Beginning on April 27th/28th our parish will begin the annual New Hampshire Catholic Appeal: Future of Our Faith II, One Bread, One Body (NHCA), an initiative designed to strengthen our ministries for the Church in New Hampshire and to reduce the number of annual second collections at parishes. Last year, our parish along with the other 87 parishes raised more than $3.8M. Thank you to all who donated to the appeal last year. The NHCA supports the care for our retired and elderly priests, seminarian education and vocations, Catholic education, evangelization through Parable magazine, the Community Services program at Catholic Charities NH and more. Every registered parishioner will receive a letter from Bishop Libasci along with appeal materials in the mail soon. Please keep the Church in New Hampshire in your prayers that we may grow together and carry our faith into the future. For more information, go to https://www.catholicnh.org/nhca.

Appeal Prayer

Lord God and Father,

We are Your people, united in our love for You and for one another. We thank You for the many gifts You have given to us and we welcome Your presence in our lives at all times. 

We ask that you continue to draw us closer to 

You and to strengthen our resolve to assist those among 

us who are most in need.

Our diocese is many parts, and one body of Christ. Through the New Hampshire Catholic Appeal: Future of our Faith, allow us to come together to share our time, talent, and treasure with those who need our assistance.

Let us grasp more fully that the help we extend to others is the most powerful expression of our gratitude to You, 

as well as a genuine testimony to our faith.

Through your son Jesus Christ, make our prayer to You one that brings hope and charity to the future of our faith 

in New Hampshire.

Amen.

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.

World Day of Prayer for Vocations, observed on Sunday, April 21, 2024, is also known as "Good Shepherd Sunday." Today the Church throughout the world prays for vocations. Will you make a special effort to ask the Lord for vocations to the priesthood and religious life? Please pray that young men and women hear and respond generously to the Lord's call to the priesthood, diaconate, religious life, societies of apostolic life or secular institutes. Resources for promoting vocations can be found on the diocesan website at: www.catholicnh.org/vocations. During this week pray a rosary for more young men and women in our diocese to respond to God’s call.

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!

Please join us for Faith Formation,

Fellowship and Food.

Saturday, April 20th

@ 7:15 – 9:00 am

in the Church Hall

The Men of St. Joseph is an association of Christian men across the United States, united under the Catholic Church, who meet on a regular basis to learn and pray together and encourage each other to be the spiritual leaders of their families. We know it is a struggle to balance being a husband, father, worker, coach, friend and spiritual leader. The Men of St. Joseph understand that with each other’s support and shared accountability, it becomes a little easier. Most importantly we know that if we surrender our day to day problems to God, we will be better husbands, fathers and friends. Through Christ, we will become the best version of ourselves.

We welcome all men to join us on this journey. Please sign up at:

https://www.stjoenash.org/register-mosj or email Deacon Doug Hoffer at: doughoffer@stjoenash.org.

Knights of Columbus Council 12311

St. Joseph the Worker Parish

NEW: We’re So Grateful!

The Knights of Columbus would like to extend their deep appreciation to everyone who helped support their recent Italian “Knight” dinner! Our tickets were sold out and it was an extremely successful and fun event!

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/

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.

If you know of or suspect abuse or neglect of a minor (a person under 18), you must report it to the NH Division for Children, Youth and Families at 1-800-894-5533 or 603-271-6556.

As an employee or volunteer in the Catholic Church in New Hampshire, in addition to reporting to DCYF, if you know of or suspect sexual abuse of a minor by Church personnel you must also report it to:

• Local law enforcement and the Delegate for Ministerial Conduct if the abuse   involves a minor

• Delegate for Ministerial Conduct if the abuse involves a person who is no longer a minor Delegate for Ministerial Conduct - 603-669-3100

“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!