Dear Parishioners:

I came back to Salem after 38 years! It’s amazing how quickly the years go by. Ordained in 1977, my first assignment was at St. Joseph Parish in Salem. I served here from 1977 to 1982 with Fr. Karl Dowd, Deacon Dennis Audet, Fr. Al Janetta and Fr. Henry Huot. Sr. Mary Anne Laughlin and Sr. Harriet Cutting were also part of the team. From here I was assigned to Diocesan “jobs”. From 1982 to 1984 I was co-director of the Manchester Christian Life Center, Spiritual Director for the Charismatic Renewal Movement, and Spiritual Director for the N.H. Cursillo Movement. During that time I was also chairman of the Diocesan Liturgical Commission. The Holy Spirit was working overtime during these years. It was an abundant time in my life where I began to see the need for greater renewal efforts throughout the diocese. With that in mind and with the blessing of Bishop Gendron, I was able to begin Spiritual Renewal Services which served as an umbrella for a variety of ministries that blossomed over the years. Men's and Women’s Retreats, Young Adult Retreats, Parish Missions, Healing Masses, Conferences, Couples workshops and retreats, Days of Renewal, N.E.T., Pilgrimages, and a variety of other opportunities became part of my daily life. I was also blessed to begin a Retreat Center in Manchester which I dedicated to Saint Joseph. Joseph House became a place where over 100 young adults gathered every Wednesday evening and where many people from all over the state came to find rest and renewed hope in prayer. I was involved in these many ministries from 1983-1995. In 1983 Bishop Gendron asked me to begin the Office of Worship. During those years I worked with a fine staff in promoting liturgical renewal throughout the Diocese of Manchester as we helped parishes train lectors, musicians, ushers, greeters, and extraordinary ministers and establish liturgy committees. In the Spring of 1988, I was named pastor of Ste. Marie Parish. Ste. Marie was a large inner-city parish which was in need of much renewal. 10 buildings made up the campus plus a large cemetery and a St. Vincent de Paul Store. It was there that I saw the Holy Spirit at work in extraordinary ways. The Holy Spirit makes all old things new again! I had as a goal to make Jesus Christ known, loved and followed. Many parish ministries were established in the next 21 years. The parish flourished and became well known for evangelization and family renewal. While pastor of Ste. Marie, I was asked by Bishop O’Neil to take over Sacred Heart Parish which was only one mile away. So, for the next 15 years I was pastor of two distinct parishes which ended up being a great blessing for me and the staff. In June of 2009, after being at Ste. Marie for 26 years (21 as pastor and 5 in residence) I left for St. Michael Parish in Exeter and St. Mary Parish in Newmarket. I must say that I loved living on the Seacoast of N.H. I got to know towns that I had never really visited. Geographically, we covered Kingston, East Kingston, Kensington, South Hampton, North Hampton, Stratham, Greenland, Brentwood, Newfields, Fremont and of course, Exeter and Newmarket. I was able to develop a great staff and found exceptional people involved in the day to day operations of the parishes. I am indebted to my staff for making my time there such a gift! So, here I am! Back where it all began. I come here as a servant to bring you the joy of Jesus. Hopefully, I can serve here until I retire (if that ever happens) and help rebuild this great community. May the Lord bless you and keep you and let His face shine upon you.

Father Marc Montminy