Weekly Letter from the Pastor

Dear Fellow Parishioners of Saint Benedict:

As we rapidly approach Thanksgiving, it is a good time to express our gratitude for all that we have and are. We are particularly sensitive and aware this time of the year of all those who are in material need. We are a very generous parish as reflected in the many holiday charities that we support each year. Soon the narthex will be filled with giving trees and collection bins. We are presently supporting the annual coat drive sponsored by our youth group. Thank you in advance for all the donations and support to these various programs and groups.

We have a guest staying with us for the next several weeks. Father Rey Anthony Navidad is the pastor of St. Niño parish in the Diocese of Borongan, Philippines where is also the Superintendent of Catholic Schools. He was one of Father JM’s professors in the high school seminary there, and is staying with us as a home base while he vacations here in the States. As a seminarian in Rome Father Rey had summer assignments in the Diocese of Trenton, so he has friends and former colleagues here with whom he will be visiting. He will also likely be assisting us at some of the weekend Masses. We welcome him here and are happy to have him around.

As we have been drawing our attention to the series Forgiven it is a reminder of the need and opportunity for Confession. There are several specific Confession opportunities coming before Christmas.

Wednesday, November 29th - First Reconciliation. We encourage the parents of the candidates to receive the sacrament as well that evening. We will have priests present who are specifically here for the adults so that the confessions of parents and children can occur at the same time.

Wednesday, December 6th - Grade 3-6 Religious Education. Parents are also invited to attend and participate.

Wednesday, December 13th - 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. Grade 3-8 SBS. Parents are also invited to attend and participate.

Sunday, December 17th - 6:00 p.m. Grade 7/8 RE. Parents are invited to attend and participate.

Monday, December 18th -7:00 p.m. Parish Penance Service.

We will have many priests present for each service so there will be ample opportunity to receive the sacrament during the season.

Friday night December 1st is our annual Christmas Tree Blessing. Each family is invited to bring an ornament from their Christmas Tree to have it blessed that evening. Details will follow in the bulletin.

It seems that we have been very busy the past few weeks, and that is a good thing. It also doesn’t look like it is going to slow down until after Christmas. Looking ahead we have a fairly early Lent this year (February 14th) so there won’t be much down time when the holidays are over.

Enjoy the lovely weather!
Fr. Garry Koch