Weekly Letter from the Pastor

Dear Fellow Parishioners of St. Benedict:

This weekend as we celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord we bring a close to the Christmas Season. It seems like the season sped by quickly this year, but then in my current situation, the passing of time seems to be really off anyway. Nonetheless, we have a nice stretch now of Ordinary Time until we begin Lent on Ash Wednesday (March 2nd). This time of the year affords us an opportunity to prepare ourselves for Lent and to slow down between the extremes of the liturgical seasons. Easter is relatively late this year (April 17th). Hopefully we can have many of our concerns about the pandemic behind us by then.

Speaking of which, I am home and recovering from my surgery. Unfortunately due to the prevalence of Covid at the moment, I have been advised by my doctors to avoid coming over to Mass. So, while my recovery is going pretty well – though I am still limited in what I can do – I am avoiding too much human contact. I want to thank you for the many notes, cards, emails, Mass Cards, and food sent during the time of my convalescence. It has been an interesting time for sure. Apparently I am doing very well in my recovery and am able to do some limited activities. I still have to be especially careful with movement, and with lifting heavy objects.

Due to a high rate of student absence, and concern over the inability to secure any necessary substitute teachers, the school went “virtual” this past week, from Tuesday until Friday. Given the weather we had, it was a good idea to do so anyway. The students are expected to be back in force this week.

Speaking of the school, we are gearing up for Open House and for registration of students for the 2022-2023 academic year beginning with Catholic School’s Week (January 29th-February 4th). Please consider SBS for your children’s education and formation needs.

Thank you for your enthusiastic support of the Youth Group and their annual coat drive. In conjunction with Fordham University (Bronx, NY) the coats will be distributed to those in the city who are in need.

There are many things I would like to be doing right now, especially regarding adult faith formation. As we are in the midst of transition in the Faith Formation Office and with my own setback, we are not yet ready to launch. We have some tentative plans for Lent, so hopefully we will be able to engage fully this coming season.

Once again I appeal to everyone to consider your own health and safety as we move through the dark days of the pandemic. Vaccines and boosters are of primary importance. I recognize that many have some moral objections for a variety of reasons, and I have worked with many of you in obtaining an exempt status for employment, college, etc. While we are not imposing a mask mandate for Mass attendance, it is probably a good idea to do so, not only for your own well-being, but for that of your family and those around you.

Let us continue our prayers for one another,
Father Garry