Home	Fourth Sunday of Lent	2013 Bulletins
	March 10, 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   Fourth Sunday of Lent - March 10, 2013 The Gospel parable is a familiar one and is often referred to as the parable of the prodigal son. On the one hand, the younger son is prodigal when he prodigiously squanders his inheritance. On the other hand, the real prodigality of the son lay in that he loved his life enough to swallow his pride, return home, and throw himself on the mercy of his father. The father, too, is prodigal: he welcomes him as son (not hired worker), clothes him in the finest array, and throws a lavish feast. He gave him new life. This is the most prodigal act possible: to give new life.Paul reinforces what the Gospel parable points to: sureness in the Father's prodigiousness —"everything has become new." As the younger son is reconciled with his father, we are all reconciled to God "through Christ." Good parents spare nothing for the sake of their children. Sometimes they are prodigious even beyond their means. How much more so is our loving Father prodigious with us! 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   an UPDATE .......................................................................... Last Saturday about one hundred parishioners gathered in the church for the first of two FORUMS.  We prayed together, listened to a talk by Dr. David Deane, author and Associate Professor at AST, met in discussion groups and shared ideas about the gifts of our parish as well as the challenges. The objective of the first FORUM has been to re-discover who we are as parish.    In his talk, Dr. Deane reminded us that we were made for relationship with God and that we are shaped in the context of the Christian community.  In that way, we are transformable!   Dr. Deane expounded on the topic of Eucharist as epicentre of parish:  that even though society trains us to behave as individuals, we are consumed by the Body of Christ and knitted together in one body!  In that context, our participation in the celebration of the Mass is indeed a revolutionary act.     So we behave by a different set of rules.  We feed the hungry.  We console those in grief.  We clothe the naked.  We tend to the sick.  We visit the prisoner.  At the parish level we may say, ‘Well, someone may go hungry somewhere, but not here!’   Dr. Deane’s talk was uplifting to all who heard it.  Feedback among parishioners about the significant aspects of the talk was immediate.  It included: ... ‘the idea that I am not not the person who is in need‘ ... ‘parish is the context for change in the world’ ... ‘the parish is the centre of the action’ ... ‘Church as revolutionary act’ ... ‘God merges with us’ ... ‘the reminder that God is Love and the power of love working through us’ ... ‘that large things can happen by each small thing that each person does – change and movements start not on a national or world level, but by the good action of the individual’ ... ‘having God’s love present in our actions.’   During the discussion group segment of FORUM 1, we discussed the strengths and gifts of our parish, as well as the challenges.  Following are some of the strengths recorded: ‘acts of social justice’ ... ‘our outreach’ ... ‘music’ ... ‘location in the downtown’ ... St. Vincent de Paul’ ... FOOD.    Parishioners were not overly challenged to come up with the gifts of our community.  They cited the many aspects of our Outreach programs, the strengths of our Liturgical Ministries, the work of the CWL, D&P, Chalice, as well as the Backpack Project and more.  Some parishioners noted that they felt a sense of belonging.  Others praised the Catechetical Program.  The list goes on.   As well, parishioners did not find it difficult to list the challenges our parish faces.  The following notes were recorded and submitted: ... ‘not enough social interaction’ ... ‘public opinion about our Church today’ ... ‘dwindling participation’ ... ‘How do we integrate the belief and faith in God with youth?’ ... ‘getting more people involved’ ... ‘how to maintain our faith in the face of a secular Humanist Society’ ... ‘irrelevance’ ... ‘too few people’ ... ‘youth activities’ ... ‘adult catechesis’ ... ‘parishioner inertia’ ... ‘fragmentation and breakdown of community and relationships because of on-line socializing’ ... ‘recruitment of liturgical ministers’ ... ‘declining attendance’ ... ‘finding ways to engage the non practicing Catholics and others who have faith and love but don’t think our practices foster it’ ... ‘material world’ ... ‘bringing our young people back to the Church’ ...’renewal’ ... No small list.  And there were more.    The exercise was valuable in that it gave occasion for many of us to express our ideas publicly.  We feel that in order to go forward with renewal, part of the process is to ‘take stock’ of who we are and what we have to offer while confronting the significant challenges.   The second FORUM will take place on Saturday, May 11.  Mark your calendar.  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. .......................................................................... Sacrament of Reconciliation Celebration on Wednesday, March 20   On Wednesday, March 20 here at St Peter, we will gather at 7pm for a celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  That evening we will gather to listen to the Word of God, that is a proclamation of scripture that will speak to our heart during this season of Lent.  After a homily reflection by Fr. Jim, we will focus ourselves on a meaningful Examination of Conscience, when we will look inward and search for the aspects of our lives that separate us from God.  At the conclusion of the celebration, there will be an opportunity for private confessions.   On Tuesday, March 12, the faithful of Dartmouth are invited to a similar Service of Reconciliation at St. Thomas More Church.   F.O.O.D. Project This weekend is our monthly committed weekend to provide meals for Feeding Others Of Dartmouth.  Please keep the patrons of Margaret House and all who serve them in your prayers.    ....................................................................... Development & Peace Share Lent Campaign Human Dignity, more than ever   This week we learn that … Human Dignity:  the right to live without the threat of hunger. This week we learn how Caritas Mali, a D&P partner, is helping support vulnerable people, especially widows, the elderly, pregnant women and single  mothers affected by drought, by distributing much needed supplies and by subsidized sale of grains. “I don’t have to beg for food,“ says Sara. “This has helped me reclaim my dignity.”   This Sunday is the second Share Lent collection.   Envelopes were included in the regular Sunday collection packages though they are also available at the main entrance of the church.   Next Sunday, March 17, at the 11:15 Mass, Mam Sambeth from Cambodia will speak to us about the work of Development and Partnership in Action (DPA) in the poorest provinces in that country.  DPA works to improve the living conditions of the villagers.  Canadian Catholics are helping in this work through their support of D&P.   Mr. Sambeth will speak at St. Mary’s University this Monday, March 11 from 7:30 – 9pm at the Sobey Building, about his work in Cambodia.  All are welcome. .................................................................................   Catechetical Program Classes for Primary to Grade 6 are suspended until Sunday March 24 due to the March Break. The EDGE Program (Grades 7 & 8) and Confirmation Classes resume on Saturday March 23 at 10am.   Liturgical Ministers at Triduum Liturgies Signup sheets for Liturgical Ministers: Ministers of Holy Communion, Altar Servers and Proclaimers of the Word have been placed in the sacristy.   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  Each week, a different ministerial team leads a time of worship as we continue on our common journey through Lent.  Come on Wed at noon with a bag lunch and enjoy a time of fellowship followed by a time of worship from 12:15 to 1pm.   You will be welcomed 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.   upcoming  events + programs + meetings  Liturgy of the Word for Children Sunday 8:45am Mass Choir Rehearsals No choir rehearsals this week Sacrament of Reconciliation Wed March 20 at 7pm Catechetical Classes (see item at left) Confirmation and EDGE (see item at left) The Sound of Music rehearsals main cast: Tues and Thurs 6:30-9:30pm Sat 9:30am-12:30pm junior cast: no rehearsal this week 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 This 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 …   St. Patrick's Day Concert All things green and Irish. Sun Mar 17 from 7 – 9pm 197 WIndmill Rd $5 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.