Weekly Letter from the Pastor

Dear Fellow Parishioners of St. Benedict:

We have been observing Vocation Awareness Week, recognizing our need to continue to encourage and invite men to consider a priestly vocation. The “Called by Name” cards are available at the doors of the church. Please consider carefully putting forth names of those who you feel might be open to responding to the Lord’s call. At this moment we have all of eleven seminarians for our diocese. With ninety-eight parishes and only 121 active priests, this is a non-sustainable situation. Hopefully, with the grace of the Holy Spirit, and the blessed efforts of the vocations team, we will be able to turn that around. I also ask that you continue to pray for our seminarians. It is not easy for men to discern a priestly vocation these days as there is often little support even from family and friends.

I am happy to announce that we have hired a new Director of Faith Formation, Nancy Arkin, who will be joining us part-time on December 1st and then full-time on February 1st. Nancy is currently the Director of Faith Formation at Sacred Heart & St. Stephen’s Church in Brooklyn. She previously held similar positions at St. Patrick’s in Brooklyn, and Most Precious Blood in Brooklyn. She holds a Master’s Degree in Theology from Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio. She comes to us with a great deal of experience and with glowing recommendations. In the meantime, SBS graduate and Princeton University senior (Theology major) Grace Huegel, will be assisting in the Faith Formation office with the transition.

Advent is quickly coming upon us (November 28th) so, it is a good time to think about how we are preparing for Advent. It is time to purchase new candles for the Advent Wreath, or to perhaps purchase a wreath for your home. Another popular advent tradition is the Advent Calendar where each day is marked by checking a box and often being rewarded with a treat. This is an especially fun countdown to Christmas for younger children. I am sure it is also quite fun for adults as well!

Likewise, with the dawn of Advent the Giving Trees to assist families and individuals in need will appear in the Narthex as well as on the parish website. We are always very generous in our giving, and for that the foundations and charities, and particularly the people, we support, are very grateful.

School is moving along well these days. Fortunately the warmer weather this past week meant that the students could spend more time outside, getting fresh air and some exercise. I must say that I think that this hybrid style of learning, where some of the classes are outside, has certainly increased the daily movement of the students, getting them some moderate exercise, and keeping them alert. When pandemic protocols are completely lifted, this is a style of learning that we will continue with here at SBS. We have certainly learned new modalities of teaching during these days, and it has been transformative to the pedagogical model. I invite those of you with young children, especially as the concern for the prevailing climate in many of the local public schools becomes more and more of a concern, to consider SBS for your children. The Open House and planning for the 2022-2023 school year will be here before you know it.

Christmas and end-of-the-year mailings should be coming your way soon. I ask that you look carefully at the materials. I am making a concerted effort to secure our future, in the midst of the various pressures and challenges of the world around us.

May the Lord continue to bless all of us with his bounty,
Fr. Garry