Home	Fifth Sunday of Lent	2013 Bulletins
	March 17, 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   Fifth Sunday of Lent - March 17, 2013 The scribes and Pharisees brought an adulterous woman to Jesus and made her “stand before the people." In their self-righteousness they wished to make an example of her as a grave sinner deserving of death. Ironically, Jesus makes an example of them as sinners: they turned away from him and "went away one by one." The woman, however, remained with Jesus. Our own work during Lent is like that of the adulterous woman: truthfully face our sinfulness and faithfully remain with Jesus. Though we sin, Jesus only wishes new life for us. Paul admonishes us not to be prisoners of our sinfulness but to strain forward to the new life that lies ahead. This new life is the "surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus" and remaining with him ("be found in him"). When we focus exclusively on our own sinfulness we can easily lose sight of our goodness and God's mercy. Jesus responds even to profound sin with even more profound mercy.Copyright © 2013 by The Order of St. Benedict, Inc., Liturgical Press, St. John’s Abbey, P.O. Box 7500 Collegeville, Minnesota 56321-7500.   the FORUM at Saint Peter for  Parish Renewal       FORUM 1  to   bring renewal to our parish and beyond   an UPDATE .......................................................................... (reprinted from last week’s bulletin)   On March 2 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. ‘Brothers and sisters good evening. You all know that the duty of the Conclave was to give a bishop to Rome. It seems that my brother Cardinals have gone almost to the ends of the earth to get him… but here we are. I thank you for the welcome that has come from the diocesan community of Rome.’  With these words Pope Francis I was introduced to the Church and to the world.  May he be a champion of the poor, a reconciler of nations and a force for peace and unity in our world! ..........................................................................   Sacrament of Reconciliation ... a Celebration this Wednesday, March 20, at 7pm   This Wednesday, 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. ....................................................................... Catechetical Program Classes for Primary to Grade 6 resume nextl 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 the right to live without the threat of hunger. Last week we learned 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 at the 11:15 Mass, Mam Sambeth from Cambodia speaks 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. Next Sunday is the third Share Lent collection.  Envelopes were included in the regular Sunday collection packages though they are also available at the main entrance of the church. ................................................................................. 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.   CWL Scholarship 2013 St. Peter Catholic Women's League is offering an $800 scholarship to a Grade 12 student who will be attending university or college in the fall of 2013. Applicants must be an active member in one of the following parishes: St. Peter, St. Paul, St. Anthony or Immaculate Conception. The deadline date for applications is April 30. The application package is available at the parish office or by contacting Tricia Vermeulen at 466-0206.     Marriage Preparation Weekend April 26&27 To serve couples preparing for the Sacrament of Marriage. We would appreciate additional sponsor couples to ensure the program’s continued success. Please consider sharing your gifts. If you can offer your time, contact Mary Jean or Mike Murphy at 463-4243.   Ecumenical Lent Services at First Baptist Church St. Peter Pastoral Team to lead service this Wednesday Come on Wed at noon with a bag lunch to First Baptist Church on Ochterloney St. and enjoy fellowship followed by a Lenten worship service.  You will be warmly welcomed with a hot cup of coffee or tea by our Christian sisters and brothers in the neighbourhood.    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  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, Sat 11am-12:30pm band: Sat 12:30-2:45pm  in our diocesan community …   St. Patrick's Day Concert All things green and Irish. Sun Mar 17 from 7 – 9pm St Paul on WIndmill $5 CWL Diocesan General Meeting Sat Mar 23 at 2pm Halifax-Yarmouth Diocesan General Meeting at Immaculate Conception Church Truro.  All members welcome St. Anthony Country Time Show on Sunday March 17 MC Al Hollingsworth, Grover Country Band and popular local performers at St Anthony Church Hall this Sun Mar17 at 7pm. $6. info at 469-5698. Fish Chowder Grace United Church Women Grace United Church 70 King St Sat Mar 23 11:30am to 1:30pm $9 adults/$3 under 12 baked goods  take-out available Circle of Care welcomes donated good quality furniture for people of Dartmouth in need: particularly beds, kitchen tables and chairs, but most anything else. No large appliances please. Call 463-9074 (message) to arrange pick-up. Circle of Care also seeks an office volunteer and a helper for truck crew pick-up and delivery. Dartmouth Christian Men's Fellowship Prayer Breakfast   Tues Mar19 at 7am call 434-3438 to register $9