News - February 2017 RSS Feed

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.

The Archdiocese of New Orleans will offer a writing workshop for persons seeking an annulment in the Catholic Church or for persons responding to an annulment. The workshop will be held in St. Rita Parish’s Msgr. Champagne Complex, 7100 Jefferson Hwy. in Harahan. The series will be for five (5) Tuesdays, March 7, 14, 21, 28 and April 4, 2017. Hours are 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The materials for the series cost $25.00. To register or for more information, call Cathy, 504-861-6243.

Experience the power of the Church’s seven signs of grace in the St. Paul Center’s new video study, The Bible and the Sacraments. This Lent, join thousands of Catholics online by participating in the free study at www.BibleandtheSacraments.com. Join host Matthew Leonard for this visually stunning eleven lesson series that explores how and why the seven Sacraments are God’s gifts of life and love to His children. The free online study begins on March 1, 2017 and will continue throughout the Lenten season.

The Archdiocesan Golden Wedding Anniversary Celebration will take place on Sunday, June 11, 2017 at 3 PM, in St. Philip Neri Church, 6500 Kawanee, Ave., Metairie. This year’s celebration will be a Prayer Service not a Mass. Couples must register with the Parish Office by February 24th.