General Information

AN INVITATION TO BE CATHOLIC

Is there someone in your family or among your friends or neighbors who might be interested in joining our Catholic Faith, especially one who is not an active member of another religious tradition? A gentle invitation can be the instrument of God’s Spirit.  Our Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults will begin this Fall. Call 344-6548 for more information.

NEW MEMBERS WELCOMED

As a Parish family, a mutual relationship exists between us because we are brothers and sisters who share the same Faith and hope. As a result, we extend a warm welcome to those who have recently registered with us. We assure you that you are most welcome and very much a part of our mission to convey the Good News with us here at Saint Benedict’s.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS

Please remember to notify the Parish Office if you have a change in marital status or if you have moved. Each time that we send out a mailing, many envelopes are returned to us with “address unknown.”. Please help us to keep our records current.

ALTAR FLOWERS

We invite you to donate Altar flowers for a particular Sunday In Memory of a loved one or In Thanksgiving for blessings received. The Parish Office will order the flowers at the cost of $50 which includes 2 bobeches            (flower wreaths on the candle stands.) Please call 344-6548 to make arrangements

SAINT JOSEPH MEMORIAL

Parishioners are invited to memorialize the votive candle in front of the statue of Saint Joseph.  The candle may burn In Memory of a loved one, or In Thanksgiving for blessings received.  The cost of the weekly memorial is $10.  Those who wish to memorialize this candle may call the Parish Office @ 344-6548

PASTORAL CARE AT HOME

Do you have a family member who is sick or otherwise unable to take part in Mass and the Sacraments?  Please do not assume that we should know this fact, but rather notify us of these cases so that these people will be visited at home on a monthly basis.

USE OF CELL PHONES

In order to maintain a prayerful atmosphere in the Church, please make sure that all cell phones, pagers, etc. are turned OFF during Mass. There have been increasing incidents of phones ringing during the Liturgy and believe it or not, people then carry on a conversation. Please remember the sanctity of the Mass when you enter the Church.

MEMORIAL GIFT ENVELOPES

We have furnished the local funeral homes with envelopes for those who wish to make a contribution to Saint Benedict Church or School in loving memory of a deceased Parishioner. These gifts may be applied to the Repair Fund, Adopt-A-Student Fund, or Tree of Life.  If you are interested in utilizing these envelopes, please request them from the funeral home personnel.

DIOCESAN REQUIREMENT FOR BAPTISM

All first-time parents who are anticipating the Baptism of their child are required to attend a Baptismal preparation class. Godparents and other family members are also welcome to attend.  The classes are held monthly in the Parish Office.  Those who are interested in making reservations are to call Sue Bills at 344-6548.

PRAYER CHAIN NEWS

Prayer is an important part of our Catholic Faith.  In an effort for our Parish family to respond to the prayer requests of our members, Parishioners have the opportunity to be part of a prayer chain.  If you have a prayer request, please call the Parish Office @ 344-6548

SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE
CHANGE IN WAITING PERIOD FOR MARRIAGE ESTABLISHED IN DIOCESE

Are you planning to be married in the Church? The Diocese  requires engaged couples to notify their pastor as soon as they become engaged, or at least nine (9) months before the proposed wedding date.  This allows for more time to find a marriage preparation program suited to a couple’s unique needs and schedule.  Studies show that the earlier in the engagement the marriage preparation process is begun, the more helpful it is to the couple.  Just a reminder that a wedding date cannot be set before a visit with the priest who will witness the marriage.

WEDDINGS AT SAINT BENEDICT

The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us, “The matrimonial covenant, by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life, is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring; this covenant between Baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a Sacrament.”  We invite you to pray for the members of our Parish who are anticipating the Sacrament of Marriage this year.  At this time we have 16 weddings scheduled.  May the Lord guide and strengthen these couples as they pledge their love to each other.

 OFFERTORY GIFTS

Those who have scheduled a Mass are welcome to present the gifts of bread and wine in the offertory procession when that Mass is celebrated.  If you are interested in offering the gifts, we ask that you sit near the gift table during Mass and inform the ushers of your intention to present the gifts.  Gift bearers are also asked to sit near the table for daily Mass.

DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO...

Is an unbaptized adult who wants to join the Catholic Church?  Or, is a Baptized non-Catholic who wants to be Catholic?  Or is a Baptized adult Catholic who has not received Communion of Confirmation? A spouse? Son or daughter? Son-in-law? Daughter-in-law? A friend, neighbor or yourself?  Then, discover RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) - a process whereby adults and children (age 7 and up) become members of the Catholic Faith.  Christian initiation at Saint Benedict meets weekly.  Full entrance into the Church happens at the Easter Vigil.  If you are interested, call the church office @ 344-6548.

Updated
September 1, 2007