The Pontifical Mission Societies has designated       this Sunday as World Mission Sunday, where we    join the Church throughout the world in fulfilling    our evangelical mission to “go and invite everyone    to the banquet.” The Society for the Propagation of the Faith coordinates programs for evangelization  and catechesis throughout the world.                    

Thank you for your generous donation!

Dear Parishioners and Visitors,

While thanking our favorite two skiers who work all summer long to beautify the triangular gardens on the periphery of the church parking lot, I add a special word of thanks to Pam Holmlund for her recent contribution of reconfiguring the design of the gardens in front of the church. Pam has reclaimed all the nutrient-depleted garden soil, moved into prominence the waterfall feature, and enhanced the design of the St. Francis prayer garden (donated in fond memory of Sandy Crisp). In addition to the Astilbe, the “Hope Springs Eternal” hostas, small butterfly bushes, sedum, coneflowers and phlox, Pam has added plantings with Biblical themes:

Hyssop – a plant that symbolizes cleansing, healing, and forgiveness, used to offer wine to Jesus on the cross on Good Friday.

Carnations – associated with a mother’s love, from an early Christian legend that these flowers grew from the Blessed Mother’s tears shed while watching Jesus carry his cross.

Columbine – the tri-partite leaves are symbols of the Blessed Trinity with seven-fold flowers that symbolize the seven gifts  of the Holy Spirit.

Cedar – considered in the Book of Kings as the first of trees      (I Kings 4:33) and known to be strong and durable (Isaiah 9:10), graceful and beautiful (Ps. 80:10), high and tall (Amos 2:9), fragrant (Song of Songs 4:11), and spreading wide (Ps. 80:10).

Please say hello and thank you to our volunteer gardeners when you see them weeding, watering, and fertilizing with loving care the beauty of God’s creation in the parish gardens here in the magnificent White Mountains!

With prayerful best wishes,

Fr. John Mahoney