Dear Parishioners and Visitors,

“I pulled the cat’s tail” is a sin that a youngster might bring into the confessional on a Saturday afternoon, but as our spirituality matures, we recognize the need to examine our lives with a more serious sense of purpose. Lent is a season of prayer and penitence when we engage in some self-reflection about our relationship with God and His Church.

While venial sins are minor offenses against God’s commandments that impede our relationship with God and His Church, mortal sins significantly rupture our relationship with God and others. For a sin to be mortal in nature, the sin committed (or omitted) must be 1) a serious violation of God’s law, 2) must have been done with sufficient knowledge of its seriousness, and 3) must have been done deliberately and with sufficient freedom of the will – i.e., “on purpose.”

 As followers of Christ, we need to examine our lives and recognize any sinful thoughts, words, and behaviors that impede the life-giving connection we share with God through His son, Jesus Christ. Such an examination of conscience should be done regularly, always with trust in God’s mercy and love, and then be brought, with true contrition, to the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

With prayerful best wishes,

Fr. John Mahoney

Dear Parishioners and Visitors,

Rejoice! Easter is coming! With childlike joy, Holy Mother Church begins on  Laetare Sunday to count the days. She is ringingly jubilant. “Laetare” means “rejoice,” and the term is taken from the entrance  antiphon of the day, “Rejoice, Jerusalem, and all  who love her!”

Here at St. Joseph’s, though, there is more reason for rejoicing. Over the past three years, both Mass attendance and parish registrations have increased. Welcome to the parish to all newcomers from near and far! And a special word of thanks to all who offer words of encouragement and support about our weekend liturgies here at St. Joe’s! Your positive comments mean a lot to the many individuals who work behind the scenes to make this parish a special place in which to worship God in the White Mountains!

Another cause for rejoicing is the notable increase in generosity from our parishioners and visitors. Over the past four years, our revenue has increased from $117,278 in 2021, to $174,917 in 2022, to $209,466 in 2023, to $219,691in 2024! There is more work to be done, for sure, but with the grace of God and the continued support of those who worship here, we’ll keep moving in the right direction, both spiritually and fiscally!

With prayerful best wishes,

Fr. John Mahoney

Bishop Peter A. Libasci invites couples celebrating  significant years of marriage to a Mass in celebration of wedding anniversaries.  The Mass will be held on    Sunday, June 1, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Joseph Cathedral, Manchester. To register, please contact the parish office by May 9, 2025. The parish office will gather and submit all necessary information.  A mailed invitation to this special celebration will follow.