News & Announcements

Reverend Donald F. Gauthier, Jr. Called to His Rest

On Saturday, September 21, 2019, the Reverend Donald F. Gauthier, Jr. was called to his rest and to the glory of the Resurrection promised by the Lord. He was 71 years old.

Father Gauthier was born on September 12, 1948 in Berlin, New Hampshire, the son of Donald and Katherine Gauthier, Sr. He attended St. Patrick Grammar School and Berlin High School. He graduated from Saint Philip Neri College and completed ecclesiastical studies at Wadhams Hall Seminary in Ogdensburg, New York and Saint John’s Seminary, Brighton, Massachusetts. Father Gauthier was ordained a priest on September 27, 1975 by the Most Reverend Odore J. Gendron, DD, at Saint John the Evangelist Church in Concord.

After Ordination, Father Gauthier served as associate pastor of the following parishes: Immaculate Conception Parish, Portsmouth; Saint Anne Parish, Manchester; Saint Joseph Parish, Nashua and Saint Catherine Parish, Manchester. Father Gauthier served as pastor of Saint Joseph Parish, Belmont, Saint Lawrence Parish, Goffstown and Our Lady of the Mountains Parish, North Conway until his retirement in June 2016.

Father Gauthier also served as Chaplain to the Algonquin District, Boy Scouts of America; Knights of Columbus, Portsmouth Council; Knights of Columbus, Nashua Council; Knights of Columbus, Manchester Marian Council; and the Goffstown Police Department. He was on the Council of Priests for the Laconia Deanery, served as an Auditor for the Diocesan Marriage Tribunal and was on the Diocesan Building and Real Estate Board.

Belmont K of C Scholarship Program

Belmont K of C Scholarship Outline (CLICK HERE)

Please see the attached document outlining the Belmont Knights of Columbus Scholarship Program. The application will be posted in January for a March-April acceptance window. 

Diocesan Youth Conference

Diocese of Manchester Youth Conference Flyer

The Diocesan Youth & Young Adult Events Advisory Committee, known as SUMMIT, has been working hard planning and preparing for the diocese's first Youth Conference to be held on Saturday, November 16, 2019 at Bishop Guertin High School in Nashua, NH from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. The day will include excellent speakers, praise and worship music, adoration and confession opportunities, a presentation of World Youth Day NH Youth awards, and conclude with Mass celebrated by Bishop Libasci at 4:00 p.m. For additional event information and registration, please direct youth to https://www.catholicnh.org/summit/

Discerning My Vocation

Six Ways to Discern My Vocation

1. PRAYER

Prayer is a conversation with God – not just saying prayers, but speaking to the Lord from your heart. Ask him to reveal his plan for you: “Jesus, I want to want what you want. Here I am Lord; I come to do your will.” Trust that God has a plan for you.

2. SACRAMENTS

The soul is the window through which we can see God and hear his voice. If the window is dirty because of sin, it must be cleaned through Confession so we can be in union with God. When you receive Communion, ask Jesus to show you your vocation.

3. GOOD INFORMATION

It is impossible to discover your vocation without good information. What does it mean to have a holy Christian marriage? What do priests do? What is it like to be a religious sister or brother? Contact the diocesan vocations office at 669-3100 or search for good information online, then take what you have learned back to prayer.

4. GO ON RETREAT

Miracles happen on retreats! One of the surest ways to discover God’s plan for you is to enter into silence and prayer over an extended period. Ask the Vocation Director to help you find a good retreat.

5. GET ADVICE

Don’t try to discern your vocation alone, without the help of the Church. Talk to a sister, brother, priest, or deacon you trust.

6. THE BLESSED MOTHER

Mary is the ultimate example of openness to the will of God. Are you open to God’s will for you? Pray three Hail Mary’s every day, specifically to know your vocation and have the courage to follow it.

Prayer for Vocations 

Dear God,

Give us vocations to the religious life and to the priesthood,

To bring you to the very little children,

To enlighten the faith of your faithful people,

To open the Gospel to minds unaware of it,

To give your forgiveness to repentant sinners,

To celebrate without ceasing the Divine Sacrifice,

To give your Host to famished souls,

To help the dying, to console those in suffering,

To recall to mind all men that they are brothers and sisters,

To bless our homes, our livelihoods and our land,

And that amongst us your Kingdom may come.

Dear God, give us vocations to the religious life and to the priesthood.

Order a Portrait of Bishop Libasci

CLICK HERE to order a portrait of Bishop Libasci for your home or office.