Weekly Letter from the Pastor

Dear Fellow Parishioners of Saint Benedict:

This past Wednesday Bishop David O’Connell, CM, announced his decisions in light of the Faith in Our Future study that the diocese undertook in the Fall of 2015.

Our Cohort (#13) included, as you know, the parishes of St. Catharine of Genoa (Holmdel), St. Gabriel (Marlboro) and St. Mary (Colts Neck). The Bishop’s decision regarding our Cohort is as follows: that we follow the Collaborate model for all four parishes.

The Collaborative Model is defined thus: parishes within a cohort enter into formal, collaborative relationships, working together on specific, agreed-upon areas of ministry, shared programs, shared staffing, shared resources; parishes remain distinct with their own pastor, pastoral and finance councils, finances, census and sacramental books; collaborative parishes work together whenever possible to do what a single parish cannot do effectively alone.

The Cohort is instructed to form an implementation team that will assist in the development of this new pastoral arrangement. As we are forging into new territories here it is really left to the Cohort to decide how we will function as a Cohort.

You will be hearing more about the impact of the Bishop’s decisions on other parishes in our immediate area (if you have not done so already) from the media, diocesan website, and perhaps from friends and family members who are impacted by that decision. We pray for the success of the implementation of this pastoral plan, not only in our own cohort, but throughout the Diocese of Trenton.

It is through these efforts, and the success of the Faith to Move Mountains campaign, that we can hope to secure the diocese through better stewardship and utilization of resources.

This weekend is commitment weekend for Faith to Move Mountains. I ask that each household fill out a pledge card, regardless of the decision or the size of the gift. I have prayerfully considered my own resources and ability to provide a gift and am committed to $25,000 over five years. I know that this is a stretch for many people and certainly for me it represents a sacrificial gift. With five years to fulfill the commitment it certainly becomes more reasonable to accomplish.

Because of the timing of our participation in Faith to Move Mountains, St. Benedict is delaying the Annual Catholic Appeal. If you have received a mailing for that campaign PLEASE do not confuse it with Faith to Move Mountains. You are free to commit to both for sure, but make sure you know which pledge cards you are completing before you mail anything to the diocese.

Yes, things are changing but we are fortunate to have the resources, personnel, and faith to move forward and to make an impact on our communities, our parish and our diocese through all of our combined efforts.

May the Lord grant us the strength and courage to place our hope and faith in him to its fullest!

Fr. Garry