Weekly Letter from the Pastor

Dear Fellow Parishioners of St. Benedict:

Our Lenten journey has begun. Hopefully our walk with Jesus this season will enable us to grow in faith and will provide us with new opportunities to share that faith with others. As you can see, our outdoor stations are in place, so if you cannot make – or even if you can – the communal Stations (Wednesday at 5:30 pm and Friday at 7:00 pm) you and your family can come here and either pray them in the car or walk along the path. As the weather gets nicer through March and April, walking and praying the stations outside would be good spiritual and physical exercise.

We are off to a good start with the ACA as we aim to reach our goal of $95,000. Thank you for your generosity along the way. Likewise, the listening sessions for the Synod have been very candid and helpful. Everyone I have spoken to, including Father AL and Deacon Rich, have found the sessions to be good experiences. I will be attending one myself as a participant. What a great way to feel listened to and attentive in the parish. I am not sure what impact we will have on the universal church, or even within the diocese, but I hope that as a pastor I learn some things that will be helpful here in the administration of the parish.

Next Sunday we will celebrate our Parish Penance Service beginning at 4:00 pm. At the same time our eighth grade Religious Education students (84 of them) who are preparing for Confirmation on March 31st will be having their interviews with one of the priests or a deacon from the parish. This is a way in which our students have the occasion for a one-on-one conversation with the clergy of the parish. Not only do we assess their desire and preparation for the sacrament, but it is also an opportunity for the student to speak openly about their experiences, interests, and needs. The feedback from some of the students over the past few years has been the impetus for some adjustments in the sacramental programs as well as in parish involvement for teens.

The three adult long-term care facilities served by our parish: Anchor Care, Bay Shore Health Care Center, and the Willows, are now ready to return to normal schedules, after two years of lockdowns and restrictions. We returned to celebrating Mass one morning per month at Bay Shore and at the Willows a few months ago, and we will start back at Anchor Care this week. They are also ready to allow the distribution of Holy Communion on Sunday’s again. These are great signs, yes, but we now lack sufficient ministers to serve those communities. If you would like to be involved in ministry to the aged and infirmed, please make contact with the parish office. This is a vital ministry, serving those who are spiritually vulnerable, alone, and often neglected by their families.

We began The Chosen series on Thursday night. Just because you might have missed the first night does not mean you should not come at all. This is a great way to observe Lent, to grow in our understanding of Jesus, and to deepen our faith. Tuesday night we will have our potluck soup supper before the program.

The Lenten regulations can be challenging, and I know many of us get discouraged when we fail to keep our commitment. Jesus fell three times; three times Peter denied even knowing Jesus. Yet each went along the way, and remained faithful to their calling. So can we … I don’t mean we have to fail, but failing isn’t the end of the Lenten journey, but rather a call to renew and strengthen the commitment.

Have a blessed week,
Father Garry