Letter from the Pastor

Dear Fellow Parishioners of St. Benedict:
 
What a blessed beginning to Advent! Let us keep the momentum going. The Daily Reflection is still available, if you didn’t get a start last week, it isn’t too late to pick up the book and spend some time each day reflecting on the meaning of the seasons of Advent and Christmas.
 
I am sure that many of you are expecting to celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception today, but as it is a Sunday during Advent, the feast moves to Monday. So, at least liturgically, tomorrow is the feast. Because it is a transferred feast, the obligation to attend Mass ceases. We seek the intercession of Mary the Immaculate Conception as under that title she is the Patroness of the United States. By virtue of an initiative of Pope Francis, December 10 can now be celebrated as the Feast of Our Lady of Loreto. The title Our Lady of Loreto refers to the Holy House of Loreto, the house in which Mary was born, and where the Annunciation occurred, and to an ancient statue of Our Lady which is found there. It is the first shrine of international renown dedicated to the Blessed Mother, and has been known as a Marian center for centuries. Thursday is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the America’s. Originating from the apparition to Saint Juan Diego in 1531, this Feast is especially important to those of Mexican heritage, though its significance has expanded throughout the Catholic world in both North and South America. Through the Advent Season, we call upon the Blessed Mother to offer us a sense of hope and promise that what the Lord spoke to her and through her, will be fulfilled.
 
Next Sunday we will have our annual Advent Penance Service. It begins at 4:30 p.m. and, although the students in the religious education program will be making their First Penance, there are ample priests available for penance. The format for the day, as we instituted last year, is a progressive format. Show up anytime between 4:30 and 6:00 p.m. and there will be priests here for Confession. At the moment there will be fifteen of us, so it should go quickly and smoothly. I am grateful – as should we all, really – that so many priests are available and willing to give up a Sunday afternoon to be here for the sacrament. Last year we were busy the entire two hours we were here, may the Lord bless us with the same abundance this week.
 
If next Sunday is not open for you, St. Mary in Colts Neck has their penance service today at 3:00 p.m., using the same format as do we. St. Gabriel in Marlboro has a Penance Service beginning at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday this week. Of course, the regular confession schedule is available here and in all parishes.
 
Next Monday night, December 16^th, we will host the third night of the Simbang Gabi Novena. This is a beautiful celebration originating in the Philippines, and we are happy to be able to host this again this year. Through the energy and commitment of Father JM and the Simbang Gabi Committee, they have planned a wonderful feast following the Rosary (7:00 p.m.) and Mass at 7:30 p.m. This celebration comes in anticipation of Christmas, and serves to prepare us for the coming of the Lord.
 
Please check the bulletin for a full slate of the locations of the Masses in our area. I am planning on attending as many of the Masses as possible during the Novena.
 
Let us all continue our advent journey with vigor, and not allow too much of the distractions of shopping and decorating to interrupt our sense of awe at what is to come.
 
Have a blessed week,
Fr. Garry