Home	Third Sunday of Lent	2013 Bulletins
	March 3, 2013
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 • PRIESTS 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   Third Sunday of Lent - March 3, 2013 The owner of the fig tree only cares about whether the tree bears fruit—he has no regard for the tree and its life. The gardener, on the other hand, cares about the fig tree, sees the life still there, and wants to give it every chance (“I shall cultivate … and fertilize it”) to produce. He understands that as long as there is life, there is potential to bear fruit. What wastes away life within us and prevents us from bearing fruit is sin. Repentance, then, means choosing to nurture new life and all the fullness it can bring. Paul, like Jesus, draws from Israel’s history “examples for us” (2nd reading) not to stray from God’s guidance. God offered every means for coming to new life to the people of Israel; so, too, Jesus offers us every means for coming to new and fruitful life (“I shall cultivate the ground . . . and fertilize it”). Growing up takes hard work. Getting ahead in life takes hard work. Deepening our relationship with God and others takes hard work. It is no surprise, then, that repenting takes hard work. The discipline of Lent includes this kind of hard-work repentance which leads to the new life Easter promises. Adapted from Living Liturgy: Spirituality, Celebration, and Catechesis for Sundays and Solemnities Year C - 2013, p. 73. Joyce Ann Zimmerman, CPPS; Kathleen Harmon, SND de N; and Christopher W. Conlon, SM   the FORUM at Saint Peter for  Parish Renewal       FORUM 1   to      bring renewal to our parish and beyond .......................................................................... This Saturday we gathered in the church for the first of two FORUMS.  The objective of the first FORUM has been to re-discover who we are as parish.    A talk was given by Dr. David Deane, author and professor at the Atlantic School of Theology.  In it Dr. Deane expanded on the concept of parish.  He asked, ‘What is a parish?’ and focused on reminding us of our unique ability to share our gifts while inspiring others.  He challenged us to be ever more what we are!  That is, a radical and indeed revolutionary presence of God’s love in the world.   After Dr. Deane’s talk, parishioners gathered in small groups to discuss the topics raised.  We took the opportunity to express our hopes and concerns for parish life.  This process will enable each of us to discern our role in parish life, reflect on the gifts we share, and understand better how our actions inspire others.     Again, the primary goal for FORUM 1 has been to look inward as parish and rediscover who we are while recognizing our strengths.  The time is right in the life of our parish to enter into this process of self evaluation and consideration of who we are.    The second FORUM will unfold during the Easter season.  At that time we will build on the strength of the first and explore concrete ways for renewal, rejuvenation and re-growth.  There is always more to do as we strive to be faithful to the Gospel mandate of building God’s kingdom in our local area.   A sincere Thank You! goes to all who contributed to this important day.  It involved much planning and considered thought.  Thank You! to all who attended and shared their vision. ..........................................................................        Archbishop Mancini’s Lenten Mission at St Peter Church this Sunday Afternoon   This Sunday, Archbishop Mancini will give a Lenten Mission at St. Mary’s Cathedral Basilica at 3pm.  The Mission will be broadcast by live stream over the internet here at St Peter Church, and we encourage you to be present.  The Mission is a continuation of the Archbishop’s reflection on our ‘Building Blocks of the New Evangelization’, outlined in the proposal for the Year of Faith.  The building blocks are:   Discipleship, Witness, Community, Encounter and Credibility.    This Mission will focus on the nature of the community of faith and its role in the New Evangelization.   We suggest you begin to gather in the church at 2:30pm.  Fr. Jim will offer a thoughtful reflection at 2:45 to help prepare us for the Archbishop’s message.    Afterward, you are invited to stay in the church for a brief period of time when we will reflect and share our thoughts on the message.   F.O.O.D. Project Next weekend (March 9 and 10) is our next committed weekend to provide meals for Feeding Others Of Dartmouth. Sign-up sheets are posted in the main entrance of the church where someone from Parish Outreach is on hand to guide you in the best ways to serve.  The help you offer in the form of time and resources is appreciated by the people in the downtown core area who struggle to live.  Thank you.   Feed Others Of Dartmouth needs clean plastic containers in order to carry out their work effectively.  Patrons of Margaret House are often supplied with take-out dinners.  We appreciate your help.   Catechetical Program Classes continue this Sunday for Grades Primary to Six.  There will be no classes next Sunday or the following Sunday due to March Break.  Classes for Primary to Grade 6 will resume on Sunday March 24. The EDGE Program (Grades 7 & 8) and Confirmation Classes resume on Saturday March 23 at 10am.       Development & Peace Share Lent Campaign Human Dignity, more than ever  This week we learn that … Human Dignity is the right for women to participate in society. D&P partner in Afghanistan: AWRC (Afghan Women’s Resource Centre) provides training and micro-credit loans to help poor women start a small business. In turn these women help to train other women, helping to lift them and their families out of poverty. Your D&P donations give people around the world the tools to help themselves.  Next Sunday is the second Share Lent collection.   Envelopes were included in the regular Sunday collection packages though they are also available at the doorways of the church.   Marriage Preparation Weekend On April 26&27 our parish will once again host a Marriage Preparation weekend for couples preparing for the Sacrament of Marriage. Our program has served couples for over a decade.  Its success relies on the support of married couples from our parish. Additional sponsor couples are needed to ensure the program’s continued success. Perhaps you and your spouse would consider sharing your gifts.  The benefits to the community would be wonderful. If you can offer your time, please contact coordinators Mary Jean or Mike Murphy at 463-4243.  Knights of Columbus Scholarship Knights of Columbus Council 3133 is pleased to announce the Annual Simon J. Khattar Scholarship. Applications for scholarships valued at $1,000 are being accepted through March 15, 2013. Applicants must be Catholic residents of Nova Scotia who will complete Nova Scotia Grade XII in 2013, or who are attending first year University, College, of Community College beyond the secondary level in 2013.  Applications and additional information may be picked up at St. Peter Parish offices. Please direct any inquiries to Joe Beaton at 462-4028 or beatonmj@yahoo.com   Ecumenical Lent Services at First Baptist Church  Our Christian sisters and brothers in the downtown area gather each Wednesday at First Baptist Church on Ochterloney Street for annual Lent Services.  Each week, a different ministerial team leads a time of worship as we continue on our common journey through Lent.  Come this Wednesday at 12noon with a bag lunch and enjoy a time of fellowship. Eat lunch with your neighbours followed by a time of worship and reflection at 12:15. The gathering ends by 1pm for those who are returning to the workplace.  Our good neighbours in the Baptist community would welcome you with open arms and a hot cup of coffee or tea.        Stations of the Cross at Immaculate Conception Church During Lent on Friday evenings, the Stations of the Cross are observed at 6:30pm at Immaculate Conception Church on Pleasant Street in Woodside.  Join us for this traditional form of Lenten prayer.   Income tax receipts have been mailed out. If you haven’t received your receipt in the mail  please contact Sherri at the office. St. Vincent de Paul’s tax receipts as well have been mailed out.   upcoming  events + programs + meetings  Liturgy of the Word for Children Sunday 8:45am Mass Choir Rehearsals Children’s Choir on Wednesday at 4pm  Adult Choir on Wednesday at 7:30pm Catechetical Classes Sunday at 10am in the school (see related article) Confirmation and EDGE Saturday March 2 at 10am (school) (see related article) The Sound of Music rehearsals main cast: Tues and Thurs 6:30-9:30pm Sat 9:30am - 12:30pm junior cast: Tues 3:30-5pm chorus: Tues 6:30-8:30pm band: Sat 12:30-2:45pm  ANNUAL RAISE-THE-ROOF CHOWDER DINNER Immaculate Conception Church  $8/Adults $4 Children Sunday, March 10 from 11:15am to 1pm (under 5 free) Take-out available.  All are welcome. Proceeds to Roof Fund)   in our diocesan community …   Jesuit Centre of Spirituality 2287 Brunswick St Programmes Silent Saturday retreats Mar 16 9am to about 4:45pm Meeting Christ in Prayer Tuesdays from 2 to 4pm an eight-session program designed to introduce new methods of prayer Feb 18 - Apr16. Evangelization Old and New on Tuesdays from 7 to 9pm Mar 5.  Various levels of offerings accepted. contact us: e-mail registrar@jesuitspirit.ca, phone 902-429-7344 or visit www.jesuitspirit.ca  please register in advance by e-mail or phone. CWL Diocesan General Meeting On Sat Mar 23 at 2pm there will be a Halifax-Yarmouth Diocesan General Meeting at Immaculate Conception Church, 669 Prince St, Truro. All members are encouraged to attend.