Weekly Letter from the Pastor

Here at St. Benedict’s we had a blessed and beautiful celebration of the Triduum and Easter. We welcomed two new Catholics to our community with one baptism and then an additional Confirmation. More Confirmations will be celebrated at the Pentecost Vigil (May 23). I would like to thank Deacon Paul and the entire OCIA team for their commitment to mentoring and forming our candidates through their journey. There are more individuals in the process, so we will see additional celebrations on the First Sunday of Advent. 

Tom O’Brien and the choir worked hard and led us through the Triduum and Easter Masses with beautiful and solemn music. The parish staff — Margaret Roddy, and the buildings and grounds crew — spent hours prepping, staging, and cleaning the church to make sure that everything was in place. The deacons, Steve, Paul, and Anthony, served and coordinated all of the Masses, making sure that we had solemn and well-done liturgies. Often overlooked, though, are the many hours it takes for Eileen Cannarozzo to put together the slides for the screens at Mass and for coordinating the ministers for all of the services. It takes a well-trained and committed team to execute all of the intricate liturgies of the Triduum and Easter, and we are very fortunate to have that here. 

This past week was not just a slow and quiet one here at the parish. During the closure of the Adoration Chapel (Holy Thursday - Easter Monday) the chapel was deep cleaned and refreshed; the work on the soffit and replacement of the rain gutters on the second and third wings of the school was completed; the design and contractors for the completion of the music room project were secured for the summer work, and work continued on the placement of an additional mobile classroom for our Pre-School.  We are also finalizing the Paver and Brick project at the school. If you are interested in dedicating a brick, visit the website or call Patti Dickens in the parish office. 

Today we observe Divine Mercy Sunday. We will pray the chaplet at 3pm and confessions will be offered from 3-4:30 pm. Mass concludes the day at 5 pm. Our First Communion Masses are underway. This year, between the parish and the school 180 children will receive the Eucharist for the first time. Let us all continue our prayers for all of them and for their families.

There are still a few foursomes available for the first parish Golf Outing (May 18). Likewise there are sponsorship opportunities. Please see the website or call Patti Dickens for more information. 

It looks like a beautiful spring week ahead. 
Blessings to all,
Father Garry