Weekly Letter from the Pastor

Dear Fellow Parishioners of St. Benedict:

May – the month when we generally think of Spring coming into its richness, and we anticipate the summer season ahead – is offering us some hope of regeneration and reemerging from our banishment and exile. Regardless of how the month unfolds for us here, we know that “hope springs eternal.”

There are a number of important concerns that I have going forward. The needs of people on the margins is getting to a fever pitch. More and more people are short on cash and on the basic necessities. As we announced last weekend and through this week, we are conducting a food drive here as we normally do each month. There are bins in the plaza in front of the church where you can drop at any time during the day or evening hours. We will be distributing the food in conjunction with the resources of the Raine foundation. We may be looking for volunteers to assist, and I will reach out when I have more details. Thank you to all who have been generous so far. Please do what you can – safely of course – and with consideration for the needs of others.

I am also concerned about the mental and spiritual health of the members of our community. Such a long period of isolation and of nesting with family can be exceedingly stressful. At the same time, as things gradually open, there will be those among us who are fearful of going out or returning to work, school, church, etc. As a parish we will need to respond to these issues in creative and faith-filled ways. It isn’t going to be easy on any of us. Yet, at some point, we will all be at work, in the stores, salons, restaurants, schools, and the beach again. We will all just need the courage and faith to do so.

Sadly, we have been celebrating too many funerals these past few weeks. Of course, we cannot have funeral Masses in church, so we are having Funerals Outside of Mass at the funeral homes and/or doing committals in the cemeteries. With the restrictions in place – no more than ten people – opportunities for closure and mourning are severely restricted, and that sense of isolation is palpable and painful. I performed a service last week where I was standing at the head of an open casket while the funeral director live-streamed the rites on his cellular phone with no one else present. Imagine attending your Mother’s funeral via webcam. It is difficult. Yes, we will hold Funeral Masses or Memorial Masses for those families at a later date, but it will not be the same and will, sadly, prolong the mourning process. Please remember all of these families in your prayers.

Presently priests are denied access to Bay Shore Hospital and to the residential nursing facilities in the area. Even when we can get into the hospital we are unable to get into the rooms. We have said prayers over the phone for patients who are dying, but it is certainly not the same as being able to receive the Anointing and the Last Rites. Please remember them in your prayers.

But let’s see – some good news! School is going well and we are preparing for end-of-school activities knowing that we will do it sooner or later. The students, especially the eighth graders, need closure and an opportunity for “good-bye” and “thank you.” At the same time, the on-line and distance learning has gone well, and parents are still calling about enrolling in the fall. This is all promising and positive.

The sacraments are all in a holding pattern. Weddings, baptisms, and First Communions all need to be rescheduled. I also need to reschedule Confirmation. It's anyone’s guess when we can do all of that.

“Thank you” to those who have been dropping off or mailing in your envelopes. Every dollar helps us to keep it going during these days.

There is much to do – let us be safe and continue our prayers for one another.

Peace,
Father Garry