Weekly Letter from the Pastor

Yet again this weekend we interrupt the cycle of Ordinary Time on Sunday to celebrate a significant feast day, but this one is more confusing to understand, the celebration of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica. Officially this church is called Major Papal, Patriarchal and Roman Archbasilica, Metropolitan and Primatial Cathedral of the Most Holy Savior and Saints John the Baptist and the Evangelist in Lateran, Mother and Head of All Churches in Rome and in the world. As the cathedral for the Diocese of Rome, it is the cathedral seat of the Bishop of Rome, Pope Leo XIV. 

We are celebrating the dedication of a church in 324 AD, yes, but we are called to reflect on the church-in-the-world as well: to gain a deeper sense of the place of the church on the world stage and in relations to the secular authorities in the world. The church always walks a very fine and difficult line in social matters, and especially where the church is marginalized or persecuted. 

Recently the president brought to light concerns on the persecutions in Nigeria, though there are many other nations where the situation is as bad if not worse. The church is always in the world, but not be of the world, a difficult path to walk, and one that at various times in history was not always well understood.  We are reminded of our need to keep Pope Leo in our prayers, as well as our Bishop, David O’Connell. We pray for all of the bishops in the US as they meet this week for their annual fall conference in Baltimore. 

Next Saturday Bishop O’Connell is to ordain our own Anthony Cullen as a deacon for service in the Diocese of Trenton and here at St. Benedict Parish and School. This is a great day for our diocese and parish, as soon-to-be Deacon Anthony will then have the faculties to preach, baptize, and witness marriages. As the campus minister and religion teacher in our school, Mr. Cullen has had a deep impact on our students and faculty, and we all look forward to working with him in his new ministerial office. We are offering a Mass of Thanksgiving for Anthony at 9:30 am next Sunday and he will preach his first homily then. Please pray for Anthony and his classmates this week as they prepare for their ordination on Saturday. 

I hope everyone has a blessed week ahead,
 Father Garry