Weekly Letter from the Pastor

Dear Fellow Parishioners of St. Benedict:

As I get out and speak to more and more of you, to other priests of our diocese and elsewhere, and with other friends and relatives I am becoming increasingly aware of the sense of anger and disappointment that many are feeling – and now able to express – as we have endured this pandemic quarantine for the past four months. Some of this anger is directed at the government – whether the president or the governor, or even both; much of the anger is directed at the “church” whether our diocese, the church as a whole in the USA and the world, and also at us here at St. Benedict’s.

Anger is a healthy and necessary emotion, it is good to experience such anger. Some of that anger reflects our movement through the stages of grief that comes from loss. Some of that anger is very real. The disappointment and anger stemming from the loss of the availability of the sacraments – especially during the Easter Triduum – is real and it is good and healthy to express that.

As we come out of the lockdowns – slowly but more and more each week – this anger redirects to the regulations in place as we attempt to go back to normal things. We are under strict constraints regarding how many people can attend Mass and other religious ceremonies, although that number has been increasing almost weekly now. However, we are still limited to 33% capacity in the church. Although it may be uncomfortable, the school gym does offer the best situation for social distancing. We have found that some of the Masses are better attended there than in the church. However, we will discontinue the 8:00 a.m. Mass in the school beginning next weekend.

Many are unhappy that we are required to wear masks and to celebrate the Mass in less than ideal circumstances. For some, especially those with breathing issues, masks are not only uncomfortable, they are potentially threatening. Just be careful. Remember that the dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass has been extended until September 7th. We will continue to live-stream the daily Mass and the 8:00 a.m. Sunday Mass for the time being.

This is not easy on Father JM and I either. These have been stressful times for us as well, and implementing the protocols and adapting them to what works best with our facilities, staffing, and resources is an on-going challenge. Bob Cognat and the building and grounds crew have been working diligently to ensure the safety and security of the facilities so that all of us can feel safe when we come into the buildings. Lori Ulrich has been amazing throughout this shutdown and in the opening on every phase of what we are doing. Along with Fr. JM she has coordinated the technology enabling the live-streaming, and developed the program to allow for the ticketing procedures in place for the weekend Masses. Margaret Roddy has been coordinating the daily Mass attendance and seating. As the numbers of those able to attend increases steadily, we will ease off of the daily Mass limitations, while still emphasizing the necessary requirements for social distancing.

These are indeed interesting times.

We pray this weekend for Deacon Steve Sansevere from St. Gabriel Parish in Marlboro. After twenty years as a deacon and the passing of his wife a few years ago, he was ordained a priest this weekend – June 27 – for service in our diocese. We send the prayers of our parish to him on this momentous occasion – ad multos annos!

Have a great week -
Fr. Garry