Welcome to the Website of St Joseph & St Catherine of Siena

Welcome to the website for St Catherine and St Joseph parishes, in Lisbon and Woodsville, NH! We are glad that you found us! If you are new to the area or visiting, we hope that our website will serve to give you all the information you need to come and worship with us. If you’ve been away from the faith for some time, we hope that you will find a warm and welcoming community at our parishes. At St Joseph’s and St Catherine’s, we are committed to truly living out the fullness of our beautiful and life-giving Catholic faith. This is done primarily through the Word and Sacraments, through our study and prayer, and through the interactions of our people with one another.

We are two rural community parishes which means we really become a big family. We are blessed to have a good representation of all ages and walks of life between our two communities. It is not unusual to see members banding together to help someone in a time of difficulty. In these varied and small ways, we seek to image Jesus Christ, and we seek to live out our call to be His disciples. If you are in the area, come and join us at mass, or adoration, or one of the talks or classes given. Please be sure to introduce yourself.

St. Joseph Offertory: $965.00 Vanco Online Giving: $242.00 Total: $1,207.00 Building Improvements: $646.00

St. Catherine Offertory: $174.00 Vanco Online Giving: $30.00 Total: $204.00 Youth Ministry: $25.00

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Lenten Food Drive for Food Pantry
We are organizing a food drive for the local Food Pantry here in Woodsville. It will start the first Sunday of Lent and run all through Lent. Please see list below for what foods to bring, and if you are able, please bring to the church and put in the foyer of the church in the box provided. May God open all of our hearts to give generously!
Thank you, and God bless you! (Also, if you miss a week, that’s ok, feel free to bring that food item the following Sunday, or even during the week.)
Feb 26: Canned goods, March 4: Flour, March 12: Sugar, March 19: Dried Goods, March 26: Flour
April 2: Your choice

For those who are interested, we light the sanctuary candle each week in honor of a memory of a loved one, for a special intention, for a birthday, in gratitude for God’s blessings, etc. If you would like to have a sanctuary candle at St. Joseph’s Church for a week, please contact Lucy at the rectory: (603) 747-2038. The suggested donation is $10 per week.

Planning Ahead, Mark Your Calanders! 
First Reconciliation for students and their parents will be on Saturday, March 25th at 3pm.
First Holy Communion will be on Sunday, May 14th at 10:45am.

∙ All weekdays except Fridays during Lent: Mass followed by Stations of the Cross for the Souls in Purgatory 

∙ Fridays: Mass followed by Stations of the Cross by St. Alphonsus de Liguori, Confession, and Divine Mercy Chaplet 

∙ Wednesdays: Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament 9am-5pm 

∙ If you would like to go to Confession but cannot make it during the scheduled times, please call Fr. Arockia and he will make an appointment with you for Confession. 
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Happy Feast of St. Joseph! 

Of what is St. Joseph the patron saint? 
St. Joseph is the patron saint of the Universal Church, unborn babies, families, fathers, immigrants, social justice carpenters, those seeking employment, realtors, and a happy death. 
His greatest patronage, however, is that of the Universal Church, an office that can be said to have begun with the “domestic church” of the Holy Family of Nazareth. Just as he diligently watched over the Christ Child, he continues to protect the Mystical Christ, the Church. 
Why is St. Joseph the sleeping saint? 
St. Joseph is sometimes portrayed sleeping. It was, after all, while sleeping that an angel enlightened him regarding the Child Mary was carrying. The image of the sleeping Joseph, therefore, touches many, especially those with troubles. 
What can we learn from St. Joseph? 
We can learn about the importance of faith when we see how deeply he believed the message of the angel.  We understand courage when we hear about the flight into Egypt. We also learn about obedience. St.  Joseph was obedient to Our Lord, even in the midst of great trials and danger.
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Why should we read Holy Scripture? 

Here are two reasons: 

It Gives Instruction for Daily Life
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.  (2 Timothy 3:16, NIV) 
The Bible is full of practical wisdom for life, especially in the New Testament. The writers wanted their readers to  know how to live the way God intended. You will find information that will help as you figure out how to be a parent, how to have a successful marriage, how to approach your work, how to care for family members, how to forgive and how to love. 
Even when the specifics are tied to cultures or situations different than yours, beneath those specifics you will find practical principles that will help you in your daily twenty-first-century life. Try reading Ephesians if you are looking for clear applications for your life daily. 

It Shows What God’s Will Is
Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — His good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2, NIV) 
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NIV) 
Do you ever wonder, “What does God want to do in my life? How do I know which path to follow?” There are a lot  of Bible verses that mention God’s will, but these two give you a broad and specific answer. Broadly, work on  transforming your thought life to align with God’s thoughts. How? By reading God’s Word. More specifically, live in joy, pray always and radiate gratitude for the blessings in your life. This will also lead you into God’s will.
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For all Religious Education and Youth Group Enrollment forms, and also Lector, Servers and Eucharistic Ministers Schedules. Please go to the Ministries Page and/or the Parish Registration Page

!!!!! Check Photos out on the Photo Page!!!!(click here)

PHOTOS PAGES ARE FIXED AND UP TO DATE SORRY FOR THE INCONVENENCE(CLICK HERE)

Click here to view the following and other announcements in this weeks  bulletin: items in green print are still current