Weekly Letter from Pastor

Dear Fellow Parishioners of St. Benedict:

Happy Fourth Week of Advent! The Christmas festivities begin in less than twenty-four hours. I hope that you do not have too much wrapping, and especially shopping, to do in the meantime. This is a hectic time of the year, and it seems to have just flown by.

We had a very busy, joyful, and solemn Advent Season. From the Christmas Tree lighting until today it seems that there has been something going on almost everyday. This is most especially true with the school and their events.

We are most grateful to Ellen Remick, the classroom teachers and aides, the parents and, most especially the students, for the well-done and energetic Christmas pageants and concerts this season. They put in so much time and the students -- at least most of them -- seem to really enjoy singing Christmas carols and celebrating the birth of Jesus.

The students in the religious education program have their pageant this afternoon beginning at 3:30 pm in the gym, followed by the Children’s Christmas Mass at 4. The children’s choir will sing at the Mass.

As Christmas is Monday we have the obligation to two Masses between Saturday and Monday, so it will be a busy weekend for everyone.

Although we previously announced that we would begin passing the basket at the Masses this weekend, we do not have all of the necessary pieces in place to do so, and will therefore continue using the drop box until the weekend of February 3rd and 4th.

The parish office will be closed on Monday, December 25th and Tuesday, December 26th and Friday, December 29th. The school resumes on January 3rd.

As 2023 draws to a close, it is also a good time to think about charitable donations, so please remember the parish and school in your plans. We will be publishing an end-of-year report shortly.

I hope everyone is doing well -- safe travels to all who are heading out to visit family or just to escape the holiday rush, and may the blessings of God be with all of us!

See you later this weekend!
Fr. Garry