Weekly Letter from the Pastor

This weekend we launch the Annual Catholic Appeal. The video message from Bishop O’Connell is compelling, and we are happy to welcome Carol DeMuria to speak to the parish about the appeal. Carol has been coordinating the parish side of the appeal for many years and is very attentive to the program and its impact on the diocese and on the parish level. I am happy to report that the silent phase of the appeal has brought us to over 10% of goal. Thank you for your support. An important aspect of the appeal is new donors. Regardless of the amount contributed, the kickback to the parish increases based on new donors. I ask all of you who have never donated before to make a donation to assist us in achieving this benchmark. 

This Wednesday is the first in our Soup and Scripture series for this Lent. Please join us as Deacon Anthony Cullen shares his insight into the reading for this Sunday. Stations of the Cross will be prayed on Friday and Wednesday evenings at 5:30 pm. Lent is a time for renewal and reflection, seeking in a special way to deepen our relationship with the Lord through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. There are ample opportunities here to do all of the above, so allow me to invite you to a more focused Lenten journey with us. 

Our parish Penance Service is on Sunday, March 15, beginning at 3 pm. Please put that on your calendar, and join us for the opportunity to go to Confession. Remember, please, that the requirements of the Easter Duty remain in effect: all Catholics are required to receive Penance and the Eucharist at least once during the period from Ash Wednesday to Pentecost Sunday. 

Thank you for your support and generosity to the parish, the ACA, and all that we do here at St. Benedict!

Father Garry Koch