Weekly Letter from the Pastor

Dear Fellow Parishioners of Saint Benedict:

The work of the church, unlike most other social institutions, is really a 24/7 operation. Calls to the hospital or one of the residential health care facilities happen at any time of the day or night. Our chapter of the Saint Vincent DePaul Society – celebrating the 400th anniversary of foundation by St. Vincent – responds to the material needs of people at virtually any time of day as well. The church in the world, as the Body of Christ, provides critical pastoral work and care for people – regardless of their religious affiliation – because it is what Jesus commands us to do. We here at St. Benedict’s parish are very good at providing for the material needs of others, but we need to do more on the basic pastoral care of each other.

In June I expressed my growing concerns about the drug crisis in our communities. Much has gone on behind the scenes there, and hopefully we will be able to launch some assistance soon. In light of many of these issues, plus the aging demographic of society as a whole, we are working on caring for the needs of those who are suffering the pain of loss. Through the efforts of the Faith Formation Committee and the interest of a number of parishioners, we are launching a peer support bereavement ministry. If you have lost a loved one, please join others who have also experienced a loss, for a series of six sessions of information, mutual sharing and peer support in a spiritual, caring, and confidential setting. If you are interested in joining or would like more information about the group please contact Carol DeMuria at carol.demuria@gmail.com or call the Faith Formation office.

There are other pastoral ministry opportunities that we need to continue to develop and expand. Communion calls and visits to those in the hospital (Sunday after the 9:30 a.m .Mass) and the health care centers (Thursday after the 9:00 a.m. Mass) are necessary ways for those who are struggling to connect (or often, reconnect) with their life of faith. If you are able to assist in one of these ministries, please make contact with the parish office.

Now that we have Mr. Matt Santucci on board with youth and young adult ministry, it is time to consider what young adult ministry actually looks like. While our parish tends to be transitional for single Catholics beyond high school age, there are young men and women in the area who need some assistance in discovering their place in the church, while also needing some positive social outlet. Matt will be developing some programs and experiences for that age group. If you have any young adults living in your home or your neighborhood (or if you are one yourself) reach out to Matt and let him know. It’s a good way to build a real database and to get a sense of what we have and need here.

We are all called to reach out and evangelize the world in which we live. Take this bulletin home with you and give it to someone – a neighbor, family member, friend – who is missing the experience of faith in their lives. Consider the bulletin not simply a source of information for you, but an invitation to someone, perhaps new to our area, who is looking for a parish community (and maybe doesn’t even know it yet) in which to connect.

After what seems to be a very long month without him – welcome home Father JM! We all missed him very much and are happy to have him back.

Have a blessed week.
Father Garry