News - April 2019 RSS Feed

Immediately following the 11:00 AM Mass on Sunday, May 5th, we will gather outside of Church for the blessing of our newly constructed Blessed Mother Grotto. We give thanks to God for all the individuals who dedicated their time, talents, and monetary support to bring our Grotto to completion. Please join us as we consecrate our parish to the powerful protection and intercession of our Lady.

During the Month of May – a month both named for and dedicated to Mary – Catholics have long honored our Blessed Mother by placing a crown on her image. All are invited to our Parish May Crowning on Sunday, May 5th, at the 11:00 AM Mass. Our First Communicants and all the Children of the Parish will be invited to join Fr. Cooper at the sanctuary step for the homily. Children and adults are encouraged to bring flowers to Mass to adorn our Lady!

St. Benilde Church is seeking to hire a part-time Coordinator of Religious Education. This position requires approximately 15 hours a week, mostly evenings and weekends, and hours are not equally distributed throughout the year. Salary is negotiable based on experience and education. The position is not benefits eligible. The CRE is responsible for the religious education program of the parish and sacramental preparation for Reconciliation and Holy Communion. The CRE should be a practicing Catholic, skilled organizer, able to communicate effectively with students and parents, sensitive to controversial issues and respond according Church teaching, have completed or working toward the Archdiocese of New Orleans Basic Catechist Certification, Advanced Certification, Master Certification, and PCL/SCL Certification. The CRE reports to the pastor. Primary Duties: Develops and implements the CCD program; Recruits, coaches, and evaluates effectiveness of volunteer catechists; Prepares syllabus and curriculum for each grade level, including texts in accordance with USCCB conformity listing; Prepares program calendar and parent handbook, and maintains student records; Assigns duties to student helpers and records service hours; Acquires, organizes and provides resources for each grade (media, supplies, etc.); Implements the liturgies for Bless the Baby Jesus and May Crowning, and coordinates Breakfast with Baby Jesus; Prepares the Sacramental Preparation for First Reception of Reconciliation and Holy Communion calendar; Coordinates two student workshops, Rite of Enrollment, Reconciliation, Rite of Illumination, Day with Jesus Retreat, practice and Holy Communion, including developing and implementing agendas, communicating with parents, students, organist, cantor, volunteers and photographer; Prepares programs for Rites and Sacraments and recruits volunteers; Meets with school students twice weekly to prepare for sacraments; Ensures that the Safe Environment requirements, policies, and mandates for all volunteers who work with minors in the parish (both Church and School) are in compliance with the policies set forth by the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Interested applicants should send cover letter and resume to [email protected] For questions or additional information, please contact the Church Office (504) 834-4980.

St. Benilde Parish will present “The Encounter” on Friday, April 26, at 7 PM, in the Teen Center. This inspiring movie tells the story of five strangers stranded in a deserted roadside diner. The owner of the diner knows all their secrets and possesses the answers to all of their problems—if they trust in him. This miraculous encounter will leave them all changed forever. Snacks and refreshments will be available. All are invited. For more information, please contact Val Hebert at [email protected] or (504) 427-0327.

St. Benilde Church is seeking to hire a part-time (approximately 32 hours per week) Administrative Assistant/Financial Secretary. This individual is responsible for administering the tasks and functions of the Church office in concert with the pastor. The candidate must be computer proficient. Salary is negotiable based on experience and education and the position is benefits eligible. Primary Duties: Acts as the Church office receptionist; Conducts normal secretarial functions on behalf of the Parish and the Pastor; Maintains all sacramental records and records Mass intentions; Prepares and edits the weekly Church bulletin; Coordinates the Parish Events Calendar and maintains the Parish’s online calendar; Conducts basic bookkeeping and financial duties including: posting weekly contributions, coordinating electronic giving, processing payables and payroll, maintain financial records, collaborating with the external accounting firm, and other financial duties; Coordinates the administrative paperwork for baptisms and marriages; Assists the Pastor in preparing for Weekly Masses and other Liturgies; Maintains Church files; Human Resources Site Administrator; Facilitates St. Vincent de Paul clients with copying documents and distributing food from food bank. Interested applicants should send cover letter and resume to [email protected] For questions or additional information, please contact the Church Office (504) 834-4980.

Holy Thursday – April 18th: Morning Prayer at 7:00 AM in Church; Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7:00 PM followed by Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament till 10:00 PM; The Adoration Chapel will close at 11:59 PM on Wednesday, April 17th and will re-open at 7:30 AM on Monday, April 22nd. Good Friday – April 19th: Morning Prayer at 7:00 AM in Church; Good Friday Service of the Passion of the Lord at 3:00 PM; Stations of the Cross at 6:00 PM. Holy Saturday – April 20th: Morning Prayer at 7:00 AM in Church; Solemn Easter Vigil at 8:00 PM.

The Solemn Easter Vigil will be celebrated on Saturday, April 20th at 8:00 PM. On Easter Sunday, April 21st, Masses will be celebrated at 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM. Please note that there will be NO 6:00 PM Mass on Easter Sunday.

There will be a special Second Collection taken at all the Easter Masses to help support Priestly Formation at Notre Dame Seminary and to assist with the various Charitable Organizations of the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Thank you for your generosity as we help our young men studying for the priesthood.

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. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. Memorial Envelopes will be placed on the altar throughout the Easter Season. Printed copies of the names of all those for whom our Easter flowers are in memory of will be available in the vestibule of Church in the weeks following Easter Sunday.

Our last Fish Fry of the Lenten Season will be Friday, April 12th. Doors open at 5 PM for pre-sale ticket holders and 5:45 PM for the general public. Members of the Men’s Club will be selling pre-sale tickets after all the Masses on the weekend of April 6th and 7th.

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 27th; Wednesday, April 3rd; and Wednesday, April 10th 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 forgiveness.