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St. Charles Parish Center Dedication
Remarks by Sister Benedict Kesock, O.S.B.

Friday, January 30, 2004

This is the day the Lord has made.

At this significant moment in time, the Mother Church, who gave birth to the neighboring churches in Arlington years ago, now reaches another milestone. Today our dream of thirty years, our Parish Center, hopefully, will become a spiritual educational Lighthouse of Clarendon. May its rays continue to attract people of every nation and need and enrich the holiness of all.

As we serve in the Lord's Vineyard, we help to build the City of God, His family of nations. May this place provide gifts of love, peace, joy, laughter, good sportsmanship and wonderful memories to the stranger, to children, to parents, to parishioners and to all who will come. This is Holy Ground. At the entrance to Benedict Hall, our Bishop especially blessed a six foot cross which graces the entranceway from the Church. The cross was made from a cherry tree that grew on this hallowed ground. The trunk was taken and formed into this beautiful work of art by Mr. John Reed and his lovely wife, Lucy. Would Mr. and Mrs. Reed please stand and be recognized. Thank you, John. You will long be remembered.

Regarding my journey of 30 years: Time goes quickly when you're having fun! It feels like yesterday. Throughout my life here at St. Charles, the ones who have walked and worked with me have been beautiful, talented and gifted people, along with the nine dedicated Holy men of God who have led the way. I have been fortunate enough to surround myself with the right friends, teachers, parents and people. After learning their gifts and talents, their expertise, I delegated. Together, we moved forward. It isn't what I have done, but what we have done together and what we will continue to do together. We are a corporation, including the people we serve. They are always the focal point of what we do.

Since 1922, over seventy Benedictine Sisters have served this community. I know they will agree that it has been a privilege and an honor to be a part of building this marvelous "City of God." For this, I give thanks daily. I have received more than I have given. Faith and the loving prayerful support of my Benedictine family over the years have been the source of my energy and commitment. Approximately twenty of the Sisters are present tonight. Seven of our Sisters graduated from St. Charles School. They are gifts to our Benedictine family.

Finally, on behalf of Father Gerry and myself, we thank our beloved Bishop and clergy who have joined us this evening. We extend our love and thanks to our personal families who have traveled from far and near. What a blessing you are to both of us.

Last, but not least, we thank God for the gift of Father Gerry and his untiring service to God's people, his outstanding leadership, his love for the homeless and suffering, his great love for children and his ability to express it, which endears him to all of us. May he continue to bring God's presence to the world for many years to come. May he always be a beacon of God's life and a token of God's love to us and to all who will have the good fortune of meeting him in the future. He is a holy man of vision. However, may we remember that behind every great man there is a greater woman who gave him birth, his dear mother, Gretta Creedon, whom we also honor tonight.

God is Praised!