Weekly Letter from the Pastor

Dear Fellow Parishioners of St. Benedict:

Today, Corpus Christi Sunday, marks the end of the special solemnities that follow the Easter Season, so next week we are back to the Sundays of Ordinary Time.

As I have already mentioned we are beginning the National Eucharistic Revival this weekend and we kick that off with a procession following the 11:00 a.m. Mass. We will be observing the year with some formation programs and missions focused on the Eucharist. This is also a good time to think about our own Eucharistic spirituality. Now that we have the Adoration Chapel open twenty-four hours seven days a week, it is a good opportunity to spend time with the Lord in prayer.

Today is, as we all know, also Father’s Day! I want to wish a most blessed Father’s Day to all of the Father’s, Grandfather’s, favorite Uncles, and male role models out there. With Saint Joseph as a model, all men who serve in the fatherly role in the lives of children, should hopefully provide a strong moral compass and guidance for their loved ones. Thank you!

Today we observe the new national holiday Juneteenth. This poignant reminder to us of the end of slavery in a formal way in our country should also challenge us to be conscious of the many ways in which forms of slavery continue to plague our country and our world. Our prayers and work for justice must continue, because a loss of freedom, dignity, and justice can happen so easily and is so difficult to restore once they are lost.

It is so much different around here with the school closed. We have some minor projects planned for the summer, but nothing too extensive. We are moving some things around so that we can open a third classroom of four year old pre-K students. We are also building a playground for the three year old students. At this point we are in good shape for teachers and aides for the coming year, although we are searching for a fifth grade teacher.

We are also now in good shape for the Summer Religious Ed Academy, having secured teachers and volunteers for the program.

This coming Wednesday (June 22nd) our Youth Ministry Office is sponsoring EDGE Night. Here we are challenged to reflect on the impact of various social media platforms in our daily lives and in the development of children. Parents are also invited to attend this session and to gain some insight into the issues at hand. See page 8 of the bulletin for details.

Wednesday -- the Feast Day of Saints John Fisher and Thomas More -- marks the beginning of Religious Freedom Week. Reflecting on the role of religious faith and traditions in the formation and maintenance of culture and societal norms and ethos, this week sponsored, by the US Bishops, promotes an awareness of this dialogue. There is some information on page 9 of the bulletin and also on the USCCB website.

There are many exciting things happening here, and we hope that you will be able participate in some of the events this week.

Have a blessed week!
Fr. Garry