Pastor’s Message – Church of Saint Benedict

May 30, 2025

Friday of the Sixth Week of Easter

Gladden us with holy joys, almighty God, and make us rejoice with devout thanksgiving, for the Ascension of Christ your Son is our exaltation, and where the Head has gone before in glory, the Body is called to follow in hope. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen.

Collect for Mass on the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord

Brothers and Sisters,

This Sunday we celebrate the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord. Forty days after the Resurrection, the Risen Jesus Christ ascends to heaven to take His place beside God the Father. There He intercedes for us and exercises His power as King of the Universe.

The Ascension is a fulfillment of the Incarnation, the Word of God taking on our humanity in all things but sin for our salvation. The physical body of Jesus enters the glory of heaven. Our humanity, as frail as it is, has been consecrated, set apart for a sacred purpose. Because of Jesus, our humanity is now worthy of heaven.

Our redemption is not limited to the salvation of our souls. It included our physical bodies. On the day of our baptism, we become Temples of the Holy Spirit, a dwelling place for God. Our pilgrimage of faith in this life is the conforming of our lives to that of Jesus our Savior. It is our on-going conversion of both the body and soul.

The Incarnation, fulfilled in the Ascension, reveals the wonderful unity of God’s plan of salvation.

Priest Convocation, Daily Mass & Confessions

Both Fr. Gabriel and I will be attending the annual Priest Convocation from Monday, June 2 to Thursday, June 5. During this time there will be Communion Services in place of daily Mass on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of next week. There will be regular daily Mass on Friday at both 6:30am and 8:30am. There will be no confessions on Tuesday and Wednesday evening next week.

Our Parish

Today we welcome two seminarians of our Diocese, Sebastian Schleger and Joey Griggs. They will be spending their Summer Assignment at St. Benedict. They will be present at all the Masses this weekend.

The Men of Saint Benedict will have their June meeting on Monday, June 2, starting at 6:30pm in McGuire Hall North. They guest speaker is Sam Guzman, the author of “The Catholic Gentleman: Living Authentic Manhood Today”. All the men of the parish are invited to attend.

Congratulations to Abbey Domeier and Garrison Ventura, who are to be married on Saturday, June 7 at St. Joseph Apache Mission in Mescalero, New Mexico.

There will be a Potluck Dinner for Fr. Gabriel after the Saturday Vigil Mass on June 14. Please sign up for it in the church commons this weekend or RSVP here. His last Sunday at St. Benedict will be on June 15, with receptions following all Masses.

The Fifth Anniversary of the dedication of the St. Scholastica Chapel will be on Wednesday, June 11. Bishop Konderla will offer the 8:30am Mass. A reception will be held afterwards. All are welcome.

We have a video series on our YouTube channel about the chapel and its history that is posted every Tuesday at 8:00am leading up to the anniversary celebration. To watch, please click here for the full playlist.

Totus Tuus

Our parish will be hosting the Totus Tuus catechesis Monday, June 7 through Friday, June 13 for children and youth. Registrations are still being taken. Go to our website for more information and download a registration form.

Becoming Catholic

Our parish’s Becoming Catholic ministry will be hosting gatherings throughout the Summer. They are for those seeking to learn more about Catholicism, either for entering the Church or returning to the practice of the faith. The gatherings will be Tuesday at 7pm on June 3 & 17, July 1 & 15, and August 5. Contact Viviana Sanchez at (918) 455-4451, ext. 223 for more information.

Young Adults

Young Adults (ages 18-35) are invited each Sunday this Summer (June 1 – August 31) to the Noon Mass and then for lunch at Los Vaqueros restaurant afterwards. No RSVP needed, just show up. You are welcome to contact Deb Malcom at (918) 408-1144 for more information.

Jubilee Year of Hope Pilgrimage

The Jubilee Year of Hope Pilgrimage site for the month of June is Holy Family Cathedral. The cathedral will host the First Saturday Mass on June 7. Confessions start at 8:30am and Mass will be at 10am. All are welcome.

First Friday & First Saturday Devotion

First Friday Mass on June 6 will be at 6:30am & 8:30am. First Saturday Mass on June 7 will be at 8:30am, with a Rosary afterwards. Confessions will be from 3:30pm to 4:45pm. The St. Scholastica Chapel will be open for perpetual adoration beginning at 9am on June 6 through 1pm on June 7. You can sign up in the church commons for the additional adoration times. All are welcome.

God bless and keep you safe.

Fr. Bryan