Weekly Letter from the Pastor

Dear Fellow Parishioners of St. Benedict:

We have truly hit those “dog days of summer!” As we enter the last full week of July we are reminded of how quickly the summer is speeding along. Hopefully everyone has been able to stay cool during the heat wave this past week. I know it looks like we will get some relief this week. I expect that many of us, myself included, will be able to get away for some time in August, so that we can arrive refreshed and ready for the beginning of Fall and the start of school.

Week two of the summer religious education academy went very well. Monday begins the final week of the summer program. This is certainly a worthwhile program. There are some families who prefer the weekly program, and we will offer that this year on certain Sunday mornings. Those who participated in the summer program will be expected to attend some enrichment days during the year, principally on Sunday’s, as well.

Today we celebrate the Day of Grandparents and the Elderly. Pope Francis, recognizing the value of the wisdom of the ages, inaugurated this celebration last year. We will offer a blessing to all grandparents and those who define as elderly this weekend. I know well from personal experience in my own family that calling someone “elderly” can be a grave risk! I remember well my great-grandmother, Emma Glass, who died at ninety-six, never allowed anyone to think of her as old or elderly. It was outside of her world view, entirely. On the other hand it is not unusual to hear someone who is sixty to act and talk like an old person!. It’s all a matter of perspective. Some of us are old enough to remember when anyone over forty was considered out of touch and old! The median age in the US is 38.6, calculated in the 2020 census.

Several parishioners have been diagnosed with celiac disease, causing intolerance to gluten as found in wheat products. For some, even the small amount of wheat found in the Eucharistic host causes discomfort. There is a low gluten host available that is permissible for use in the Catholic Church. We have a consistent supply of such hosts, and a few parishioners have requested such hosts at Mass. If you are in need of a low gluten host at Mass, please let us know before Mass so that we have sufficient hosts for that Mass. Approach the priest for communion. The priest will have an additional ciborium with the
low gluten host. When you approach the priest, inform him you need the low gluten host and he will distribute one to you.
Thank you.

As previously announced, we are gearing up for the Sixtieth Anniversary of the opening of St. Benedict School this Fall. The celebration will be held on November 4th at Jacques in
Middletown. As we prepare for the event, we are seeking sponsorships, donations of gift items, and also information on alumni so that we can make contact with them to attend the event. Please check further on in the bulletin for more information regarding the event and gifting opportunities.

We are hoping to raise some significant money for the school, while at the same time building relationships with alumni, and making connections with the history of our school.

I hope that everyone has a nice and refreshing week ahead.

Fr. Garry