Weekly Letter from the Pastor

Dear Fellow Parishioners of St. Benedict:

Thank you for your generous support of the Annual Catholic Appeal. We have surpassed our goal, which means that 50% of all monies contributed above the goal return now to the parish. Certainly the bishop is grateful for your support. If you have yet to make a contribution to the appeal, pledge cards are available in the narthex and the tables in the church.

Summer is flying by as August looms large upon us. We have a few projects we are working on to get the school ready for the opening. We are still receiving calls for admission to the school and there are some open spots if you or someone you know is interested in the school.

Our Summer Campout is going very well. It was an excellent addition to our programs here and we are looking forward to expanding our offerings next year. There are some spaces available for individual weeks yet remaining this summer if you are interested.

The summer time, especially as so many people take off for extended periods of time, reminds us of how much we are in need of liturgical ministers: lectors, altar servers, screen operators, and special ministers of Holy Communion. Please make contact with Eileen Cannarozzo if you are interested in any of these ministries.

A few points for August. The Solemnity of the Assumption, a Holy Day of Obligation -- and our diocesan feast -- is celebrated on August 15. Vigil Mass is Monday 14th at 7pm; Tuesday 15th at 9am and 5pm. On Friday the 18th we will celebrate a Mass of Healing of the Sick at 1pm. This is for anyone who is chronically ill, undergoing serious medical treatment, or preparing for surgery or treatment.

This coming Friday -- August 4 -- is the Feast Day of St. John Vianney. He is the patron of diocesan priests and, of course, the patron of the high school that bears his name. We take this time to pray for all priests and also for the administration, faculty, staff, and students of SJVHS. Our relationship as a parish and school with the high school has grown much stronger over the past few years, and we are all happy that this partnership is benefitting both entities in very positive and productive ways.

I hope you all have a nice and relaxing month of August. It is good to refresh and get ourselves reset before it all kicks off again in September.

Have a blessed week,
Fr. Garry