The Catholic Christian community of Saint Benedict Parish understands that living out our Baptismal call as Disciples of Jesus Christ requires that we strive constantly to deepen our knowledge of God, that we express our love to God in Prayer and Worship and that we serve God in our brothers and sisters, especially the poor. 

Aware that the true measure of the Christian life is our service to Christ present in our sisters and brothers in need as we find in Matthew's Gospel:   ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.  For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’  And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me; and firmply rooted in Catholic Social Doctrine,  the social ministry of our parish is constantly open to responding to the various needs of the poor in our community, in our nation and beyond our borders. We coordinate a number of initiatives throughout the year and are constantly coming up with new and creative ways to practice the Corporal Works of Mercy: 

1. To feed the hungry.
2. To give drink to the thirsty.
3. To clothe the naked.
4. To harbor the harborless (Presently interpreted as Shelter the Homeless and to Welcome the Stranger).
5. To visit the sick.
6. To ransom the captive (Presently interpreted as Visit the Imprisoned).
7. To bury the dead.
8. To Care for Our Common Home

• Direct Service: Whether one considers the CCIA food pantry, the Blessing Room, support of the St. Vincent de Paul clothing or voucher room, or the participation in Holiday outreach, each provides a direct service to those in need.
• Advocacy: Our annual participation in the diocesan PUBLIC POLICY petition helps state legislators hear our voice.
• Community building: We have supported Canandaigua Churches in Action over its ten years of operation as a forum to work with other churches in caring for the area needy.  And our efforts with the migrant community also demonstrate our desire to lessen discrimination and foster inner-connectedness among cultures.
• Solidarity: We have worked with other communities, including the migrant community and Kalama, to help meet their individualized needs.