165 Bethany Road
Holmdel, New Jersey 07733
732.264.4712
Dear Fellow Parishioners of St. Benedict:
It’s beginning to look a bit like Christmas. We celebrated the blessing and lighting of our tree on Friday night, providing light in the midst of darkness. I don’t know if it’s just me but I feel like more and more people have decorated already and that the Christmas cheer is beginning to break through the noise of all that is going on around us.
The response to the annual Giving Tree appeal was as overwhelming as ever. Your generosity and thoughtfulness is commendable. On behalf of all involved, thank you! This weekend is the collection for the retired religious priests, brothers, and sisters throughout our country. The cost of healthcare and the basic sustenance of life for the thousands who served us so well in our schools, hospitals, social service programs, and parishes continues to grow, and so we are called upon to support them now in their advanced years. Please be generous.
This Tuesday is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, the patronal feast of our country. During these challenging days, with the political, economic, and social turmoil and uncertainty, we are reminded of our need to seek the blessing of the Lord through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin. Although not a Holy Day of Obligation this year let me encourage you to attend either in person or through our live streaming, the Mass for the day. I invite everyone to say a Rosary on Tuesday for the intentions of our country, our government officials, and especially those who are on the front lines of the pandemic. Next Saturday – December 12th – is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas. A local Guadalupe Choir will provide the music for the 5:00 p.m. Mass next Saturday. On a side note, last year Pope Francis added the Memorial of Our Lady of Loretto on December 10th. Although an optional memorial, the feast reminds us of the Immaculate Conception and points us forward to the Incarnation. Perhaps it is good to use the entire week as a time to prepare for Christmas and to seek the intercession of the Blessed Mother, through prayer (Rosary) and fasting.
After a week of at-home learning, through the hard work of our teachers and staff as they navigate the remote teaching, the students return to school in person on Monday. All continues to go well there, and I wish again to commend Mr. Donahue, Mrs. Keeling, and the entire staff of the school. The virtual week enabled us to conduct a deep cleaning of the building and an opportunity to do some work on the building making it even more compliant to the demands of the present.
Our plans for Christmas are moving forward. As there are no new restrictions on us we are moving forward with the plans as announced. It is our desire to accommodate as many people as possible for Masses on Christmas. We will also be live-streaming the Christmas Masses. Details will be announced.
There are questions arising as to the moral efficacy of the vaccinations for the corona virus. The bishop has sent out a detailed explanation from Father Joseph M. Koopman, who is an expert in medical moral issues. You will find the letter later in the bulletin.
I hope that everyone is staying well in the midst of this pandemic. Let us continue to pray for one another.
Blessings,
Fr. Garry