News - March 2016 RSS Feed

When Mrs. Miriam Whitman was ten years old and a student at St. Catherine School, the nuns found out that she could play piano pretty well. Since they needed someone to play the organ at school masses, they sat her down and showed her how the pedals work. Since then, Mrs. Miriam has been playing the organ -without pay - virtually her entire life. In fact, the only time she did not play the organ at Church was a ten year period during which she had her nine children (you read that right… ten years; nine kids!). Today, Mrs. Miriam continues offering her services playing the organ at weekend Masses and the school’s weekly Mass. She shows up without fail each week, and offers her help to the school’s choir and choir director with her trademark humility. We cannot think of anyone better to honor for her constant giving of time, talent, and treasure to our parish and school community. That is we are proud to announce that Mrs. Miriam Whitman is this year’s recipient of the Benilde Medal for Service to Parish and School. We look forward to formally recognizing her and giving her the medal during this year’s Luck of the Irish Spring Gala on April 9th starting at 7:30 PM at the Landmark Hotel in Metairie.

Our Easter Triduum schedule is as follows: Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday will be at 7 p.m. On Good Friday, reading of the Passion at 3 p.m. and Stations of the Cross at 6 p.m. The Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday will be at 8 p.m. Masses on Easter Sunday will be at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. We will NOT have 6 p.m. Mass. Flyers with the Easter Triduum schedule are available in the back of church. The Adoration Chapel will close for the Easter Triduum on Wednesday at 11:59 p.m. and reopen on Monday, March 28th at 7:30 a.m. The Parish Office will be closed Good Friday and Easter Monday. The office will reopen on Tuesday, March 29th at 9 a.m.

On Good Friday we will take up the Pontifical Good Friday Collection for the Holy Land. This annual collection helps the Franciscans care for the people and places of this sacred place. Thank you for your generosity.

Dear Friends: With all of you, I have been following the news of the record-breaking floods in communities north of Lake Pontchartrain and throughout the entire state of Louisiana. It is frightening to see waters rising at such rapid rates and to see rivers overflowing their banks at such a pace. Many people have been traumatized by these events. In this difficult time, let us assure our brothers and sisters who have been affected by massive rainfall and flooding of our prayers and spiritual solidarity. With you, I thank God for emergency responders, and I pray for their safety. I have no doubt that some people are living in fear and are paralyzed with a sense of hopelessness. As we hold them in prayer, let us also remember those who seek to provide support and counsel. I pray as well for the clergy who will be drawing communities together, praying for the waters to recede and for the success of recovery operations and the labors of city and state officials and public servants who are working tirelessly to restore the flooded areas. Please know that my heart, along with the hearts of all of the parishioners of St. Benilde Parish, pours out to all those who have been affected in recent days. May God give all of us the strength to meet the days ahead and the hope to see beyond them!

PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE IN DATE: The Men's Club will be hosting a Fish Fry on Friday, March 18, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. in the cafeteria. Don't miss the new, expanded menu that now includes a soft shell crab plate, fish taco, and Thai Shrimp taco! Pre-sale tickets for adult fish plate - $10 ($11 at the door), child fish plate - $6 ($7 at the door), soft shell crab plate - $11 ($12 at the door) and grilled redfish with shrimp cream sauce - $11 ($12 at the door). Corn and crab bisque, seafood gumbo, pizza, drinks and more will be sold. Hope to see you there!

The third annual “Luck of the Irish Spring Gala” will take place on Saturday April 9 from 7:30 - 10:30 at the Landmark Hotel in Metairie! At the Gala, you will enjoy an open bar (including house and call brands of liquor), finger foods, buffet dinner, dancing to the tunes of DJ Ice, and the silent auction. We also will award the annual Benilde Medals for Alumni Achievement and Service to Parish and School. It is the party of the year for St. Benilde School! We have several new additions to this year’s Gala we hope you will enjoy!