Home	7th Sunday of Ordinary Time	2012 Bulletins
	February 19, 2012
SAINT PETER’S PARISH 10 maple street • Dartmouth, NS • B2Y 2X3    tel 466-6183 • fax 466-2207 e-mail:   st.peters.dartmouth@ns.sympatico.ca website:   http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/Religion/StPeters PASTOR FR. JIM RICHARDS • PASTORAL ASSOCIATE SISTER CECELIA SACCA DEACON JACK MACNEIL • DIRECTOR of MUSIC and LITURGY GREG BECIGNEUL PRIESTS IN RESIDENCE • MSGR. JOHN R. CAMPBELL • FR. CHARLES BURKE  RELIGIOUS EDUCATION COORD • HEATHER RIDEOUT • OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR SHERRI LAPIERRE REGULAR OFFICE HOURS:  MONDAY to THURSDAY; 9 am – 4 pm / FRIDAY: 9am – 1 pm  WEEKDAY MASS SCHEDULE Monday ……........................................................No Mass Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday.....………..……….....12 noon Friday………………………........................................no mass WEEKEND MASS SCHEDULE Saturday………........................………………………….…...4pm Private Confession..............….............………….3 – 3:30pm Sunday……………...............................8:45, 11:15 and 7pm IMMACULATE CONCEPTION MASS SCHEDULE Monday ……………....………......…..........………..…….… 7pm Private Confessions (Last Monday of Month)...6:30-6:45pm Sunday………………......................…………………….....10am   7th Sunday of Ordinary Time - February 19, 2012 In today’s Gospel we continue to hear Mark’s reports about Jesus’ preaching and healing.   Jesus’ popularity has grown so much that crowds surround him.  Today we might say there was standing room only.  No one else can get in.  But the paralysed man’s friends persevere and get him in.  Jesus first words to the man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ might strike us as strange, but in Jesus’ time, illness was thought to be a sign of sinfulness.  This passage shows Jesus’ escalating tension with the Jewish authorities.  Forgiveness of sins was a power that Jews believe came from God alone.  Today we read from Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians.  Paul speaks of the afflictions he experiences in his ministry of proclaiming the Gospel.  He reiterates that his mission on their behalf is from God.  Today’s Gospel is one example from the New Testament where the relationship between sin and illness is evident.  Jesus’ ability to forgive sin is confirmed by the healing of the paralyzed man.  Don’t miss the significance of the faith of those who brought the man to Jesus – at what heights they went to so that their friend could come into Jesus’ healing presence.  It far exceeds the faith of the Pharisees – or even at times that of Jesus’ disciples. The Meaning of Lent On Ash Wednesday, from dawn until evening, women and men on their way to or from work, parents with toddlers, school children and teens will gather in the church to be marked with a cross of ashes on their foreheads.  It is as if even before they have listened to the First Reading, they have heard the prophet Joel’s cry to call an assembly and gather the congregation.  Many have suggested why this day is so important to Catholics, but what is incontrovertible is that the rituals and prayers of Ash Wednesday call people to remember that being a Christian is serious business. The exhortation, ‘Repent and believe in the Gospel,’ strikes at the heart of the meaning of Lent.  The older more traditional formula, ‘Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return’ is a helpful reminder that our lives on earth are bounded in time and that we are responsible for how we use this gift of our life. During Advent and Christmas time, we focused on the light of God as revealed in Jesus.  Lent is a liturgical time of preparation for the manifestation of God’s love in Jesus’ self giving of his life, and his Resurrection, which we will celebrate during the Three Days.  It has been said, ‘Easter, with its grace of interior resurrection, is the radical healing of the human condition.  Lent, which prepares us for this grace, is about what needs to be healed’. Through our Lenten practices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving, and by our accompanying those preparing to receive the Sacraments of Initiation, we recognize our need for healing as individuals and collectively as a society.   Ash Wednesday Masses will be celebrated at noon and 5pm here at St. Peter Church and at 7pm at Immaculate Conception.   St. Vincent de Paul Please remember your contributions of non perishable food items for the St. Vincent de Paul Society.  Your thoughtfulness enables the Society to continue the work of feeding those who struggle to make ends meet.  Daily, the members of the Society bring food to those in need.  Your contributions are necessary to make this work.  You may bring food  to church and leave it in the basket in the foyer or drop it off at the office during regular office hours.   BIRTHRIGHT:  CWL to Collect Baby Clothing The Catholic Women’s League is collecting new baby clothing in sizes 0-3 months as well as other infant items in aid of BIRTHRIGHT in the crib located in the Blessed Mother’s niche until March 5.  BIRTHRIGHT provides caring, non-judgmental support to girls and women who are distressed by an unplanned pregnancy.  Using its own resources and those of the community, the organization offers positive and loving alternatives treating each woman as an individual who deserves kindness and respect.  All Birthright services are free, absolutely confidential and available to any woman regardless of age, race, creed, economic or marital status.   Children’s Liturgy of the Word+++8:45am Sunday Mass     Knights of Columbus Scholarship Knights of Columbus Council 3133 are pleased to announce the annual Simon J. Khattar Scholarship.  Applications for scholarships valued at $1,000 are being accepted through March 16, 2012.  Applicants must be Catholic residents of Nova Scotia who will complete Nova Scotia Grade XII in 2012, or who are attending first year University, College, or Community College beyond the secondary level.  Applications and additional information may be picked up at St. Peter Parish office.   Please direct any inquiries to Joe Beaton at 462-4028 or beatonmj@yahoo.com   The Passion and Resurrection Narratives The series offered by Sister Norma Heffernan on the Passion and Resurrection Narratives continues on Thursday mornings.  Call the office for information.   Sacrament of Baptism Cassidy Jean Carter Ryan, child of Caitlin Davis and Corey Ryan is Baptized this Sunday.  Please keep this family in your prayers that they will always walk as children of the light.   Grief Support Group Interested in joining us for prayer, support and friendship? The Grief Support Group meets on Wednesday, February 29 this month at 7pm in the office.  Please bring a photo of your departed loved one. Contact Sister Cecelia with questions.   GODSPELL Rehearsals Rehearsals for cast this week are Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 6:30, and Saturday at 9:30am.  Band rehearses Saturday at noon.       Children’s and Adult Choirs Children practice on Wednesday at 4 – 4:45.  No senior choir rehearsal this week.  Saturday group at 3pm in the music room.   Prayer Line We remind you that we have an active Prayer Line network in the parish.  If you have a friend or family member who is seriously ill contact the office at ext 222 and leave a name.   Tax Receipts Tax receipts are being mailed to parishioners.  The mail outs will happen by Friday, February 24.   Parish Directory Available The Parish Directory is available for those who had their photo taken.  Pick it up at the parish office during regular office hours or see a member of the pastoral staff after Mass.   Upcoming Meetings Liturgy Committee – Thursday, February 23 at 7pm   Mass Coordinator’s Meeting Mass Coordinators are invited to attend a meeting on Tuesday, February 28 in the parish office.  That night we will meet to explore the needs of the Coordinators and find ways to make improvements to their ministry.   Upcoming Events and Programs   Pastoral Care Minister’s Day of Reflection St. Thomas More Church - March 10, 9:30am – 3pm For all who minister to the sick either at home or in hospital, the homebound, nursing home residents or those who grieve.  Registration $10.  Lunch and coffee/tea break provided.  Morning Prayer, sessions:  Pastoral Care Rooted in Our Baptism by Deacon/Chaplain Wilfred Boudreau; Bringing Christ to Others by Chaplain Patricia O’Halloran; Spirituality of the Pastoral Care Minister by Chaplain Aurea Sadi.  Call St. Peter parish office to register.  Call Donna Legere with questions at 463-1408.   Come and Journey Lenten Day of Reflection for Women The CWL invites the women of the parish to join them on a Lenten Reflection Day to be facilitated by Sister Cecelia in the Parish Hall on Saturday, March 24 from 10am-3pm. (note that this date was previously reported incorrectly as March 10)   Marriage Preparation Course For couples contemplating marriage during the year, there is a preparation program on Friday and Saturday, April 13 and 14. Please register by calling or emailing the parish office as we need to know the numbers of participants.   The Halifax Chapter of the Women’s Interchurch Council of Canada 2012 World Day of Prayer Service   On Friday, March 2 at 7pm, gather here in the church for an Interchurch service.  The theme of the service, written by women of Malaysia, is ‘Let Justice Prevail’.  Terry Wigle will offer a presentation on Malaysia.  A reception will follow in the parish hall.  Join fellow Christians in more than 170 countries around the world and 2,000 communities across Canada as we gather on the World Day of Prayer to pray and act in solidarity with the people of Malaysia. World Day of Prayer is a world wide movement of Christian women of many traditions who come together on the first Friday of March to observe a common day of prayer.  Women affirm their faith in Jesus Christ and become aware of the whole world.  They are enriched by the faith experience of Christians of other countries and cultures, share the burdens of other people, and pray with them and for them.      THE NEW EVANGELIZATION: PUTTING OUR GIFTS TO WORK Identifying and releasing the unique gift we are to the community. The New Evangelization is leading many parishioners and pastoral workers to identify their own gifts and talents and make them available to build up the community.  Our approach to discovering one’s own characteristic gifts is not complex, going to the building blocks of one’s personality. This program will help develop a scripture-based spirituality to help us make use of these gifts constructively. Without this spiritual perspective, we can become fixated on these gifts, using them self-protectively and in ways that hinder rather than help. How can we not only identify our gifts, but also, with God`s grace, release their potential, giving us full freedom to be ourselves and to help shape the common good? Input and guided conversation. Three Thursday sessions, 7-9pm: Feb 23. Mar 8 and 22. Theresa Chu R.S.C.J. and Jean-Marc Laporte, S.J. Held at the residence of the Sacred Heart Sisters at 1455 Summer St. Suggested offering $70 in advance, or $25 for each session. If this is a difficulty, we will be very pleased to welcome you for a reduced amount or without payment. Please mention your need when you register. Registration and information: 429-7344 or registrar@jesuitspirit.ca.     … in our community   Pancake Supper at St Andrew Anglican Church Tues Feb 21 at 4:30-6:30pm   Adults $8, Children under 10 $3, Family $25 Hotdogs too!  8 Locks Rd  Dartmouth  435-2987   Famous Fish Chowder at St Andrew Anglican Church Freshest fish, homemade tea biscuits and desserts Saturdays 11:30am -1pm on Feb 25, March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 Adults $9,  Children under 12 $3,  Hotdogs available.    Dartmouth Christian Men’s Fellowship Prayer Breakfast  Tues, Feb 21 at 7am in the Dartmouth Seniors' Service Center with guest speaker Kevin Cox, a mature theology student at AST. All men are welcome. Register at 434-3438 or rhlindsay@accesswave.ca by 10am Mon, Feb 20. $9   The Presbyterian Church of St David Famous Chowder Lunch Wednesdays in Lent at 1537 Brunswick Street.  Fish Chowder and Roll, Gingerbread Dessert, Tea or Coffee.  $10  Take-out available.    Atlantic Path Information Session An information session about Atlantic Path will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 25 in the St. Peter’s school gym.  Atlantic Path is part of a national cancer study and is open to participants between 35-69 years of age, regardless of health status.  If you are interested in participating in this important study, please plan to attend to find out more about it.  For information, contact Mary Moore at 461-9599.