Weekly Letter from the Pastor

Dear Fellow Parishioners of St. Benedict:

Today is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, though both the solemnity and the obligation to attend Mass transfers to tomorrow (Monday, December 9th) due to the eighth being the Second Sunday of Advent. We will celebrate Mass on Monday at 9 am and at 7 pm. The 5 pm Mass this Sunday is for Sunday and not for the Holy day.

Our country is under the patronage of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, so this is effectively our national Catholic holiday and holy day. During this time of political transition we seek the intercession of the Blessed Mother for our protection, peace, and the unity we need to make our country and our world a better place.

This Thursday (December 12th) we observe the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Under this title, the renowned apparition to St. Juan Diego in 1531, Mary is the patron of the America’s.This apparition is distinct in several ways, especially as this is the first approved apparition of Mary in the Americas. Again, we pray for her protection and intercession.

This Sunday at 2:30 pm we are having our Advent Penance Service. All are invited to participate and to share in the Sacrament in preparation for Christmas. I ask your prayers for the second grade students in the school and faith formation programs who are receiving their First Penance this week.

Thank you for your generous support of several initiatives these past few weeks: the giving trees, food drives, memorial Christmas tree sale, poinsettia sale, wreaths and grave blankets, support for seminarians, and the many other gifts along the way.

This is the last calm week before the Christmas festivities kick into high gear beginning with the Knights of Columbus managing to secure a date with Santa Claus to come to the family breakfast after the 8 and 9:30 Masses this Sunday!

Have a blessed week,
Fr. Garry