This weekend we kickoff the New Hampshire Catholic Appeal: Future of our Faith II, One Bread, One Body, (NHCA) an initiative for our Diocese to grow and expand ministries in the Church in New Hampshire. It has consolidated six of our annual collections under one Appeal along with the Catholic Charities NH in-pew special collection appeal and the Parable magazine drive. We are grateful to all who donated to the NHCA last year. The New Hampshire Catholic Appeal again will help fund essential services and ministries like the care for our retired priests, education and formation of seminarians, Catholic education, Parable magazine, the Community Services program Catholic Charities NH and more.

 Everyone in our parish will receive a copy of the Appeal materials so that you can learn more about the NHCA and how you can participate. As you consider making your gift, please consider what you have given to these individual collections (Seminarian Fund, Retired Priest Fund, Parish to Parish Support Fund, Catholic University of America and USCCB, Catholic Education/Catholic Schools, N.H. Missionaries Abroad and Migrant & Refugee Ministry in NH) plus to Parable Magazine and the Catholic Charities NH Special collection appeal. 

Our parish goal this year is $51,706 and any money raised over that goal will be rebated to our parish to use for our parish needs. Together, we are many parts of the Church in New Hampshire, but one body of Christ and we can make a difference in the lives of many people. To make your gift, please return the gift envelope that you will receive in the mail, visit the Appeal’s website at: https://www.catholicnh.org/nhca to give online, or call the Appeal Office at 603-663-0170.

FOR THE ROLE OF WOMEN

We pray that the dignity and immense value of women be recognised in every culture, and for the end of discrimination that they experience in different parts of the world.

St. Joseph the Worker Parish is blessed to have

been gifted with a “traveling” statue of our Blessed

Mother. This statue is 15 inches tall, light in

weight, durable, and easy to transport to your

home. Our Lady is in a carry basket which also

includes pamphlets to help guide you through the

prayers and mysteries of the rosary along with a

few rosaries.

You may sign up to have the

Blessed Mother statue visit your home

by calling 603-883-0757, ext. 2 or by sending an

email request to parishoffice@stjoenash.org.

The statue will be available to pick up on a Monday

(beginning May 6, 2024) between the hours of 10

am and 4 pm for a one week visit in your home.

When you bring the statue of Our Lady into your

home, choose a place of honor for it that is quiet

and conducive to prayer. Treat the statue with

reverence and gather around it each day to pray

the rosary. Return the statue to the parish office

on the following Monday before 10 am for the next

family awaiting a visit.

“There is no surer means of calling down God’s blessings upon the family

than the daily recitation of the rosary.” ~ Pope Pius XII

We’re beginning to plan for our fall Holiday Fair!

This year’s date is:

Saturday, November 23, 2024 (8:00 am-2:00 pm)

Stay tuned for further details!

Knights of Columbus Council 12311

St. Joseph the Worker Parish

NEW: Real Options Baby Bottle Benefit Real Options (a free women’s health center) provides a safe place where those facing unexpected pregnancy can receive accurate information and compassionate, non-judgmental care. Their practical services coupled with their genuine offer to walk alongside them, empower moms and dads to choose life for their unborn children. The Baby Bottle Benefit is a really simple way to raise funds to help provide vital services to clients facing unplanned pregnancies. “Your change not only changes lives, it saves lives.”

How you can help:

• Take home an empty baby bottle on Mother’s Day (May 11th-12th)

• Fill it with your loose change, bills or a check (payable to: Real Options)

• Return the filled bottle to church on Father’s Day (June 15th-16th)

Thank you in advance for supporting our ministry to women in crisis.

Christ calls each of us to reach out to victims of abuse in their time of need. Sometimes it is difficult to know how to help, but one effective way of expressing care and concern is through prayer. Please commit to praying on a regular basis for victims of abuse, particularly those abused by clergy or others representing the Catholic Church.

A Prayer For Healing Victims of Abuse

God of endless love,

ever caring, ever strong,

always present, always just:

You gave your only Son

to save us by the blood of his cross.

Gentle Jesus, shepherd of peace,

join to your own suffering

the pain of all who have been hurt

in body, mind, and spirit

by those who betrayed the trust placed in them.

Hear our cries as we agonize

over the harm done to our brothers and sisters.

Breathe wisdom into our prayers,

soothe restless hearts with hope,

steady shaken spirits with faith:

Show us the way to justice and wholeness,

enlightened by truth and enfolded in your mercy.

Holy Spirit, comforter of hearts,

heal your people’s wounds

and transform our brokenness.

Grant us courage and wisdom, humility and grace,

so that we may act with justice

and find peace in you.

We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Via Lucis, or the Stations of Light, is a devotional practice for reflecting on the joy and hope of the Resurrection during the Easter season. While the Stations of the Cross commemorate Jesus’ journey to his crucifixion and death, the Stations of Light focus on the events that followed the Resurrection. It is a spiritual journey with Christ that takes one through fourteen of the most inspiring events of his post-Resurrection life on earth.

To get started with a video and prayer guide visit:

https://www.catholicnh.org/worship-and-sacraments/faith/liturgical-calendar/stations-of-the-light/

Are you looking for a new middle school for your child this fall? Saint Christopher Academy in Nashua would love to show you our school! Please join us at our upper campus, 6 Bartlett Ave., on May 15th for a drop-in tour and see the energy and enthusiasm of our teachers and students. Interested families are welcome to stop by the school any time between 8:30 am and 1:30 pm for an impromptu personal tour...visit our classrooms, meet our teachers, and see what we are doing to make middle school meaningful for all students!

Amid the challenges of an ever-changing world, students in grades 6 to 8 at Saint Chris thrive in a safe and stable environment with a focus on academics, Catholic faith, character, and community service. Leveled academic programs and a broad range of extracurricular and athletic opportunities support our students' growth into well-rounded learners and leaders who are ready to embrace the rigor of high school and beyond.

We look forward to meeting you and your family on May 15th! No reservations necessary...just stop by!

Kindergarten-5th Grade

(2023-2024 school year)

Monday, 8/5/24 - 8/9/24

8:30 am - 12:00 pm

Daily Themes

Monday: God is a friend who is real

Tuesday: God is a friend who loves

Wednesday: God is a friend who we can trust

Thursday: God is a friend forever

Friday: God is a friend for everyone

To register please contact Miss Janice at: janicemercure@stjoenash.org or 603-883-0757, ext. 4.

Fourth Sunday of Easter

Sunday, April 21st, 6-8:00 pm

PRAYER

Lord Jesus Christ, we rejoice with all of creation because you have risen from the dead. As we celebrate the fifty days of Easter, help us to understand the meaning of your empty tomb: death does not have the last word; light will triumph over darkness; sadness will be conquered by hope.

Make us people of life, light, and hope, and show us how to share our Christian joy with others. You live and reign with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen. Alleluia!

CONVERSATION QUESTIONS

Jesus uses the image of shepherd and sheep to tell us how much God loves and cares for us. How may we become faithful followers of the Good Shepherd?

Sheep rely on their shepherd for everything they need. Do you put your trust in Jesus and depend on him to give you what you need?

FAITH IN ACTION

The image of sheep reminds us that lambs’ wool is often used to make warm clothing. One of the corporal works of mercy is to clothe the naked. Although the weather in North America grows warmer during this time, the need for clothing —especially warm clothes — is a year-round need. What donations can your family make to your local shelter? Each morning this week, as you dress for work or school, pray for those who are in need of good clothing.

DID YOU KNOW?

...that the first people to whom the birth of Jesus was announced by an angel were shepherds tending their sheep? These shepherds would have known exactly what it took to be a good shepherd for those sheep in their care. They responded to this good news and joyfully paid homage to the newborn King, Jesus.

2020 Liturgy Training Publications. 800-933-1800. Permission to publish granted by the Archdiocese of Chicago, on June 25, 2020.

“There is no other name by which men can be saved!” (Acts 4:12)

Come join us in a joyful celebration of Easter praise on Saturday, April 27th, 10 am to 12 pm at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 180 Loudon Rd, Concord. Our guest speaker will be Fr. Von DeRosia. He will be speaking on THE HOLY NAME OF JESUS! This meeting is open to all! Bring a friend! Healing prayer ministry will be available at the end of the meeting.

Sponsored by NH Catholic Charismatic Leaders. For more information, call Jackie Morganti at 603-332-3576.

The Diocese of Manchester is seeking committed Catholic college students, preferably sophomores or juniors, to serve as Totus Tuus Missionaries this summer. The commitment is from June 5th to August 2nd, 2024. The first ten days are dedicated to rigorous training to present the Totus Tuus Catholic curriculum, along with prayer, games, song, and witness to elementary age students and high school students in a team setting. Immediately following the training, missionaries from the Diocese of Manchester will travel to the first of six parishes to impart the week-long program. Missionaries will have the week of July 4th off. Room and board are provided by each parish, and a stipend is provided by the diocese.

For the complete job description and online application, please click here.  

When applying, please check the box next to NH: Diocese of Manchester as the diocese to which you would like to apply.

For questions and more information, please contact Gloria Zapiain, Cabinet Secretary for Catholic Formation, at gzapiain@rcbm.org or 603-669-0159.

Please prayerfully consider this unique opportunity to serve your faith and community.

Updated: 4/1/24

Items that are low at the pantry:

Canned Pasta, Pasta Sides & Tuna

Cake & Muffin Mixes & Tea

Graham Crackers & Saltines

Ketchup & Mayo

Toothpaste & Conditioner

Thank you for your incredible generosity and continued support!

Thank you for joining with the Middle School Faith Formation in a special outreach project for the youth in Nashua

who have aged out of the foster care system.

Requested Items—Updated 2/21/24:

Due to the weather conditions, the youth are in need of

gift cards to: Dunkin Donuts, Wendy’s, Subway, Burger

King, McDonald’s or any other restaurant downtown.

With these gift cards, the youth are able to get out of the

cold and have something warm to eat!

Thank you and God bless you for your continued

generosity!

Adoration Of the Blessed Sacrament

(Chapel)

Tuesday evenings - 6 to 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday mornings - 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon

“Every Holy Hour we make so pleases the Heart of Jesus that it is recorded in Heaven and retold for

all eternity!” ~ St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta

HOLY HOUR WITH ROSARY

(Chapel)

6:00-7:00 pm

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament,

beginning with the Rosary, quiet time

and faith building prayers.

ADULT FORMATION RESOURCES

Resources can be found on our parish

website: www.stjoenash.org/grow-in-faith

To make a request you may call the parish office, place your Mass Intention in an envelope marked “Mass Request” and place it in the offertory basket or stop by the parish office during regular hours. The suggested donation is $10.00.

Read the latest communications from the parish.  To be added to our email distribution, click here.  

Diving into the beauty of the Faith has never been easier: at home, on the go, or from any internet connected device. Discover thousands of books, audio talks, movies, documentaries, and studies... there is something for every member of the family to help them grow closer to Christ and His Church.  Visit our FORMED page for more information.  Check out this week's recommendations from FORMED. 

For those of you interested in using “online giving”, please click on the Online Giving “button” which can be found in the top right corner or call Helen Dumont in the Finance Office for more details at 603-883-0757, ext. 3.

GOOD NEWS!  We are now also on Instagram! Please follow us at:   https://www.instagram.com/stjoenash/

We continue to post prayers, uplifting messages, information regarding faith formation resources and much more!  Be sure to “Like” and “Follow” the page.  https://www.facebook.com/stjoenash

*** Also, please be sure to “Like” and “Share” our posts. By doing this you’ll be helping to spread the gospel message! ***

During difficult times, music can draw us closer to God and through his grace bring peace to our troubled hearts.  

• K-Love Christian radio is now in our area!  You can listen to uplifting contemporary Christian music by tuning to 107.3FM!

• Music For Your Soul!  Check out our website at:  https://www.stjoenash.org/music-for-the-soul

Please visit our Grow in Faith webpage to find many free resources to support prayer and engagement during these difficult days.  Also visit our Music for the Soul page for curated playlists.  

A valuable resource for the Liturgy of the Word for different age groups and families ~ please click here to go to Loyola Press Sunday Connection.

"God speaks to us in many ways, including through the Sunday Scripture readings. The Sunday Connection provides useful background and activities to better understand the upcoming Sunday's Scripture readings, helping you to connect the Scripture to daily life in a meaningful way.".

Have pictures of Parish activities you’d like to share? We’d LOVE to use them on the Parish Website and Facebook page to promote our lively community! Please send pictures to Melissa Spinella at melissaspinella@live.com. Thank you!