Weekly Letter from the Pastor

Dear Fellow Parishioners of St. Benedict:

We know that we are living in challenging times. As August marches on to September and we gear-up for the opening of school, we know that there are many variables than can disrupt those plans. The political and social turmoil around us has all of us in a sense of dis-ease. I have addressed this before in some of these letters.

As you will read further on in the bulletin – as well as on the parish social media and webpage – Bishop O’Connell is encouraging a spiritual remedy for our times: praying the Rosary. He writes in part:
“I invite all Catholics in the Diocese of Trenton to consider making [the Rosary] part of your daily life of prayer. Please join with me in praying Our Lady’s Rosary every day between now and October 7th, the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, for the many intentions and needs of our nation today, especially for a true respect for life in all its stages from conception to natural death; for the strengthening of marriage and family life; for an end to the COVID-19 pandemic and for all those impacted by it; for a lasting resolution to the racial tensions and injustices that have too long afflicted our country; for an end to the violence and death in our cities, especially among the young; for the victims of sexual abuse and human trafficking; for the poor, the unemployed and those who face economic hardship and for so many of the other intentions and needs that we face in our country and world.”

In order to assist with the praying the Rosary, and to develop a sense of community and shared experience, Father JM is recording a Rosary for each mystery that will be posted on our webpage and social media. This will enable for us a sense of praying together. Might I suggest either praying immediately following the morning Mass livestream or at 7:00 p.m. each evening. Of course, the Rosary will be available for each day and all day.

As the bishop notes: “History has shown this to be a powerful, effective and calming prayer that has truly changed hearts and lives over the centuries of its use.”

As we move ever closer to the opening of school, and as more of us assemble each weekend, and even during the week, for Mass, I do want to emphasize the great social contract that comes both with discipleship of Jesus Christ and also as a consequence of our citizenship. Regardless of our politics or our feelings about the restrictions and conditions of the response to the pandemic, we bear a moral and personal responsibility to work for the security and safety of each other. The on-going spread of this disease is reflective of a breach of this contract. It is not enough to just “follow the rules” when going to the supermarket, or coming to church, or going to school. We must also be mindful of those situations which we deem familiar and therefore safe. We must be careful at family gatherings, hanging-out with our friends, sitting on the beach, and going to restaurants and bars. It is easy to get lax and this is where we get into trouble.

Fortunately, and here we are very grateful for this, the cooperation of all of you and the majority of our guests at Mass has been very high. I know many pastors who have had to engage the police to assist in the enforcing of the protocols, and that is certainly a step I hope we do not have to take.

Let us continue through our prayers and life of faith to work for not only an end to the pandemic and its restrictions, but also for all those who suffer as a result of this period of uncertainty. While it might look like all is a mess right now, with a shift in attitude and a committed prayer, we can overcome any challenge.

Be safe .. be well,
Fr. Garry