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Current Issue
Welcome to the latest edition of Parable! Click on the image on the left to see the full edition. See the links below to read individual articles.
Lent
The season of forgiveness, recovery and repairing the soul
In this issue of Parable, we will read about the work of volunteers who respond to Jesus’ call to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and perform all of the Corporal Works of Mercy.
These volunteers and their programs are found in every one of our parishes. In fact, they are an important and beloved part of parish life throughout our nation.
Spreading the Blessings
Dick and Kay Doyle do what they can to feed the hungry in their hometown of Londonderry
By Katie Lovett
So, it’s safe to assume that when the couple stood before the crowd at the 2025 Bishop’s Summer Reception to benefit the Bishop’s Charitable Assistance Fund (BCAF) last September and were lauded as the recipients of the prestigious Vita et Caritas (For Life and Love) Award, it was a bit surreal.
“We usually go undercover and do our thing,” Kay says. “Neither of us knew what to expect.”
“It was an honor,” Dick adds.
Why Do We Baptize Infants?
Q: Dear Father Francis, Shouldn’t we let our children decide for themselves when it comes to baptism? Why does the Catholic Church insist on welcoming infants to the Sacrament of Baptism, long before they can understand what it means?
Dear Friends,
The Catholic Church’s practice of baptizing infants is often misunderstood. Some view it as a quaint family ritual, while others see it as a matter of convenience. Others object, saying baptism should be delayed until a child is old enough to “decide for themselves.”
Got a Sore Throat? Pray to St. Blaise.
Have you ever wondered why Catholics get their throats blessed after Mass at the beginning of February?
No, it’s not just because it’s cold and flu season — it’s because we’re celebrating the feast day of St. Blaise!
Journey of Cold Mountain Explores Moral Dilemmas
In the Western literary tradition, the story of a soldier’s perilous journey home to a long-time love who “keeps the home fires burning” is at least as old as Homer’s Odyssey, which itself is a compilation of centuries-old stories from an oral narrative culture.
The tropes are easily recognizable: a weary veteran who faces delays, dangers and temptations; his long-suffering wife or partner, who has the patience to abide and the strength to endure hardship and loneliness; and the hope of reunion kept alive by loyalty, determination and even omens from a supernatural or semi-divine realm.
Recognizing ‘One of Us’
Looking at Pope Leo’s Dilexi te
When we look at an ultrasound image of an unborn child, what do we see? In an essay in The Atlantic magazine, columnist Caitlin Flanagan revealed that this was her first thought: “Here is one of us.”
One of us. This does not require even a moment’s reflection. It is a purely instinctive recognition.
Check out the Finding Communion podcast where Rosemary Ford, the editor of Parable magazine and Robert Dunn, the director of Public Policy for the Diocese of Manchester discuss politics, the Eucharist and the common good, expanding on themes readers will see in the latest editions of Parable.
Journeying from the Saints to Family Life
A look at raising a family in the faith in New Hampshire
If you’ve been a frequent reader of Parable, then you will notice that today marks the beginning of something new: a fresh column and chapter in my writing.
For now, we’ll say goodbye, so to speak, to the saints I’ve written about over the past five years. But be assured, they haven’t gone far. They are always journeying with us, and I suspect our Heavenly friends will make their way into my reflections from time to time.
Saving Grace will invite you into my heart, and into the heart of my family. Though I’ll share vignettes from my own motherhood, I hope that these reflections speak to something broader, to the call we all share.
Carrying on the Mission
Grey Nuns Thrift Shop continues to provide for the community
By Katie Lovett
Many decades ago, the Sisters of Charity of Montreal began making an impact in Nashua, and the presence of those “Grey Nuns” can still be felt today — stronger than ever.
The religious order sponsored the founding of St. Joseph Hospital in Nashua in 1908 — primarily to help serve the city’s French-Canadian population. Affectionately called the “Grey Nuns” due to the color of their habits, the Sisters quietly worked to help fulfill that goal.
‘This is Part of Our Mission’
The New Hampshire Food Bank, a program of Catholic Charities New Hampshire, ramps up efforts to help those in need during shutdown
Story and photos by Daniel Sarch
During the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history, lasting 43 days, food insecurity around the Granite State spiked.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) was halted — an initiative that more than 77,000 Granite Staters rely on. In addition, thousands of federal workers went without a paycheck during the shutdown, in some cases having to choose between food, shelter and other necessities.
Catholic Health Care Foundation of Greater Manchester Connects with Community
By Tara Bishop
Local individuals and families who need a helping hand now have a new advocate. The Catholic Health Care Foundation of Greater Manchester (Foundation) is actively working to improve health, health outcomes and access to high-quality healthcare in New Hampshire.
Joy Before Me, Sorrow Behind Me
Walking away from the celebration, I wondered what I would say.
The festive music still pulsed in the background, blending with the excited chatter of parishioners gathered for the big day. By then, the ribbon had been cut, the Parish Life Center blessed and the first tours of the new building were well underway — each group stepping inside with visible awe.
