Can you believe this weather? It certainly doesn’t feel like Spring or Easter for that matter. Hopefully a warm-up is on the way. We did have a beautiful celebration of the Triduum here at St. Benedict and very strong attendance at all of the Masses. Even the rather chilly Sunrise Mass celebrated outside was well-attended. Our altar servers, ushers, emcees, lectors, special Eucharistic ministers, deacons, maintenance staff, etc., did an exceptional job in making sure that the ceremonies were all solemn and gave due honor and praise to the Lord. I was particularly moved by the awe-inspiring Altar of Repose designed and constructed by Father JM and his crew of young adults and the maintenance staff. The fundamental message: “Take courage it is I; do not be afraid” should resonate in the hearts and minds of each of us as we journey through this Easter Season. This sense of confidence in the Lord is especially important today, the final day of the Octave of Easter. In a technical sense Easter actually ends today.
This afternoon we have our first Divine Mercy Sunday observance. This feast, inaugurated by Saint Pope John Paul II, reflects the visions of Divine Mercy by Saint Sister Faustina earlier in the twentieth century. Please join us as we listen to the inspiring words on mercy by Dan Duddy, pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, offer Confessions, and a closing Mass. We have invited a few priests to assist with Confessions. The afternoon begins at 3:00 p.m.
This coming Friday we will celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation with 124 eighth graders from the parish and school. Let us pray for them, their parents and their sponsors, that they will be filled with the gifts of the Holy Spirit and enlivened and strengthened in their faith. Msgr. Thomas Mullelly, Vicar for Clergy, Religious and Seminarians, will administer the Sacrament.
You may have noticed an announcement in the bulletin last week that we have hired a new principal for Saint Benedict School beginning July 1. I had not announced yet to the parish that Ms. Candace Wallace, who began her tenure as principal in 2016, retired in February. We are all grateful to her for her work at introducing the STEM curriculum to our school, along with other innovations including the opening of the pre-school this past year.
Our new principal, Mr. Kevin Donahue, is presently the Director of Admissions at Christian Brothers Academy. Mr. Donahue was one of my students there as well, and I am very happy that he has agreed to come on board as principal. He and his wife, Courtney, live in Hammonton, so he has quite the commute every day, but he is happy to take on this challenge. His oldest child will be a kindergartner in their parish school this fall. We will have a meet and greet session with Mr. Donahue later in the spring. I am hopeful for the energy and enthusiasm he will bring to the mission of our school.
Speaking of the school, check the school page here for announcements on open houses on April 10 (pre-school) and 19. There are still places available in all of the classes for the coming school year.
May we all know the Lord’s love and mercy this Divine Mercy Sunday,
Father Garry