communities. The theme for 2024 is “You shall love the Lord your God…and your neighbor as yourself” Luke 10:27. This theme reflects the connection between love of God and love of neighbor with a particular concern for challenging the boundaries of who is considered “neighbor”. In this pericope, Jesus is questioned as to the path to eternal life. His answer is not to only observe the commandments, but to also imitate the love of God in the giving of self for another. It is a call for charity, mercy, justice, and unity in inter-communal relations.
SAINT JOSEPH PARISH DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE LEGAL
PROTECTION OF UNBORN CHILDREN 2024
Although the official Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children falls on Monday, January 22,2024, as a parish community there is much we can do
prayerfully to foster the pro-life initiatives of the Diocese of Manchester and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
The following events are scheduled here at St. Joseph Church
for Wednesday, January 24, 2024:
8:00 A.M. – Pro-Life Mass
8:30 A.M. – Pro-Life Rosary
8:30 A.M. – 12:30 P.M. – Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament to Respect Life
A charitable donation will be made on behalf of the parish community to Haven Pregnancy Center in Plymouth to support, educate, and equip men and women to make life-affirming choices relative to pregnancy, parenting, relationships, and God.
Please join us as we pray for the sanctity of all life.
Home Blessing
20 +CMB+24
Epiphany(also known as Twelfth Night, Theophany, or Three Kings Day) marks the occasion of a time-honored Christian tradition of “chalking the doors.” The chalking of the doors is a centuries-old practice throughout the world, though it appears to be somewhat less well-known in the United States. It is, however, an easy tradition to adopt, and a great practice whereby we dedicate our year to God from its very outset, asking His blessing on our homes and on all who live, work, or visit them there. The chalking of the doors of a home encourages Christians to dedicate their life at home to God and to others. Seeing the symbols over our doors can help to remind us, while passing in and out on our daily routines, that our homes and all those who dwell there belong to Christ. It also serves as a reminder of the welcoming the Magi gave to Jesus. We should strive to be as welcoming to all who come to our homes to visit us! For more information and instructions on how to bless your home, visit www.catholicnh.org/worship-and-sacraments/faith/liturgical-calendar/christmas/epiphany.