Weekly Letter from the Pastor

July 21, 2024

Dear Fellow Parishioners of St. Benedict:

This summer seems to be flying by, but I also think that the constant heat waves we have endured so far have also added to a sense of malaise with it all. At any rate, we are now shifting gears a bit here.

We have completed the Summer RE Academy. It was a very good and well-run three weeks and all kudos possible to Nancy Arkin, Ciro Saverino, Loretta Assini, Naomi Atherley and the many teachers, support staff, and volunteers who made all of this possible.

The summer Camp-Out continues and has also been going very well. The total number of children enrolled in the camp has doubled since last year.

Now, the summer projects begin. We are preparing to add two new classrooms in the school by reconfiguring existing space. This will enable us to accommodate a third section of kindergarten and a third section of first grade. We are also doing an upgrade to the school Cafeteria/Gymnasium. Once the final permits are secured the work will begin; which should be this week. We will be in good shape for the opening of school.

The school is still interviewing candidates for a sixth grade position; if you know anyone who might be interested please let them know. We are also open for some student transfers in some of the grades, please make contact with the school office soon if you want to secure a spot. Our current enrollment is 520 students, an increase of almost eighty from the close of school in June.

Next weekend the church celebrates, under the initiative of Pope Francis, Grandparent’s Day. This celebration is aligned with the Feast of the Grandparents of Jesus, the parents of the Blessed Mother, Saints Joachim and Anne. Their feast is July 26, this coming Friday. In conjunction with Grandparent’s Day, Bishop O’Connell has inaugurated a special collection for the care and support of our elderly and retired priests. We ask that you please be generous to this initiative.

I hope this week is a little more “seasonable” and that everyone is taking some time for vacation, or staycation, and at least enjoying the shore or the golf course, or even the backyard pool.

Have a blessed week!
Fr. Garry