Weekly Letter from the Pastor

September 1, 2024

Dear Fellow Parishioners of St. Benedict:

Happy Labor Day weekend -- the official “end of summer” at the Jersey Shore. We had to take the long stretch to get to where we are, but school is set and ready to open. Last Tuesday we welcomed our faculty and school staff back to the building, and they are now ready to embark on the new school year. We have 524 students this year, up from the 445 of last year’s opening.

At all of the Masses this weekend we are offering a backpack blessing to all of our students heading back to school. Now, and in this brief stretch until Christmas time, things will be more normal.

The Diocesan development office has sent out their last pitch for the Annual Appeal. We are still short of hitting our goal, which is uncharacteristic, but also not surprising given the economic stressors of the past couple of years.

We would like to say that summer goes by slow and easy, but that certainly is no longer the case here. We did multiple construction projects within the building, and have targeted goals for the coming year and the years ahead. We are in the process of qualifying for some federal and state grants that will enable us to strengthen the security plans for the church and the school. We are also in the midst of qualifying for another grant that will move us along in becoming more energy efficient and environmental-friendly. As the school plans on applying for recognition as a Green Ribbon school, these developments will be of great assistance.

Security procedures on the school-side of the complex are in good order, though there are things that we can do there to take us to another level. Fortunately, we have been proactive over the past ten years in enhancing those programs to insure the safety of our students and the adults in the building. While we had hired an independent security guard the past two school years, we now benefit from the Holmdel PD in providing us with a Class-3 Officer to be present here throughout the day. This is another step forward and it also reduces the costs to the school.

On the church side of the complex we do need to upgrade our security procedures and infrastructure. We are hoping to be able to take advantage of state and federal funds to address those needs.

Overall, we are looking forward to a good school year and end-of-the-year here at St. Benedict’s.

I hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable Labor Day weekend!
Fr. Garry