BENE DICTUS. Saint Benedict Parish SUNDAY MASS Saturday: 4pm Sunday: 9am, 11:15am, 6pm. December 2016

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1 To form disciples who joyfully live out the mission of Jesus Christ. Monthly newsletter available in print or in your inbox (for the first Sunday of the month). BENE DICTUS December 2016 Saint Benedict Parish SUNDAY MASS Saturday: 4pm Sunday: 9am, 11:15am, 6pm WEEKDAY MASS Monday to Friday 9am CONFESSIONS Saturday: 3-3:45pm Thursday: 9:45-10:15am NEW MEMBERS WELCOME Please stop by the Welcome Booth and introduce yourself. 45 Radcliffe Drive Halifax, Nova Scotia, CANADA B3M 0E livestream.com/saintbenedictparish Pastor: Fr. James Mallon Associate Pastor: Fr. Simon Lobo, CC

2 Celebrate the Launch of Judy Savoy s Book There s a Life in Here Somewhere Saturday, December 10th 7:30-9pm Rev. O Neill Auditorium A faith journey book of memories and insights from a life that found its centre in forgiveness. 2 Bene Dictus December 2016

3 A WORD from FATHER JAMES THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN Advent already! It s hard to believe. With this season comes the preparations that are all too familiar to us. It is time, as well, for us as a parish to prepare for the extra guests that we will host at Christmas time. Last year we invited parishioners to demonstrate some extra hospitality to our guests, similar to the way we do in our own homes when we have guests. We invited parishioners to see themselves as the hosts and to yield the best parking spots and the best seats to our guests. We prepared for this by having a homily series that would reflect on our call to hospitality and examine the outreach potential of Christmas. This year we will do the same. Why? Because this idea is still so new to us that we need to reflect on it again and again and strive to offer the best we can. The preaching series is called Lasting Impressions. The other thing we did differently last year was that we introduced a non-liturgical celebration of Christmas early on Christmas Eve for those who may not be familiar with going to church and with the Mass. It was called Christmas Unplugged. We had well over 100 people attend and it is worth doing again. This is an event that non-church going family and friends could be invited to. Please give this some thought as we move closer to Christmas. The fact that Christmas falls on a Sunday this year is both good news for us and bad news. Here s the good news: it means that instead of Sunday-Christmas-Sunday- New Year s Day-Sunday in quick succession we simply have Sunday-Christmas-New Year!!! It is less work and much easier on everyone. It only happens every seven years so we take it when we can get it. What s the bad news you may ask? Well, instead of Christmas and Sunday we lose the Sunday and usually lose a large chunk of the Sunday collection. Could I, therefore, be so bold as to ask that parishioners remember that Christmas Day is also Sunday and that Sunday is also Christmas Day, and consider using both envelopes or simply giving for both occasions? We actually overlooked this when we budgeted last year and in spite of our collections, we are always close to the line with the budget. Consider it a special Christmas gift to the parish. DIVINE RENOVATION NETWORK Over the last month we have been praying for parishes in various places in the United States and Canada who are identified as being members of the Divine Renovation Network. Some parishioners have asked about this. The short answer is to go and check out divinerenovation. net You will find everything you need to know there. Otherwise, the Divine Renovation Network is our coaching network run through JPII Media and the Divine Renovation Ministry. We currently have 14 parishes (11 American and 3 Canadian) in the Network. Parishes apply and join for a fee and instead of firing off in all directions we invest heavily in these particular parishes seeking continued on next page December 2016 Bene Dictus 3

4 A WORD f r o m F A T H E R JAMES renewal according to the Divine Renovation model. Ron Huntley and I do the coaching online using video technology. This is our best attempt to build a sustainable model for our parish to help other Churches. So that s why we are praying for them. SAINTBP SERVE I wish to express a heartfelt thank you to all the parishioners who have responded so far to the invitation to step up and serve for the first time, or to expand their service in a significant way. The thing about this initiative is that it is not a oneoff. The invitation to ministry through the parish is continued constant and extended to every member and any one can respond at any time through the website (saintbenedict.ca/saintbpserve). Remember, ministry or serving is essential to the Christian life. We are all responsible to fulfill the mission of the Church and we all have a role to play. The Lord expects it of us. This is why we constantly invite those who consider themselves to be Saint Benedict members to get involved in something. Remember the eight myths that I spoke about last month? Well here they are again incase you may have forgotten. Eight Myths that Keep People from Serving 1) I m New Here. See Fr. James homily from October 16th. 2) Lot s of Staff. I m Not Needed. livestream.com/ 3) So Many Others. I m Not Needed. saintbenedictparish 4) I ve Never Been Asked. 5) I Wouldn t Make a Difference. 6) Tried it Once and Had a Bad Experience. 7) I Got Burned Out. 8) Oops, turns out there are only 7. serve@saintbenedict.ca Bene Dictus December 2016

5 Preaching Advent 2016 Nov 27th: People Matter Dec 4th: New Kid in Town Dec 11th: Making Room for Doubt Dec 18th: Lasting Hospitality A Penitential Drama for Advent Tuesday, December 13th 7pm in the church Come and experience Songs and prayers ~ Words of inspiration And periods of silence. We need silence to be able to touch souls. - Saint Teresa of Calcutta instrumental music beginning at 6:15pm. The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be offered following the service. Priests hearing confessions all day: Wednesday, December 14th (Immediately following 9am Mass until 5pm). December 2016 Bene Dictus 5

6 SAINT BENEDICT PARISH INVITES YOU TO THE 8TH ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF HOPE An Advent Service of Lessons and Carols Friday, December 9th 7:30pm 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. *A freewill offering will be taken up at the door to support parish music ministry and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. 6 Bene Dictus December 2016

7 Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) A year ago I wanted nothing to do with the church. I was an Atheist my whole life and I was always very certain of it. Early this year my wife, Kerry, started going to church and began telling me how much it would mean to us if we started going to church together. Well, I didn t make the discussion easy for her, but ultimately I figured, What s the harm in it? I d sooner tolerate church than have this argument again. I certainly had my doubts at first, but what has happened in our family and for me in particular since then has been beyond my wildest imaginings. We started coming to Sunday morning Mass and while I still didn t believe, I really started to enjoy the music and how incredibly welcoming and accepting everyone is here. Then, in April I had a powerful experience of God s love, and it changed my course completely. Coming face to face with the Holy Spirit, I knew I needed more of this in my life. Our daughter, Juniper was baptized earlier this year, and Kerry and I have just completed Alpha together where we ve both had the chance to grow closer to God. I can honestly say that our experiences and our new faith have pulled the three of us closer together as a family too. In the wake of Alpha, I ve joined a group of people doing RCIA at Saint Benedict right now. I m excited and anxiously looking forward to becoming Catholic this Easter. Our lives have been changed forever in a way I never would have believed. What about you? If you ve completed Alpha, or you re interested in becoming Catholic please join us. We ll be in the church auditorium on December 4th from 4 to 6pm. Bob Jordan DECEMBER 4TH 4-6PM ALL ARE WELCOME! December 2016 Bene Dictus 7

8 Altar Guild When I was invited to assume the Lead of the Altar Guild, I had all kinds of excuses to say no. After some more discernment, I said yes. In this ministry, I am able to use the talents and skills God gave me (such as organizational skills and attention to detail), which were honed in my career of post-secondary education and management. Now, I am using these same talents to serve as a disciple of Christ. What is the Altar Guild and what do we do? We take care of the preparations for the greatest banquet of all The Eucharist. As in preparing for any great meal, we have to set the table. This includes dressing the altar, ambo, and credence table with appropriate cloths. Also, we make sure that the linens are clean. For a special meal, you might decorate your table with candles. We do this as well. It s our responsibility to make sure that the candles are well maintained. In addition, there are vigil lights around the church, and they require maintenance. Also, on the weekends incense is used, requiring special care and attention. What else do we do in preparation? We dust and clean the altar, the nave of the church, and surrounding areas. Finally, we ensure that priests albs and vestments, and the altar servers robes, are in good condition. Now we are ready to put on the greatest feast of our lives The Eucharist. Would you like to take part in these preparations? Our Ministry has four teams with four or five members each. Each team serves one day per week, for two months out of the year. If we had more members, the time required would be one month a year, or less. If you are newly retired or have some free time during the day, we would love to have you as part of our ministry. Please call Patricia at Paula s Place Tailor Shop 30 Farnham Gate Rd ~ alterations ~ dry cleaning ~ shoe repair & more! 8 Bene Dictus December 2016

9 Ever had a non-catholic friend or family member you wanted to invite to Saint Benedict Parish but thought that the Mass would be a little confusing to them and not connect with them where they are? Living in a culture where people are valuing the idea of church less and less, Christmas is one of the times when people are still open to having a church experience. This Christmas Eve we want to take a non-traditional approach to connect with friends, family and neighbours-- people who maybe came to church years ago but then disconnected for various reasons. With Christmas Unplugged we want to develop an atmosphere of acceptance and hospitality along with a chance for people to experience Christmas music and a message that hits a broader group of people than those who are familiar with The Mass. We are familiar with the practice of inviting to Alpha but it is our hope that we can create an event that happens between our Alpha sessions and helps us to take advantage of the Christmas Season. Begin thinking and praying about who you can invite this Christmas Eve. When: 4pm Christmas Eve (Easy Parking!!!) Where: Saint Benedict Church Auditorium (Feels less like a church and less intimidating.) Why: Because Jesus wants everyone to come to know him (Life Changing) December 2016 Bene Dictus 9

10 THERE S A LIFE IN HERE SOMEWHERE (with reflections on forgiveness) by Judy Savoy The most painful time in my life turned out walk to specifically pray about a decision to be the catalyst for a deeper relationship I needed to make, and by the end of the with Christ through the healing power of walk I believed that I was to start writing a forgiveness. I felt crushed and broken and at book about my faith journey and my life in the end of my own resources, and I learned forgiveness. I d written a one woman show that this is exactly where I needed to be in but I d never written a book. THERE S A LIFE order for God to make me whole, because IN HERE SOMEWHERE (with reflections on He can only heal and mend if we surrender forgiveness) was written through prayer. control and let Him work in us. I had to And prayer is not just talking to God, it s trust Him like I ve never trusted anyone about listening as well. before. I listened to those who understood The season of Advent is a good time to forgiveness and I practiced what I learned. practice listening, to wait, in the hope As a Christian conference speaker I began to that something better will come soon. talk about forgiveness and discovered that That something is Jesus. He came so that few people truly understand what it means. we would be forgiven; the best Christmas On December 20th, 2013, I went on a prayer present ever. Believe it. He can be trusted. See you at the launch of Judy s book on December 10th! The Season of Advent...waiting in joyful hope EE property maintenance EE snow removal EE carpentry & more Bene Dictus December 2016

11 Liturgy of the Hours Having very recently moved to Saint Benedict Parish, I was so pleased to learn that I could join a Morning Prayer Group (Liturgy of the Hours) which meets each weekday morning before Mass. The Liturgy of the Hours (Prayer of the Church) is a very old Monastic prayer ritual that was prayed by monks at certain hours of their day, but has become an important part of daily prayer life for many lay Catholics who have adapted the Hours it to fit their daily schedule. Morning prayer takes less than 30 minutes. Morning Prayer at Saint Benedict Chapel is a peaceful way to start the day and a wonderful preparation for Holy Mass which follows. Anne Ashford-Hall Join others praying Morning Prayer, weekdays at 8:30 in the Chapel. Becoming Catholic RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults): If you are interested in becoming Catholic or completing your initiation by celebrating confirmation and/or first communion as an adult, you re invited to join us on December 4th (4-6pm, Auditorium). December 2016 Bene Dictus 11

12 Can be submitted via our website. Visit saintbenedict.ca to submit your request. Once it s been submitted, it will be distributed weekly to the members of our prayer tree ministry. saintbenedict.ca Wee ones (under 5) are welcomed in the WOW Room downstairs. They can be dropped off just before the 9am Mass and picked up right after Mass. WOW (Wee Ones' Word) runs every Sunday, during 9am Mass. Sundays at 9am Please pray for the parishes in the Divine Renovation Network. Visit divinerenovation.net for more information. 1, 2 & 3 Bedroom Apartments 12 Bene Dictus December 2016 CONTACT KRISTI halifaxapartments.ca FIND A PLACE TO CALL HOME Contact Kristi halifaxapartments.ca

13 Are you new to Saint Benedict Parish? Have you been attending for a while, and considering becoming a member? You are cordially invited to our next Event on Saturday, January 7pm. Please RSVP to Kate Finlayson, (902) , katefin8@gmail.com, by Wednesday, January 25th. Kindly let us know if you will require child care, and we will do our best to accommodate. December 2016 Bene Dictus 13

14 HELLO FROM TORONTO! Dear family, friends & parishioners, I am now in my second year at Saint Augustine s Seminary, located in Scarborough, Ontario, just east of downtown Toronto. Having completed all of my philosophy studies last year, I have now begun the four-year program of Theology. My courses this semester include: Early Church History (33A.D.-600A.D.), Intro to the New Testament, Intro to Roman Rite (Liturgy), Christian Ethics I, and Foundations in Theology. While I really enjoyed studying philosophy, I must confess, theology is much easier to understand! There are eight other men studying in my year: five for Toronto, one for St. Catharines, one for Kingston, and one for Charlottetown. In total we are around fifty-five men studying for the Diocesan Priesthood at St. Augustine s. Please keep us all in your prayers. You will be reading this update on, or around, the Second Sunday of Advent. I suppose I enjoyed Advent as a kid. Each year my siblings and I would get an Advent Calendar with the daily chocolates, my family always made an Advent Wreath and placed it at the center of the kitchen table, and was a big fan of the Advent hymns. But, if I am being honest with myself, my heart was really set on Christmas. I loved everything about Christmas: the gifts, food, family, festivities, tree, lights, and especially the Nativity Scene. This all changed when Fr. James came to our parish. I remember his homily on the first Sunday of Advent in 2010, when he boldly invited us to Let Advent be Advent, and let Christmas be Christmas! I don t think I fully understood what he was getting at, but over time I came to discover the richness of the season, which is summed up for me in the Gospel reading for the Second Sunday of Advent, when it quotes the prophet Isaiah s words, Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. As I have prayed with this passage of scripture, I have imagined Jesus coming to us on a road that is winding, unpaved, and scattered with obstacles. The prophet cries out, Prepare the way, make straight his paths! Jesus desires to come to each of us, and the season of Advent is a wonderful time for internal examination. What are the obstacles on the road to our hearts? What are the things in our lives that make it harder for Jesus to come in? These questions can account for an entire aspect of my seminary formation, but they are relevant to every baptized person who is striving to be more like Christ. Let us pray for each other this Advent, that we may prepare the way, and make straight the paths for Jesus, our Lord and King, to come into our lives in an ever new and more profound way this Christmas. I am looking forward to seeing you all soon! In Christ, Patrick Salah 14 Bene Dictus December 2016

15 Calendar of Important Dates - December 2016 Sunday 4 2nd Sunday of Advent Preaching Series: Lasting Impressions Monday 5 Tuesday 6 7 The Experience (Youth Night) 3rd Sunday of Advent Preaching Series: Lasting Impressions 4th Sunday of Advent Preaching Series: Lasting Impressions 12 The Experience (Youth Night) 13 Anointing of the Sick 19 The Experience (Youth Night) 20 Grief Support Group 8 Friday 9 Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Advent Celebration of Hope 14 Eucharistic Adoration Saturday 10 Judy Savoy s Book Launch Advent Reconciliation Day 21 Eucharistic Adoration Christmas Unplugged 4pm Super Awesome Wednesday Name Tag Sunday 25 The Nativity of the Lord Mass at 9 & 11:15am Thursday Super Awesome Wednesday Advent Reconciliation Service + Confessions 18 Eucharistic Adoration Daytime Alpha RCIA Session 4-6pm 11 Wednesday Christmas Eve Mass at 7:30pm & 11:00pm Parish Office open 9:45am noon Parish Office Closed Saint Benedict Parish Grief Support Group provides friendship, prayer, love and support to members as they journey through the grief process to healing. They will meet on Tuesday, December 20th at 7pm in the Saint Joseph Room. For more information please contact Anne, We pray for all who are grieving, especially during what can be a very difficult time of year. Please note that in order for donations to be included on 2016 tax receipts, they must be received before 11am on Friday, December 30th. This calendar does not list all events, ministries, meetings or special dates. For a more detailed listing, please visit: saintbenedict.ca/calendar-events/ Scotian Pens the Cora Unique Pen Gifts Handcrafted in Halifax graduations, birthdays, pen collectors, corporations Darrell Eisner scotianpens.com 277 Lacewood Drive, Halifax December 2016 Bene Dictus 15

16 PARISH STAFF TEAM (office: ) Darlene Bonang, Office Manager (press 0) Paul Lang, Music & AV Coordinator (ex 41) Kate Robinson, Director of Communications, (ex 29) Cheryl Boudreau, Administrative Assistant Ronnie Lunn,Youth Ministry Coordinator(ex 37) Dinah Simmons, Director of Sacraments & Liturgy (ex 24) Jen Ferrier, Coordinator of Evangelization (ex 30) Rob McDowell, Director of Parish Life, (ex 26) Joanne Thibeau, Manager of Finance (ex 28) Catherine Gould, Discipleship Group Coordinator (ex 27) Ryan Orlando, Facilities and Custodial Manager, (ex 40) Deacon David Viscount, Permanent Deacon Ron Huntley, Director of Pastoral Ministries (ex 39) Laura O Rourke, Director of Children s Ministries laurao@saintbenedict.ca Chris Yetman, Director of Engagement (ex 21) chrisyetman@saintbenedict.ca MONTHLY FINANCIAL UPDATE - OCTOBER 2016 Parish Debt Reduction Envelopes PAR (Pre-authorized Remittance) Rec d Total Avg/ 171 $4,298 $25 70 $3,402 see *note Mortgage Balance (as of October 31, 2016): $795,725 Interest paid (on mortgage) in October 2016: $2,180 Principal paid (on mortgage) in October 2016: $9,257 Principal payments include principal portion of monthly mortgage payment plus additional principal payments made from Parish Debt funds received Sunday Collections Envelopes PAR (Pre-authorized Remitaance) Rec d Total Avg/ 1,685 $47,018 $ $46,202 see *note *Note: PAR options include weekly, bi-weekly and monthly withdrawals; therefore a weekly average is unavailable. If you re interested in the sacraments of baptism or matrimony at Saint Benedict Parish, please note that in addition to preparation, we require that you get in touch with us a minimum of 3 months in advance of your hoped-for date for baptism and one year prior to your desired wedding date. For information on baptisms, please contact Carol: baptisms@saintbenedict.ca. For information on weddings, please contact the parish office: weddings@saintbenedict.ca. 16 Bene Dictus December 2016