Weekly Letter from the Pastor

Dear Fellow Parishioners of St. Benedict:

I am very happy to announce that the parish has exceeded our goal for the Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA) again this year. In a year when giving to the diocesan appeal has taken a hit, we have managed to raise $95,000 when our goal is $90,000. THANK YOU! Of course, you can still make a pledge, remembering that once we exceed goal we are entitled to a rebate from the appeal. In the past we have used these rebates to makes various improvements and restorations to the church and the school. This is a wonderful testimony to your generosity and commitment to the broader church in the world.

Here we have finally hit the summer slowdown. Some work in and around the school continues as we steadily get ready for the opening of school in a month. Don’t worry there is plenty of summer left to enjoy; though I do understand if some of you are ready for school to start! Speaking of which, we are still accepting students in the school, especially in the lower grades, so it is not too late to consider SBS for the coming year.

Those of you who are alumni of SBS should have received a mailing recently concerning the inauguration of the annual fund. Intended to assist with scholarships for students, the annual fund will help to offset the increasing demands for financial tuition assistance in the school. If you are not an alumnus/a of the school, but would like to contribute to the annual fund – or to assist in sponsoring a student – please make contact with Mr. Donahue, principal. Every contribution goes a long way. You can also contribute to the school by making a purchase from the Amazon Wish List on the website. Boxes are arriving every day from Amazon, and we are grateful to the many who have already bought supplies for the school. Many items remain, though, so every bit helps!

Next weekend we will have a “meet and greet” in the narthex to meet our new youth minister, Ciro Saverino. He is enthusiastic about getting started here, and we pray that he will inspire our youth while accompanying them on their faith journey.

James Sicilia, who was our seminarian summer intern, asked me to extend his gratitude to the parish for your prayers, good wishes, and support during his time with us.

Sister Debbie Drago from Collier Youth Services reports that 220 youth “are forming positive memories at Kateri Day Camp” due in part to the generosity of our parish. Thank you from Sister, the staff, and the many campers who enjoyed their time at Kateri.

As I discussed in last week’s bulletin, today is the feast Day of St. John Vianney, though we do not celebrate this because it is a Sunday. You will see in the bulletin the names of priests, deceased priests, a seminarian, and the first names of men discerning priesthood. We ask that you remember them in your prayers this week. The names will also be posted each month in the Adoration Chapel, and I encourage the adorers to remember them in their prayers. Thank you!

Have a blessed week!
Father Garry