My Dear Parish Family:

Hopefully, you have had the chance to see the statue of St. Anthony in the back of Church where the Blessed Mother and Padre Pio statues are located. This statue was in the home of Marjorie Corrado. Marjorie recently passed away and her family donated it in her memory. This statue was used for many years in a local proces- sion in honor of St. Anthony. The statue was lovingly refurbished by Aggie Carpenter. I am very grateful for the gift of this statue to our parish and for the work to restore it. St. Anthony, pray for us.

However, on a more difficult note, our parish Church has once again been robbed. However, we were able to get the crucifix, that was taken, returned to us. Thank you to the great police officers at the 45th Precinct. I am very grateful to the police officers who serve us every day; they do not hear often enough “thank you!” Our prayers are with them and all the first responders, as well as the men and women in our military. We will need to return to locking our beautiful Church; however, for safety reasons it will be until I am able to install more cameras to better be able to protect our beloved St. Benedict’s. It is sad that we must take these steps, but I assure you it is for our protection. May St. Benedict continue to intercede for us.

Recently we had the funeral of a Corrections Officer and it was impressive to see these men and women, who go often as unsung heroes, fill our Church to honor one of their own. Let us remember to pray for them. The Corrections Department have a dangerous job and per- haps we forget about them because we do not see them at their jobs. Thank you to the men and women of the Corrections Department and be assured of our prayers for you.

We have all been aware recently of the Earthquakes in Puerto Rico and we must continue to pray for them and support them, but the Philippines have also been recently shaken by Earthquakes and, they too, need our prayerful support. Please keep in your daily prayers all our sisters and brothers throughout the world who are most in need, especially those affected by natural disasters as well as the poor and the hungry.

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

Fr. Stephen P. Norton