Weekly Letter from the Pastor

Dear Fellow Parishioners of St. Benedict:

Here we are at Labor Day weekend. When we get here it always seems that summer has gone by too quickly. Granted the weather this past summer was not spectacular, especially on the weekends, I hope you found it to be at least relaxing to spend time away from work and school, and with family and friends. It has been a very busy summer here, and I am excited about the prospects of the fall season.

The students report to school on Tuesday. We are blessed to have 407 students in the school on opening day, and a full complement of faculty. Besides our new principal, Mr. Kevin Donahue, who started on July 1, we welcome new teachers: Miss Kristen Dynak - 7th Grade ILA; Mr. Alexander Isaacs - 7th/8th Grade Math and Technology; Mrs. Theresa Romano - Spanish; and Mrs. Marisa Delgado is taking over the Art program. All of our new teachers come to us with experience and solid references and recommendations. We are introducing a new Math curriculum this year and enriching the Language Arts programs as well. We will be hosting an open house shortly so that everyone has a chance to check out the school and its programs.

I am also pleased to announce that Mrs. Melissa Dayton has accepted the position of Director of Faith Formation for our parish. Mrs. Dayton is a member of St. Mark’s Parish in Sea Girt and has been the Service-Learning Coordinator and Honors Religion Teacher for juniors and seniors at Notre Dame HS in Lawrenceville until accepting this position. She holds an M.A. in Theology and Ministry from LaSalle University in Philadelphia. She is also a graduate of the ILEM (Institute of Lay Ecclesial Ministry) Program sponsored (formerly) by the Diocese of Trenton. She has worked in youth ministry, marriage and family ministry, and adult faith formation programs at various parishes in the shore area. In addition, she and her husband Chip founded You Can NOT be replaced, a not-for-profit program that they established in response to the suicide cluster in the shore area back in 2012. They travel nationally and present to schools and other religious and civic groups. They held a presentation at SBS and for the religious education students in the Spring of 2016. They have spoken to over 800,000 youth, parents, and faculty throughout the country. Just last weekend they were in Omaha, Nebraska.

Melissa has eight children (ages 31 – 8) and an infant granddaughter. Her oldest son, Christopher, was ordained a priest in June and serves as the parochial vicar and high school chaplain at St. Rose in Belmar.

I have known Melissa for more than a few years. She comes to us highly recommended, and with the strong and enthusiastic support of Mrs. Contino. We are not yet sure when Mrs. Dayton will be able to start her position here as she is under contract at NDHS until the end of September. If they find a replacement for her before then, she will be able to start here.

Fortunately, Mr. Santucci and Mrs. Cesario have things in the office under control, and with the awesome army of volunteers, our fall programs should be able to kick off without a hitch.

We will arrange a parish meet and greet with Mrs. Dayton as her schedule allows.

I am happy she has said “yes” and I look forward to the energy and strengths that she will bring to the program, while building on the excellent work of Mrs. Contino, and all those who went before.

We pray for a good year ahead for all students – SBS students, those in the many high schools in our area, and those who attend other public, parochial, and private schools.

God Speed!
Father Garry