Weekly Letter from the Pastor

Dear Fellow Parishioners of St. Benedict:

A most blessed Thanksgiving week to everyone. I pray that each and every one of us has the opportunity to spend time with our family -- biological or choice -- over this coming week. I will be heading to PA to spend some time with my Mother this week, and anyone else who is coming to her house for the day.

The liturgical calendar is a bit awkward this year. Next weekend is the Solemnity of Jesus Christ, King of the Universe (Christ the King) instead of the First Sunday of Advent as is most often the case the weekend after Thanksgiving. The Fourth Week of Advent will last all of sixteen hours, as the Fourth Sunday is Christmas Eve! Make sure to time your shopping appropriately.

Thank you for the support of the Youth Group Coat Drive, and the Giving Trees. Clearly the economic issues continue to deeply impact so many families in our communities. Our generosity to them brings a sense of relief and joy in the midst of these
struggles.

A special thank you to Ellen and Tom for the beautiful evening of Scripture and Song this past Wednesday evening. We are blessed with two very talented and enthusiastic musicians who inspire us always as they lead us in song, praise, and worship.

Please join us on Saturday, December 2 following the 5pm Mass for our annual Christmas Tree lighting and Christmas carols. It is a fun time, and is short enough that you will be able to make it to dinner afterwards. Also please support the Knights of Columbus in their Christmas tree sale. It is great to see so many trees lit on the property in memory of deceased loved ones, or to honor a family member.

It is also timely to remind you that we will have our Hope for the Holidays Prayer Service on December 5 at 7:00 pm and all are welcome to attend.

Please keep up with the bulletin and/or the parish website for all of the important dates for events in December. Sunday, December 17 at 2:30 pm is our Advent Penance Service. Again, we will have about a dozen priests here for confession from 2:30 until 4:00 pm. Please avail yourself and your family of this opportunity.

Monday, December 18 at 7pm is the celebration of Simbang Gabi, our night to host the annual Filipino advent novena. Father John Michael Patilla (“JM”) is the celebrant and homilist for Mass that evening.

Blessings and safe travels to all --

Happy Thanksgiving!
Fr. Garry