ST. BENILDE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

1901 Division Street • Metairie, Louisiana 70001

Church Office: (504) 834-4980 • Church Fax: (504) 831-5810 • Church Email: stbenildechurch@cox.net

www.stbenilde.org

CLERGY Rev. Robert T. Cooper, Pastor Rev. H.L. Brignac, Sacramental Asst. Deacon Biaggio DiGiovanni Deacon Stephen Gordon Deacon Clifford Wright

BAPTISMS First and Third Sundays of the month at 12 Noon. Please call the Parish

Office for more information.

MATRIMONY Please contact a priest/deacon 8 months prior to your wedding.

FUNERALS Arrangements may be made at the Parish Office.

Sunday, March 19, 2017 Third Sunday in Lent

ORDINARY FAMILIES

EXTRAORDINARY FAITH

DEVOTIONS Holy Hour in Church

Monday, 6:00-7:00 p.m.

Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Following 7 a.m. Mass on Tuesday

NEWCOMERS Call the Parish Office to receive a New

Parishioner Registration Packet.

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY

St. Benilde Conference (504) 233-3246

ST. BENILDE SCHOOL Mr. Matt Downey, Principal

1801 Division Street • Metairie, LA (504) 833-9894

MASS TIMES Saturday Vigil … 4 p.m.

Sunday … 9:00, 11:00 a.m. & 6 p.m. Monday—Friday … 7:00 a.m.

Monday and Thursday … 5:30 p.m. First Saturday … 8:45 a.m.

HOLY DAYS OF OBLIGATION See Inside the Bulletin for Schedule

CONFESSION TIMES Saturday … 3:00—3:45 p.m. Sunday … 5:00—5:45 p.m. Monday … 6:00—6:45 p.m.

and by appointment at the Parish Office

DIVINE MERCY ADORATION CHAPEL Eucharistic Adoration from 7:00 p.m. Sunday

till 4:00 p.m. Saturday

Parish Motto—Building the Kingdom of God

Ministers of the Liturgy March 18 & 19, 2017

Saturday - 4 P.M. Intention: Catherine Finnan, Dorothy Van Hoven,

George Spaulding, Rose Marie Greco Federico,

Ralph Alvarez, Evelyn Arnoult, Dale Forshag,

Jennie Spitale, Hubert LaBorde, Joseph Segari,

Merle & Charles Dittmer, Flora Maria Be,

Patrick C. McKinney, Rita Kaul, Judith Theisges,

Mary Cali Kerth & Jacob Kerth, Sr., Ann Savarese

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion:

C. Casente, E. Van Hoven

Cantor: Trish Foti

Sunday - 9 A.M. Intention: Parishioners

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion:

C. Rispoli, B. Soleto, J. & G. Rojas

Song Leaders: Traditional Choir

Sunday - 11 A.M. Intention: Brenda Frey (L), Deacon Walter Beyer,

Paul J. Hymel, Jr., Ryan Joseph Dubuc, Judy Chesnut,

Joseph Donald Bernard, Connie Gauchet,

Blanche Guichard, Earline Provenzano, John Capretto,

Mary & Melvin Ducote, Hilton F. Daigle, Jr.,

Kelvin Ducote, Jennie Spitale, Dianne Z. Harrison

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion:

K. & M. Sorensen, D. Childers, R. Oleksik

Song Leaders: Contemporary Choir

Sunday - 6 P.M. Intention: June & Marvin Ackermann (L)

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion:

M. Drawe, D. Powers

Cantor: Lauren Gisclair Pianist: Beth Kettenring

Weekday Masses Monday 7:00 a.m. Don Rowan, Sr.

5:30 p.m. Judith Theisges

Tuesday 7:00 a.m. June & Marvin Ackermann (L)

5:30 p.m. Brenda Frey (L)

Wednesday 7:00 a.m. Brenda Frey (L)

8:15 a.m. Lester Mastio, Sr.

5:30 p.m. Rev. Joseph Cazenavette (L)

Thursday 7:00 a.m. Walter Haydel

5:30 p.m. Jennie Spitale

Friday 7:00 a.m. Don Rowan Sr.

5:30 p.m. Valery P. Arbo

The Church Sanctuary Lamp

burns for Brenda Frey (L)

The Blessed Mother

Votive Lamps burn for

Stuart and Gloria Fourroux

Adoration Chapel

Sanctuary Lamp burns

in memory of

Ralph Alvarez

Adoration Chapel Candles

burn in memory of

Dianne Z. Harrison

Altar Ladies Week of March 19

M. Curry, G. Boling

Linens Large - K. Birrcher

Small - A. Duersel, M. Meece

The St. Joseph Votive Lamps

burn in

Thanksgiving for a Prayer

Answered

St. Benilde Catholic Church

The Altar Flowers are in memory of

Deceased Parishioners

Stewardship of Treasure Weekend of March 11/12

Envelopes …………………………………...$2,615.00

Loose ………………………………………….5,197.00

Electronic Giving ………………………………221.00

Repairs & Maintenance ……………………....261.00

Msgr. Richaud Fund …………………………..127.00

Totaling ……………………………………..$8,421.00

Catholic Charities Collection………………...$437.00

“Let us focus on generosity, or returning God’s gifts

with increase, through the generous sharing of our time,

talent and treasure.”

~ Fr. Cooper

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion

March 25/26 4 PM A. & P. Delaup 9 AM C. Frederick, L. Director, C. & R. Ayers 11 AM N. Bostick, L. Frey, P. & R. Serio 6 PM J. Zeringue, T. Kettenring

St. Benilde Catholic Church Volume 35 Issue 12

Parish Motto—Building the Kingdom of God

Easter Memorial Flowers and Lilies

The beautiful Easter lilies and spring flowers that adorn our altar and sanctuary are a special part of the celebration of Easter at St. Benilde Catholic Church. We invite all parishioners to share in the experience through a memorial or thanksgiving gift by using the Easter Flowers Memorial Envelopes. Donations toward the cost of Easter flowers in the Church may be made in memory or honor of your family members and friends. This is a wonderful way to remember loved ones, honor friends, and offer thanksgiving to God for prayers answered and blessings received. The suggested donation is $10.00 per remembrance. Please place your envelopes in the collection basket, the Poor Box or bring them to the Parish Office before April 17th. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. Memorial Envelopes will be placed on the altar throughout the Easter Season. The names of all those for whom our Easter flowers are in memory of will be printed in the parish bulletin in the weeks following Easter Sunday.

The Paschal Candle

During the 50 days of the Easter Season the Paschal

Candle (Easter Candle) will burn at all Masses

celebrated at St. Benilde Church. The Paschal

Candle represents Christ, the Light of the World.

The pure beeswax of which the candle is made

represents the sinless Christ who was formed in the

womb of His Mother. The wick signifies His

humanity, the flame, His Divine Nature, both soul

and body. Five grains of incense inserted into the

candle in the form of a cross recall the aromatic

spices with which His Sacred Body was prepared for

the tomb, and of the five wounds in His hands, feet,

and side. During the Easter Vigil, the deacon carries

the candle in procession into the dark church. The

candle, representing Christ himself, is blessed by the

priest who then inscribes in it a cross, the first letters

and last of the Greek alphabet and the current year.

If you would like the Paschal Candle to

burn in memory of a loved one or in

thanksgiving for prayers answered

throughout the Easter season, please

contact the Parish Office. The cost of

the candle is $300.

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St. Benilde Parish!

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frcooper

Fr. Cooper’s Corner

St. Joseph...A Man’s Man

On Monday, the Church celebrates the Feast of St. Joseph, the husband of Mary. There is a

beautiful excerpt from a sermon by St. Bernadine in our Office of Readings: "There is a

general rule concerning all special graces granted to any human being. Whenever the divine

favor chooses someone to receive a special grace, or to accept a lofty vocation, God adorns the

person chosen with all the gifts of the Spirit needed to fulfill the task at hand."

In the biblical accounts we have of this wonderful saint, we read of his encounter with an

angel. This "annunciation" reveals the secret to every man of how we are to respond to the

Lord's call in each of our lives. "Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary; of whom

Jesus was born, he who is called Christ. Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way.

When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found

to be with child of the Holy Spirit; and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to

put her to shame, resolved to send her away quietly. But as he considered this, behold, an angel

of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take for

Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she will bear a son, and you shall call his name

Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’ When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord

commanded him"(Mt. 1:16 - 24).

From antiquity, Christians have cherished St. Joseph as a model of genuine manly virtue. Since the fourteenth century

there has been a specific day set aside in the Roman calendar to honor him. He is viewed as the "Patron" of the universal

Church, of all husbands and of social justice. He has also been designated as the patron of all workers.

He was a simple Carpenter who taught the Word Incarnate, the Child Jesus, how to work with wood. This Joseph was

the foster father of the Incarnate Word of God, the One of whom observers would later ask "Is not this the Carpenter´s

son?" (Mt. 13:55) Joseph loved Jesus with a unique and exemplary love and played a

unique and extraordinary role in the plan of salvation. This Jesus of Nazareth learned to

work with wood from the hands of Joseph. During his 33rd year of life, He saved the

world working with wood, the wood of the Cross which became the altar of His

Sacrifice.

In an age that has lost its way, given over to the selfish pursuit of illusory pleasure, St.

Joseph should again be lifted up as a model, particularly to men who desire to follow

Jesus Christ. In popular language we sometimes use an expression to refer to men who

are comfortable "in their skin" and content with being men. We say of such a man "He

is a man’s man." Well, St. Joseph is a true "man’s man." He was a man of few words; he

spoke through his actions, and he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded. We need

fewer words and more action from godly men in this hour of need.

St. Joseph was a man for others. Though the Scriptures say little about St. Joseph, even

that absence speaks volumes. Why? Because to St. Joseph, he was not the one who was

important, others were. He loved Mary above himself and his behavior was called "just"

in the Scriptures as a result of his love. He was prepared to "do the right thing" when

Parish Motto—Building the Kingdom of God

St. Benilde Catholic Church

she was found to be with child. He could have chosen otherwise. How

refreshing this upright manly behavior is in an age where men too often

cower in the face of difficulty and compromise out of cowardice.

Joseph was a man of faith and courage. Along with loving his betrothed,

he loved His God courageously. He had a close, intimate personal

relationship with the God of His Fathers. In fact, this "just" man was, in a

sense, the last Patriarch, completing the lineage. Through his response of

faith, he would receive the great gift promised for all men and women and

hold in his arms the One that his fathers had only longed to see.

God´s messenger, an angel, visited Joseph in a dream. He was ready to

receive. He was disposed not only to the encounter but to the invitation it presented to pour himself out in love and for

Love. He heard the message and, without hesitation, did what the Lord commanded! This is, in a real sense, St. Joseph´s

"Fiat", his Yes, his exercise of human freedom to advance God´s eternal plan. How refreshing such manly faith and

courage are in an age of cowardice and rebellion.

St. Joseph was a humble man. There was not an ounce of false bravado or "machismo" in this servant of God. Named

after the great Patriarch who was sold into slavery in Egypt; he bore the name with similar humility. As the Old

Testament Joseph embraced his lot, rejecting the temptation to bitterness or "victim-hood" and actually came to rule

Egypt, forgiving the very brothers who had sold him into slavery; so too this son of the Covenant embraced the One who

would establish the New Covenant on the altar of Calvary. In so doing, St. Joseph is a patron and a model to all men who

choose to walk the way of the cross in the footsteps of Jesus. St. Joseph poured himself out and became filled with the

love and life of God.

He gave himself fully to God through accepting his unique and specific vocation as a guardian of the Redeemer. The

child Jesus, God in the flesh, was given to Joseph. A carpenter, St. Joseph taught this child how to work with wood and

as a Jewish father he taught Him the Law. During these "hidden years," Jesus was with Joseph and Joseph was with

Jesus. St. Joseph uniquely participated in the mystery of Gods plan of redemption through simply being the man he was

called to be. From the moment he said yes to the angel, he lived that "yes" for the Lord. How challenging an example he

is in an age of narcissism and inordinate self-love.

Over two millennia, the mission of Jesus has continued through His Body on earth, His Church. He has entrusted the

work of that mission to all men and women who accept the invitation to empty themselves in order to be filled with the

very life and love of God and then be used in His redemptive mission for the world. Through the Fount of living water

called Baptism, He invites each one of us into His new family, the Body of His Son, the Church. He still gives His

message to men who, like St. Joseph, cultivate ears to hear and then choose to exercise authentic manly virtue and act

out of courage.

The Lord still invites men to turn the ordinary into extraordinary through cooperation with God and participation in His

Divine plan. The Lord is truly looking for a "few good men" like St. Joseph who will work in the workshop of the world

that He created in order to recreate it anew in His Son. In this age of the "anti-hero," men should rediscover this true

hero, this "man´s man" named St. Joseph. Then, we should learn his way of obedience, following his example by

courageously, humbly and faithfully loving Jesus Christ. We need to learn to give our "Yes" to the God whose Love

always invites our participation. St. Joseph is our teacher on this way, a true “Man’s Man,” calling all men to follow

Jesus.

St. Benilde Catholic Church Volume 35: Issue 12

Parish Motto—Building the Kingdom of God

St. Benilde Catholic Church

Parish Motto—Building the Kingdom of God

.Archdiocesan Lenten Confession Nights

During the Holy Season of Lent, Archbishop Aymond is asking all churches in the Archdiocese of New Orleans to have a light on in the confessional on Wednesday, March 22nd; Wednesday, March 29th; and Wednesday, April 5th from 5:00pm - 6:30pm as a sign that Christ is not only the light of the world but one who is eager to forgive and to heal us. If you have been away from the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we invite you to come back to God’s loving mercy and

We Need Your Help We are in the process of updating the Parish Registry prior to changing systems. In order to have an accurate census, we would appreciate it if you would take a moment to contact the Parish Office (834-4980) to remove any members who are no longer residing at your address. This would also be a good opportunity to update telephone numbers, email addresses, marital status, additional residents, etc. Thanks for helping us with this.

Lord Teach Me to Pray

You are invited to the 10th annual Lord Teach Me to

Pray Weekend of Prayer, March 30—April 2, at the

Airport Hilton. Presenters include Fr. Andrew

Apostoli CFR and Fr. Mitch Pacwa SJ. With daily

Mass, Confessions, Eucharistic Adoration and Holy

Hours, this will be a most grace-filled Lenten

weekend retreat. For a registration form go to

www.lordteachmetopray.com, or contact Carol

Weiler at (504) 439-5933 or carolweiler@cox.net.

Theology of the Body

Theology of the Body for Teens training for both middle and high school will be held on March 29-31, 2017, at St. Dominic Church, 775 Harrison Ave., NOLA, in the Sienna Room. This training will feature the new “YOU” high school program and is ideal for parents, principals, teachers, priests, DRE’s, catechists, deacons, youth ministers, campus ministers, parents, and anyone who works with preteens (sixth-eighth grade) and teens (ninth-twelfth grade). For more information contact the Respect Life Office at respectlife@arch-no.org or to register.

Get Your School Gala Tickets and

Honor Mrs. Lynne The school’s annual Luck of the Irish Spring Gala is on April 8, 2017 at The Landmark Hotel in Metairie starting at 7:30 PM. Proceeds from the event benefit St. Benilde School, allowing the school to complete necessary campus improvements including furnishings, instructional equipment, and campus security. This year’s event will honor long time Prek 4 Aide and 2017 Benilde Medal for Service to Parish and School Mrs. Lynne Pilie, who will be retiring this year after serving the school since 1991. We will also be having a “Diamond Toast” at the end of the night where one lucky person will win a diamond ring valued at $3,600. You can also count on an open bar, a buffet dinner, a can’t miss silent auction, and dancing into the night to the tunes of D.J. Ice. People who purchase 6 or more tickets will also gain access to the “Sunset on Pontchartrain” Patron Party starting at 6:30 PM also at The Landmark Hotel. During the Patron Party, Mrs. Lynn will officially receive the Benilde Medal for Service to Parish and School. To purchase your tickets, go to 501auctions.com/sbsgala. You can also stop by the school or parish office and complete a paper order. Tickets must be purchased no later than April 1, 2017!

MARCH 19, 2017

ST. BENILDE CATHOLIC CHURCH – ID # 113850

1901 DIVISION ST.

METAIRIE, LA 70001

504-834-4980

NANCY CAROLLO

504-834-4980

MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAYS - 9 A.M. TO 3 P.M.

FRIDAYS - 9 A.M. TO 12 NOON

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS: