Weekly Letter from the Pastor

Dear Fellow Parishioners of St. Benedict:

I am writing from Day 2 of the Latino Enrollment Institute at the University of Notre Dame. We have heard some very interesting and challenging speakers sharing experiences and ideas that have been successful in parish schools. Certainly this has given Mr. Donahue, Mrs. Ulrich and me some strong talking points to present to the various constituent boards and officers of our school. Maintaining the school as a strong and vibrant ministry of our parish must be a commitment that all of us share together. We have a good school. We have some challenge in the present and need to be proactive so that we can stay strong. More on all of this later.

In light of the timing, and our uncertainty in planning, we have decided to forego the Eucharistic Procession after the 12:30 p.m. Mass this weekend. I feel as though we didn’t do enough catechesis for the parish to reverently and enthusiastically experience this devotion. As we will be engaging in a faith formation series on Eucharist and the Mass this fall, we can be more attuned to the procession next year.

This is religious freedom week. The USCCB invites us to reflect this week on the following challenges to religious freedom in our world.

• June 22nd, we remember SS. Thomas More and John Fisher
• June 23rd, Corpus Christi Sunday, we pray for Christians in the Middle East
• June 24th,we pray for faithful public servants
• June 25th, we pray for an end to the persecution of the Rohingya in Myanmar
• June 26th, we pray for freedom in serving in foster care and adoption
• June 27th, we pray for persecuted Christians in Nigeria
• June 28th, Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, we pray for Religion: A Public Good
• June 29th, Feast of SS. Peter and Paul, we pray for the religious freedom of prisoners

As we prepare to celebrate American Independence Day, we are challenged to be mindful of those for whom freedom is a dream and at the same time we pray that those of us who enjoy personal freedom might not take it for granted, allowing it to be compromised.

May Lord bless us with grace and courage this week.
Father Garry