Questions and Answers

Please click on a question and you will be directed to the appropriate answer
concerning Pastoral Care.

Would you like to make an appointment with Father James Kauffmann?

How do you enroll your child in Saint Benedict Parochial School?

Are you anticipating hospitalization?

Are you unable to attend Mass?

How do you schedule a Mass intention or add a name to the prayer list for the sick and deceased?

Can you donate on-line to support the parish and its ministries?

Are you interested in the Catholic Faith?

How do you schedule a Baptism at Saint Benedict?

Do you need a document certifying you are an active Catholic so you can be a godparent or sponsor for Confirmation?

Are you considering a marriage at Saint Benedict Parish?

Are you considering a vocation to the priesthood or religious life?

How do you apply for an annulment of your marriage?

How do you arrange for a Funeral Mass when a loved one dies?

What are some other opportunities for members of the parish to be involved in Pastoral Care in other institutions?

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Would you like to make an appointment with Father James Kauffmann?
If you would like to make an appointment with Father, please call or email. This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . Generally, Father's meetings are on Friday afternoons. Although not necessary, the office would appreciate information concerning the nature of the appointment This information will be kept strictly confidential. (Go to top)

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How do you enroll your child in Saint Benedict Parochial School?
•Schedule a Parent Visit to take a tour of the school building and meet with the principal.

•Complete the Application and return it to the school office with the $50 application fee.

•Provide the required Documentation, including the latest report card, transcripts, test scores,
immunizations, and other records from your child's current school or child care setting.

•Schedule a day for a Student Visit, which will allow your child to spend a day at our parish school. Parents applying for kindergarten enrollment will need to schedule a time for Kindergarten Screening.

•For further information, visit the school website at www.saintbenedictschool.org or call 804-254-8850. (Go to top)

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Are you anticipating hospitalization?
If you are anticipating surgery or hospitalization and would like to request Father to administer the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, please call or email the parish office. If you or a loved one is in the hospital and would like a visit from Father Kauffmann, please call or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it You will be asked to provide the name of the person hospitalized, the name of the hospital. Although not necesssary, it would be helpful for Father to know the reason for hospitalization before he visits. (Go to top)

Are you unable to attend Mass?
If you are unable to attend Mass and would like to receive Holy Communion in your home, the parish has a dedicated group of Eucharistic Ministers who assist Father Kauffmann in providing regular visitation to those who are confined to home or are residents of nursing homes. Saint Benedict Parish has great pastoral concern for those who are sick, homebound or are residents of nursing homes. (Go to top)

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How do you schedule a Mass intention or add a name to the prayer list for the sick and deceased?
If you would like to schedule a Mass intention, please call or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

To add a name to the prayer list, please call or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it You will be asked the name of the person. If you wish Father to be informed about the illness or the nature of the hospitalization, and would request a visit, please ask the parish administrator to notify Father Kauffmann. (Go to top)

 

Can you donate on-line to support the parish and its ministries?
Secure e-giving at Saint Benedict Church is indeed a reality.

- Support offertory collection, Living the Legacy, and other vital ministries of Saint Benedict Parish

- Donate securely, confidentially, and conveniently

Guide to E-giving

- Please click on the "e-giving" icon to log into the system.

- Schedule one-time or recurring donations

- Receive an e-mail confirmation of your donation.

- Click here for more information about e-giving at Saint Benedict

Is this method of contribution secure?

Saint Benedict Parish has initiated a secure system of electronic contributions whereby parishioners are invited to use e-giving for their financial support – support, as in the past, not in response to a directive or command, but because it is a natural outgrowth of a faith so strong and vibrant that it pours forth from the hearts of Saint Benedict parishioners and brings its deep impact to every decision of their lives.

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Are you interested in the Catholic Faith?
If you are interested in the Catholic Faith, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or call the parish office for an appointment with Father Kauffmann. (Go to top)

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How do you schedule a Baptism at Saint Benedict?
If you are a member of the parish and this is your first child (or your first child born since you have become a member of the parish, you will need to call or email the parish to make an appointment with Father Kauffmann. At that meeting, Father will set up a time for the baptism of your child.

If you are a member of the parish and this is not the first child whom you have had baptized at Saint Benedict, you will need to contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and she will coordinate a date for the baptism of your child. (Go to top)

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Do you need a document certifying you are an active Catholic so you can be a godparent or sponsor for Confirmation?
If you are an active Catholic and member of Saint Benedict Parish, you will be able to receive this document. You will need to contact the parish administrator who will guide you in the proper procedure to secure the requested document. Email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it (Go to top)

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Are you considering a marriage at Saint Benedict Parish?
You will need to contact the parish administrator nine months prior to your wedding. Before submitting an application, you should call the administrator to discuss the guidelines with her. You may call her at the parish office or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it (Go to top)

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Are you considering a vocation to the priesthood or religious life?
If you are interested in discerning whether you have a vocation to the priesthood or religious life, and would like to discuss this with The Reverend Father Michael Renninger, Director of Vocations, please contact the Diocesan Office of Vocations, 804-359-5661. (Go to top)

How do you apply for an annulment of your marriage?
In order to begin the process to obtain a degree of nullity for marriage, one should call or email the church office to set up an appointment with Father. Kauffmann. At this appointment, you should bring the following documents:

1. recent baptismal certificate with sacramental notations proving Catholic baptism prior to the marriage in question,
2. a copy of the marriage license
3. an authentic copy of the divorce decree.

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How do you arrange for a Funeral Mass when a loved one dies?

• "At the death of a Christian, whose life of faith was begun in the waters of baptism and strengthened at the eucharistic table, the Church intercedes on behalf of the deceased because of its confident belief that death is not the end nor does it break the bonds forged in life." (Order of Christian Funerals 4)

  Christians celebrate the funeral rites to offer worship, praise, and thanksgiving to God for the gift of a life which has not been returned to God, the author of life and the hope of the just. The Mass, the memorial of Christ's death and resurrection, is the principal celebration of the Christian funeral.

  When a death occurs, the family should plan the funeral Mass with the parish's Choirmaster/Organist. With his help, the family may choose appropriate readings, hymns, and chants for the liturgy. (Go to top)

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What are some other opportunities for members of the parish to be involved in Pastoral Care in other institutions?

Little Sisters of the Poor: Saint Joseph's Home
By an annual collection and by gifts and volunteer services of Father Kauffmann and parishioners, Saint Benedict Parish supports Saint Joseph’s Home for the Aged, a ministry of the Little Sisters of the Poor. In the spirit of humble service received from their foundress Jeanne Jugan, the Little Sisters of the Poor in Richmond have relied, for more than a century, on God’s Providence manifested through the kindness of benefactors, to care for the elderly poor. For more information on the Little Sisters of the Poor, visit their website.

Saint Francis Home
Saint Francis Home, on Richmond's southside, provides care for aged, infirm and disabled residents of limited means. Saint Benedict Parish helps the home financially and by the volunteer efforts of parishioners. Saint Francis Home’s director, Mr. David R. Cran, visits Saint Benedict each Thanksgiving to speak about the home and to give to the parish his gift of music: Amazing Grace played on his trumpet. For more information, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Saint Mary's Hospital
Saint Mary’s Hospital in Richmond’s West End is operated by the Sisters of Bon Secours. Founded in 1824 in Paris, the Bon Secours sisters’ mission is to provide compassionate, quality healthcare services to those in need, including the poor and dying. The sisters expanded their healing mission to the United States in 1884, and eventually established a non-profit Catholic healthcare system. Parishioners assist in the mission of Saint Mary’s Hospital by visiting patients, bringing the Eucharist to those unable to attend Mass, and providing numerous volunteer activities. For more information on the mission and pastoral care of Saint Mary’s Hospital, visit the website. (Go to top)