Weekly Letter from the Pastor

Dear Fellow Parishioners of St. Benedict:
 
Next weekend we will launch the Annual Catholic Appeal for the current year. First, I want to thank everyone who contributed last year to the campaign. Last year, with a goal of $90,000 we raised $102,255.25 therefore we should expect $6,128 in a rebate to the parish. While this is less than previous years, we are fortunate to be one of only 36 parishes to meet their goal. This year our goal will be increasing to $95,000. In light of this I will be increasing my annual contribution, and hope many of you will consider the same. You will also note a change in the levels of contribution. This year the diocese has decided to allow us to earmark our contributions. This is in response to the idea, though not true, that some of all of the money is used to offset legal claims resulting from abuse and other forms of mismanagement. All money donated to the campaign serves the ministries of the diocese. None of it is used for legal settlement or fees, nor is it used to offset other expenditures. Please be generous. We will roll out next week, and I will address the plan more specifically then. I am also grateful to Toni Brescia for her leadership over these many years. This year Toni has stepped down from her role, and I am pleased to announce that Carol DeMuria has generously agreed to carry the mantle for our parish on this mission.
 
As we are ten days from Ash Wednesday and the 40 day Lenten Season, you should all have received your Lent events postcard in the mail. As you can see, we have an extensive schedule of services, faith formation opportunities, and other activities scheduled for the season. There is a letter from Bishop O’Connell further on in the bulletin, outlining the Lenten regulations for us.
 
This Sunday afternoon – February 16 ^th – the diocese is hosting the first of the “Called By Name” events for those who are interested in, or at least open to, the conversation about a vocation to the priesthood. There is a Mass this evening at 5:00 p.m. at the Co-Cathedral, followed by a repast. Let us continue to pray for vocations to the priesthood, as well as the diaconate, the religious life, and to married life. if you, or anyone you know, might consider a conversation about a religious vocation, please make contact with either Father JM or myself. Sometimes people just need to be asked.
 
Our Soup and Scripture series begins on March 4 ^th in the FAL. These Lenten evenings provide an opportunity for fellowship, nourishment of body and soul, and to pray the Stations of the Cross. This year our speakers are focusing on Psalms specific to the life and ministry of Jesus. This series also stands as a prelude to our March 28 ^th event where we will spend the day on an imaginary and detailed pilgrimage to the Holy Land. More details on that mission will be forthcoming.
 
We will be holding our Lenten Penance Service on Sunday, March 22 ^nd. We are expecting around fifteen priests that day to celebrate the sacrament with us. More, later,
 
Have a blessed week,
 
Father Garry