CLARIFICATION ON MASS

     I would like to clarify Mass being celebrated on Wednesday and Sunday.  These are classified as private Masses which Bishop Libasci has asked that we continue to celebrate.  In my case, where I am in the parish only two days per week, one day necessarily must be on Sunday.  Since I was asked to make the parish business day on Wednesday, I do celebrate the Mass on that morning.  I have not publicized the time of Masses as we are allowed only ten people, including the celebrant, to be present.  When I discovered that a small group of people gathered daily to pray, I asked them if they would be present for the Masses on both days as representatives of the parish community.  I don’t like to exclude people, but I must abide by the regulations imposed by the authorities during this time of crisis.  On Sundays, the Mass is for the intentions of The People of the Parish.  On the other days, I am satisfying the intentions which are entered in the Mass book by celebrating Mass at home.  Information on these intentions will be published in the bulletin.  We are all looking forward to the day when we can all return to celebrate the Mass as a congregation in our parish church.  I thank you for your understanding and patience.

Prayers in Christ, Fr. Eddy

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
The Easter Alleluia happily proclaims that Christ is Risen! He is truly risen as He said. In this most blessed Easter season, even though our lives have changed and routines and priorities have been altered so drastically, the unaltered promise of Jesus is fulfilled and remains our security and our hope. The Risen Christ is the One whose side was pierced with a lance and poured forth the Fountain of Immortality and so, our joy must not be diluted with tears of sadness today.
I’ve seen the refreshment of life that His Fountain of Immortality has been giving. Wounded as we are by the virus and the impact it has had even on our going to Mass, I cannot begin to tell you how edified I am by our people who have been comforted and even delighted as they admire their priests for their unyielding efforts to bring, as best they can, the elements and fruits of the Mass and Sacraments despite the challenging circumstances they, and we, all face.
I am reminded of the words of St. Maximillian Kolbe who, in the most dire of circumstances said, “Let us remember that love lives through sacrifice, and is nourished by giving.” How we are all striving to live those words in our own day! The Fountain of Immortality still pours forth the grace for which the side of Christ was pierced. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. He IS Risen! Although the pews are empty at this time, the life of the parish lives through sacrifice and is nourished by giving. Our priests are finding ways of giving and in the midst of sacrifice continue to nourish their people. How blessed we are!
As members of the Church in New Hampshire, you, too, must be thanked for your generous and sacrificial support of your Church. Despite being fiscally prudent, many of your pastors are facing unexpected financial hardship for their parishes due to the effects of the pandemic. Your support each week is a blessed sacrificial gift flowing from your heart! YOU have shown that the wellsprings of the graces of the Fountain of Immortality continue to flow in the Church even in, and especially in, times of greatest need. In this time of particular need, I appeal to you that, if your means allow, you continue and possibly increase your support in one or each of these suggested ways:
1) Encourage friends and relatives to be sure that they know they can contribute at this time.
2) Contributions can be made to our newly established Together in Faith: Parish Support Fund, which gives immediate assistance to parishes in extreme financial hardship due to the pandemic.
3) If, by any chance you find prayerfully that you can increase your giving to your parish by 10%, our parish life will continue uninterruptedly throughout this critical time. You can visit www.catholicnh.org/online-giving page to give online to your parish, or if you give by check, fill out a digital commitment card.
Many of our parishes strive zealously to livestream Mass and Devotions, and open the churches for prayer and Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament, and Confessions. These are the channels of grace pouring from the Fountain of Immortality – Christ and his Sacraments.
Throughout history, Catholics have always responded abundantly to the trials they have faced. We respond, we sacrifice and we give out of love. In this most challenging time, I ask that you prayerfully consider in what way you can offer immediate financial support to the Catholic Church here in New Hampshire.

Gratefully and faithfully yours in Our Lord,
+Most Reverend Peter A. Libasci

Dear Parishioners,

During this time it is very difficult to communicate with everyone.  We do receive periodic communications from Bishop Libasci and we will reproduce these in the bulletin which we will place in church over the weekend and be picked up there while the church is open.  We will also post these on the parish website.  In fact, we will post all communications on the website.  Maybe you have a relative and/or friend who does not have access to the internet, so a friendly phone call from you would be a great help.
One question that has arisen is from parishioners who wish to continue their financial support of the parish.  The best way at this time, of course, is through online giving.  But for those who prefer the traditional method, I would ask that you please mail these to the parish and please indicate on the memo line what the donation is for.  I know that you are aware that all regular expenses must be taken care of and we can only do this through your generosity.  My expenses are being covered by the diocese so that means a savings to the parish at this time.
If you should have any questions or comments, they can be addressed to me at ebisson@rcbm.org.

CATHOLICNH.ORG
Easter 2020
I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life
( 8:12).
My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
On that first Easter night, Jesus appeared to the disciples, “even though the doors and windows of the place where they were staying were locked.” Fear for their very lives brought them to the natural survival instinct to “shelter in place”. We are, undoubtedly, living in a time of grave uncertainty. Our daily lives have changed drastically as we are unable to see our loved ones in person and cannot experience the healing power of the Eucharist.
But nothing, no fear, no locked doors, no quarantine, no separation prevents the Lord Himself from making His presence known in our midst even while we are locked up in our shelters. His words are “Peace” “Do not be afraid. It is I” “Put your finger into the nail marks; put your hand into my side. Do not persist in your unbelief, but believe.”
Christ crucified is Christ truly risen. He understands our fear and leads us to confront fear with Faith. Throughout the Old and the New Testaments we read of the great victories of men and women who confronted fear with a sometimes wavering and sometimes resolute Faith. How heroic that faith is! Let the eternal victory of Our Lord Jesus restore your bravery through belief – deeply renewed belief in Him. In the midst of anxieties and fears, we can find courage through our belief because Jesus rose from the dead. It is from the darkness that Christ resurrects and reverses death.
At this Easter Season, which we observe in the manner of and in union with those first disciples, we look out our windows in the direction of the whole world and pray: “May the heart of Jesus present in the Most Blessed Sacrament, be praised, adored and loved with grateful affection, at every moment, in all the Tabernacles of the world even to the end of time.”
And so, as we mark these joyous days of Jesus’ Resurrection from the dead, and until the Holy Spirit bids the world to come alive again, I pray: “May these days not be marked by our disappointment, but by sharing Jesus’ joy in victory over the snares of the devil. ‘Christ is risen from the dead. By death He conquered death and bestowed life upon those in the tomb’.
May the peace and blessing of Almighty God, the Father + the Son + and the Holy Spirit + descend upon you and remain with you forever and ever. Amen.”
Sincerely in Christ,
Most Reverend Peter A. Libasci
Bishop of Manchester

 In these times of uncertainty, I write to assure you that I will continue to say Mass and fulfill the intentions of Mass everyday for you and our people. Even though the operations and administration of the parish are limited, we unfortunately still have our bills to pay. Even though I truly would rather have our community here, I must still work to heat or cool the church, pay the salaries of the employees, buy groceries for the rectory, and all the other myriad items in the budget. According to national studies, the average Catholic gives to his/her parish 40 out of 52 weeks per year, when you count all the times they’re on vacation, home sick, unable to attend Mass due to weather, traveling for work – which doesn’t even take into account our current situation of being homebound. Even if no one increased the amount they normally give per Sunday by a cent, but began to give intentionally through online offertory, we would have 30% more funds to get us through these difficult weeks. If you haven’t already transitioned to online giving, please consider doing so as soon as possible. Online giving will really help our parish right now. Because it is automatic, even when you are not here, you can continue your weekly support of the parish. A couple of years ago, it seemed every weekend was another big storm that prevented a lot of people from getting to Mass on Sunday and our parish was financially affected. I hope to avoid that situation for our parish now. St. Joseph offers online donations and giving opportunities directly from our website. Easily make a secure donation via electronic check or debit/credit card by visiting parish website. You can even take care of a missed gift immediately from a cell phone, or set up an online donor account for regular automatic giving. Online giving has been a proven success for many parishes, schools, and dioceses. Plus, it makes for safer record-keeping, faster processing, and more efficient communication at the parish office. I ask you to prayerfully recommit to the desire of sharing your gifts with greater ease and convenience. Thank you for your continued generosity, prayers, and participation in the ministry and mission of St. Joseph Church.  Your efforts make so many things possible for our parish, community, and Church. I pray for all of you during this time of hideous Covid 19 pandemic, and assure you my prayers and spiritual support, that you can contact me at any time with questions or concerns. God bless!