New Finance Council President

07-24-2020Weekly Flocknote MessageFr. James Aboyi, V.C.

Congratulations and thanks to Debbie Smith for accepting my invitation to serve as president of the Parish Finance Council for this fiscal year. Debbie has a wealth of experience in business and financial management and has served as a member of our parish finance council for over one year. I assure her of my support and look forward to serving with her through this fiscal year.

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Weekend Update - July 17

07-17-2020Weekly Flocknote MessageFr. James Aboyi, V.C.

Thank you to the Knights of Columbus! On behalf of the parish community, I would like to thank the outgoing Grand Knight, Doug Gasser and outgoing officers of our parish Knights of Columbus Council. I thank them for their excellent service to our parish community, the Church and the society through the year. Two historic achievements made by the Knights last year, among many others, include winning the State Knights of Columbus Star Award and the change of name from St. Benedict Council to Fr. Bob Binta Council.

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Weekend Update - July 10

07-10-2020Weekly Flocknote MessageFr. James Aboyi, V.C.

Reflection on the Life of St Benedict

We will celebrate the feast of our patron saint, Benedict, tomorrow, Saturday, July 11th. It is a blessing to be identified with one of the greatest saints in the history of the Catholic Church. The impact of the life of St Benedict on the Church and the world through many centuries is a clear example of Jesus’ parable in the Gospel this Sunday about how someone’s life can be like a rich soil that nourishes seeds into fruitfulness. His Monastic Rule became the norm for monastic living throughout Europe and a guide for evangelization and civilization of many European countries in the Middle Ages.

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Weekend Update - July 3

07-03-2020Weekly Flocknote MessageFr. James Aboyi, V.C.

Happy Fourth of July

I wish you and your family a happy Fourth of July as we celebrate our Independence Day on Saturday this weekend. Obviously, this may be about the most low-keyed fourth of July celebration in decades due to the new restrictions put in place to control the spread of the Coronavirus. Despite the current tension rising from the spiteful political campaigns that we see on television, street protests and economic challenges due to the viral pandemic, the fourth of July celebration is a constant reminder that the labor of our past heroes will never be in vain. What binds us as one nation is stronger than what divides us. Let us remember to pray this weekend for all who work for peace, unity and justice in our country. In a special way, let us remember to pray for the heroes of this country who gave their lives to give us the freedom and prosperity that we enjoy today and for those who risk their lives every day to protect us.

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Weekend Update - June 26

06-26-2020Weekly Flocknote MessageFr. James Aboyi, V.C.

I want to share with you some good news! This year has not been what we expected it to be. I miss being able to have all of you physically present at public Masses and getting to see you and your families like I used. Not having everyone together has been a challenge. But, just as the Lord can surprise us with unexpected challenges, He can also surprise us with good news and much needed help from unexpected sources. And that is what He has done for us! I’m pleased to share that a generous Catholic family from outside our parish has offered to help St. Benedict with a matching gift up to $29,700.

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Weekend Update - June 19

06-21-2020Weekly Flocknote MessageFr. James Aboyi, V.C.

Happy Father's Day: I wish all fathers - biological fathers, adoptive fathers, foster fathers, grandfathers and Godfathers - a Happy Father's Day and God's blessings! We are thankful for the sacrificial love our fathers and father figures share with us throughout our lives. On this day, we honor and celebrate the indispensable role fathers play in our families and communities. Our relationship with our fathers and father figures is often a reflection of the nature of our relationship with God. Let us remember to pray for all fathers and father figures who are facing different challenges in their personal and family lives. I encourage all fathers to look up to St. Joseph, husband of the Blessed Mother, as their role model. Despite his holiness, he experienced challenges as he sacrificed his own personal dreams in order to fulfill God's will by protecting his wife and child, Jesus. I pray again for God's special blessings upon you through the intercession of St. Joseph on this day.

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Weekend Update

06-14-2020Weekly Flocknote MessageFr. James Aboyi

Dear Parishioners,

I hope you and your family are doing well. Recently we have learned of an increase of new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations here in Arizona. During the week, I received several emails from parishioners suggesting ways to ensure the safety of everyone during Mass and office visits during this time. Most suggestions centered on wearing face masks during Mass. While some are in favor of requiring face masks, others are against the idea of mandating it. My response to this particular issue is not to take sides in any way, but to appeal for a common understanding from everyone.

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Weekend Update

06-02-2020Weekly Flocknote MessageFr. James Aboyi, V.C.

Dear Parishioners,

Happy Pentecost! We have now come to the end of Eastertide with the celebration of Pentecost this weekend. I thank you for your faithful participation in the Eastertide this year. May the coming of the Holy Spirit bring God's peace and healing to our troubled world, especially during this time of pandemic.

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Homecoming Weekend

05-17-2020Weekly Flocknote MessageFr. James

Dear Parishioners,

It is my pleasure to introduce you to Phase One of “Rising with Christ”, the Diocese of Phoenix’s plan to restore parish life. Beginning this week, Bishop Thomas Olmsted has given permission for parishes to welcome parishioners back to daily and weekend Masses on a limited basis. Although the state and diocesan guidelines permit pastors  to admit up to 25% of the seating capacity of each church, we have decided to remain cautious for now and limit our Mass attendance to 20% (approximately 100 people per Mass). Seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Once this capacity is met for each Mass, no others will be permitted to enter the church. We appreciate your cooperation with this as we work together to keep our community safe.

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