Divine Mercy Parish Newsletter“Coming Together, Growing in Faith”

Vol. 4 Issue 11- February 2012

Divine Mercy Parish Mission Statement“Guided by the Holy Spirit and in communion with the Catholic Church throughout the world, the people of Divine Mercy Parish of the Diocese of Manchester, seek to create a welcoming and compassionate community of faith, where we grow in grace and love of Jesus Christ. We strive to understand and proclaim His Gospel, building up God’s kingdom in our lives, our families and our towns. We provide a joyful home for prayer and the celebration of the Eucharist and all the sacraments. Through actions and words, we seek to embrace all those in need, defend the holiness and flourishing of human life and promote peace and justice.”

2012 PARISH MISSION IS COMING!

The Divine Mercy Parish Mission is March 19-21, 2012. We will be welcoming Fr. Jack Connor, CP, who was born in Scranton, Pa. Son of the late Anthony and Rose Connor, he was one of ten children. He has seven sisters and one brother; 22 nieces and nephews. At last count, there

were 16 grand nieces and nephews and the family continues to grow. Fr Jack is a Viet Nam Veteran and served as a medic in Viet Nam in 1969-70.

Fr Jack graduated from the University of Scranton with a BS in Sociology and is a certified Social Studies Teacher. He received his Masters of Social Work from the University of Marywood in Scranton and later received his Accredited Social Work Certificate (ACSW). He worked in a residential treatment center for adolescents prior to joining the Passionists in 1978. Fr Jack received his Masters of Divinity from Catholic Theological Union in 1983 and was ordained to the priesthood in June of 1984.

Fr Jack has served in retreat ministry in Pittsburgh, and Shelter Island N.Y. He also served as assistant pastor in Baltimore, and Scranton and also served as pastor in his home parish of St Ann’s in Scranton, Pa. Fr Jack has

also served on the Mission Band preaching missions and retreats throughout the east coast. Most recently prior to coming to Our Lady of Florida Fr Jack has for the past four years served as Vicar at the Monastery and Basilica of St Ann’s in Scranton, Pa. and also for the past three years worked in campus ministry at the University of Scranton.

The theme for this year’s mission is “Our Universal Call to Holiness.” The Mission will begin at7 PM and run for 50 minutes. Each day of the mission has a special theme: Monday – “Our Life is a Fifth Gospel;” Tuesday – “Living in the Christian Community;” Wednesday – “The Cost and Call of Discipleship.” In addition there will be opportunities for Reconciliation and Mass. Watch the bulletin as we draw closer to the Mission.

THE ORIGIN OF ASH WEDNESDAY

Ash Wednesday entered the calendar in the early sixth century when the desire arose to have forty actual days of fasting before Easter. Sundays were never fast days, so to get to forty, one had to add four days to the six weeks of Lent. In the Christian lands along the Rhine River the devotional practice of imposing ashes arose as people imitated what they heard in Bible passages such as 2 Samuel 13:19, Ezekiel

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Divine Mercy Parish Newsletter“Coming Together, Growing in Faith”

Vol. 4 Issue 11- February 2012

27:30, Job 2:12, and Jonah 3:6. What was once a private devotion came to be practiced publicly in the eighth century, and by the year 1000 it was commonplace in many celebrations at the beginning of Lent. The distribution of ashes was formally added to the Missal at Rome in the thirteenth century and this ancient symbol of repentance is now widely used among most Christian denominations at the beginning of Lent.

© Liturgical Publications Inc

FOOD PANTRYPLANNING

COMMITTEE

Last autumn a group of concerned parishioners met to address the issue of food shortages in our communities. We, as a parish, are trying to live out our mission statement “through actions and words, we seek to embrace those in need.”

Caring for the poor is one of the corporal works of mercy.

All the area towns have food pantries that are open 1-5 days a week. Additionally, several area churches have weekly or monthly Free Community Suppers. In Peterborough they are sponsored by the following churches: Mondays - 5:30 PM at the Union Congregational Church; Tuesdays - 5:30 PM at Reynolds Hall; Wednesdays from 5:30 -6:30 PM at the Unitarian Universalist Church. Thursday meals are held once a month: First Thursday at Francestown Community Church; Second

Thursday at Bennington Pierce School; Third Thursday at Antrim Presbyterian Church; Fourth Thursday at Hancock Congregational Church Vestry.The specific target of the meeting held last fall was our Brown Bag Sunday that collects food for the Monadnock Area Food Pantry. Sixteen area communities are served by the MAFP. They average 70 families totaling 200 clients per week. The average order weighs 26 lbs. and includes eggs, cheese, bread, baked beans, mac & cheese, spaghetti sauce, canned soups, fruits and vegetables, meat & poultry when available, peanut butter, jelly, and some toiletries.

The Food Pantry initiative is focusing on how to improve our collection method and delivery of food stuffs to the pantry. It has been learned that the MAFP is able to purchase food with a significant discount and thereby stretch their dollar donations. The Committee has installed a donation basket under the pamphlet rack as you enter the church. This basket has pre-addressed envelopes parishioners are encouraged to use. Donations can be placed in the offertory basket, or mailed directly to the MAFB.

Danny Thomas has been quoted as saying he would rather receive one dollar from a million people than a million dollars from one. In this spirit, we encourage you to use the envelopes to give a few dollars, more regularly. This is a great way to teach stewardship to our young people. Brown Bag Sunday will continue on the first Sunday of each month. Forgotten your food again? Use the food pantry envelopes. With Lent approaching you might consider forgoing a favorite food and donating the money you might have spent to one of the food pantries.

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Divine Mercy Parish Newsletter“Coming Together, Growing in Faith”

Vol. 4 Issue 11- February 2012

The Food Pantry Committee welcomes everyone who is interested in helping to their next meeting.CAT IN THE HAT INSPIRES MOUSE IN

THE HOUSE

The National Education Association's "Read Across America" celebration is an annual reading motivation and awareness program that calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading on March 2, the birthday of beloved children's author Dr. Seuss.

Taking some pointers from The Cat in the Hat, Social Security's own Mouse in the House has something for you to read. You may learn a thing or two...

The sun was not shining. Outside it was wet.Grandma was whining, all full of regret.I sat there with Granny, just looking outside.I asked, "What's wrong?" Then she almost cried.

She said, "I'm unhappy. You want to know why?I turned 66, and it's time to apply!But outside it's so wet and so slick and so cold,When the weather gets better, I might be too old!"

Every One here in Oneville, when they reach the right number,Applies for Social Security. To forget is to blunder.But all we could do was to wait, wait, wait, wait.To wait for nice weather. It wasn't so great.

And then, something went CLICK!That click made our hearts tick!

We looked, and remembered what we had in our house.We looked and remembered! Our house had a mouse!The mouse said, "I know it's bad weather for driving.But today's just the right kind of day for onlining!I know a good website, one that you'll love.And I call it Social Security dot gov!"

We logged on the computer and went to the site.In a matter of minutes, Granny's smile was on tight!The mouse said, "Online is the way to apply!" With a grin on her face, Granny said "Oh my!"

Granny cheered, "Look, look!" And she shook with glee."I'm done applying! That was so, so easy!The application was so slick and so fast and so fun,Let's go dance in the rain, now that I'm done!"

Then Grandpa woke up, looking quite down.His pajamas were frumpy. On his face was a frown.His age was rising and so was the water."I don't want to go out in that rain, but I oughter."

"What will I do," Grandpa asked about later."I need to apply, and I'm not a good wader."

Granny and I did not know what to say.Should we tell him about what we'd done here this day?Should we help him get to Social Security online?We did. And now Granny and Grandpa are fine.

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Divine Mercy Parish Newsletter“Coming Together, Growing in Faith”

Vol. 4 Issue 11- February 2012

When retirement age comes to someone you love,Take them to Social Security dot gov.

©-Liturgical Press Inc.MONADNOCK COUNCIL 5790

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS by Rich

Frechette

The Knights of Columbus in Divine Mercy Parish have been asked “What are you?” and “What do you do?” Hopefully, these brief paragraphs will answer these questions, and may get you to think about joining our ranks.

The Knights is a men's organization functioning within Divine Mercy Parish, but also in concert with other Councils throughout the nation, and the world. The Knights of Columbus was founded in the late 1800's by a parish priest, Fr. Michael McGivney, in New Haven, CT. In those days, most Catholics in the US were immigrants who worked as manual laborers and in factories. They faced intense anti-Catholic prejudices and worked long hours under difficult conditions. Career-ending injuries and death were commonplace. Fr. McGivney struggled with these realities within his parish and prayed hard for a solution. He designed the Knights as a place of fraternity where Catholic men could gather, as an organization dedicated to the care of injured or deceased men and their families. The concept was unique, and so successful that the organization spread out of New Haven and now has councils in nearly every country on earth.

The Knights of Columbus is founded on the principles of unity and charity. The cornerstone of our organization is service to the parish, the community and to the needs of our fellow men

and women around the globe. In addition, patriotism is important to our group. You may have seen Knights marching in full regalia at the Memorial Day and Veterans Day parades.

Our council has an active history of service and charity. Just a few of our activities will be used as examples. When Cross International came to our parish, we learned of the severe need for housing in areas of Asia. The council had been saving money to build a home for our meetings. We decided, however, that the needs of the poor outweighed our desire for a meeting place, so we donated the funds to construct a permanent home for a family in the Philippines. We have also donated money to construct wells in Central America through Food for the Poor, and we also support a child in Brazil.

Locally, our council has made donations to St. Patrick School, the food bank, local youth organizations including sports teams, school clubs and scouts. For the parish, we put on the St. Patrick's dinner, and sponsor the parish picnic. In addition, we are on call for Father whenever he needs some manpower. We have scraped and painted the church windows, performed tree work near the rectory, and cemetery cleanup.

We meet once a month, the second Wednesday, at 6:30 in the church basement. Most months we enjoy a meal together, often simply pizza; however, we have several theme dinners including a Polish meal, an Italian night, and whatever else comes to mind. Our meetings are usually brief, and attendance is not required. Men come when their schedule allows, and are not pressured into coming when life is too busy. The Knights are open to all practicing Catholic men. Please consider joining us.

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Divine Mercy Parish Newsletter“Coming Together, Growing in Faith”

Vol. 4 Issue 11- February 2012

NEWSLETTER STAFF:Elaine Giacomo - Co-editorGail Caron – Co-editorJane Meneghini – Staff writerLinda Kepner – Staff writer

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