St. Mary's - Stony Hill

What We Believe

St. Mary’s-Stony Hill is a Roman Catholic parish that is rooted in our sacramental life and the vast traditions of the Catholic Church.  First and foremost, our parish life centers on the Sunday celebration of the Eucharist.  The grace received from Eucharist enables us to function in our mission as a parish community.  Our mission as a parish encompasses parishioners of all ages.
 
We strive to be a place where our parishioners feel a sense of welcome and a place to have their faith nurtured through the various ministerial opportunities that occur throughout the year.

I’m very grateful for the warm welcome I received last weekend and again want to express how blest I feel to have been appointed your newest pastor. I look forward to working with you all as we continue the work of the good clergy and laity who have built this special portion of the Lord’s vineyard. The weekend Masses weren’t the best forum to tell you something about my background, so I’ll do that here.

I am the oldest of five, born in the old Muhlenberg Hospital in Plainfield in 1954. I grew up in Middlesex Boro. I received my education in Middlesex public schools, at Middlesex County College and Rutgers University. I studied for the priesthood at Immaculate Conception Seminary in Mahwah (now on the campus of Seton Hall University). I was ordained in 1980 and so have begun my fortieth year of priesthood. I’ve been fortunate to have had a great deal of variety in my priestly ministry. I’ve been an associate pastor and a pastor; I studied canon law for two years at St. Paul University in Ottawa, Canada; I’ve served on the diocesan level as judicial vicar, chair of the Board of Catholic Charities, and vicar general. I currently serve our bishop as his Episcopal Vicar for Canonical Affairs.

The OFS after my name on the parish bulletin is not an academic degree; it signifies that I am a professed member of the Secular Franciscan Order (Ordo Franciscanus Saecularis). The Secular Franciscan Order, known formerly as the Third Order, was founded by St. Francis Assisi nearly 800 years ago (1221). Secular Franciscans strive to live out the Gospel in the manner, and according to the spiritual insights, of St. Francis. Secular Franciscans can be women or men, single or married persons, diocesan clergy or laity. Notable Secular Franciscans from the past include St. Elizabeth of Portugal (our patroness), St. Joan of Arc, Christopher Columbus, St. Thomas More, the parents of St. Therese of Lisieux and Maximilian Kolbe, Louis Pasteur, St. Frances Cabrini, Pope St. John XXIII, and Fr. Flanagan of Boy’s Town fame.

My fraternity, named after St. Anthony of Padua, meets in Our Lady of Mount Virgin Parish, Middlesex, on the third Sunday of the month. Our meetings consist of prayer, spiritual formation, and fellowship. You are most welcome to attend a meeting and see what being a Secular Franciscan is all about. If interested, please feel free to stop me after Mass or visit secularfranciscansusa.org.

Blessings for the week ahead!
                  Msgr. Benwell

We warmly welcome Liliana Rose, daughter of Jose and Brianne Banales, who was recently baptized. May the flame of faith grow ever stronger in her heart! God’s blessing to all!