Weekly Letter from the Pastor

Dear Fellow Parishioners of St. Benedict:

Things get back to normal here this week. Ordinary Time begins after Vespers on Sunday, and we begin the journey to Lent. In the meantime, we are planning a few programs to get us ready for the Lenten Season.

Deacon Ray has had to be admitted to rehab after a minor debilitating incident last weekend. He is doing fine, but needs some therapy to get back to his usual self. He needs our prayers for sure. Hopefully he will be back to serve at the altar again by Easter.

While on the topic of health issues, Father Bill Bausch (former parochial vicar) and Father Leon Buni (former administrator) are each experiencing significant health issues and medical treatment. Please keep them in your prayers. We have sent Mass Cards for their intentions to each of them on behalf of the entire parish community.

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. This is a good time to be reminded of our own baptism and the gift and obligations that baptism affords us. As we all share in the priesthood of Jesus Christ, we are called to service – whether active ministry or the ministry of prayer and support – that comes with baptism.

We are grateful to the many, many people in this parish who offer their talent and time to the service of the parish and the wider community on behalf of the parish. Still, there are always people looking for new ways to serve the parish. Some of our parish ministers, many of whom have been exercising their ministries for over thirty (and even forty) years desire to be relieved of their duties. This is completely understandable, and we will be honoring some of them for their many years of service in the next few weeks. We are in need of parishioners who would be willing to go – on a rotating schedule – to the hospital and nursing homes on Sunday’s and Thursday’s to administer Holy Communion. If you are interested, please make contact with the parish office.

We are also hoping to develop the office of sacristan for the Masses, especially on the weekends. The responsibilities placed on the deacons each weekend grows, and they are often rushed in getting the sacristy work accomplished. Essentially this involves setting-up and cleaning-up before and after each of the Masses on a weekend and holy day. We would hopefully have enough sacristans for a rotating schedule. We invite anyone who is at least a high school junior to make contact with the main office if interested.

Thank you for all of your support of our parish and the many ministries we maintain. We are also always in need of more Adorer’s for the Adoration Chapel.

The Faith Formation Office is planning a series on the Eucharist. This series will begin in February before Lent begins. This will enrich our appreciation and understanding of the Eucharist and the presence of Christ to us through the mystery of transubstantiation. Please watch the bulletin and announcements for details.

May we all continue to discern God’s will for our lives,
Fr. Garry