Divine Mercy Parish Newsletter
“Coming Together, Growing in Faith”
Vol. 2 Issue 7- December 2010
Divine Mercy Parish Mission Statement
“Guided by the Holy Spirit and in communion with the diocese of Manchester, we, the members of Divine Mercy
Parish, place our trust in God. We devote ourselves to the proclamation of the Gospel according to the one,
holy, catholic and apostolic Church. We seek to provide a safe and supportive home dedicated to the vibrant
celebration of the Eucharist in Holy Mass and all the Sacraments. Through our acts and our words, we embrace
all those who are in need. We resolve to defend the sanctity of human life and to promote peace, within our
community and throughout the world.”
CATECHETICAL PLANNING
COMMITTEE UPDATE
A NEW MISSAL IS COMING!
BY: Fr. Gerry Belanger
In our last Newsletter, the creation and purpose of the
Catechetical Planning Committee were communicated. The
Committee was formed to create a catechetical plan to provide
greater spiritual support to all parishioners. The Committee has
met monthly and has now articulated the Mission Statement, as
follows:
I have been asked to write a series of articles on the new
Roman Missal, which we will begin to use on the First Sunday
of Advent, November 27, 2011.
In November, 2010, I attended a two-day workshop designed
to help the priests of the diocese understand the new Roman
Missal (third edition), so that we can help explain it to our
parishioners.
The mission of the Divine Mercy Parish Catechetical
Planning Committee, guided by the Holy Spirit, and with
input from the parish community, is to assess our lifelong
faith formation needs. A plan will be developed which will
provide opportunities for all parishioners to grow in their
faith.
What is a Missal? Why do we need a new one?
The Missal is the official prayer book used for the celebration
of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. A new Missal is being
published to replace the “temporary” Missal that the Church
has used for more than 35 years!
This committee is charged with identifying the life-long
spiritual needs of all our parishioners: children, teens, young
adults, married and single adults, middle- aged adults and
elders. Our desire is to provide, as best we can, additional
opportunities to assist us all on our Faith Journey and to allow
the Spirit to lead us toward a more vigorous and dynamic life of
discipleship in Jesus Christ.
Some of you reading this will remember the drastic changes
that occurred to the Mass as a result of the Second Vatican
Council, which ended in 1965. Well, rest assured that the
changes to the Mass that will begin on November 27, 2011,
will be mild by comparison! In the early 1970’s, the entire
ritual or structure of the Mass was changed. You might say
that those changes were revolutionary.
Presently the committee is formulating a survey to be
distributed to the parish membership in the near future. Please
begin to think about your Spiritual Journey so you are better
prepared to respond to the survey when it is presented. Perhaps
you can begin to focus, at this time, on these two questions:
The changes to the Mass, which begin on the First Sunday of
Advent 2011, will be evolutionary, not revolutionary. The
structure of the Mass will not change at all. What will change
will be the wording of some of the prayers we recite during
the Mass.
To give you an example: at Mass, when the priest says “The
Lord be with you,” you respond, “And also with you!”
With the third edition of the Roman Missal your new response
will be, “And with your spirit!”
1.
To date, what has been helpful on my Faith Journey at
Divine Mercy Parish?
2.
Concerning my Faith Journey, what would I like to see
implemented in the future?
Please pray that our Divine Mercy Church community is open
in mind and heart to God’s Spirit.
For now, I’ll leave you with that little teaser! In the next
newsletter, I’ll explain the changes to some of the prayers that
we’ll experience in the Mass beginning with the First Sunday
of Advent – November 27, 2011.
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Divine Mercy Parish Newsletter
Vol. 2 Issue 7- December 2010
The beloved carol, “Adeste
Fidelis,” translated as "O
Come, All Ye Faithful," was
once attributed to the 13th
century monk, St.
Bonaventure. But research published in 1947, by the English
Benedictine John Stephan, revealed that the carol was
actually the work of an 18th century Catholic layman who
lived in exile in France.
FROM THE ARCHIVES
St. Patrick Church Bell
The history of the St. Patrick Church bell was recently
discovered in the old sacramental register. The bell was
donated by Colonel Arthur J. Pierce in memory of his wife. It
was blessed on June 29, 1947, by Bishop Matthew F. Brady
and assistant priests Fathers Hurlye, McSweeney, Quinn,
Horgan, Crowley, Leddy, and Blankinship. High Tea was
served at Colonel Pierce’s home.
John Francis Wade was born around1711 in England. As a
Catholic, he fled religious persecution in England, and by 1731
he was copying plainchant at a Dominican college in Flanders.
Eventually, he settled in Douay, France, with its large colony of
English Catholics and major Catholic college established by
Phillip II of Spain.
The bell was hoisted July 8, 1947, and rung for the first time
on July 9 by Colonel Pierce. The Angelus was rung for the
first time on July 10, 1947, at 7:00 AM.
The bell was manufactured by the Meneeley Bell Co. of Troy,
NY. The electrical equipment was purchased from the Verdin
Co., Cincinnati, Ohio. The total cost was $2600 .
According to a history of the college, John Wade made his
living by copying and selling plainchant and other music and
the teaching of Latin and Church song. According to his
obituary, he produced beautiful copies of plainchant and hymn
manuscripts for local chapels and private use.
Wade was also well connected with prominent Catholic
musicians of the time, and is considered an instrumental force
in the English revival of plainchant.
HOLLY FOR CHRISTMAS
Since at least the 15th century, holly has been used for
decoration in the church. Its symbolism is told in carols like
"The Holly and the Ivy" and the "Sans Day Carol."
Until Frederick Oakley's 1845 translation of Wade's original
Latin became the standard, there were several variations of this
carol being sung in the English-speaking world. It is a sure bet
that if we were still voicing, "O hie, ye believers" instead of "O
come, all ye faithful" that the song would have faded from
memory long ago. In this case, we owe the popularity of this
great hymn to both the composer, John Francis Wade, and the
translator who made it accessible, Frederick Oakley.
Holly is an evergreen, and so like the conifers of Germany, it
came to signify for the English in the cold of winter, the
eternal life that is promised by the Savior's birth. The holly's
white flower recalls the virginity of Mary, as well as the
mother's milk that would nourish the newborn babe.
In the best of Christmas tradition, which points eventually to
the life-giving death and resurrection of Jesus, the symbolism
of the holly is exploited to highlight Christ's passion. The
sharp prick of the holly leaf is a reminder of the crown of
thorns. The red berry signifies the blood that Christ shed. The
bark of the holly is "as bitter as any gall" recalling the mixture
of wine and gall offered to Jesus as he hung upon the cross.
FATHER DESRUISSEAUX’S
NATIVITY COLLECTION
This year Father Charles DesRuisseaux's Nativity collection
will be on display at the America's Credit Union Museum
located in Manchester, New Hampshire, from November 29,
2010 through January 2, 2011.
In a nod to the Cornish miners, whose coal fed England's
furnaces and fireplaces, "the holly bears a berry as black as the
coal," as the red berry dies and shrivels. "And Mary bore
Jesus, who died for us all," so that even in death, the holly is a
sign of Christ, whose risen life is eternal, just like the
greenwood of the holly.
Museum Hours: Sunday (12/5,
12/12, 12/19 and 1/2) 1 p.m. - 3
p.m., Monday, Wednesday and
Friday 10:00 a.m. - noon and 1
p.m. to 4 p.m. or by
appointment.
Holly's rich symbolism, which leads us from the birth of Jesus
all the way to his death and resurrection, is an apt reminder to
us that Christmas is not the end of the story. The holly helps
us remember that death accompanies any birth, even that of
Jesus. So put a sprig of holly by your manger, and remind
yourself that this newborn child will grow, and one day die, to
save us all.
Holiday week hours will vary so
please call (603) 629-1553 for
more information. For directions visit the museum's website at:
www.acumuseum.org.
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Divine Mercy Parish Newsletter
Vol. 2 Issue 7- December 2010
EMBLEMS OF THE APOSTLES
As part of its décor, St. Peter Church has a series of apostolic shields in the sanctuary. Painted either blue or red, each shield
displays an historic symbol for each of the original 11 apostles and Matthias, who was selected to succeed Judas.
St. Andrew, depicted by an xshaped cross, was the brother of
Peter and the first of Christ’s
disciples. He is the patron saint
of Russia and Scotland.
Tradition holds that in 60 AD,
Andrew was crucified on a cross saltire in Greece, by
order of the Roman governor Aegeas. A church currently
stands over the supposed site of his crucifixion. It is said
that St. Rule brought St. Andrew’s relics to Scotland to
obey the dictates of a dream. Fishermen may also claim
Andrew as a patron. Lesser used symbols are a fishhook,
net and crossed fish or a builder’s square with a spear. St.
Andrew’s Day is November 30.
St. James the Less, or the Just, known
as such to distinguish him from St.
James the Greater, was the son of
Alpheus and comes from the same
lineage as Jesus. He was also known
as “the Just” because he was a very
spiritual man. James worked in
Jerusalem and was probably its first
bishop. According to Mark (15:49), he stood with the woman
Mary (called “the mother of James” by Mark 16:1) and Mary
Magdalene at the Crucifixion. One account claims that James
was pushed from a pinnacle of the temple at age 96. Near
death, he rose to ask forgiveness for his enemies, who then
stoned, clubbed and finally cut him in half. Because of the
traditions of his martyrdom, the fuller’s bat, stones and a saw
all represent James. His feast day is May 3.
St. Bartholomew, whose name
means “son of Tolomai,” is believed
to be the Nathaniel mentioned in
John. The Roman Martyrology
credits him with missionary labors in
India and Armenia. He is also
credited with one of the Gospels.
While preaching in Albanople, he
was seized by the governor, flayed, crucified and then
beheaded. Bartholomew is portrayed with flaying knives,
a cross with skin stretched on it, a Bible with a flay knife
in it and/or scimitar. These items represent his
martyrdom. He is the patron of bakers, bookbinders,
butchers, miners, shoemakers, shepherds, tailor, tanners
and winegrowers. Bartholomew is the patron saint of
Armenia, and Belgium. Florentine merchants also claim
his patronage. His feast day is Aug. 24.
St. John the Evangelist was a son of
Zebedee and brother to James the
Greater. He was the disciple “whom
Jesus loved” and the disciple to whom, at
the crucifixion, He entrusted his mother
Mary. During John’s ministry, several
attempts were made on his life. One
such attempt involved a poisoned chalice
from which two servants had already drunk and died. John
drank from the cup and then proceeded to raise the two dead
men back to life. Towards the end of his life, John would be
exiled to the Island of Patmos where he saw visions of
Heaven. These visions would be written down and become
known as the Book of Revelation. After his release from
Patmos, John would retire to Ephesus and write the Gospel
and three epistles credited to him. John apparently died of old
age, making him the only Apostle known with some certainty
not to have died a martyr. The main symbol for John is an
eagle. Other symbols for John, the chalice and snake, and the
cauldron and eagle, refer to his miraculous escapes from
death. John’s feast day is Dec. 27.
St. James the Greater, was the
brother of John and a son of Zebedee.
James and John were fishermen and
were together, mending their nets,
when Jesus called them to become
His disciples. James was the first
disciple to be martyred and the only
apostle whose death is recorded in scripture. He was
beheaded with a sword by Herod Agrippa. His remains
were reportedly taken to Compostela, Spain, which has
become one of the most visited sites on the pilgrimage
trail. James’ great connection to Spain led to his being
appointed the patron saint of that country. James is
usually depicted as an elderly man or pilgrim with scallop
shells as adornment. Scallop shells were used by pilgrims
to scoop water from the streams to drink as they traveled.
St. James’ feast day is July 25.
St. Judeis also know as Thaddeus.
Little is known about Jude. He is
considered to be the brother of James
the Less and reputed author of the
Epistle of St. Jude. Tradition and
legend declare that he traveled widely
with Simon and visited Arabia, Syria,
and Mesopotamia during his lifetime, and was martyred with
Simon in Persia. Jude is one of the most popular saints in the
Church and is venerated as the patron saint of hospitals and
hopeless causes. A popular symbol of Jude is the sailing ship.
He shares a feast day with St. Simon on October 28.
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Divine Mercy Parish Newsletter
Vol. 2 Issue 7- December 2010
St. Matthew was the son of Alphaeus
and a tax collector. He was called Levi
in the gospels of Mark and Luke.
Matthew was the author of the first
gospel, written between 60-90 A.D.
He preached in Jerusalem and then
went to Ethiopia; he was martyred
either in Persia or Ethiopia.
Matthew’s work focused on Christ’s humanity and is
designed to provide a true recognition of Christ as the
Messiah. Matthew’s shield displays three purses. Other
symbols are a money box or elderly man with spectacles
writing at a desk. His feast day is September 21.
St. Philip was born in Bethsaida,
Palestine. He is mentioned in connection
with the feeding of the multitude, Jesus’
meeting with the Greeks, and at the Last
Supper where Jesus says, “Have I been
with you so long a time and you still do
not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen
me has seen the Father.” (John 14:9)
Tradition holds he was a missionary to Phrygia and Galatia. Few
details are known of his activities after Pentecost. It was reported
by Clement of Alexandria that Philip died during the reign of
Domitian (81-96) by being crucified upside down. Two symbols
appear for Philip. One is a sword and scripture. The other
presents two loaves of bread with a cross added, showing us his
participation in the feeding of the multitude. Philip’s feast day is
May 1.
St. Matthias was chosen by the
eleven Apostles to replace Judas
Iscariot. Little is known about
Matthias’ life. His places of
missionary work, like Asia Minor, the
Caspian Sea and Ethopia, and the
way he was martyred, either by
halberd or battle axe, are strangely
similar to that of Matthew. This has
led scholars to believe that Matthias was sometimes confused
with Matthew. Other scholars believe he was stoned to death
in Jerusalem and then beheaded at Colchis or Sebastopolis.
St. Helen brought his relics to Rome and some were
transferred to Trier, Germany. When portrayed, Matthias is
symbolized by a halberd, battle axe or scimitar, referring to
this martyrdom. Some other symbols are a double-edged
hatchet over a book or three stones and a lance.. When the
twelve disciples are portrayed together, Matthias is often used
as a substitute for the traitor Judas. His feast day is May 14.
St. Simon is also known as the Zealot.
Little is known about Simon except that he
was listed among the twelve original
apostles. According to tradition, he
preached in Egypt and Mesopotamia, going
to Persia with St. Jude, where they were
both martyred. Other traditions say he
returned to Jerusalem to head up the church
there after James the Lesser was martyred. The most popular
symbols for Simon are a fish (for his former profession) and a
book. Other symbols are boat oars or a saw. His feast day is
October 28
St. Thomas is also called Dydimus. He was
known as “doubting Thomas” because he did
not believe Jesus had risen from the dead; he
would eventually have his doubts answered.
After Pentecost little is known about Thomas.
Tradition tells us that he became a missionary
in Persia and India, where he is reputed to
have built a church with his own hands.
Thomas is represented by both his former occupation and the
weapon that killed him. The carpenter’s square denotes his
profession while the spear reminds us that despite his original
skepticism concerning Jesus’ resurrection, he too, ultimately died
for Christ. He is the patron of architects and the East Indies.
Thomas’s feast day is July 3 and in some calendars, December 21.
St. Peter was also known as Simon or
Cephas. He was the brother of Andrew.
He became the leading Apostle after
Pentecost until the Council of Jerusalem
in 50 A.D. Peter would be the first to
acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah, the
Son of the Living God. Peter was
instrumental in bringing the Gospel to the Gentiles, thereby
permitting the new Church to become universal, and is
considered our first pope. Peter died in Rome under the reign
of Emperor Nero, probably in 64 A.D. According to
tradition, Peter was crucified on Vatican Hill upside down
because he declared himself unworthy to die in the same
manner as the Lord. He was then buried on Vatican Hill, and
excavations under St. Peter’s Basilica have unearthed his
probable tomb; his relics are now enshrined under the high
altar of St. Peter’s. Two crossed keys (one traditionally gold,
the other silver) refer to the discourse Peter had with Jesus “I
will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.” St. Peter’s
feast day is June 29.
NEWSLETTER STAFF:
Elaine Giacomo - Co-editor
Gail Caron – Co-editor
Jane Meneghini – Staff writer
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