Weekly Letter from the Pastor

Dear Fellow Parishioners of St. Benedict:

I don’t know about you, but I am starting to get that sense of déjà vu as we see the covid variant spreading in our area. While there is no immediate change in protocols for church or school as of yet, due and proper precaution is necessary to keep us all safe and well. I have noticed that more people are wearing masks in church and in day to day encounters and that is probably a good thing. If and when the bishop mandates any changes I will communicate that immediately through a phone call and social media. In the meantime we need to do what makes us all feel comfortable.

I am afraid that having been opened up over the summer, and with the uncertainty of the political dynamics around all of this, that no matter what mandates or non-mandates come down from the governor, the township, and the diocese they will not settle well with everyone. Let us continue our prayers for an end to the pandemic, and let us all continue to work towards the health and safety of one another.

The Bishop has asked us to emphasize the need to make sure that everyone who is eligible has received the vaccination. There are plenty of opportunities now for anyone over the age of twelve, and shortly we will see the possibility of younger children getting vaccinated as well.

Next week, and in conjunction with the Solemnity of the Assumption, Patron of the Diocese of Trenton, we will celebrate our bi-annual Mass of Anointing of the Sick. This will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 17th. We invite all who are chronically ill, or undergoing treatment for serious conditions, suffering the side-effects of the covid virus, or who are preparing for surgery, to present themselves for anointing. The anointing, however, is not just for anyone as there are some clear guidelines as to who should receive the Sacrament.

As things have been opening up more, the local long-term and acute care facilities served by our parish have begun to return to a more normal cycle of activities. We returned to the monthly Mass at the Willows in June, and this past week celebrated the first Mass at Bay Shore Health Care Center since March of 2020. We are yet to return to Anchor Care. Bay Shore Health Care Center would like to see a restoration of the Sunday Communion Service, but in order to do so we will need Eucharistic Ministers to assist there. If you are interested please make contact with the parish office. The more ministers we have the more we can spread out the commitment.

Speaking of which, with the shutdown of the past eighteen months, we have lost more than a few ministers in the various ministries of the parish. Many of our ministers have “aged out.” Some of the more senior members are no longer able to be as active as they were, and others have moved into college or high school and are not available to the extent that they were.

We will be holding a parish Ministry Fair over the weekend of September 18/19. Please prayerfully consider if you are being called to a ministry in the parish. Likewise, please discuss this with your children and other members of your family. The more people we are able to involve in ministry, the more vibrant and reverent our celebrations will be.

In the meantime, please enjoy these lazy days of Summer, be safe and be well,
Fr. Garry