Weekly Letter from the Pastor

Dear Fellow Parishioners of St. Benedict:

This past week we had the last week of the Summer Religious Education Academy. This summer 393 students will have attended religious education classes for the year. Although the bulk of the hard work is already done, they are still required to attend family days throughout the year.

It is through the hard work and commitment of our Director of Faith Formation Mrs. Denise Contino, the Coordinator of Faith Formation Mr. Matthew Santucci, the administrative assistant in the Office, Mrs. Carol Cesario, and a host of teachers and volunteers that this program is as successful as it is.

Of course, Father JM and the seminarian Chris Ziegler, were also great with the kids and they offered much to the program. The students all seem to enjoy their week, the parents seem to enjoy that their children enjoy the week, and at the end of the day, the students have learned much, and have the opportunity to be both formed and informed in their faith. This new model of religious education is taking off in many parishes in our area, and I am happy that we have been able to implement it here as well. Yes, there are still students enrolled in the Wednesday afternoon program, but it is far fewer students than ever before.

This weekend we celebrate with our parishioners who are leaving this coming month for college. Wherever your son, daughter, or grandchild goes to college, help him or her to find the Catholic campus ministry – often called a Newman Center on public campuses – to assist with their religious and spiritual needs. We often read about young adults who “lose faith” in college, but there are also many who discover their faith in college. We as a parish must always continue to pray for them and for their well-being during their college careers that they can find the path the Lord is calling them to follow.

I am hoping to get a few days this month to get away and relax. I need to get to Pennsylvania and visit my Mother and other members of my family there. Perhaps a quick getaway elsewhere is in order as well. Before we know it school will be in session again and it gets harder to escape.

We are gearing up for the Carnival in September. It promises to be bigger and better than ever. You will be hearing more about that soon.

It looks like another rainy week ahead, so I hope everyone has good indoor plans! It is time to find a good book to nestle up with!

Have a blessed week,
Fr. Garry