Weekly Letter from the Pastor

Dear Fellow Parishioners of St. Benedict:

Hard to believe that May begins Monday, meaning that another school year is coming quickly to an end and summer is just around the corner. May always proves to be a busy month around the parish.

This Sunday the second grade students from SBS are receiving their First Holy Communion at the 9:30 and 11 am Masses. The other children from the parish have been receiving their First Holy Communion at the Mass of their choice, and that continues for a few more weeks. The church in instructing us on the policy for First Holy Communion encourages us to offer the Sacrament at an ordinary Sunday Mass so that the children understand the importance of attending Mass each week. It also enables them to see themselves within a welcoming and worshiping assembly of believers. This is not just an event for their families, friends, and classmates, it is a celebration of our entire parish community. Our prayers go out to these students and their families. It is difficult enough to raise children in our society. The grace and strength afforded to us through the Blessed Sacrament assist us on this journey. May they be ever faithful.

Today, the Fourth Sunday of Easter, is traditionally observed as Good Shepherd Sunday. This is also the Sixtieth World Day for Vocations. In his email to the priests announcing the day, Bishop O’Connell wrote: “The purpose of this day is to publicly fulfill the Lord’s instruction to, ‘Pray the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into his harvest’ (Mt. 9:38; Lk 10:2). Please pray that young men and women hear and respond generously to the call to the priesthood, diaconate, religious life -- especially religious orders serving in our diocese and societies of apostolic life or secular institutes.”

I am a member of the diocesan vocation board and this Tuesday I am meeting with five men who are applying for admission to the seminary for our diocese this fall. We have already accepted two men for admission. If we accept these five that will give us a total of seven new seminarians for the fall. This is close to a boon for us! Our diocese is ordaining one priest -- soon to be Father Kevin Hrycenko -- on June 3. We are also ordaining three for the transitional diaconate: Wynne Kerridge, Brian Meinders, and Tomas Villacias. Let us continue our prayers for them and their families as they take this important step in their lives and vocations.

Ordination season brings with it a series of transfers for priests as assignments open and spots need to be filled. I am saddened to announce that Bishop O’Connell is transferring Father Augusto Lorenzo (“AL”) Gamalo to St. James in Red Bank as parochial vicar. Father AL has only been with us for two years and we were expecting (hoping) that he would be here longer. However, I am pleased to announce that Father Adam Midor, presently serving at St. Vincent dePaul in Yardville will be coming here as parochial vicar. Both assignments are effective on Saturday, July 1. Appropriate celebrations are being planned and will be announced soon. All priest assignments will be announced by the Bishop on Monday.

Blessings to all this week!
Father Garry