Home	3rd Sunday of Advent	2012 Bulletins
	December 16,  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 • DEACON BERNIE YOUNG   DIRECTOR of MUSIC and LITURGY GREG BECIGNEUL • PRIEST IN RESIDENCE 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   3rd Sunday of Advent - December 16, 2012 John the Baptist’s clear and unequivocal answers to “What should we do?” gave direction to people’s lives. John’s good news, however, went beyond merely telling the people how to behave toward each other, but also instilled expectation in them. His good news pointed to the One who is all Good News, “a mighty savior” who is in our midst (1st reading), who is near (2nd Reading). The Good News is not a message but a person - Jesus. The first and second readings both speak of rejoicing and suggest to us that the cause of our joy is Christ (“in your midst, a mighty savior”); “The Lord is near”). Christ is always being enfleshed in our midst. All of us have experienced the sheer goodness of another person, the utter joy of an event, the complete surprise of intimacy. With reflection we conclude that we have indeed experienced the nearness of Christ in the flesh among us.   Solstice Celebration   This Thursday, December 20 at 5pm Each Advent season as Christmas nears, we gather as a community to celebrate the presence of the hopeful Light of Jesus set against the darkest day of the year.  This season we will gather this Thursday at 5pm for a delicious dinner (provided), followed by a candle light procession to the church.  There we will celebrate a children and family oriented liturgy that will help us remain in the spirit of the season.   Sacrament of Reconciliation in Advent This week private confessions will be held on Wednesday from 11–11:45 am and 12:30–1:30pm. Confessions are held on Saturdays from 3-3:30pm here at St. Peter Church and this Monday evening at Immaculate Conception Church from 6-6:45pm. A Reconciliation Service is planned at Saint Vincent de Paul Church in Cole Harbour this Wednesday, Dec. 19 at 7pm.   St. Vincent de Paul Advent and Christmas Outreach  ANNUAL CHRISTMAS DINNER  Today is the day.  So much preparation.  So many parishioners involved in sharing in the HOPE of this season.  Our thanks go to all members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society for being the face of our parish to so many who are in need not only at this time of year, but throughout.  CHRISTMAS SPONSORS It’s not too late for individuals, groups or businesses to sponsor a family or a single person at Christmas.  Please call Anne at 466-3144.  We emphasize the need for sponsorship of a single person as they are often overlooked at this time of year.  Please keep the dedicated members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society and the people served by them in your prayers.   Advent Backpack Project This is the weekend when so much activity happens around the Backpack Project.  You supplied the gifts that filled literally hundreds of gift bags and you helped sort the great array.  You helped fill the backpacks.  Thank you!  Soon the gifts will be given to the patrons of Margaret House on Ochterloney as well as other local charities.  Thank you to all who have contributed to this annual project.  You bring joy and hope in the name of the Lord to the less fortunate.   +  Liturgy of the Word for Children at 8:45am Mass  +   Liturgical Ministry Christmas Sign-up Sheets The Christmas Sign-up sheets are available in the Sacristy for Lay Ministers of the Altar, Holy Communion, and Word.   Ministry of Welcome and Hospitality  The Liturgy Committee has made it a priority to rekindle our Ministry of Welcome.  For several years now the ministry has been inactive at most liturgies.  The goal is to have a committed ministry at the entrance(s) to welcome God’s people as they assemble for prayer.  If you feel suited for this ministry, contact Greg at the office. You will be asked to commit to arriving early at Mass on a regular basis.  As well you will be required to have a general knowledge about parish groups and programs.  Members of this ministry will generate a warm welcome to both parishioners and visitors. Big commitment.  Great affect in the parish.  Ahead of that more formal ministry, we are asking for several parishioners to help greet people at the Christmas liturgies, particularly at the 8pm anticipated Mass on Christmas Eve.  Contact Greg if you feel you are able to help.   The Evena Prayer Cards  for Advent Those who have received prayer cards are reminded to pray the Evena during this third week of Advent at home for the third person for whom you intend to pray.  Light a candle, pray the prayer together as a family or alone, address and stamp the cards and envelopes, and return them to the church next Sunday, the 4th Sunday in Advent, to be mailed with all others. Chalice has provided these prayer cards to be used to evangelize in this Year of Faith by sharing your prayers with those for whom they are intended.  Prayer for one another is not only one of the chief ways in which we express our faith in God and love for one another, but it builds the strands in the web that binds us all together as a community of faith.  Pope Benedict XVI reminds us, “Any new evangelization must begin and end in our relationship with Christ, fortified and sustained through prayer.”   Mental Health Program Christmas Gifts Once again we are collecting Christmas gifts for inpatients and residents of the Nova Scotia Hospital, Abbie J. Lane Building and East Coast Forensic Hospital. Please pick up a suggested gift list from the entrances and drop your new, unwrapped gift off at the main entrance.   Sacrament of Baptism John Henry, son of Kathylene and Joan Borromeo, is Baptized this Sunday afternoon.  Please keep him and all his family in your prayers that they may always walk as children of the Light.   Catechetical Program Classes resume in January. Classes resume on Sunday, January 6 for Grades Primary to Six. EDGE starts on Saturday, January 5 at 10am. Confirmation Class starts on Saturday, January 5 at 10am.    Every Nation On Earth:  Music Ministry Concert On Friday Jan 4 at 7:30pm, come and enjoy seasonal music with the combined choirs of St Peter Parish.   Jesse Tree  Take a few moments to appreciate the Jesse Tree with the symbols of Jesus’ family tree as prepared by the children of Grades 3 – 6 of the catechetical program.  They are the dove, the apple and the ark, stars, ram, ladder and grain, the burning bush, a lamb, the commandments, trumpet, pitchers, crown, crook, a stone altar, tents, fire with tongs, tears, a watchtower, the Jerusalem wall, a scallop shell, white lily, motherhood and tablet, a carpenter’s hammer, white candle, manger and the chi-rho monogram.   Workbooks for Ministers of the Word Please find your study guide book of readings in the C Cycle on the counter in the sacristy.  Guide book is $10.   Evening Prayer at Immaculate Conception Church Sunday evenings in Advent at 7 o’clock.   Christmas Flowers We appreciate your gift of flowers to adorn our sanctuary for the Christmas season.  Please drop off flowers during regular office hours this week.   Blessing of a Christmas Tree  This week and next many of our parishioners will bring a tree into their home and decorate it in preparation for the Christmas season to come.  We offer this prayer for you to use with your family and friends.  (all gather around the decorated tree and make the sign of the cross)  The Prayer Leader (could be any family member) begins:  This tree is a blessing to our home.  It reminds us of all that is beautiful, all that is filled with the gentleness and the promise of God.  It stands in our midst as a tree of light that we might promise such beauty to one another and to our world.  It stands like that tree of paradise that God made into the tree of life, the Cross of Jesus.     Amen  The Prayer Leader continues:   O God, let your blessing come upon us As we illuminate this tree. May the light and cheer it gives Be a sign of the joy that fills our hearts. May all who delight in this tree Come to the knowledge and joy of salvation.       Amen   Parish Administration   Donations for 2012 In order for your donations to be included in your 2012 tax receipt, please ensure you drop your envelope in the collection basket by Sunday, December 30. Any donations received in January have to be dated 2013, they cannot be backdated to 2012. Thank You for your continued support and understanding.   upcoming liturgies + events + programs + meetings   Choir Rehearsals Children at 4pm on Wednesday.  Adults at 7:30pm on Wednesday Children’s Liturgy of the Word Sunday at the 8:45am Mass Evening Prayer Sundays in Advent at 7pm at Immaculate Conception Church Parish Administrative Council Meeting Tuesday Dec 18 at 7pm Sacrament of Reconciliation (see article above) Children’s Choir Annual Caroling at Seniors’ Homes Wednesday Dec 19 at 4pm Solstice Celebration: Family Dinner – Candlelight Procession – & Light in the Darkness Service Thursday Dec 20 at 5pm start Every Nation On Earth! Friday Jan 4 at 7:30 St Peter Church   CHRISTMAS MASSES Monday, December 24 (anticipated) 8pm and 10:30pm at Saint Peter (7pm at Immaculate Conception Church) Tuesday, December 25 9:30 and 11:15am at Saint Peter (10am at Immaculate Conception Church) in our diocesan community…  Keep Christ in Christmas In keeping with the theme of “KEEP CHRIST IN CHRISTMAS” the Knights of Columbus Choral Group of Districts 9 and 11, Dartmouth, will present a Christmas Hymn and Carol Sing at “The Portland St. Market-Superstore” at 7:30pm Friday Dec 21, 2012. All are welcome.   Christmas Loonie-Toonie Coffee House with the Sham-Rocks + Wed Dec 19 from 7 - 9pm at St Paul Church Windmill Rd Admission: donation to St. Vincent de Paul   BEING AT PEACE WITH CHRISTMAS A service of Reflection, Healing and Hope Sun Dec 16 at 2:30pm at Christ Church. A time of fellowship and refreshment will follow.   Xara Youth Ensemble is seeking new singers for winter term Girls ages 14-18 in grades 9-12: music, movement, and theatre. Auditions throughout Dec in Halifax. http://murraymusic.ca/studio/xye/.