Saint Benedict Parish

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1 VISION Saint Benedict Parish 45 Radcliffe Drive, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3M 0E1 Tel (902) Web 2nd Sunday of Advent December 7, 2014 he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit. ~ Mark 1:8 Saint Benedict Parish is a healthy and growing faith community that brings people to Christ, forms disciples and sends them out to transform the world. Every member is committed to worship, to grow, to serve, to connect and to give. photographs by John Rae SUNDAY EUCHARIST: Anticipated Saturday: 4pm Sunday: 9am, 11:15am & 6pm WEEKDAY MASS: 9am Monday to Friday RECONCILIATION: Saturday: 3-3:45pm PARISH OFFICE HOURS: Monday to Friday, 9:45am - 4pm ADORATION OF JESUS IN THE BLESSED SACRAMENT: Saint Elizabeth Seton Chapel, Wednesday following 9am Mass Chapel open daily 8am-4pm NEW MEMBERS - WELCOME! Please stop by the Welcome Booth introduce yourself and fill out a Communication Card (inside). COFFEE SOCIALS: Following 11:15 Mass in the Rev. Bernard O Neill Auditorium & following Tuesday morning Mass in the foyer. All are welcome! NAME TAG SUNDAY: 3rd Sunday of the month Saint Benedict Parish 45 Radcliffe Drive Halifax, NS, Canada B3M 0E1 office@saintbenedict.ca (902)

2 Parish Priest Assistant Priest Permanent Deacon Pastoral Care Reconciliation Prayer News & Info Marriage/Baptism Parish Shuttle Alpha WOW (Wee Ones Word) Announced Mass Intentions: December 8-12 Rev. James Mallon Rev. Michael Grace Rev. Mr. Marc Simard Do you know a parishioner who has been hospitalized or is homebound? Please contact us through our Parish Visitation Ministry (or the parish office). Saturdays: 3-3:45pm Wednesdays: 9:45-10:15am Prayer Chapel open weekdays 8am - 4pm Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament: every Wednesday 9:45am - 4pm Community Prayer before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament: Wednesdays 2-3pm Pray the Rosary: weekdays (except Wednesdays) after 9am Mass in the Chapel Pray the Divine Office: weekdays at 8:30am in the Saint Joseph Room Submit Prayer Intentions to the Prayer Tree: Prayer Ministry: 3rd Sunday of the month at the end of every Mass Subscribe to the weekly parish enewsletter: scroll to bottom: enewsletter Subscribe. Follow us on For the sacraments of marriage or baptism, please contact the parish office or visit the Welcome Booth (in the foyer, before or after Sunday Mass). Would you like to come to Mass on the weekend but need transportation? We have a shuttle that can take you to and from our Saturday 4pm, Sunday 11:15 or 6pm Mass. your name, address and phone number to: shuttle@saintbenedict.ca. You will then be contacted to confirm pick-up. This initiative is sponsored by the Knights of Columbus. Alpha is about connecting people of similar age over dinner, a talk and fun conversation. If you have not experienced Alpha here then sign up! It is run for Youth, Adults and Seniors. 26 Million people around the world have experienced Alpha. You re next! Contact Carol Smith, , alpha@saintbenedict.ca. We have church for kids downstairs during the 9am Mass every Sunday. Two to four year olds may be dropped off before Mass and picked up after Mass. They ll have Bible songs and stories and time for lots of fun activities - check it out! Questions? Contact Chantal via wow@saintbenedict.ca. Monday, John Robert Batt! Tuesday, Anne Stanton! Wednesday, Ruth Palmer! Thursday, Joseph Garius Arab! Friday, deceased members of the CWL! Please Note Mass cards are now available at the kiosk in the church foyer immediately following every Mass (weekends and week days). Financial Corner Last week's Sunday collection: $22,117 Thank-you! 1

3 A WORD FROM FATHER JAMES December 7, 2014 Celebration of Hope This coming Friday, December 12th, our music ministry will once again be sharing their many gifts with us. Each of the main music ministries will be sharing several Advent hymns with us followed by readings from scripture. Over the past number of years this has been a very powerful and moving event. I d love for us to fill the place again, and be inspired by the hope that Advent calls us to. This is also an excellent nonthreatening event that we can invite others to, especially those who have been separated from us and are no longer connected with a community of faith. The Offering of Hope Over the past several weeks, we have been blessed to witness countless, spontaneous acts of generosity from our members. It gives me great pride to see the openness to share and the courage to reach out when in need. We have seen several examples of gifts that have come in the forms of money, meals offered, prayers and deepening friendships, all through people dealing with challenging seasons in their lives. As we focus on the hope of the Advent season, the reality of Christ coming, offers each of us the hope of a relationship through salvation, with him. As his disciples, we constantly want to see the hope that we offer people as a response to Christ s love, not as a way of earning God s love. Our generosity always needs to be a reflection of what we have received from Christ in our lives. Whether this is financial giving, our worship response during Mass, reaching out to others in our community, or sharing the love of Christ with those who don t yet know the impact of a relationship with God. It s easy to have an institutional mindset about assisting those in need. We think in terms of what program or ministry exists to help them, instead of, how can I help? While continuing our generous support of the necessary work of ministries like the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, it s wonderful to see people stepping up to care for others in a relational and spontaneous way. This is what healthy community really looks like, with our church truly being church. Let s all continue to be aware of our need for Christ and our need for one another. This is the end result of the hope we celebrate through Christ that we prepare for during Advent. I d like to further explain something I mentioned last week in reference to the parish budget. How things were worded may have left the impression we are over budget for this fiscal year, which is not the case. In fact, I was making reference to the budget being proposed for 2015 and the cuts to bring spending in line with projected giving. This year we will end in the black financially keeping expenses below giving levels. We monitor giving closely as it relates to spending, managing our financial resources to the best of our ability. 2

4 You Are Invited to the 6th Annual CELEBRATION OF HOPE Friday, December 12th 7:30pm An Advent Service of Lessons and Carols ~ Come to spiritually prepare for the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. ~ Experience an evening of Sacred Music & Scripture with the five choirs of Saint Benedict Parish! *Suggested Donation of $10 at the door to support Music Ministry at Saint Benedict Parish & Halifax West Ecumenical Food Bank 3

5 Don t forget! Advent Reconciliation Service 7pm (followed by confessions) - Dec 16th Day of Confessions - December 17th See next week s newsletter for details. Christmas Pageant The children of the parish will present a Christmas pageant at 10:30 on Christmas morning (between the two morning Masses). More kids are needed to be angels, shepherds and other characters from the nativity story. Kids are also needed as narrators. If you'd like to be involved, contact Dinah ( ex 24; dinahs@saintbenedict.ca). Kids' Ministries During Mass During the 9:00 and 11:15 Sunday Masses, we have a special ministry for elementary-aged children. It's called Half Time ('cause it's for half the time of Mass!). The children and their leaders head out after the Opening Prayer for a children's version of the readings, followed by discussion and prayer. There's also a ministry for younger children: those under 5 can take part in WOW - Wee Ones' Word. Parents can drop children off in the WOW rooms downstairs before the 9am Mass and pick them up at the end of that Mass. And once a month we have a special family-centred Mass. Contact Dinah to find out more about these ministries. Advent Party The families involved in our faith formation programs are invited to an Advent party on Sunday morning, December 21, following the 9am Mass. Prayer Lists December prayer lists are now available for pick up in the message box. Please don t forget to pick up your copy. Study on the Mass An 8-week course on the study of the Mass will take place on Wednesday evenings (7:30-9pm), starting January 7th. Cost for the course is $15 (to cover materials) and space is limited. Please contact Paul Doiron ( , doiron@bellaliant.net) with any questions or to register. Mental Health Christmas Gifts Once again the CWL is assisting Fr. Eric Theriault s collection of gifts for inpatients and residents of local mental health facilities. Some of the suggested items include winter coats or boots, pyjamas, nightgowns, sweaters, housecoats, underwear, socks, sweat suits, sweatshirts, gloves, hats, slippers, purses, candy and gift certificates (no used clothing please). For details, please pick up a green sheet on the table in the foyer. The basket to receive items is in the foyer near the hospitality area and will be there until the final Sunday of Advent. Wed, Dec 24 Christmas Eve Christmas Mass Times Thu, Dec 25 The Nativity of the Lord Fri, Dec 26 Feast of St. Stephen no 9am Mass 9am Mass 9am Mass parish office closes at noon 7:30pm Mass 11pm Mass 10:30am Christmas Pageant 11:15am Mass parish office closed parish office closed A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. (Rev 12) Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe ~ December 12th Becoming a Member of Saint Benedict Parish We can t wait to meet you! In a large parish, we need to be purposeful in being personal. It s important to us that you feel at home here! Our membership process is set up so that we can get to know each other a little better! It s a 4 step process. Here goes: 1) "I like this church!" Complete the Communication Card. 2) "I don't know enough about it." - A member of our Welcome Team will call and arrange to meet with you. 3) "Sign me up, I want to be a part of the parish!" Attend a New Parishioner Welcome Event to fill out a formal registration card. 4) "Do they remember me?" Your Welcome Team member will check in with you periodically to see how you are doing. Please fill out the reverse and drop this in the collection basket. follow us on 4

6 Journey of Hope Come join a group of women where together we will explore the ups and downs of being separated or divorced and how that impacts our hopes, dreams, and aspirations of living a full and peaceful life. Don t let old messages keep you stuck and away from feeling like an important and contributing member of the Catholic Church. No matter what happened that led to the break-up of your marriage you are not only loved by God you are being called back to full relationship with him as the beautiful daughter that you are. We are all members of the family of God and just as we miss those family members who have drifted away from our human family, your spiritual family the Church -misses you. Beginning January 17, 2015 (10-11:30am). Every other Saturday morning for a total of 12 sessions. Register now at: saintbenedict.ca/journey-of-hope. Please contact Lorrie Yunace: , journeyofhope@saintbenedict.ca...we come through all things triumphantly victorious, by the power of him who loves us. For I am certain of this: neither death nor life, nor angels, nor power, nor the heights nor the depths, nor any created thing whatever, will be able to come between me and the love of God, known to us in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-39 Saint Benedict Parish Communication Card First Name:! Last Name:!!Best Phone #:!!!! home! work! cell Address:!! When would be a good time to contact you?:! daytime! evening! weekend! teen! young adult (18-28)!! adult (29-39)! adult (40-50)! adult (50+)! If you have a significant other, what s their name?!!date Submitted:!! If you have children, what are their names & age ranges? Name:!! infant! toddler! grade p-5! jr high! high school Name:!! infant! toddler! grade p-5! jr high! high school Name:!! infant! toddler! grade p-5! jr high! high school! I m interested in having my child baptized.! 5

7 Freedom from our Hurts, Hang-ups, and Habits 9 Weeks - Tuesday evenings Jan 13 Mar 27, 7-9pm REGISTRATION CLOSES JANUARY 5!! The$1 st $night$(january$13th)$is$a$mandatory!informa-on!session.! This$is!an!interactive!session!where!your!questions!will!be!answered!as!you!are!introduced!to!the!group!process! and!the!content!of!the!program.! We've$all$been$hurt$by$other$people,$we've$hurt$ourselves,$and$we've$hurt$others.$As$a$result,$each$of$our$lives$is$ tangled$up$with:$ $ $ Hurts$that$haunt$our$hearts;$ $ $ Hang)ups+that$cause$us$pain$and;$ $ $ Habits$that$mess$up$our$lives:$ The$quesEon$we$all$face$is:$Do$we$have$to$carry$these$burdens$forever?$The$short$answer$is,$NO.$$$ Life s+healing+choices+program$offers$an$opportunity$to$make$the$conneceon$between$past$hurts$and$how$they$can$ develop$hanglups,$and$habits$which$interfere$with$the$peace$we$are$all$seeking.$ Life s+healing+choices+program$can$transform$your$life$with$each$of$the$8$healing$choices,$which$are$based$on$the$solid$ foundaeon$of$the$beaetudes$of$jesus.$these$choices$are$designed$to$guide$you$along$god's$healing$pathway$into$ wholeness,$growth,$and$spiritual$maturity.$find$answers,$and$a$future$full$of$hope$l$one$healing$choice$at$a$eme.$ You!may!register!by! !mppoirier@yahoo.ca,!on!the!website:!saintbenedict.ca/lifes>healing>choices,!or!by! calling:!paulette!902>832>

8 Mary said, Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word. Then the angel departed from her. (Luke 1:38) The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception ~ December 8th WATCH PAST HOMILIES! Go to: - click on: If you tune in at 9am (Atlantic) you can participate while Mass is live. Or watch Mass from the week before, or past homilies. You can send links to the homilies to others by sharing. If you choose to follow the Parish (by entering your address/creating a login) you will Parish Staff Team (Phone: ) Darlene Bonang, Parish Secretary, (press 0) darleneb@saintbenedict.ca Ron Huntley, Director of Pastoral Ministries, (ex 30) ronh@saintbenedict.ca Rob McDowell, Director of Parish Life, (ex 26) robm@saintbenedict.ca Tanya Rodgerson, Director of Engagement, (ex 21) tanyar@saintbenedict.ca Dinah Simmons, Director of Faith Formation, (ex 24) dinahs@saintbenedict.ca Jen Ferrier, Coordinator of Evangelization, (ex 39) jenniferf@saintbenedict.ca Ronnie Lunn, Coordinator of Youth Ministry, (ex 37) ronniel@saintbenedict.ca Kate Robinson, Director of Communications, (ex 29) kater@saintbenedict.ca Patrick Salah, Director of Music, (ex 27) patricks@saintbenedict.ca Joanne Thibeau, Manager of Finance, (ex 28) joannet@saintbenedict.ca Zero Tolerance As many of you are aware, several years ago, the Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth established the "Responsible Ministry Protocol" to ensure the personal safety of parishioners both young and elderly against possible sexual predators. For the most part, the steps taken have been successful, however we realize that despite all our efforts, sexually inappropriate statements and/or actions may occur without our knowledge. Sexually inappropriate comments and/or actions will not be tolerated at Saint Benedict Parish. Should anyone be on the receiving end of inappropriate statements and/or actions from another, they are asked to contact parish staff immediately. Thanks for helping us to create an atmosphere where all feel safe and welcome and are treated with dignity. 7

9 YEAR FOR CONSECRATED LIFE NOVEMBER 2014-NOVEMBER 2015 Advent signals the beginning of a new liturgical year. Pope Francis has designated this particular year the Year for Consecrated Life. Reflections on this vocation are shared in a Vatican document titled: R e j o i c e! A l e t t e r t o consecrated men and women. Below is a reflection on that document from one who lives this vocation in religious community. Rejoice! As Advent begins, we also begin the Year of Consecrated Life. Who are these consecrated persons and what is their vocation all about? In a sense, we are all consecrated in our baptism; no child of God could be excluded from the beautiful opportunity to respond to His gift of life by giving themselves back to Him. However, the people we call consecrated have a particular call from God to live this baptismal consecration in a special way, in a prophetic way, as phrased by Pope Francis. We most commonly see this vocation in religious brothers and sisters, but it may also be lived out by hermits, consecrated virgins and secular institutes. Rejoice! Why would this be chosen as the title of a letter sent out to consecrated persons in preparation for the Year of Consecrated Life? Joy is emphasized in it many times by Pope Francis; in fact, the letter begins with the Pope saying, I want to say one word to you and this word is joy. Wherever consecrated people are, there is always joy. It may seem surprising that people who are consecrated to God, living in some ways the exact opposite of the w o r l d l y i d e a l o f happiness, should have such deep joy. Pope Francis explains that the source of this joy is precisely in one s encounter with God, the joy of the moment when Jesus looked at me. He says that in calling you, God says You are important to me, I love you, I am counting on you. As human beings, isn t this something we desire deeply, even in our human relationships to be wanted, to be loved and needed? So imagine the fulfillment and joy in being wanted and called by your Divine Creator. The joy witnessed among consecrated persons is this: the grounded identity of knowing who you are in Christ, that He loves you and has called you. After experiencing the joy of knowing God s love in their own hearts, the desire grows to respond. The vocation of consecrated life is simply a response to the love of God, giving their life back to Him to do with it as He wills. Consecrated people cannot keep the joy of knowing Him to themselves, for true joy is contagious. Pope Francis wants them to wake up the world by wearing God s smile. Many people s hearts have fallen asleep, but those who have tasted the sweetness of God s love want to awaken in others that restless search for God. cont d on back 8

10 Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth Information: Bulletin submissions: 1531 Grafton St. Halifax NS B3J 2Y3 (902) #201, 65 Green St. Yarmouth NS B5A 1Z6 (902) Cont d from front As living icons of the motherhood of the Church, consecrated persons have a duty to be fathers and mothers to those they meet, to bring to everyone the embrace of God, who bends with a mother s tenderness over us. During this Year of Consecrated Life, let us all take the opportunity to pray for and to encourage the consecrated people in our lives, and to pray for vocations! THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE 2014 ARCHBISHOP S ANNUAL APPEAL Thanks to all who contributed to this year s Archbishop s Annual Appeal. Your gift provides support, programming, and resources that will help us to live our mission, grow our communities of faith and deepen the faith formation of children, youth and adults all across our Archdiocese. Remember, giving to the Appeal means you are also giving to your parish. A portion of all donations collected at a parish stays within that parish to go towards the good work done in that local faith community. Thank you for your generosity! And it s not too late to donate! The official collection dates for the Archbishop s Annual Appeal have passed but donations are welcome at any time. Donations received before December 26, 2014 will be eligible for a 2014 tax receipt. For more information on the Archbishop s Annual Appeal contact Cathy Driscoll Cainen, (902) ext 308 or cdriscoll@halifaxyarmouth.org. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY ARCHDIOCESE OF HALIFAX-YARMOUTH! Three years ago on December 8, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, we became the new Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth. Join Archbishop Mancini for the 12:15pm Mass at Saint Mary s Cathedral on December 8 to pray for our local Church and celebrate this important day! NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER IN SOLIDARITY WITH INDIGENOUS PEOPLES The National Day of Prayer in Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples is celebrated on December 12 every year, on the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Americas. The Canadian Catholic Aboriginal Council celebrates this day for prayer, solidarity and reconciliation by issuing an annual message honouring Aboriginal people who were inspired by their Catholic faith. This year, in light of the universal Church s focus on the evangelization of the family, the Council has invited reflections on the role of elders in the native tradition. You can find the council s message for this national day of prayer at EMPLOYMENT LISTINGS P l e a s e s e e t h e a rch d i o c e s a n w e b s i t e for current job openings. All questions about the postings should be directed to Jeannette Smith, HR Manager, at (902) ext or jsmith@halifaxyarmouth.org. 9

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