Now, more than ever, the Church is in need of men and women to commit their lives to the priesthood and religious life. For many years, parishioners of St. Benilde have accepted the responsibility of praying for vocations at home with Fr. Peter Peacock’s “traveling chalice.” The family takes the chalice into their home for a two-week period. At a special time each day, the family will pray together for vocations. We would like to invite you to participate in this tradition. Thank you for your prayers and assistance in helping promote vocations. For more information, please call Mary Catherine at 888-2973.

There is a lack of nannies in the kingdom. So the likes of Peter Pan, Snow White, Cinderella, Alice, Sleeping Beauty, Pinocchio, Robin Hood, Goldilocks, Aladdin and more interview. Join us on May 3rd, 4th, and 5th to find out who gets the job in “Nannies R Us”!

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 the school website. If you have any questions, please contact the Camp Director, Cecilia Wilson at cwilson@stbenilde.com. **Younger ages fill up quickly so get those registrations in!

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.

St. Benilde is hosting a 10-hour theology course on the Catholic Understanding of Scripture on Saturday April 28 & May 12 from 9AM –2PM.This course introduces the individual to basic beliefs about the Catholic understanding of scripture, especially the creation account, the covenant made by God with Abraham and his descendants, and God's covenant with Jesus. Catholic school teachers, Parish School of Religion catechists, and catechetical leaders can earn Office of Religious Education basic certification credit for completing this course, however, the course is open to anyone seeking to learn more about their Catholic faith. The cost of the course is $10.To register, visit http://nolaore.org/ or call 504-861-6302 for more information.

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.

We need your help to restock the pantry. We are running low on the following items: peanut butter, jelly, 1-pound bags of rice, tomato sauce, canned fruit, cereal, 1-pound bags of beans, and canned meats. Thank you so much for helping us to help the less fortunate in our parish.

All are invited to our Parish Picnic on Sunday, April 8th from 12 Noon till 5:00 pm in the St. Benilde School yard. Come join us for an afternoon of food, music, games, inflatables, prizes and more. This year our Parish Picnic will feature our 1st Inaugural SBS Parents Tournament. Hope to see you there!

Parishioners, family, and friends are invited to participate in an afternoon of prayer and adoration on Sunday, April 8. Church doors will open at 2:30pm. At 3 PM, the Hour of Mercy, the Stations of the Cross will be said, followed by the Divine Mercy Chaplet. Quiet time for adoration will be available after the chaplet until 5:30 PM. The rosary will be recited before 6 PM Mass. Come and be part of the abundance of mercy poured forth by Jesus at the hour of His Passion.

Oceans of Mercy: Three Lives, One Vision, No Limits will be shown Friday, April 6, at 7 PM, in the Teen Center. Using film footage, rare photographs, and extensive interviews, this true story examines the lives of the modern day “Apostles of Mercy” -St. Maximilian Kolbe, St. Faustina Kowalksa and Pope St. John Paul II. Please join us to learn about their heroic struggle as heralds of Divine Mercy to all. The Divine Mercy Chaplet will be recited following the movie. Light refreshments will be served. Please contact Val Hebert at valencemet@aol.com or (504) 427-0327 for more information.

The Solemn Easter Vigil will be celebrated on Saturday, March 31st at 8:00 PM. On Easter Sunday, April 1st, 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.

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 2nd. 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.

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.

Holy Thursday – March 29th: 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, March 28th and will re-open at 7:30 AM on Monday, April 2nd. Good Friday – March 30th: 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 – March 31st: Morning Prayer at 7:00 AM in Church; Solemn Easter Vigil at 8:00 PM.

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. Clement of Rome’s Parish Center. The series will be for three (3) Saturdays, March 24, April 7, and April 14, from 8:30 AM to noon. The materials for the series cost $25. To register go to our website https://nolacatholicfla.regfox.com/annulment-writing-workshop. For more information, please call Cathy, 504-861-6243.

Please make your calendar for our Lenten Parish Mission, “Given Up For You,” facilitated by Dumb Ox Ministries. It will be held in Church on Tuesday, March 27th, from 7 to 9 PM.

The parish will have a Holy Hour from 6:00 PM till 7:00 PM on Monday, March 26th as we prepare our hearts and minds for the Resurrection of our Savior. Both Fr. Cooper and Fr. H.L. will be available for Confessions from 6:00 PM till 7:00 PM.

The Men’s Club will be serving up the last Lenten Fish Fry on Friday, March 23, beginning at 5 PM for pre-sale and 5:45 PM for general public, until 8 PM. The menu includes soft shell crab plate, fish taco, Thai shrimp taco, fish plate, grilled redfish with shrimp cream sauce, and more. Pre-sale tickets will be sold after all the Masses the weekend of March 17 and 18. Tickets will be sold in the Parish Office this Monday through Thursday (March 19-22) during regular office hours.

Please save your palms to help us supply the congregation with palms for Palm Sunday. To help lessen the work of our volunteers, please bring only fresh, healthy, cleaned palms. Containers will be available in the Church foyer Monday, March 19 through Thursday March 22 to place the palms. Thanks so much for your help.

St. Benilde Parish will be hosting a St. Joseph Altar on Monday, March 19, from 9 AM to 5 PM, in the Teen Center. Donations of cakes, breads, cookies, fruits, flowers, and any religious articles are welcome. Please leave donations in the Church foyer on March 17 and 18, or in the Parish Office during regular office hours. St. Joseph candles will be available for purchase during viewing. For more information please call Bonnie at 504-628-1642 or Beth at 504-920-7302.