Weekly Letter from the Pastor

Dear Fellow Parishioners of St. Benedict:

I am sure many of you are, like myself, traveling this week for the Thanksgiving celebrations. Blessings to all of you, and thank you for all that you do with and for our parish community, and the many constituencies we serve here. While as Catholics we celebrate thanksgiving every day -- the Eucharist which itself means thanksgiving -- we do nonetheless focus this week on family, health, and the freedoms that we enjoy living here in the USA. Let us never take these for granted and instead, not only celebrate but also remember to pray for those who lack what we have.

This is also a difficult time of the year for those who have experienced loss during the year. For many, sadness overcomes, or at least dampens, the joy of the celebrations. We remember them and give thanks for the blessings that they were in our lives. All of us should also bring to prayer those who, at this time of the year are alone, or so wrapped in their grief, that a day of Thanksgiving becomes instead a day of overwhelming sadness. Those who are experiencing grief should make contact with the bereavement ministry and consider attending the Advent prayer service on December 3rd, at 7:00 pm here in the church.

Monday afternoon, November 25th, the RAINE Foundation is sponsoring their annual Thanksgiving dinner for those who are alone, or live in any of the many senior centers in our area. The event is held in the school gym and brings in many volunteers from our school and the other schools in our area.

Next Sunday is the First Sunday of Advent. We will bless the Advent Wreath and will also bless the candles for the Advent wreath in your home. Candles can be purchased through the gift shop in the narthex, or of course, at any store that sells candles.Three purple and one pink candle makes a wreath.

The parish Christmas Tree Lighting will take place on Saturday, December 7th following the 5pm Mass. It is a fun evening, and always includes a very important seasonal guest as well. I hope everyone can join us.

Have a blessed week and Happy Thanksgiving,
Fr. Garry