Home	23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time	2012 Bulletins
	September 9, 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 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………........................………………………….…...5pm Private Confession..............…..............………….4 – 4:30pm Sunday…………….........................................9:30 and 7pm IMMACULATE CONCEPTION MASS SCHEDULE Monday ……………....………......…..........………..…….… 7pm Private Confessions (Last Monday of Month)...6:30-6:45pm Sunday………………..................…………………….....11:00am Link to Pastoral Letter from Fr. Richards for September 2012   23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time - September 9, 2012 "Be opened!" Jesus commands the deaf-mute man as he heals him. This encounter, however, is more than a matter of physical healing. It is a sign of salvation: God's superabundant life breaking open the closed human condition. Further, what Jesus commands with respect to the deaf-mute man, he commands with respect to us. When we encounter Jesus, he commands, "Be opened!" and we too are healed: our ears are opened to hear the Good News and our tongues are loosened to proclaim it. Isaiah's poetic vision presents a world redeemed by God's saving power. What Isaiah communicates through poetry, Jesus communicates through action. We tend to think of salvation in terms of heaven and the hereafter. The readings open us to salvation as encountering and hearing God now. Annual General Meeting of the Parish Council Next Sunday, Sept. 16 at 10:45am in the Parish Hall   Join us after Mass next Sunday morning, September 16 for our Annual Meeting.  This is a great opportunity for you to hear about the various groups operating in our parish, their goals and intentions.  You will be able to share your thoughts about what is important to you in your parish, ask questions of various staff and team leaders and discern ways that you may become more involved. As well next Sunday morning at Mass (9:30) we will witness the Blessing of the Catechetical leaders.  (Classes begin on the following Sunday, September 23)   please read enclosed letter from pastor   Change of Sunday Morning Mass Times   We will revert to the regular Sunday morning Mass times in two weeks on September 23.    Beginning on Sept 23, Mass will be celebrated on Sunday mornings at 8:45 and 11:15am.  Mass will be celebrated on Sat at the usual time of 5pm and Sunday evening at 7pm.    (on another note: 5pm Saturday Mass is slated to change to 4pm November 3)   Parish Office Hours We have returned to regular office hours.  The office is open Monday to Thursday 9am – 4pm and Friday 9am – 1pm.   Automated Door Installation You have noticed that the automated doors have been installed in the doorway near the tabernacle.  Henceforth, parishioners and visitors who struggle with mobility should find it much easier to enter and exit the church.  Many thanks to those who worked so hard to raise the necessary funds.   $7,941.56 was raised to realize this goal.  Thanks to all who have supported their fundraising activities. We ask you to reserve the parking spaces near the automated door for those who benefit most by their proximity.     Catechetics (Religious Education) Classes Commence On Sunday September 23  Early Registration 2012 – 2013 Parents who wish to pre-register their children for 2012-13 Religious Education classes may do so by emailing the parish (please see the banner at the top of the bulletin) and including the following information: - children's names    - his or her catechism grade level  - parent's name(s)   - contact numbers and email.  (Registration fees are $25 per student or $50 per family)  Fees may be paid on the first day of classes. Parents who wish to register a student for Primary may print a registration form from the parish website and return the completed form by fax, dropping it off at the parish office, or by putting it in an envelope in the collection basket.   Sister Norma Heffernan to Present Series on EXODUS We are happy to announce that Sister Norma will present another series here beginning on Thursday, September 27. A commentary on the Book of Exodus, The God of Freedom and Life by Stephen Bin will be partnered with a study guide. Sister’s recent presentations of scripture works have been thought provoking as well as faith formative. The series will run for ten weeks on Thursday mornings in the parish office beginning at 10:30. $10 nominal fee covers book and study guide. Please call the office to register   RCIA The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is the process used when adults wish to be baptized into the Roman Catholic faith. Through this process candidates participate in a period of faith formation and education culminating in the reception of the Sacraments of Initiation – Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist – at Easter. At the same time, we welcome those who have been baptized in another Christian faith tradition and wish to join us in communion, as well as those who were baptized as Roman Catholics but were not catechized as children. Sessions will begin in the fall. Please call the office and leave your name.   upcoming liturgies + events + programs + meetings  Catholic Women’s League Tuesday, Sept. 11 at 7pm in the parish office meeting room   Choir Rehearsals (Children and Adult respectively) Wednesday, Sept. 19 at 4pm and 7:30pm in the church   Discovery Faith Study Tuesday, Sept. 25 at 7pm in the parish office meeting room   Sister Norma Heffernan’s Series on the Book of Exodus Thursday mornings at 10:30 beginning on Sept 27 in office   Liturgy Committee Meeting Thursday, October 4 at 7pm in the office   in our community…   The 22nd Annual Life Chain Sunday, September 30, 2:30 – 3:30pm Participants will gather between 2:30 and 3:30pm on the Commons side of Robie Street between Quinpool and Cunard Streets for a silent vigil to demonstrate their concern for the issue of abortion.  You are welcome to join and show your solidarity. Sponsored by Campaign Life Nova Scotia     VERITAS Catholic Bookstore VERITAS bookstore is a great resource for the Holy Bible, Catechisms, books on the lives of the Saints, Church history, theology, liturgy, apologetics, and children's books. Also find rosaries and other devotional items. 1546 Barrington Street in Halifax. Telephone (902) 429-7216 or visit  www.veritasbooks.ca   Temporary Employment Opportunity at CHALICE The child sponsorship and international aid and development charity based locally is looking for two temporary finance and general accounting clerks. Phone, donations, mail processing, coding and recording transactions. Three month term. Experience in transaction data-entry and customer service is an advantage. Send resume to diannebulger@chalice.ca. Deadline Sept 21.   Strawberry Social at St. Paul Church 199 Windmill Road, Dartmouth Sun, Sept. 16 –11am -1:30pm. Home-made biscuits, berries and real whipping cream, tea/coffee.   Price: $5, (under 5: $3) Take-out available.     Jesuit Centre of Spirituality 2287 Brunswick St. Halifax Roots for the New Evangelization?   Church renewal without a personal knowledge of Jesus Christ is futile.  Yes, we all know something about Jesus, but for deep roots and lasting fruit in our Christian commitment we need to know Jesus.  He is alive and wants to relate to each one of us more intimately. The Jesuit Centre of Spirituality in Halifax offers programs to help you relate with Him.  Make a retreat; explore spirituality; rediscover your faith; learn how to pray.   Silent Saturday Retreats: Sept 22 (New horizons and new energy) Oct 27 (Gratitude for God’s many gifts) Nov 17 (Communion of saints: past and present) Dec 15 (God coming into our hearts, into our world)   Moment by Moment: a retreat in daily life: 32 weekly sessions in 2012-13   Mini-retreats and personal residential retreats   Hearts on Fire (Thursday evenings Oct 11, 25, Nov 8 & 22)   Jesus’ Growth in the Spirit (Tuesday evenings Oct 2, 16, 30, Nov 13)   For info call (902) 429-7344; email registrar@jesuitspirit.ca; website www.jesuitspirit.ca   Mayoralty Candidates Public Meeting at Christ Church Hall Christ Church Community will host mayoralty candidates at a forum in the parish hall on Monday, September 17 at 7:30pm.  All are invited.   Are You Affected by Someone Else’s Drinking? To speak with a volunteer about Al-Anon call 466-7077 or email ais.hfx.ns.area91@gmail.com   Anonymity is assured.   Adult Formation Fall Sessions at Blessed Pope John XXIII Parish Hall Sept 20, 7pm Speaker Fr Irek Bem  It’s about Reconciliation not Confession   Chowder at St. Andrew Church 8 Locks Road Dartmouth Delicious Fresh Fish Chowder with homemade tea biscuits and desserts 435-2987 http://standrewsdartmouth.ca/main/ Sat, Sept 22, 11:30am - 1pm adults  $9, children under 12  $3     Development and Peace Emergency Appeal  PLEASE ACT NOW TO STOP THE HUNGER CRISIS IN THE SAHEL REGION OF WEST AFRICA  The Sahel region of Africa is facing catastrophic food shortages, due to drought.  This region is in the north west of Africa below the Sahara desert.  An estimated 18 .4 million people are affected, and 1 million children have acute malnutrition.  D&P is working with Caritas Internationalis to bring aid.  Donations are needed and the Canadian government will match all donations until Sept. 30 2012.  A second collection will be taken up at all Masses next weekend.  You will find envelopes at the entrances to the church marked ‘Special Collection’.  Please take one home and return it next weekend with your offering enclosed. For those of you who are registered, please add your name and registration number so that you can be credited for tax purposes.  Donations may also be made directly to D&P by calling 1 888 664 3387 or visiting the D&P website at www.devp.org   Catholic Women’s League The first meeting of the Catholic Women’s League for 2012-2013 will take place on September 11, 2012 at 7pm in the parish office meeting room. Are you searching for something worthwhile that makes the best use of your time and talents? Your commitment could be as easy as maintaining an inexpensive yearly membership, even when you unable to attend meetings or other events. As time permits, you may enjoy helping with just one project. Fresh ideas are always welcome; share them with the new friends that await you. The benefits of the CWL are eternal. Life is a series of new beginnings; make the CWL a priority in your life! We hope you will consider joining us on September 11.  We look forward to meeting you!   DISCOVERY FAITH STUDY Tuesday evenings at 7pm beginning on September 25.   The Discovery Faith Study sessions continue this fall.  The sessions were initiated by the IMPACT group this summer with the intention to continue.  You may already have made contact with Alvaro Ortiz who has made himself available after the Sunday morning Mass recently to share the vision and intent of these special study sessions.  Those of you who attended the summer series will be contacted directly.  We ask others among you to consider joining the sessions this fall.   The sessions are designed to help us grow our relationship with Jesus.   Feed Others Of Dartmouth (FOOD) This weekend is our monthly committed weekend to provide meals for Feeding Others Of Dartmouth.  Thank you for responding to the call to minister to our neighbours who live marginally.  Our parish continues to provide meals for the patrons of Margaret House on the second weekend of each month.  We appreciate the leadership provided by our OUTREACH ministry in this important matter.   Mass In Latin? Recently, some have received an invitation to Mass in Latin taking place in a local hotel. The group sponsoring this event is called the Society of Saint Pius X, a schismatic community. This means that they are not in communion with the Roman Catholic Church. Though there have been attempts at reconciliation by Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI, the group has refused to profess some of the basic teachings of the Church. If this were a licit (approved) celebration of Mass in Latin, either in the 1962 Extraordinary Rite or the Vatican II (Paul VI Rite), it would take place in one of our church buildings. If you have any questions on this matter, please contact your parish priest.   St. Vincent de Paul Society Thanks You Thank you for steadfastly sharing your food with the St. Vincent de Paul Society over the summer months when resources are somewhat diminished.  Your efforts enabled the Society to continue their outreach work to the disadvantaged.   Update on Parish Finances January 1 – June 30, 2012   Total collections ……….$177,635 Total revenue ………...$217,398 Total expenses …………$231,531 Deficit…..…………………...$14,133   - In addition to the above, a bequest has been received and added to our Parish funds on deposit with the Archdiocese. - On average our parish receives 164 envelopes per week. - The average donation per envelope is $23.46. - There has been an average of 93 parishioners using PAP. - Their average weekly donation is $17.15. Thank you to all who so generously contribute!   Children’s and Adult Choirs Are you musical?  Consider becoming part of our Music Ministry in the fall.  Singers and instrumentalists are always welcome.  Choir members for the Sunday 11:15am and 7pm masses rehearse on Wednesday evenings at 7:30.  The Saturday choir group rehearses before the 5pm mass at 4 o’clock.  Children’s choir rehearses on Wednesday afternoon from 4-5pm in preparation for our 8:45am liturgy.  Singing in choir is a wonderful way for your child (age 5 and up) to begin to appreciate the many ways they can be involved and help make our liturgies special.  Choir rehearsals begin on Wednesday, Sept. 19.  Contact Greg at the office with questions.   in our community...   Seton Spirituality Centre Fall Programming Once again the Seton Spirituality Centre is beginning its Fall Programming.  we invite you to visit their website and explore the upcoming opportunities offered.  All programs are listed and described on their web site at www.setonspiritualityctr.ca   Halifax-Yarmouth Diocesan CWL Fall General Meeting To be held at St. Joseph Parish Centre, Kentville, NS.  All CWL members are encouraged to attend.