Bishop Leo E. O’Neil, 8th Bishop of Manchester

From his very first days in Manchester, Bishop Leo began to display his own personality and his own approach to episcopal ministry. Soon apparent were his sense of humor, his exceptional rapport with the young, and-another first for the diocese—a flair for poetry.

Click here for photos and to listen to Msgr. Wilfrid Paradis talk about the eighth Bishop of Manchester and his penchant for poetry.

Virtual Stations of the Cross

Take time during this Lenten season to tour our virtual Stations of the Cross from St. Anne Church of Good Shepherd Parish in Berlin, New Hampshire. Each week we will guide you through a different Station.

View and reflect on the Sixth Station - Veronica Wipes Jesus' Face

Visit our Stations of the Cross page for more information and resources.

Lenten Recipes

On Friday, February 19th, the employees of the Diocese of Manchester gathered for a Lenten luncheon, featuring a wide range of meatless dishes including appetizers, soups, salads, and main entrees, all prepared by the staff themselves.

Each Tuesday in Lent, we will share these meatless recipes with you along with photos of these dishes to help you in planning meatless meals for yourselves and your families throughout the Lenten season.

Click here to view this week's recipes from our staff including Greek Pasta Salad and Loaded Baked Potato Chowder.

Pilgrimage to Italy

Bishop John B. McCormack is inviting New Hampshire Catholics to join him on a pilgrimage to Rome and other Italian holy sites from October 15-25 in celebration of the canonization of Blessed Brother André Bessette. Pope Benedict XVI recently announced that Blessed Brother André will be formally declared a saint at a ceremony in Saint Peter’s Square on October 17, 2010.

The pilgrimage will be organized by Canterbury Tours of Bedford, NH. It will also include visits to other Italian holy sites in Rome, Assisi, and Siena.

Download a brochure and reservation information.

Click here to read more about this pilgrimage and learn about Blessed Brother André Bessette.

Catholic Relief Services - Afghanistan

Through stories, photos and videos, meet the people who are impacted by Catholic Relief Services’ projects made possible by your participation in Operation Rice Bowl. Seventy-five percent of your gifts will help fund CRS’ development projects around the world, in countries such as: Lesotho, Bolivia, Afghanistan, Nicaragua, and Ethiopia. Twenty-five percent of your gifts support hunger and poverty alleviation efforts in dioceses in the United States.

This week visit the country of Afghanistan and learn how Catholic Relief Services has been working with local organizations there since 2003 to open community-based schools and provide more education opportunities for boys, girls, and young women.

Chrism Mass

Please join the Most Reverend John B. McCormack, Bishop of Manchester and Most Reverend Francis J. Christian, Auxiliary Bishop, for the annual blessing of the oils at the Chrism Mass on March 30 at St. Joseph Cathedral. These oils will be distributed among the parishes and institutions of the Diocese of Manchester for use during the next year. All priests are invited to this special Mass and will be given the opportunity to renew their vows during the Liturgy. General seating is available to those who would like to attend.

Click here for details and to RSVP by registering online.

Vianney Performance

In celebration of the Year of the Priest, we present Leonardo Defilippis' latest one-man stage production, VIANNEY, a portrayal of the life of Saint John Vianney and his story of perserverance in spite of discouragement and adversity. Join us for this event which will be held on April 12 at 6:30 p.m. at Saint Anselm College - Dana Center in Manchester.

Click here to register for this event.

Weekly Prayers and Reflections

As one of the three pillars of Lenten practice, prayer offers us an opportunity to raise our hearts and minds to God in thanksgiving and praise. Check here weekly for links to the readings of the day, daily reflections for that day, and for brief prayers for when time is short.

Daily Prayers and Reflections for Each Day During Lent (USCCB)

Brief Prayers for Each Day During Lent - Week 3 (Creighton University)

Lenten Radio Retreat - Third Sunday of Lent

Tucson Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas invites us on this Third Sunday of Lent to deepen our commitment to the gospel. His 10-minute homily helps us to understand the parable of the barren fig tree in a way that demonstrates God’s immense forgiveness for all of us. In the question-and-answer segment Bishop Kicanas talks about how each of us can honor the Lord’s presence in our lives and how this season of Lent allows us the time to focus on the call to holiness.

Participate in the Lenten Radio Retreat for the Third Sunday of Lent.

Healing Hands

Likely, in the most profound moments of human life, moments of death and new life, the hands that comforted us and the words that supported us were those of a nurse. Recently, Parable spoke with five such nurses from Catholic Medical Center in Manchester to speak about their work. We found that they spoke of far more fundamental things then just their work. They spoke about the healing that can only come from compassionate hands and an empathetic heart.

Read "Healing Hands" from Parable Magazine.

New Community Calendar

The Diocese of Manchester has recently updated the event calendar on its Web site. The new community calendar now allows Catholic parishes, schools, and other Catholic institutions from New Hampshire to submit events. Events submitted will be reviewed prior to approval by the Office of Communication. Please note that only events hosted by recognized Catholic groups, parishes, and schools in the Diocese of Manchester will be approved. As it is a calendar for the entire diocese, we ask that events be of interest to a broad audience. Items like choir practice schedules or weekly prayer group meetings may be noteworthy to your parish but not to the entire diocese.

Click here to view the community calendar. To submit an event, click on Add Event and follow the instructions at the bottom of the page.

Lent Overview

During the season of Lent, you will find guides and suggestions for personal reflection and suggestions for enriching your relationships with the Lord and with others. We hope you will visit catholicnh.org throughout the 40 days of Lent and that your visits will bring deeper meaning and discovery to your life as a disciple of the Lord.

Throughout the Lenten season you will find resources regarding each of the three traditional "pillars of Lent" which are prayer, fasting, and alsmgiving. In addition, you will find important dates to remember, helpful references, frequently asked questions about Lent, virtual Stations of the Cross, and ideas for meatless recipes.

Visit our Lent page for these resources and more.

Click here for Bishop McCormack's favorite meatless recipe.

Liturgy Retreat: Mysteries of the Triduum - In Newness of Life

Mysteries of the Triduum is a one-day retreat which will unveil the rich theology of the crown of the Church's liturgical year. This presentation is ideal for the elect and candidates but also for priests, deacons, teachers and catechists, liturgy committee members, musicians and anyone who would like to delve deeper into the mysteries of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday. Join us for this retreat which will be held on Saturday, March 27 at St. Pius X Church Hall in Manchester.

Click here for more information and to register.