Weekly Letter from the Pastor

Dear Fellow Parishioners of St. Benedict:

Christ is Risen – He is truly Risen – Alleluia!

In the midst of the trials and challenges of the world around us, we as Catholics and Christians live in the “sure and certain hope” of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. That is our defining belief – and the grace that sustains us during these most uncertain times.

Father JM, the deacons, the entire staff of the parish and the school extend to each and every one of you, to your families and all those who are dear to you, the blessings, peace, and joy of this Easter Day and Season.

I hope that each of you had a “fruitful” Lenten season. Perhaps you, like most of us, began with some robust ambition and ended up fading away as the season drew on. Yet, those small moments of grace are for us transforming and invigorating. We are enlivened anew by the Spirit of the Lord each time we reach out to him, each time that we enter into the journey with him. The disciples fell asleep on the brink of the arrest of Jesus at Gethsemane. We, too, fall asleep at crucial junctures and moments, yet, the Lord stirs us and draws us to himself.

It has been good to see more and more people returning to church each weekend. It is a blessing that so many of us have been able to get the vaccination and are feeling more confident and safe going into larger gatherings. We are still maintaining all of the diocesan and state protocols, but we are feeling better about the situation.

Of course, the news around us is a bit more alarming. Spikes in cases have forced some schools to close and other steps forward to be delayed or overturned. Confidence should not mean boldness – we all still need to be careful, and to wear our masks in the church and in other public settings. We cannot give up now!

The teachers and students in our school are on a much-needed and well-earned break this week. While school has gone exceptionally well this academic year, the protocols are tiring and burdensome. They have all been real troopers along the way, and the end of the school year is well in sight.

I do ask for your prayers for one of our newer teachers who is battling a serious illness. This is a very difficult time for her and her family. There are so many others as well, especially now, who have the Covid virus who need our prayers. Some of you have asked about Deacon John as he has not been around. He and his wife have had the virus over the past three weeks, and they are still recovering from that. Continue your prayers for him and for all who are so afflicted.

Thank you, also, for your generous support of the ACA. While submission time for this bulletin comes before we receive the updated count, we are doing well. A second reminder will be sent from the diocese in a few weeks.

Please carefully consider a pledge to this necessary program.

Next week is Divine Mercy Sunday and, while we will not be doing our usual afternoon program, I encourage you to join us in the parking lot at 3:00 p.m. for the public recitation of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy which is prayed each day over the outdoor PA system.

I hope you all have a blessed and relaxing week,
Fr. Garry