My Dear Parish Family:

I am always aware of the need to love and respect the children of our parish community. I am very conscience of all the sadness and horror that has happened in our Catholic Church by priests abusing children over the years. I very much love the people of our parish community, especially “my angels” your children. I stay in very public places, like the rear of the Church or outside on the sidewalk and wait until your son or daughter comes to me to show me something or to give me a hug.

I am always looking for you, their parents/grandparents/ guardians, to remain close to where they are while I am with them. I would never harm them, but I also do not want them to be afraid of priests because of the actions of a few of my brothers over the years.

All that being said, if you ever notice something that is strange or makes you uncomfortable while here at
St. Benedict’s Church, especially when children are present, please make sure you call the Archdiocese and/or the police immediately.

Please remember that each week we have a white rose at the feet of the image of Our Blessed Mother in the Church to remind me and all the members of the parish to pray for the holiness of all priests.

Please especially remember in your prayers Fr. Dan and myself as we are blessed to serve this wonderful parish community, and to bring the love of Jesus to “my angels” your sons and daughters. Our children are God’s precious gift to us and we must protect them from any and all harm today and always.

Until next week, pray for the protection of all children. St. Benedict and Cardinal Cooke, Servant of God, pray for us!

Until next week, let us all pray for peace throughout the world. St. Benedict and Cardinal Cooke, Servant of God, pray for us!

Fr. Stephen Norton