Welcome to Divine Mercy Parish

Divine Mercy Parish Newsletter “Coming Together, Growing in Faith” Vol. 4 Issue 12- June 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.”

Lauren Martin – Divine Mercy Parish Pastoral Council President fed by the Church. She volunteered at the For parishioners who have not yet met Lauren Peterborough Elementary School once a Martin, take the opportunity to do so. Lauren week, is a vivacious, intelligent Peterborough joined the Peterborough Women’s Club, resident who lives her personal belief that taught religious education, and became being a Roman Catholic means doing more actively involved in Peterborough Cub Scout than one is “supposed” to do. Her presidency Pack 8. Lauren eventually became of the Pastoral Council is but one component Cubmaster, a position in which she (and the of a life of prayer and giving. pack) thrived. For her efforts, Lauren was awarded the Mt. Monadnock District Lauren O’Connell Martin was born and raised Cubmaster of the Year award. As her sons in Worcester, MA, the fourth of five children. moved up into Boy Scouts, Lauren prepared Raised in a devoutly Catholic household, she the pack for her impending departure, attended Catholic schools from kindergarten ensuring that the program would continue through graduate school. While a senior at without disruption. Trinity College in Washington, DC, Lauren Today, Lauren and Bill’s three sons are met Bill Martin, a Georgetown University almost grown. Dan is 19 and a freshman at medical school intern. They spoke briefly, UNH; he plans to be a doctor like his father. but both returned to their studies - little did Andrew is 17 and a senior at ConVal High they know that within five years they would School; he is planning a career in sound meet again, fall in love and marry. engineering. Both are Eagle Scouts. After living in Boston, Lauren and Bill Matthew, 15, is a freshman at ConVal, and jumped at the opportunity to move to the possesses the personality and deep baritone peaceful hamlet of Peterborough, where Bill voice of a future communications major. Bill accepted a position at Monadnock is now the director of the Hospitalist program Community Hospital. Once there, Lauren at Catholic Medical Center in Manchester, a joined St. Peter Church, and was a member of position that allows him to do what he loves the Women’s Guild. She continued her Girl best – serve as an advocate for patients. Scouts service as a Brownies leader for three A recipient of the Scouting District Award of years, until she gave birth to Daniel, the first Merit, Lauren is now the District of their three sons. Commissioner for Mt. Monadnock district. As the children grew, Lauren’s volunteer She oversees and guides unit and roundtable activities grew commensurately, and her faith commissioners, who in turn assist individual continued to be Cub and Boy Scout units within the district. She earned her Woodbadge beads, the 1 Divine Mercy Parish Newsletter “Coming Together, Growing in Faith” Vol. 4 Issue 12- June 2012 equivalent of a Master’s degree in Scouting, women from different towns, of different ages and now teaches the Woodbadge course. For and background, all dedicated to a single goal the past three years, Lauren has been – service to those in need. Like many substitute teaching in the ConVal district. parishioners, Lauren would love to see a new She discovered that she has a certain affinity church building, but sees a greater importance for troubled children, particularly those of in building love, connectedness and family middle school age. When she encounters an among parishioners. If we have all three, we especially difficult child, Lauren prays for have the real foundation of a parish. that child; she declares that it helps every time!

Prayer plays a major role in Lauren’s life. As TOMATO, TO-MAH-TO: WHAT’S IN A a Eucharistic minister, she is humbly grateful NAME? for the opportunity to help Jesus feed His sheep. She is often overwhelmed by the The transition in recent years from parish needs of her fellow parishioners, and prays councils to pastoral councils is often a for those most in need. She hopes that she confusing one, sometimes prompting the and the Council can help provide parishioners question of whether it is just semantics. A with the same sense of connectedness and brief history may help answer that question. mutual support that a family would offer in The Second Vatican Council called for the times of need. Lauren brings Holy creation of “parish councils” to serve in an Communion to two housebound ladies, which advisory capacity to the pastor and in service she considers a blessing for her as well as to the church as it carries out the mission of them. As she prays with them, she feels Christ – a pretty vague description of what a God’s goodness within herself. council should be doing.

Lauren appreciates the gifts that she has This commitment to involving the laity in received as a member of the Pastoral Council. leading the church has not changed ; over She feels that her faith has deepened, and her time, what has changed is the perception of heart can take in more, so she can give more the role of parish councils which had become to others. The Pastoral Council is the more task-oriented as the memberships of connection between Father Gerry and the these councils were usually the “doers” of the parishioners, and the Council’s job is to parish. Their role was primarily a practical strengthen that connection as well as the one, advising the pastor on fiscal matters and connectedness among parishioners planning various parish events. These parish themselves. One of the Pastoral Council’s councils were the ones making decisions on major goals this year is to reach out to retaining walls, striping the parking lot and inactive Catholics, helping them re-establish replacing the bell tower. their personal connection with the Church. Lauren is “fed” by her faith, and wants to find Recently a shift occurred which moved away ways that the Council can help these and from the focus on specific program planning others who desperately need the “food” of to a new model which calls for the parish love, prayer, or even a kind word. pastoral councils to lead the parish in the discernment and expression of its mission, the Lauren recently rejoined the Divine Mercy goals and objectives related to it, and the Women’s Guild, which she considers the fulfillment of the pastoral mission. Council model for our blended parish, a “family” of members traded in their hammers and screw

2 Divine Mercy Parish Newsletter “Coming Together, Growing in Faith” Vol. 4 Issue 12- June 2012 drivers and were asked to share the Catholics. “Let’s Talk” resulted from this responsibility of leading. goal. It is a revisioning of the parish pastoral Pastoral planning is an ongoing, cyclical council and is reflective of the early Church process which is always mission-motivated where the laity gathered together in prayer and involves discernment, consensus, goal and service to their community, placing their setting, developing objectives, individual gifts at the service of all. By virtue implementation and evaluation. Their job is of their baptism, the laity are empowered to to lead all members of the parish body in participate in the vision of the church and in making our mission a reality: the pastoral activity. They assist the pastor in Guided by the Holy Spirit and in communion long-range pastoral planning affecting the with the Catholic Church throughout the whole of parish life. world, the people of Divine Mercy Parish of the Diocese of Manchester, seek to create a The pastoral visioning and planning function welcoming and compassionate community of of the council are separate and distinct from faith, where we grow in grace and love of the day-to-day routine decision-making that Jesus Christ. We strive to understand and needs to take place for the parish to operate proclaim His Gospel, building up God’s on a daily basis. These operations are the kingdom in our lives, our families and our responsibility of the pastor and parish staff. towns. We provide a joyful home for prayer This change freed the councils to leave the and the celebration of the Eucharist and all practical matters to another group and to the sacraments. Through actions and words, focus on envisioning where the parish is we seek to embrace all those in need, defend headed. the holiness and flourishing of human life and Our Parish Pastoral Council has been hard at promote peace and justice.” work transitioning to this visionary body that So while you may no longer see Pastoral is tasked with identifying pastoral needs. Council members with tape measures and They have participated in workshops helping shovels, they are out there, using their them to identify the Seven Elements of Parish individual and collective gifts for the Life: evangelization, worship, word, development of our parish. community, service, stewardship and leadership. BOOK NOOK Our Mission Statement was developed by the By Linda Kepner Pastoral Council. They have discerned several goals and developed objectives to Do you think you know Harry, the wizard? achieve these goals. One of these goals was to Chances are, you don’t. Harry Dresden, a develop a youth ministry that excites its grown man – not the wizard you’re probably members and sustains their faith and parish thinking of - is a professional wizard-for-hire involvement. The Youth Ministry program in Chicago. He specializes in missing began in the fall of 2011 and is still growing. persons, particularly lost children. Odd Jobs, The Catechetical Committee was formed and by Jim Butcher, is a collection of short stories is working to identify faith formation needs featuring this eccentric human being, and all from “cradle to grave.” They recently polled the friends, acquaintances, and enemies he the parish about their needs and are working makes throughout his work. Among them are to formulate a plan that incorporates the his brother Thomas, a vampire (who is responses. Another goal was to provide a nonetheless protective of his “clueless” little program for inactive parishioners or lapsed brother); students of the University of 3 Divine Mercy Parish Newsletter “Coming Together, Growing in Faith” Vol. 4 Issue 12- June 2012 Chicago, who are also practicing werewolves; favor by purchasing an up-to-date World his assistant Molly, whose father is as Almanac. It’s often better than the Internet, remarkable as she; the diminutive Sgt. Karrin and more likely to be true. Be an info whiz! Murphy, head of the Chicago Police Find thumbnail sketches of the governments Department’s Special Investigations unit, who of nations and states, a map of time zones, top makes legible police reports out of weird sports scores (national and international), happenings and provides an almost-love- major crime statistics, economic data, interest; Gard, who serves as a mob boss’s calendars, and political trivia, all in this little bodyguard as her day job, but is a genuine paperback that sells for $12.99. Valkyrie; and a host of slimy things that So fly with Harry, and come back down to climb out of Lake Michigan and try to take earth with some good, inexpensive reference over the city. Harry’s meeting with the angel sources. Uriel is one of the highlights of the book, in my opinion. It’s consoling and uplifting to hear an angel chide Harry and remind him FOOD FOR FRIENDS that when God does nothing, He’s doing (Formerly Brown Bag Sunday) something. Spoiler: The book ends with a sad story, In an effort to improve and increase our Murphy functioning without Harry, who has parish disappeared. Even so, the stories are funny support of local food banks, we have changed and uplifting, true to legend (for the most our name to FOOD FOR FRIENDS and will part), and show what a truly adult wizard can be having special theme- based collections. accomplish, on his own. (Harry does make a Beginning this summer, we are starting with few disparaging comments about ‘Death- CHRISTMAS in JULY! Look for the Eater wannabes.’) Christmas Tree outside of the church and pull a tag. We are collecting food for the entire On the serious side, there are rites and month of JULY to help fill the shelves on the ceremonies for which we should all have a two local food banks. Both the Peterborough little knowledge. Should guests attend the Human Services and Monadnock Area Food interment at a Baptist funeral? Is a gift Pantry will have envelopes with pre-printed expected at a Jewish wedding? A Hindu birth labels on the tree, along with grocery gift ceremony – when and where, and does one cards and specific food items. only attend if invited? The answers to these quandaries can be found in How to be a Did you know that during the summer, Perfect Stranger, by Arthur J. Magida. This children who qualify for free or reduced book is so popular, a Volume 2 was created breakfasts and lunches now have to get those for religions not covered in Volume 1. This is meals at home? That leads to a big increase a handy volume for creative writing as well as in the demands for cereals, lunch items, and personal use. One never knows when this healthy snacks for the food bank to deliver. kind of information might come in handy. Go June’s monthly theme at the MAFP is peanut ahead, look yourself up. butter and jelly. Please help feed our Kendall Wiggin (once the NH State Librarian, children. now the CT State Librarian) once said, “Ninety-five per cent of all reference Another way we have changed how we questions can be answered with the almanac support the local hungry families is through and a good encyclopedia. For the other five the use of envelopes that are located at the per cent, they need us.” Put the odds in your back of the church in a cute little wicker 4 Divine Mercy Parish Newsletter “Coming Together, Growing in Faith” Vol. 4 Issue 12- June 2012 basket. These envelopes can be used for cash the totes home. These can be used to transport or check donations to the Monadnock Area your food contributions to the church. We Food Pantry. The envelopes can be deposited can always use more help, so we would love into the Offertory collection basket or mailed to have you join us for our next meeting in directly to the food pantry. The MAFP has August as we plan more theme- based partnered with grocery providers and they can collections for the remainder of the year. For really stretch your dollars and increase the more information, or to help the cause, please buying power. call JoAnn Fletcher at 924-6358.

Food for Friends has special totes that have NEWSLETTER STAFF: been printed with the new logo, first seen at Elaine Giacomo - Co-editor the Outreach Fair. If you use a plastic grocery Gail Caron – Co-editor bag as a liner, you can leave the food in the Jane Meneghini – Staff writer plastic in the receptacles at church, and take Linda Kepner – Staff writer