There  will be no adoration and confession this week. It has been suspended and will resume Tuesday, May 19th.

Please check out the link at the bottom of this page to an interview with our seminarians Andre Nadeau and Guillaume Temkkit at Good Shepherd Parish with Fr. Kyle Stanton

Friday, 8 May 2020

Dear Parishioners,
Today, is the feast of Our Lady, Mediatrix of All Graces!  A great feast in which we honor Our Blessed Mother for being chosen as the Mother of God. Likewise, we give thanks to Almighty God for giving us so holy, so blessed, so joyful a mother and intercessor in heaven.  
From time immemorial, the Catholic Church has taught that Mary is the Mediatrix of All Graces.  In other words, Jesus Christ gives grace to us through the hands of his Immaculate Mother.  Here is an excerpt from an excellent and readable article by Mr. Steven Lovison regarding the popes who, over the centuries, have all affirmed this doctrine of Mary as the Mediatrix of All Graces:

"...Pius VII called her “Dispensatrix of all graces.” Pius IX tells us “God has committed to Mary the treasury of all good things, in order that everyone may know that through her are obtained every hope, every grace, and all salvation.” Does everyone know? Obviously not yet. Leo XIII writes “nothing at all of that great grace which the Lord brought us…is imparted to us except through Mary.” The same pontiff quotes St Bernadine of Siena who teaches “Every grace that is communicated to this world has a threefold course. For by excellent order, it is dispensed from God to Christ, from Christ to the Virgin, from the Virgin to us.” St. Pius X, in his encyclical Ad Diem Illium which he wrote after study of the writings of St Louis de Montfort taught Mary is the “Dispensatrix of all the gifts which Jesus gained for us by His death. Several years later this Saint Pope called Mary the “treasurer of all graces”.

Benedict XV says “together with Christ she has redeemed the human race . . . for this reason every kind of grace that we receive from the treasury of the Redemption is ministered as it were through the hands of the same sorrowful Virgin.” In one of the miracles for St. Joan of Arc’s canonization, objection was that since the miracle took place at Lourdes it was Mary’s intercession and not Joan’s. Benedict XV declared “in every miracle we must recognize the mediation of Mary, through whom, according to God’s will, every grace and blessing comes to us . . . Mary must never be excluded.”

Pius XI also called Mary “treasurer of all graces” at least three times in his pontificate[20]. Pius XII taught “nothing is excluded from her dominion”[21] and “it is the will of God that we obtain all favors from Mary.”[22] John XXIII rhetorically asks “Did not the Lord will that we have everything through Mary” and more directly instructs us that “from her hands hope for all graces.”[23] In a letter to the Legion of Mary this pope said that “the Legion of Mary present the true face of the Catholic Church”[24]. The Legion, founded by Frank Duff, takes it entire spirituality from St. Louis de Montfort. So, in effect, Pope John XXIII is telling us that St. Louis de Montfort’s work presents the true face of the Catholic Church. How can anyone who embraces the Catholic Church, upon hearing this, be a critical and/or scrupulous devotee (which will be discussed later)?

Pope Paul VI, regarding the connection between the Rosary and Marian Mediation quotes Lumen Gentium when he writes “Let them value highly the pious practices and exercises directed to the Blessed Virgin and approved over the centuries by the magisterium”[25]. And this pope, who as Cardinal during Vatican II was influential in minimizing the Marian title wording of Lumen Gentium Chapter 8 for fear of hurting ecumenism, as pope is unable to continue the same minimizing. He references Mary as Dispenser of Grace and cites St Bernard who all know champions Mediatrix of All Graces and tells us to “take refuge” in Mary in “all our affairs” as everything is more pleasing to God when it goes through Mary. And he tells us that it is from Mary’s throne that graces flow to us and that “Mary most holy is His appointed steward and the generous bestower of the treasures of His mercy.” He approved the Capuchin Mass which prays the prayer to Jesus which the Legion of Mary prays everyday: “Lord Jesus Christ, our Mediator with the Father, Thou has deigned to constitute the Blessed Virgin, Thy Mother, to be our Mother and Mediatrix with Thee; grant that all who turn to Thee to ask favors may be pleased to have obtained them through Her.” Finally he states that “the Divine Savior left . . . His Mother, with all the treasures of grace and virtues with which he had endowed her, that she may pour them over us.” [26]

Pope John Paul II used the specific term “Mediatrix of All Graces” at least nine times and taught the doctrine indirectly in many other ways[27]. In Redemptoris Mater he teaches us that the teachings of St Louis de Montfort are an excellent example of Marian devotion matching the intentions of Vatican II. St Louis de Montfort’s entire Mariology is based on Mary being Mediatrix of All Graces. Pope Benedict XVI speaks of Pope John Paul II in such high regard that he considers it an important part of his mission to ensure his predecessor’s teachings are assimilated by the Church[28]. He goes on to say that Vatican II in no way revoked any prior teachings[29]. Benedict XVI, who is not one to make statements lightly, chose to pray to “Mary Mediatrix of All Graces” on the very day he announced his retirement.

For the complete article, you may go to this link:  https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=10176

Let us pray the Holy Mother Church will make this doctrine more well known.  After all, as Our Lady told the children at Fatima, "In the end, my Immaculate Heart will Triumph".  May each of us abide the Son's wishes to honor his Blessed Mother especially by praying the Holy Rosary daily. 

I hope and pray that you are all well.  Let us continue to pray for one another. 

In Jesus and Mary,

Fr. Schultz


Dear Parishioners,

     I hope you have all received my Easter letter which I mailed out last week, and, that you found it helpful.  I tried to make it as personal as possible--Sandra Doolan even addressed each envelope by hand!  Thank you, Sandra!  Thank you, also, to Andre Nadeau and Guillaume Temkkit, who helped me stuff, seal and mail each letter. 
    I have also opened Calvary Cemetery for the season.  Please come and visit and pray for your beloved dead. The guys and I have begun to do some 'spring cleaning' at Calvary.  This means not only cleaning of the grounds but also cleaning around the gravestones.  Please remove any artificial flowers at your earliest convenience.
    Also, I am working on restoring the brick walkway that follows the Stations of the Cross at Calvary Cemetery as well as putting back up those stations which have fallen.  Photos of these developments will be forthcoming.  Finally, I and some fellow workers will be caring for Calvary and Water Street Cemeteries this year. I look forward to the work but especially getting out of the office and into the sun!  That being said, the work this summer would be greatly reduced if we had a zero-turn lawn mower.  The tractor we use now is very useful for other essential activities (i.e. burials) but not as practical for mowing.  Please let me know if you can assist me in procuring a zero-turn mower for Calvary Cemetery.
    Arrowsite Carpentry, owned by parishioners Jude Gesel and his daughter Laura, continue to work at St. Agnes Church in Jefferson.  Thus far, they have completely restored the sanctuary floor and apse.  Below the overpowering red carpet in the sanctuary was a hardwood floor made from maple--and, presumably, the original floor of St. Agnes.   With their expertise and meticulous care, Jude and Laura have restored this floor to its former glory. It is beautiful!  They have now shifted their sights to the exterior of St. Agnes where they are repairing the bulkhead door, and soon, Laura will be painting the lettering for a new sign which will replace the old one which, as one might imagine, was in a very dilapidated shape.  How grateful I am to have such zealous and talented carpenters in our parish. 
   Finally, I am very grateful to another fellow parishioner, Dana Southworth from Garland Mill, who has graciously agreed to craft a new set of doors to replace the old ones at St. Agnes Church.  The current doors are made from pine and, like the sign, were in very bad shape.  The new doors will be made from good, solid oak and fashioned by one of the finest and oldest mills in the United States.  Thank you to Dana and to Garland Mill for sharing their expert craftsmenship with St. Agnes Church and Gate of Heaven Parish.    
   As you can see, dear Parishioners, even though we are apart physically, the Holy Spirit is alive and well in our parish--stirring up the hearts of many to serve Our Lord.  Let us pray for each other--especially those who are suffering in our parish--that the gifts of the Holy Spirit may be enkindled anew in each of us.  

Assuring you of my daily prayers especially at the Holy Sacrifice of Mass,
I remain faithfully yours, 

Fr. Schultz  

Dear Gate of Heaven Parishioners,

Please know that all public Masses in the Diocese of Manchester have been suspended until further notice by order of Bishop Peter Libasci.  You are dispensed from your Sunday obligation. You may stream the mass at various websites including ewtn.com or check links on this site.

In addition all parish activities are canceled during this time including Stations of the Cross, the Confirmation retreat, 1st Confessions and the Confirmation/First Holy Communion Mass.   

Confessions will be held Monday-Tuesday, Thursday-Friday at All Saints from 5:00-6:00 pm and Friday at St. Matthews from 11:00 am-12:00 noon. All Saints, St. Matthew's, St. Agnes, St. Patrick's remain open daily for prayer.  Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will be available at All Saints on Mondays 9am to 1pm and Monday-Tuesday and Thursday-Friday from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm.  Solemn Vespers will be chanted during these days at 5:45pm by myself and our two seminarians, Mr. Andre Nadeau and Mr. Guillaume Temkkit. 

Please know that you are in my prayers and I will remember you all at the 'altar of God'.  Even though you cannot assist at mass in person, you can assist at Holy Mass spiritually.  How?  Both by praying the mass but also by asking your Guardian Angel to go to mass at All Saints Church at the specified time.  This way, even though you cannot be in mass in person, your very own Guardian Angel will be in attendance as "your representative".  (Too bad you can't ask them to put something in the collection basket for you!) Here is a charming prayer you and your children can say: 

O HOLY ANGEL at my side,
Go to Church for me,
Kneel in my place, at Holy Mass,
Where I desire to be.

At Offertory, in my stead,
Take all I am and own,
And place it as a sacrifice
Upon the Altar Throne.

At Holy Consecration’s bell,
Adore with Seraph’s love,
My Jesus hidden in the Host,
Come down from Heaven above.

Then pray for those I dearly love,
And those who cause me grief,
That Jesus’ Blood may cleanse all hearts,
And suff’ring souls relieve.

And when the priest Communion takes,
Oh, bring my Lord to me,
That His sweet Heart may rest on mine,
And I His temple be.

Pray that this Sacrifice Divine,
May mankind’s sins efface;
Then bring me Jesus’ blessing home,
The pledge of every grace. Amen

Let us not doubt the power nor goodness of God--He can do all things even giving us the power to command our Guardian Angels to go to mass for us when we cannot go.  "For, amen I say to you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you shall say to this mountain, Remove from hence hither, and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible to you." An Easter letter from me is forthcoming.  I hope and pray that you are all well. Let us pray for one another!

For Bishop Libasci's "Letter to the Faithful", please view on the diocesan website at https://www.catholicnh.org or use the link at the bottom of this page.  

Prayer to make a Spiritual Communion:

My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Blessed Sacrament. I love You above all things and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if your were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen

May God bless you and Our Lady keep you,

Fr. Schultz

"If we are deprived of sacramental communion, let us replace it, as far as we can, with spiritual communion, which we can make every moment:  for we aught to have always a burning desire to receive the Good God."
--St. Jean-Marie Baptiste Vianney, parish priest of Ars, France; Patron Saint of all parish priests.

Almighty Father, you have firmly established your love for Gate of Heaven Parish and for each of us.  We praise and thank you for placing us amid the deep beauty of the North Country, a beauty that speaks eloquently of your glory and calls us to acknowledge your greatness and love.

O Lord, you have given our parish the opportunity and challenge of coming together as family, to be ambassadors of your grace to one another and to our farthest neighbor.  Grant us to respond lovingly and obediently to your call to seek justice in all our actions, to serve the poor in body and soul, and to share the good news of your Son, Jesus.

O Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, inflame our hearts with your love.  Broaden our vision and open our hearts to what you are bringing about.  Set our parish and the whole North Country on fire with your Holy Spirit, to bring about a renewed flourishing of our Catholic faith.  Amen.

Memorare 

REMEMBER, O most compassionate Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly to thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother; to thee do I come; before thee I kneel, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.