PRAYER of ST. BENEDICT of NURSIA

O Lord, I place myself in your hands

and dedicate myself to you.

I pledge myself to do your will in all things:

To love the Lord God with all my heart, all my soul, all

my strength. Not to kill. Not to steal. Not to covet. Not to

bear false witness. To honor all persons. Not to do to

another what I would not wish done to myself. To

chastise the body. Not to seek after pleasures. To love

fasting. To relieve the poor. To clothe the naked. To visit the sick.

To bury the dead. To help in trouble. To console the sorrowing. To

hold myself aloof from worldly ways. To prefer nothing to the love

of Christ. Not to give way to anger. Not to foster a desire for

revenge. Not to entertain deceit in the heart. Not to make a false

peace. Not to forsake charity. Not to swear, lest I swear falsely. To

speak the truth with heart and tongue. Not to return evil for evil.

To do no injury: yea, even to bear patiently any injury done to me.

To love my enemies. Not to curse those who curse me, but rather

to bless them. To bear persecution for justice' sake. Not to be

proud. Not to be given to intoxicating drink. Not to be an over-

eater. Not to be lazy. Not to be slothful. Not to be a murmurer. Not

to be a detractor. To put my trust in God. To refer the good I see in

myself to God. To refer any evil in myself to myself. To fear the Day

of Judgment. To be in dread of hell. To desire eternal life with

spiritual longing. To keep death before my eyes daily. To keep

constant watch over my actions. To remember that God sees me

everywhere. To call upon Christ for defense against evil thoughts

that arise in my heart. To guard my tongue against wicked speech.

To avoid much speaking. To avoid idle talk. To read only what is

good to read. To look at only what is good to see. To pray often. To

ask forgiveness daily for my sins, and to seek ways to amend my

life. To obey my superiors in all things rightful. Not to desire to be

thought holy, but to seek holiness. To fulfill the commandments of

God by good works. To love chastity. To hate no one. Not to be

jealous or envious of anyone. Not to love strife. Not to love pride.

To honor the aged. To pray for my enemies. To make peace after a

quarrel, before the setting of the sun. Never to despair of your

mercy, O God of Mercy.

Amen.

CELEBRATING the

125th ANNIVERSARY of ST. BENEDICT CHURCH

July 1896 ~ July 2021

MASS OF THANKSGIVING Celebrant: The Most Rev. W. Francis Malooly,

Bishop of Wilmington

Entrance Hymn:

The Church’s One Foundation

The Church’s one foundation Is Jesus Christ her Lord; She is his new creation By water and the word: From heav’n he came and sought her To be his holy bride; With his own blood he bought her, And for her life he died. Elect from every nation, Yet one o’er all the earth, Her charter of salvation, “One Lord, one faith, one birth!” One holy Name she blesses, Partakes one holy food, And to one hope she presses With ev’ry grace endued. ‘Mid toil and tribulation, And tumult of her war, She waits the consummation Of peace for ever more, Till with the vision glorious Her longing eyes are blest, And the great Church victorious Shall be the Church at rest. Yet she on earth hath union With God, the Three-in-One, And with the saints, communion With those whose rest is won. O happy ones and holy! Lord, give us grace that we Like them, the meek and lowly, On high may dwell with thee. Text:76 76 D; Samuel J. Stone, 1839-1900, alt. Music: Samuel S. Wesley, 1810-1876

First Reading: Amos 7:12-15 Lector: Mrs. Carol Seward RESPONSORIAL PSALM: Psalm 85:9-14 Lord, let us see your kindness and grant us your salvation. Second Reading: Ephesians 1:3-14 Lector: Ms. Pamela King

Parishioner Mrs. Jane Wood recalls that her mother spoke about many of the early families at St. Benedict Church – the Brubaker’s, the Gardner’s, the Hammer’s, the Kibler’s, the Linhard’s, the Vogt’s, the Schreiber’s, and the Wood’s – when Jane was a child. Jane and her husband, Earle, had their first date in 1963 at the Easter Vigil Mass at St. Elizabeth Church. Earle was already a member of the parish having received the sacraments of Baptism and First Communion at St. Elizabeth’s and Confirmation at St. Benedict’s. After their marriage, Jane & Earle lived in Easton for a short while before settling in Denton and attending St. Benedict/St. Elizabeth Parish. Jane felt that she already knew so many of the wonderful families attending the parish at that time since her mother had spoken of them so frequently during her childhood. They didn’t feel like strangers to her even though she was new to the parish.

Parishioner Mrs. Bridget Pennington says, “I have attended St. Benedict/St. Elizabeth Parish since I moved to Denton in 2010. I have never grown in my faith and relationship with our Lord as deeply. The community and intimacy I experience in our churches while attending Mass, adult faith formation groups and fellowship events is something special that is truly unique to our parish. As I move to Kent Island, those feelings of true spiritual growth and belonging are what draw me to remain at Saint Benedict/St. Elizabeth.”

More detailed memories can be found on the insert in today’s bulletin (extra copies available on the table

under the entryway bulletin board in the Parish Hall.)

dressed Kings came down the aisle of the church bearing their gifts!

Parishioner, Mrs. Julia Puspoki Seiler, shared that her parents arrived in Caroline County from Hungary just before she was born. When she was a child, Fr. Hensel was the pastor at St. Benedict’s and all of the Masses were in Latin. You also had to wear a hat to church to cover your head. Her family always drove to Mass in her father’s 1928 Chevy. Julia’s late husband, Michael Seiler, was a carpenter and he made one of the early wooden crosses to mark Holy Cross Cemetery in Greensboro.

Parishioner, Ms. Cindy Seiler-Kolva (Julia’s daughter) remembers attending CCD classes in the Rectory and seeing the Christmas trees of pastor, Fr. Roy Pollard, which he would keep up all year round and decorate for the various seasons.

Parishioner, Ms. Mary Ellen Black remembers that Fr. Coine was here when she first joined the church and she especially recalls a funny moment when Fr. Coine was saying Mass and a mouse scampered across his feet!

Parishioner, Mrs. Cyndy Ingram, also recounted a funny memory: “One Lent I came to St. Benedict Church for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. I entered the church very reverently and took a seat in a pew near the front. I put my purse down and knelt to pray. Just about that time, I heard a sound like an ancient shofar from Israel – it felt so holy and I was startled and amazed because I didn’t know where the sound was coming from. Moments later, I realized that the ancient shofar was actually my cell phone ringing on the “vibrate” mode inside my purse!”

Parishioner Mr. Leonard Vogt remembers that St. Elizabeth Church was composed of mostly European Catholics living on the East Side of the Choptank River while St. Benedict Church was primarily composed of Irish Catholics on the West Side of the Choptank River. Families in both churches were mostly farmers. Leonard also remembers the Benedictine Sisters from St. Gertrude Monastery coming to Ridgely to teach CCD. He also recalls that, at some point, CCD classes were held on Wednesday evenings on the second floor of the Ridgely Fire Department building with teacher, Miss Alicia Knotts.

ALLELUIA: Ephesians 1:17-18 Gospel: Mark 6:7-13 Deacon Harold D. Jopp, Jr. Homilist: Deacon Harold D. Jopp, Jr. Profession of Faith Prayer of the Faithful Response: Lord, hear our prayer. Offertory Hymn: Christ Be Beside Me Christ be beside me, Christ be before me, Christ be behind me, King of my heart. Christ be within me, Christ be below me, Christ be above me, never to part. Christ on my right hand, Christ on my left hand, Christ all around me, shield in the strife. Christ in my sleeping, Christ in my sitting, Christ in my rising, light of my life. Christ be in all hearts thinking about me; Christ be on all tongues telling of me. Christ be the vision in eyes that see me; In ears that hear me, Christ ever be. Text: 55 54 D; New Hymns for All Seasons; St. Patrick’s Breastplate, para.; tr. by James Quinn, SJ, ©1969, James Quinn, SJ. Published by OCP. All rights reserved. Music: ST. ROSE, ©1993, OCP. All rights reserved.

Gift Bearers: Rosemary Kinnamon & Sharon Warren Holy: Sung Memorial Acclamation: Sung When we eat this bread…

Amen: Sung Lord’s Prayer: Sung Lamb of God: Sung Communion Hymn:

Spirit and Grace

Spirit and grace, here in this meal; you are the wind that breathes through the field. Gather the wheat and form us in Christ. Come, be our source and breath of life. Refrain: In the bread, blessed, broken and shared, Christ is our life, whose presence we bear. Come, O Spirit, make your grace revealed in this holy meal. Spirit and grace, here in this meal; you are the life that flows through the vine. Gather this drink and form us in Christ. Come, be our source and blood of life. (Refrain) Spirit and grace, here in this place; you are the light that shines in this space. Gather your people and form us in Christ. Come, be the heartbeat of our lives. (Refrain) Spirit of God, sending us forth; we spread your wisdom throughout all the earth. Gather the nations and form us in Christ. Come, be the presence in our lives. (Refrain) ©2006, Ricky Manalo, CSP. Published by OCP. All rights reserved.

MEMORIES ABOUT ST. BENEDICT PARISH Parishioners and friends of St. Benedict/St. Elizabeth Parish were

invited, over the past month, to share their memories. Here is a collection of their responses:

Sr. Marie Becker, O.S.B. (Annunciata) recalls that in the

midst of teaching a religious lesson one little boy enthusiastically raised his hand and exclaimed, “We have two new calves!”

Sr. Margaret Mary Graney remembers the challenges of trying to teach religious lessons to small children while three other Sisters were also teaching in different areas of the small church. The Sisters, presently living, who taught Sunday School at St. Benedict’s are as follows: Sr. Gerard Falkowska, Sr. Marie Becker (Annunciata), Sr. Mary Elizabeth Cassidy (Regina Marie), Sr. Mary Agnes Dugan, Sr. Mary Lou Robino (Aloysius), Sr. Vincent Schroeder, Sr. Catherine Higley (Mary Jude), Sr. Margaret Mary Graney.

Parishioner, Mrs. Henrietta Callahan Wood, shared that, “When I tell anyone about our parish it is about the friendliness of the parishioners. Every priest, with their own personality, has been woven into both St. Elizabeth and St. Benedict Churches.”

Parishioner, Mrs. Marlene Hammer Hayman, shared that she and her late husband, Norris Hayman, Sr., were the first members of the parish to use the Parish Hall in November, 1958 for their wedding reception.

Parishioner, Mrs. Rosemary Kinnamon, has a long family history at St. Benedict Church reaching back to her grandparents. Rosemary was baptized in St. Benedict Church on October 31, 1937 and she has received all of her sacraments at St. Benedict Church, along with all of her children and many of her grandchildren. She remembers helping her grandmother collect flowers from her garden to be used to decorate the altar in the church. She also has many fond memories of singing with and choosing music for the parish choir (in the footsteps of many of her musical relatives who did the same). When Fr. Coine was our pastor, Rosemary and parishioner, Nina Taylor, sewed Three Kings costumes which were worn by three parish men in a reenactment of the visit of the Magi to the baby Jesus on the Feast of the Epiphany. There were truly some wide-eyed children when the richly

In the Saturday morning Denton Journal from July 18, 1896, a reader would have found the following:

“Dedication of the New Catholic Church in Ridgely – Church Notes. The new Catholic Church in Ridgely was dedicated Wednesday last. The services, which were of the most impressive character all the way through, begain in the morning, when the Rt. Rev. Alfred A. Curtis, D.D., Bishop of Wilmington, celebrated High Mass. The dedicatory sermon was delivered by the Very Rev. John A. Lyons, Vicar-General of St. Peter’s Pro-Cathedral, Wilmington. In the evening, Rev. William J. Bermingham, pastor of St. Joseph’s Church, lectured to a large and interested congregation. Others present and taking part in the exercises were Rev. Father Sylvester, O.S.B., pastor of Sacred Heart Church; Rev. J.A. DeRuyton, J.F., St. Joseph’s Mission, Wilmington; Rev. John Connolly, pastor of Holy Cross Church, Dover; Rev. Daniel Hall, S.J. pastor of St. Francis Xavier Church, Bohemia Manor; Rev. James McSweeney, of Chestertown; Rev. Thomas A. Walden, pastor of SS. Peter & Paul Church, Easton; Rev. James Hartnett, and Rev. Ferdinand Wolf, pastor of the new church. The Easton choir rendered most excellent music during the ceremonies. The church is a neat little structure, seating, probably, three hundred people, and is a credit alike to the builder and the congregation. It also adds another to the many pretty edifices of which Ridgely town is justly proud.”

Recessional Hymn:

Lord, You Give the Great Commission

Lord, you give the great commission: “Heal the sick and preach the word.” Lest the church neglect its mission And the gospel go unheard, Help us witness to your purpose with renewed integrity: With the Spirit’s gifts empow’r us For the work of ministry. Lord, you call us to your service: “In my name baptize and teach.” That the world may trust your promise, Life abundant meant for each, Give us all new fervor, draw us Closer in community: With the Spirit’s gifts empow’r us For the work of ministry. Lord, you make the common holy: “This my body, this my blood.” Let us all, for earth’s true glory, Daily lift life heavenward, Asking that the world around us Share your children’s liberty: With the Spirit’s gifts empow’r us For the work of ministry. Lord, you show us love’s true measure: “Father, what they do, forgive.” Yet we hoard as private treasure All that you so freely give. May your care and mercy lead us, To a just society: With the Spirit’s gifts empow’r us For the work of ministry. Lord, you bless with words assuring: “I am with you to the end.” Faith and hope and love restoring, May we serve as you intend And amid the cares that claim us, Hold in mind eternity: With the Spirit’s gifts empow’r us For the work of ministry. Text: 87 87 D; Jeffery Rowthorn, ©1978, Hope Publishing Co. Music: Cyril Vincent Taylor, 1907-1991, ©1942, renewed 1970, Hope Publishing Co. All rights reserved.

Bishop ~ Most Rev. W. Francis Malooly, DD

Parish Administrator ~ Rev. Christopher R. Coffiey

Visiting Clergy ~ Rev. Msgr. Steven P. Hurley, V.G., STL

Rev. Msgr. David F. Kelley, VC* Vy. Rev. Norman P. Carroll, VF* Rev. Brian S. Lewis*

* Past Pastor or Administrator of SB/SE Parish

Benedictine Sisters of St. Gertrude Monastery Sr. Catherine Godfrey, O.S.B. – Prioress Sr. Marylou Robino, O.S.B. Sr. Gerard Falkowska, O.S.B. Sr. Mary Elizabeth Cassidy, O.S.B. Sr. Mary DiMeglio, O.S.B. Sr. Eleanor Murray, O.S.B. Sr. Margaret Mary Graney, O.S.B.

Deacons ~ Dr. Harold D. Jopp, Jr. Mr. William G. Nickum

Deacon Candidate ~ Mr. Adam Perza

Music ~ Mrs. Anne Fountain, Organist Mrs. Linda Nickum, Cantor

Altar Servers ~ Daniel King, Brennan King, Stephen King Reception Planner ~ Mrs. Carol Seward

A Celebration Reception will be held in the Parish Hall immediately following Mass.

PASTORS & ADMINISTRATORS of ST. BENEDICT CHURCH, RIDGELY &

ST. ELIZABETH OF HUNGARY CHURCH, DENTON Rev. Ferdinand Wolf, O.S.B. 1892-1914 Rev. Maurice A. Cotter 1914-1920 Rev. Joseph Lee 1920-1923 Rev. Eugene Kraemer 1923-1930 Rev. James O’Reilly 1930-1934 Rev. Francis Hensel 1934-1948 Rev. J. Francis McDonough 1948-1958 Rev. John Farrington 1958-1961 Rev. Joseph Rago, O.S.F.S. 1961 Rev. Francis Tierney 1961-1964 Rev. Henry Whalen 1964-1967 Rev. Francis Szperka 1967-1968 Rev. Peter Harney 1968-1973 Rev. Louis McCartney, O.S.F.S. 1973-1974 Rev. Francis Tierney 1974-1977 Rev. Raymond Christ, O.S.F.S. 1977

Rev. Roy F. Pollard 1977-1982 Rev. Michael B. Roark 1982-1987 Rev. Eugene Clarahan 1987-1993 Rev. Robert E. Coine 1993-1999 Rev. David F. Kelley 1999-2000 Rev. Norman P. Carroll 2000-2009 Rev. Hilary Rodgers 2009-2014 Rev. John B. Gabage 2014-2019 Rev. Brian S. Lewis 2019-2020

Rev. Christopher R. Coffiey 2020-Present

PERMANENT DEACONS OF ST. BENEDICT CHURCH, RIDGELY &

ST. ELIZABETH OF HUNGARY CHURCH, DENTON

Dr. Harold D. Jopp, Jr. 1980 – Present Mr. William G. Nickum 2001 – Present

PRIESTS WITH CHARGE OF THE CATHOLIC COMMUNITY IN CAROLINE COUNTY

Jesuit missioners from Southern Maryland and

other locations served the Eastern Shore almost from the first days of the colony in 1634.

Rev. Joseph Mosley, S.J. 1764-1787 Rev. John Bolton, S.J. 1787-1801 Rev. John Ambrose Souge 1801-1803 Rev. Thomas D. Monelly 1803-1817 Rev. James Moynihan 1817-1828 Rev. Samuel Newton, S.J. 1828-1829 Rev. Richard B. Hardey, S.J. 1829-1831 Rev. John B. Carey, S.J. 1831-1840 Rev. James F.M. Lucas, S.J. 1840-1844 Rev. George King, S.J. 1844 Rev. George Villiger, S.J. 1844-1845 Rev. Michael Tuffer, S.J. 1845-1846 Rev. Nicholas Steinbacher, S.J. 1846-1847 Rev. Michael Tuffer, S.J. 1847-1851 Rev. George King, S.J. 1851-1855 Rev. James Power, S.J. 1855-1858 Rev. Matthew T. Sanders, S.J. 1858-1867 Rev. Thomas Sheerin, S.J. 1867 Rev. Edward Henchy, S.J. 1867-1868 Rev. John B. Meurer, S.J. 1868-1870 Rev. Livy Vigilante, S.J. 1870-1873 Rev. James Pinasco, S.J. 1871 Rev. Albert Peters, S.J. 1873-1874 Rev. Edward Henchy, S.J. 1874-1887 Rev. Dionysius (Dennis) Stolz, O.S.B. 1887-1888 Rev. Amandus Kramer, O.S.B. 1888 Rev. Frederick Hoesel, O.S.B. 1888-1889 Rev. Ambrose Heubner, O.S.B. 1889 Rev. Cornelius Eckl, O.S.B. 1889-1890 Rev. Agatho Steubinger, O.S.B. 1890 Rev. Alexander Reger, O.S.B. 1890 Rev. Maurus Beron, O.S.B. 1890 Rev. Constantine Leber, O.S.B. 1890-1892

A BRIEF HISTORY OF ST. BENEDICT CHURCH Bishop Alfred A. Curtis, Bishop of Wilmington, bought lots on Central Avenue in Ridgely on November 17, 1893 as a site for a church. Three years later, on July 15, 1896, the church was solemnly dedicated in honor of Saint Benedict by Bishop Curtis. Father Bermingham, pastor of Saint Joseph’s Church in Cordova, delivered the homily and conducted the Benediction. The choir from Easton sang, and three altar boys from Easton served. Before the building of St. Benedict Church, Mass was celebrated uptown in McShane’s Hall. Previously, the parishioners had either attended St. Elizabeth’s in Denton or St. Joseph’s in Cordova. Families of the parish were a combination of lifelong residents and European immigrants. Some of the longtime residents were the Wood, Callahan and Meginney families. Some of the families hailing from Europe were the Lynches, the Hammers, the Schreibers and the Kirsches. The Benedictine Sisters came to Saint Gertrude Priory at “The Plains” in May of 1887. They became an important part of St. Benedict’s Parish. The priest would vest at “The Plains” and then travel with the Sisters to Saint Benedict by horse and buggy for Mass. The Sisters taught Sunday School to the children of the parish for many years. Father Ferdinand Wolf served the parish until 1914 when he was succeeded by Father Maurice Cotter. One of Rev. Cotter’s first steps as pastor was to build a rectory in Ridgely. Ridgely was chosen as the site because it had a railroad service. The first two lay trustees of the parish, Henry Rhodes and Calvin Lynch, were elected on January 5, 1919, when Saint Benedict’s was first incorporated. The cost of Saint Benedict’s Church was $2,750 plus an additional $10 for the rods to support the walls. Bishop Curtis himself paid $2,265. The remaining amount was collected from the parishioners. In April of 1897, the Stations of the Cross were purchased for $18.90, the

Blessed Mother statue for $15.18, and the Saint Joseph Statue for $15.78. The church was renovated in 1925. A new vestibule was constructed and the entrance of the church was re-oriented to face Central Avenue. That same year, a tower and bell were installed and the sacristy was constructed. Other renovations have occurred since Vatican II including exterior improvements such as vinyl siding and a handicap-accessible ramp. Most recently, Bishop W. Francis Malooly, D.D. dedicated the new gothic style altar within the newly renovated sanctuary. The bell was also re-furbished so that it could once again be rung on Sundays and at special liturgies and events. A vibrant, Spirit-filled Catholic community with historic roots in Caroline County that span over 150 years, St. Benedict/St. Elizabeth is a community of faith, mutual respect and support which strives to be welcoming to all. The parish celebrates and worships in its two churches: St. Benedict in Ridgely and the parish mission church, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, located on the corner of 1st & Franklin Sts. in downtown Denton. The Parish Family Life Center in Ridgely, built in 1996, contains a small Chapel, administrative offices, social hall and 10 religious education classrooms. The parish provides for the religious education of children in grades K -10 and is actively involved in the local community through its support of various activities and outreach efforts. “Gathered together in charity and united by the body of Christ”, the opening lines of our Parish Prayer, characterizes the spirit of our congregation from its 1800s beginnings to the present day.

RECEPTION PROGRAM

Welcome ~ Fr. Chris Coffiey, Parish

Administrator

Blessing of Food ~ Bishop Malooly

Reflections/Presentations - Voices from the Past – Video from 100th

Anniversary Celebration

- Sr. Catherine Godfrey, O.S.B. – Prioress of St. Gertrude Monastery, Newark DE

- Deacon Harold D. Jopp, Jr.

- Mrs. Susie Booze, Lifelong Parishioner and 100th birthday honoree

Sing Happy Birthday to Mrs. Susie Booze

Cake Cutting