DECEMBER 25, 2022 TO JANUARY 1, 2023

MAY YOU HAVE A BLESSED CHRISTMAS

AND A JOYOUS NEW YEAR!

Special thanks to all our parishioners and donors

for your contributions of food items, hampers,
clothing and household items for both the local
and migrant families within our community.
May God richly bless you in this New Year.
Dear Friends,

In Genesis 1:1 we are told that there was nothing but darkness, but then God
spoke, declaring “Let there be light!” and as light dawned for the first time on
the canvas of creation, life itself was born. The prophet Isaiah wrote years
before the birth of Christ the following words: “The people who walk in
darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a
light will shine” (Isaiah 9:2). Throughout the entire narrative of the Bible, there
is a consistent story about Light expelling Darkness.

It is in a period of darkness and confusion that Jesus was born over two
thousand years ago. It is into this world that the stories of the Gospel tell us
that Jesus emerged. Into this darkness that the light and love of Christ first
burst forth.
Amid this division, Christ reveals a path for reconciliation through His example
of self-sacrificial love. Into this cold, dark, bleak reality, the warmth, and light of
Christ emerges as a signpost of hope and redemption.

It is this light, this hope that we focus on at Christmas. It is the joy that comes
from the sudden realization that all is not lost, that there is a better way, that
God has not forsaken us, and that our liberation draws near that we sing about
in Church or around our Christmas trees. The message and meaning of
Christmas can be stated like this: When the world seems dark,
overwhelmingly dim, the Light of the world will do whatever it takes to
break through the darkness and reveal to us a reason for hope, a path to
redemption, so joy will come.

The story of the birth of Christ is more important and meaningful this year than
ever before. Our world reflects the world that Christ was born into more clearly
now than it has before. We are standing on a precipice, a turning point, a fork
in the road - so will we take the path of light or the path of darkness? Will we
cling tightly to our power and privilege, or will we willingly give it up for the
good of others? This is the question that Christmas calls us to contemplate in
this season, and this is the message that Christ calls us to contemplate
every single day.

Yours sincerely in,

Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
Fr. David
The annual Christmas Collection in all
Catholic Churches is for the
support of the Clergy in the
Archdiocese. The next scheduled date for
Baptisms is Saturday 14th
This entire offering goes towards all January at 10:00 a.m.
parish priests. This covers their
monthly stipend in addition, their The instruction date is carded for
medical and retirement benefits are Thursday 12th at 6:00 p.m., and
managed from this collection. the families will be contacted by
the catechist with the information
Your generosity needed to join the online session.
will be very much
appreciated by all Baptisms are usually scheduled for
the priests of the the second Saturday of the month.
Archdiocese.
No registration during the Lenten
Season.

All adults who are interested in joining the

RCIA programme for January 2023 can visit
the following:
† Instagram and Facebook:
St. Benedict’s RCIA
† Email: sbrcia@outlook.com
Message or email to receive a copy of the registration form.

PERSONS ARE INVITED TO JOIN THE FIRST SESSION

TUESDAY 10TH JANUARY, 2023
6:00 P.M.
ST. BENEDICT’S, LA ROMAINE
CONFERENCE ROOM
 CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR MASSES
Please note that parking at the lower
level car park and the back gate exit to
Sylvia Street will be available .

THE P A R I S H O F S T. B E N E D I C T
2022/2023 CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR
HOLY MASS SCHEDULE
DATE PLACE TIME SOLEMNITY/FEAST
Solemnity of Christmas -
SATURDAY
La Romaine 5:00 p.m. The Nativity of the Lord
DECEMBER 24TH
Christmas Eve
SUNDAY, La Romaine 8:00 a.m. Solemnity of Christmas -
DECEMBER 25TH The Nativity of the Lord
Picton 10:00 a.m. Christmas Day.
WEDNESDAY, Feast of the
Picton 5:00 p.m.
DECEMBER 28TH Holy Innocents
THURSDAY,
La Romaine 6:30 a.m. Weekday Holy Mass
DECEMBER 29TH
FRIDAY,
Feast of the Holy Family of
DECEMBER 30TH
La Romaine 6:30 a.m. Jesus, Mary and Joseph

Solemnity of Mary,
SATURDAY,
La Romaine 5:00 p.m. Holy Mother of God
DECEMBER 31ST
New Year's Eve
La Romaine 8:00 a.m. Solemnity of Mary,
SUNDAY,
Holy Mother of God
JANUARY 1ST Picton 10:00 a.m. New Year’s Day
SATURDAY, Solemnity of the
La Romaine 5:00 p.m.
JANUARY 7TH Epiphany of the Lord

SUNDAY, La Romaine 8:00 a.m. Solemnity of the

JANUARY 8TH Epiphany of the Lord
Picton 10:00 a.m.
ADORATION ON FRIDAY 30TH DECEMBER
CLOSES AT 6:00 P.M