My Dear Parish Family:

Our Catholic School, under the guidance of the best Principal in the Archdiocese, Mr. Ray Vitiello, is an amazing place. A few weeks ago our 7th Grade students preparing for Confirmation had their “Saints Alive” day. This is the day that the students preparing for Confirmation dress up as the Saint whose name they have chosen for their Confirmation name and tell the other grades in the school and teachers about who the saint is by pretending to be that saintly person. The students did a fantastic job!

I was so impressed with our students because they did a amazing job with their costumes as well as were knowledgeable about their Saint.

All our teachers at the St. Benedict’s School are very good and professional teachers. They help and lead our students from Pre-K 3 all the way up to the Eighth Grade in the ways of the Catholic faith as well as in the highest academic standards. I am proud to be the Pastor of a parish with a Catholic School and even more so because of the out- standing work and dedication of our Principal, teachers, staff, parents and especially our students.

We also have a very dedicated group of Catechists under the direction of Sr. Joan Quinn. Sister has been with
St. Benedict’s Religious Education Program for many years and has done an excellent job for our parish family year after year.  Sr. Joan is a very dedicated religious sister who hasa bundle of energy and is always willing to help at St. Benedict’s Parish.

Sister is dedicated to the students of our Religious Education Program and we, as a parish community, must be forever grateful to her because of her love for the Faith and our children.

The women and men who assist Sr. Joan each week teaching in our Religious Education Program can never be thanked enough. On the feast of Epiphany we had our Religious Education Third Graders, who are preparing for First Holy Communion, portray the Gospel story of the visit of the Magi at our 9:30 Family Mass. The students were serious about the play and did a very good job bringing to life the story of the birth of Jesus. Our Catechists dedicate their time, energy and talent each week to make sure our children are taught the Catholic Faith. These women and men teach our Religious Education students with no pay, but for the love of our children and to continue to pass on the Catholic Faith. Thank you Sr. Joan and all the women and men involved in St. Benedict’sReligious Education Program.

If your child or grandchild is not registered for St. Benedict Catholic School or St. Benedict Religious Education Program, please consult the front of the bulletin (or the webpage) for contact information and call Sr. Joan or Mr. Vitiello today! Your child will thank you eternally for strengthening their faith-life now and forever in Heaven.

Until next week, peace and prayers. St. Benedict and Cardinal Cooke, Servant of God, pray for us!

Fr. Stephen Norton