Current Issue

Families Drawn to Catholic Schools’ Enduring Values

By Cori Urban | Photography by Charlene Graham

Jamie Nadeau is the product of a “wonderful, all-encompassing Catholic school education.” She attended West Side Catholic — now Saint Benedict Academy — in Manchester, and found “having God in the picture made it a better experience.” She dreamed her children also would attend Catholic schools and share in this life-changing experience.

Challenging academics, great teachers, character development, discipline, smaller classes, strong friendships and extras like French language instruction make Catholic education unique, says Jamie, a single mother and parishioner of Ste. Marie Parish in Manchester who works as an area director at Community Integrated Services there.
These enduring values have drawn families to Catholic education for generations.

Want to learn more about our Catholic Schools? Please click here to learn how you and your parish can receive Parable.

Joe Naff: A Legacy of Listening

By Kathryn Marchocki | Photography by Tom Roy

In the two decades since the public learned of the painful breadth of child sexual abuse by clergy, the work of helping those harmed or broken by abuse in New Hampshire largely fell to one person, Joe Naff. He did it by listening. He wanted them to know they were heard. Perhaps bring them a measure of hope – and healing. Some said he had a gift.

Naff handled the initial meetings with scores of victim-survivors who reported their abuse by clergy and staff in the Diocese of Manchester. Many unleashed years of pent-up anger, hurt and betrayal. Naff listened with calm compassion and without judgment, former colleagues say. Today, Naff credits the victim-survivors’ courage to come forward with helping to change the culture of the Church.

Want to read more about Joe Naff and his ministry in the Office of Healing and Pastoral Care? Please click here to learn how you and your parish can receive Parable.

Dear Father Kerper

Dear Father Kerper: Through the years I’ve always struggled with saying my prayers, especially the rosary. I feel very guilty because I promise to make time for my prayers, but I fail to follow through. For example, I find it very difficult to say a whole rosary. When I stop I feel like I’ve cheated Our Lord and Our Lady by never finishing the prayers I’ve promised to say. I feel like a hamster running on a wheel without getting anywhere. What am I doing wrong?

Actually you’re not doing anything wrong. Rather, you’ve settled into a frustrating routine of relying on a single form of prayer — “saying my prayers.” While many faithful Catholics share your predicament, we can all move beyond the wheel in the cage. Hamsters can’t.

Here’s the good news. Your long-term attempts to pray indicate good faith. Please remember that the Lord alone knows our hearts; and he alone judges the quality of our prayer. So you have not wasted your time “saying prayers” in the wheel. Just as hamsters benefit from endlessly running in their wheels, you too have benefited from trying your best to connect with the Lord.

Want to read more of Father Kerper's response?  Please click here to learn how you and your parish can receive Parable.

Other Columns in the Current Issue

Bishop's Message - Gentle Woman, Powerful Protector, Bearer of Sorrows
Dear Father Kerper - How to Make Personal Prayer Meaningful
Always Faithful - Four Core Values of Catholic Health Care
Journeying with the Saints - Blessed Chiara “Luce” Badano: ‘Be Happy, Because I Am!’
Faith on Fire: Profiles of NH Youth - Olivia Fennessey: When Faith Gets Real
Catholic Life - Celebrating Our Lady of La Salette
Feature - Joe Naff: A Legacy of Listening
Cover Story - Families Drawn to Catholic Schools’ Enduring Values
Catholic Charities Report - NH Feeding NH: NH Farmers Help Feed Neighbors in Need
Catholic Quiz
Special Report - Pope Francis Launches Worldwide ‘Synodal Process’ 
Calendar of Events
Catholic Press Awards - Parable named Diocesan Magazine of the Year
Local News
7 Days a Pastor: Reflections From Father Andrew Nelson - The Greatest Homily
Mission Moment - St. Joseph Hospital’s WellnessFirst Program Builds Community