Weekly Letter from the Pastor

Dear Fellow Parishioners of Saint Benedict:

This weekend and next weekend are very busy and exciting times here at the parish as we celebrate the First Communions of 121 members of the parish and school community. While this is a very memorable and exciting time, when families get together and we have great new special clothes, professional photographers and great parties, we cannot fail to remember the somberness and solemnity of the occasion as well.

The reception of Communion – the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ – is a necessary step in our journey of initiation into the Church. As a Sacrament, we receive the necessary graces to live out our lives as disciples. This means that we regularly attend Mass and also receive the Sacrament of Confession at least once a year. While many of our new communicants will do just that, many others are unable to do so. Let us pray for all of them that they will grow in their relationship with Jesus and be inspired to participate more fully and actively in the life of faith. It isn’t easy, there are many roadblocks ahead. Let us pray that the adults in their lives will lead them down the path of full and active participation in the life of faith.

When asked what the biggest hurdle in being pastor in a parish is I have one pretty consistent answer: dealing with letters of suitability for Godparents and Confirmation Sponsors. Many people seek these letters every week and all too often they do not meet the criteria established by the church to serve in this capacity.

A Godparent or Confirmation Sponsor is a practicing Catholic who is committed to assisting the person whom they sponsor to grow in the life of faith. A Godparent or Confirmation Sponsor is someone that the neophyte or newly Confirmed can and does look to as an example of what the life of faith can be. Do we all have moments of sinfulness and weakness? Of course! Serving as a Godparent or Sponsor does not mean that you are a saint, but it does mean that you are on the road to sainthood – not as a canonized saint (probably) but certainly as one who seeks his or her destiny with the Lord in eternal life.

It is not too much different practically – though very different in reality – from one seeking membership in an exclusive club. You need to be sponsored by a full active member of the club in order to join. The church asks and expects that Sponsors and Godparents are just that – full and active members of the faith community.

So, please, when you are seeking sponsors for your child or yourself, look for those members of your family or friends who are fully practicing Catholics. If you have a hard time finding someone who meets that criteria, the parish will work with you and indeed will provide someone to serve in that capacity.

If you are being asked to stand as a Godparent or Sponsor, please take the responsibility most seriously and evaluate whether or not I as your pastor can recommend you in good conscience to fulfill that responsibility. I am happy to work with you on your journey, but it’s very difficult to get blindsided with the demand for a letter especially when the baptism is “next weekend.”

It is a beautiful and yet demanding faith we have and share. As we pray and work together we can continue to see the fruits of our work – truly the work of the Holy Spirit – take root in our community.

Blessings to everyone, and especially our First Communicants!
Fr. Garry