Weekly Letter from the Pastor

Dear Fellow Parishioners of St. Benedict:

We have now completed the religious education Summer Academy. We are all most grateful to Nancy, Jen, Loretta, Ciro and a host of teachers and volunteers who made the past three weeks as positive, fun, and effective as they have been. We are now gearing up with dates and activities for the fall programs.

The Hospitaler Sisters of Mercy who were with us last weekend for the annual Summer Mission Appeal are very grateful for the support and generosity of the parish for their appeal. We will have a final number on the contributions once the on-line contributions have been downloaded. Thank you. I am sure we will hear more from the Sisters this fall.

The school is still in need of a part-time STEM teacher. If you are interested, please send your resume to the school office. Thank you.

Grace Huegel, who made an appeal two weekends ago, is now heading to Ecuador for a mission trip and will then enter the convent to begin her journey into religious life on August 30. Through your generosity she collected $2,820 that weekend. She is deeply grateful for your assistance.

This weekend we are celebrating the Day of the Grandparents and the Elderly. Established by Pope Francis in 2021, this event occurs the closest Sunday to the Feast of SS. Joachim and Anne, the parents of Mary and Grandparents of Jesus, In his message for the World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly, Pope Francis wrote: “The Lord trusts that young people, through their relationships with the elderly, will realize that they are called to cultivate memory and recognize the beauty of being part of a much larger history.”

Today call or visit with your Grandparents, elderly parents, and the other significant people in your life who helped to form and shape you into the person you are today. Remember as well those who have gone before us and offer a prayer of gratitude for the gift that they were in your life.

The special collection this weekend is for the retired priests of our diocese. The number of retired priests in the Diocese of Trenton is now at 84, many of whom are able to assist in parishes, bringing some relief to the priests who are working, especially those who are alone. Here, we are grateful for the assistance of Fr. Tony Carotenuto who served this parish as an assistant pastor for twelve years before he began his own time as a pastor. Likewise, Msgr. Jack Carroll, a retired priest of the Paterson diocese, offers us great support during the week and on the weekends. Let us continue to pray for the retired priests, especially those who are infirmed.

The diocese just opened a second retirement home for retired priests in Manasquan. The redundant convent at St. Denis parish was converted into a residence for six priests. This is helpful as it brings retired priests to this side of the diocese.

Some, like Fr. Tony and Msgr. Jack, have their own homes in the area, but not everyone has been able to do so over the years.

Have a most blessed week,
Fr. Garry