Weekly Letter from the Pastor

Dear Fellow Parishioners of St. Benedict’s:
It is that time of the year -- the faculty reports to school on Tuesday and all of the students will be here on Thursday for the first day of school. It is always exciting to open the school year -- the rhythm of our lives just seems poised for the routine of school. We are, by and large, in good shape to get it going. There are some adjustments we still have to make before we have the CO for the new mobile classroom unit, but we expect all of that to be cleared up soon. 

I really need to thank Rich Romero, Patti Dickens, Megan Gallagher, Gina Ciancio, and the full maintenance crew and our various contractors for making this happen. In particular, we are grateful for the support and assistance of Holmdel Township. Yes, permitting and all of that can be a hassle at times, but at the end of the day, we are all working together to build up our community and to help St. Benedict School to serve the students who seek enrollment here.

The dedicated brick pavers have been delivered and will be installed in front of the school in the coming week. A dedication service is planned for later in the month when everything is in place.  

There is still time to register for the traditional religious education program for students in grade 1-7 and for the Confirmation prep sessions for the eighth graders. OCIA registration is also open for those seeking full communion with the church. Youth group and young adult group activities are also planned, please make contact with Tim Hoye in the faith formation office. 

With a mix of emotions here, I am, like all of you, saddened and incredulous that this Friday marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of the attack on our nation in an unprecedented act of terrorism. Not just our nation, but our local communities and certainly our parish, were deeply impacted by the loss of loved ones, neighbors, and parishioners. In order to properly and prayerfully reflect on the day, we have planned a day-long series of prayers and reflections here on those lost and those who still suffer, culminating in a Mass that evening celebrated by Bishop O’Connell, at St. Mary’s Church in Middletown at 7pm. Please join us as you can during the day for a moment of prayerful reflection. Details are further along in the bulletin.

In contrast to the somberness of that announcement, I do hope everyone is enjoying the Labor Day weekend and all that goes with it. The end of the summer always has a surreal feel to it, but we look forward to the beautiful fall time here at the Jersey Shore, and all of the pumpkin spice flavors that go along with it. 

Have a blessed week,
Fr. Garry