Weekly Letter from the Pastor

Dear Fellow Parishioners of Saint Benedict:

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family. This stands as a reminder to us of the importance of our families in our lives. I know it can get very difficult at times. Some of us are separated from our families through emotional or physical distance. Many of us have lost loved ones – some suddenly – during the past year, making the holiday’s all the more challenging. Let us take this time to reflect on the meaning of family, to pray for our families, and to pray for each other’s families as well. Certainly Father JM and I offer our prayers for each of you and your families.

We also reflect on the end of 2017 and the dawn of 2018 this weekend. Yes, we have come to the end of another year. Overall it has been a very good year for us as a parish, and we pray that the coming year will afford us many blessings and the peace that comes from Jesus Christ alive in our hearts. We know that 2018 opens with challenges and opportunities. With the grace of God we can tackle the challenges and embrace the opportunities. The Lord in his mercy and kindness will provide for our needs.

However, we do not passively wait for the Lord to act. We are co-workers in his vineyard, hence our need to be about our Father’s business. Therefore, we have planned many events as a parish for the coming year. We hope that we are all enriched by the many formation programs and opportunities for prayer, adoration, and worship. The year will bring a celebration of youth throughout our diocese. There will be many events planned to catechize and evangelize the youth in our parish, our cohort, and our diocese.

The Christmas holidays seemed a blur. I think it was the short fourth week of Advent, but in any case, I feel like I missed most of it. I did get home to visit my Mother for a couple of days. Father JM, too, got away. We needed the time to refresh and renew.

Father JM and I, along with the parish and school staff, want to thank all of you for your generosity, especially during this Holy Day and holiday season. The cards and gifts to us personally are deeply appreciated and we extend our sincerest thanks for your thoughtfulness and your prayers for us. Please be assured of our prayers for you as well.

I hope each of you has a safe and enjoyable New Year’s Eve. It is always a risky night of the year, so be careful out there.

Blessings and peace to everyone for 2018.

May the Lord in His goodness pour out his mercy into our hearts and homes.

Fr. Garry Koch