The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a Holy Day of Obligation. Vigil Mass will be celebrated at 5:30pm on Tuesday, August 14th. Masses on Wednesday, August 15th will be at 7am, 8:15am (School Mass – all are welcome to attend), and 6:00pm. Also, on Wednesday, August 15th, the movie The Woman will be shown at 7:30 PM in the Teen Center. Please join us for this 40-minute movie to learn more about the dogmas of Mary and other Marian beliefs and devotions. The Parish Office will be closed on Wednesday, August 15th in observance of the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We will reopen on Thursday, August 16th at 9:00 am.

We are in need of Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion for weekend Masses and for Homebound Communion. Two workshops for new ministers have been scheduled: July 21 and August 18, from 9 AM to 1 PM, at the Archdiocesan Administration Building, 7887 Walmsley Ave., New Orleans. If you feel called to this ministry, you must get Fr. Cooper’s permission before registering with the Parish Office.

Please make plans to join us for the 6 week, small-group retreat, “33 Days to Morning Glory,” beginning Thursday, August 9th. Our group will begin its journey by preparing for total consecration to Jesus through Mary following the book 33 Days to Morning Glory and its accompanying group-retreat materials. With well over 1,000,000 copies in distribution, Fr. Michael Gaitley's unique preparation for Marian Consecration has helped countless people worldwide to formally entrust themselves to Mary. Please visit: www.stbenilde.org/morning-glory for complete information.

As we commence Our 50th Year of Catholic Education at St. Benilde Catholic Church, you are invited to share in the joy and happiness of THE CELEBRATION OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST on the occasion of the installation of MR. THOMAS EDWARD HUCK as the eleventh Principal of ST. BENILDE CATHOLIC SCHOOL by THE REVEREND ROBERT T. COOPER, Pastor, on Sunday, August 12th at 11:00AM as St. Benilde Catholic Church. A Welcome Reception will follow in the cafeteria.

We express our gratitude to one of our parishioners (who has asked to remain anonymous) for donating the new Sacred Heart of Jesus statue for our Church building. The statue is from the 1920’s and has been salvaged from a shuttered Church in the Northeast. It was originally crafted by the prestigious Daprato Statuary Company. The parish is currently in the process of securing a proper pedestal for the statue. We are continuing the work of beautifying our Church building and sanctuary as we build a worthy dwelling place for our God. The people of St. Benilde parish have taken great care in providing for the Lord’s House. If you would like to make a memorial gift to assist in our continued efforts in beautifying our Church building, please contact Fr. Cooper at the Parish Office.

Are you looking for good, true Catholic content delivered directly to your inbox? Then the Archdiocese of New Orleans is excited to share with you our newest initiative NOLACatholic eNews Now, delivering the latest in local, national, and global Catholic news directly to your inbox every Wednesday. Sign-up to start receiving yours beginning in July 2018 at https://nolacatholic.org/join-our-email-list.

Please join us on Wednesday, July 25, for a showing of The Way. This is a powerful, inspirational story about facing challenges while navigating our ever-changing and complicated life journey. The movie will be presented in the Teen Center at 6:30 PM. Refreshments will be available. For more information, please contact Val Hebert at valencemet@aol.com or (504) 427-0327.

Mass in observance of Independence Day will be celebrated on Wednesday, July 4th at 7:00 AM. The Adoration Chapel will close at 11:59 PM on Tuesday, July 3rd and will reopen at 7:30 AM on Thursday, July 5th. The Parish Office will be closed on Wednesday, July 4th in observance of Independence Day. We will reopen on Thursday, July 5th at 9:00 AM.

Registration is now open for Bible Down the Bayou for children entering grades Pre-K4 through 7th grade. It will be held July 2, 3, (closed July 4) 5, 6, from 8:30 AM until noon. Students participate in bible lessons, crafts, music, and games and are treated to a snack each day. The cost is $35 for the first child, additional $10 for second child in same family, and $55 family rate. There is an additional $5 T-shirt charge. T-shirts are mandatory, however, we are using the same T-shirts as last year. Registration forms are available in the Parish and School Offices or on the Parish website www.stbenilde.org. For more information, please contact Anita Delaup at bibledownthebayou@gmail.com or 504-872-1210.

Summer at Benilde is open to children from around the area. If you have family or friends who are trying to find a place for their children this summer, let them know about our safe, friendly, and fun option. You can register for just a week of fun or stay with us for the entire summer from June 4th - August 3rd. We have many great activities, swimming, and field trips already planned. Children entering PK3 through Eighth grades may join us for the best summer ever! The registration form is posted on both the school and parish website. If you have any questions, please contact the Camp Director, Cecilia Wilson at cwilson@stbenilde.com.

The Adoration Chapel will close on Tuesday, June 19th, at 5 PM and will reopen on Sunday, June 24th, at 7 PM in order to repair the water damage to the ceiling and replace the carpet. Thank you for your understanding as we complete our summer repairs to our Chapel.

St. Benilde will host a movie night on Friday, June 15, at 7 PM in the Teen Center. The presentation, Finding St. Anthony: A Story of Loss and Light, is a documentary film that focuses on the experiences of Fernando Martins de Bulhoes, a thirteenth century Christian, whom we know today as St. Anthony of Padua. Many Catholics and even non-Catholics, think of St. Anthony as the first one to turn to when something is lost. In the film we will discover a young man who was often “lost” and searching for the life God was calling him to lead. His journey will give insight and inspiration for our own spiritual journey. Please join us.

On April 29, 2018, the Archdiocese of New Orleans held the annual Celebration Awards Ceremony at St. Louis Cathedral for the 2017 Catholic Youth and Young Adult Awards. These are awards to distinguish outstanding CYO youth from each parish. Congratulations to the following recipients from St. Benilde Parish for 2017: Outstanding Youth Awards: James Virga, Ethan Ott, and Ronnie Bergeron. The St. Timothy Award is the highest youth award given to members of the CYO. The St. Timothy Award was given to Emma Duckworth. The Matt Hill Award is given to the most outstanding CYO member for athletics and faith-driven good sportsmanship. Only one award is given to a male and a female from the whole Archdiocese. The Matt Hill Award was given to John Virga. Adult Awards are given to adults that have given up their time to volunteer and help each CYO for a minimum of five years or more. The Adult Service Awards were given to Roger & Hindi Duckworth, Richard & Kathy Solares, and Angela Sweeney.

Join women from New Orleans area and across the country for the second NOLA WINE: Catholic Women’s Conference hosted by WINE: Women In the New Evangelization! Dynamic Catholic speakers Val Limar Jansen, and Renee Bondi will inspire you and musician Lorraine Hess will rejuvenate your spirit. The day will include time for Mass, Confession, prayer, rest, and a few surprises. Join us, Saturday, June 9, at St. Angela Merici, Metairie. Special group rate available. For more information and to register, visit wineconference.org.

The Adoration Chapel will be closed for roof repairs beginning Thursday, May 24th, at 5 PM, and will reopen on Sunday, June 3rd at 7:00 PM. If inclement weather necessitates a longer then planned repair time, please check the parish website for the most accurate closure schedule. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding as we continue to make much needed repairs to our aging Church building.

The Parish Office will be closed Monday, May 28th, in observance of Memorial Day. We will reopen Tuesday at 9 AM.

I extend my personal congratulations to Ron and Mary-Catherine Oleksik and Tim and Cherri Pitre, the recipients of the 2018 Order of St. Louis IX Medallion, for their outstanding service and commitment to both St. Benilde Catholic Church and to the local Church in the Archdiocese of New Orleans. This award recognizes the lay faithful who, by their loving service to the Church in and of New Orleans, continue to spread the Good News of the Gospel to all whom they encounter. Congratulations to all of you on this most deserved honor and recognition! ~ Fr. Cooper

Registration for St. Benilde Men’s Club Summer Cabbage Ball Program is underway for children in pre-K4 through 12th grade. Games will be played from May 22nd to June 28th. Registration forms are available in the Church and School Offices, or may be downloaded from the parish website.

Congratulations to John “JJ” Virga IV for being selected as the representative from St. Benilde Catholic Church to receive the 2018 Altar Server Award from Archbishop Aymond. Because of his faithfulness to this important ministry in the Church, our parish community is proud to nominate him for this honor. We extend our personal congratulations to JJ. We also extend our thankfulness to all the boys who are dedicated to serving at the Altar of the Lord.

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 6th, 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!