Most Rev. Bishop Libasci has requested to meet with parishioners in a “town hall meeting” format. He will be here to serve 5 PM Mass on Tuesday, October 1st and will meet with parishioners downstairs in the church hall after Mass. Light refreshments will be served. If you have a question for the Bishop, please forward it to Paula King peking@togther.net).
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Gospel Weeklies have arrived. Students will work on them with their families at home and meet monthly as a group for activities and events.
Confirmation for many of our students is scheduled for
October 27th during the 10:00 Mass. Please keep all the children in your prayers as they continue to grow in their faith.
If you are new to the parish or know of a family with children in grades one through six, please have them register for Faith Formation at the rectory or contact Paula King at peking@together.net
or (603) 348-8166.
Dear Parishioners,
I am so happy to introduce myself, I am Fr.Elson Kattookkaran. I am from southern part of India, a state called Kerala originally, and Christianity is very dominant in that part of the land and we have our claim that we are the followers of St. Thomas, because Christianity started in our soil from 1st century onwards. But due to the assassination of St. Thomas at the early stages of his missionary works Christianity was confined to Kerala itself in the beginning, but later years the zealous missionaries went to different parts of India to evangelize the people. In 15th century another vibrant missionary St. Francis Xavier came to India started evangelizing the costal belt mainly fisher flock which boosted Christianity and as a result many more professed their faith in Jesus. Presently we have over 20 million people embraced the faith in Christ Our Savior and still evangelization is carried out by the missionaries and lay people. Faith is kept blazing and storming in different parts of the country, despite of all persecution and false accusations, just because of the love for Christ and what he had done for the people of God. Though we are minority in that land in Population ways (it is only 2% out of 100) we are doing good regardless of cast and religion, and major religion is Hinduism which is 95%.
I have my parents and three siblings (two brothers and one sister all got married and having a blessed and happy married life with their children). I joined the seminary when I was fourteen years old and spent twelve years (which is very usual formation period in India for the candidates to become a priest) in the seminary having formation in different places in India and Philippines. I got ordained when I was 26 on the birthday of Blessed Mother September 8th. So I used to say my birthday to priesthood and birthday of blessed mother is on same day and she will always accompany me in my priesthood to guide and protect. I spent four years in India teaching in the seminary and worked as fulltime vocation director. In 2010 January I came to USA to work in the diocese of Norwich in Connecticut. Now I am here in Manchester Diocese to render my gift of priesthood which is the service to the people of God. As soon as I arrived in Lincoln I was so impressed by your love and hospitality, more over your welcoming enthusiasm. Hope we will have Good spiritual time and personal time together to uplift the community and its faith, and I assure you my Best
Fr.Elson Kattookkaran
The Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) is a group of parishioners chosen by the Pastor to “assist [him] in his leadership role of planning, organizing, initiating, promoting, coordinating, and reviewing the evangelization, worship, religious education/formation, and service activities in the parish”. The objectives of a Parish Pastoral Council are to 1) assess the needs of the parish and “develop and implement a pastoral plan which will promote the common good of the parish”;
2) “foster unity and a sense of community”; and 3) “promote programs and activities in the parish as recommended by the PPC, the Bishop, or diocesan offices”.
Bishop Libasci has directed us to continue to meet as a Council as we navigate the uncertainty left in the wake of Father Dave’s re-assignment. We want to thank Father Elson for his service to our parish community. His enthusiasm and sense of humor have been refreshing! As soon as the Diocese makes a final decision about a new Pastor, we will let you know. Until then, if you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions, please talk to one of the PPC members. We welcome your input! Please continue to pray for our parish and its members!
God Bless…Paula King, PPC Chairperson
Last Sunday’s cook-out to celebrate the beginning of a new year of Faith Formation was a great success! The food was amazing, the turn-out was good, and the weather cooperated! Who could ask for more?!
Mark your calendars! On Sunday, October 27 during the 10:00 Mass, 11 of our students will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. Please plan to join us to help them celebrate this sacrament of initiation and welcome them as full members of our faith community. They have worked hard and are very excited about this big day!
If you have any questions about our Faith Formation program, please contact Paula King (peking@together.net, 348-8166).
Thanks for all your support!