St. Mark's News & Events for December 31, 2006

Greetings as we begin another week!

Well by now the Christmas season is in full swing as we ended the Season of Advent last week. What wonderful celebrations we had on Christmas Eve and Christmas day as thousands of people worshipped with us here at St. Mark. With Thanksgiving and all the Christmas parties I am now the proud owner of 20 more pounds! Thanks to many of you for helping me set that record with all the delicious cookies and chocolates you sent to us here at the parish office. Please don't stop! I always go on a massive diet at the start of the New Year in anticipation of this "sweet season" anyway. Plus, I hear chocolate is good for you! I also wish to thank you all again for such a wonderful season of giving to all those most in need. This year we had a record number of donations of food at Thanksgiving and gifts at Christmas. You never cease to amaze me by your love and generosity to the less fortunate and I know God will bless you for it.

I, along with 25 of our young people and adult leaders, worked a shift down at Metropolitan Ministries before Christmas. It warmed my heart to see so many from our youth ministry getting their hands dirty putting together packages of food and toys for needy families. I was in charge of stapling the boxes together so they wouldn't fall apart. After about five minutes I started to get the hang of it and began to whip them out fast so they could be filled. I took a break and let a boy who looked to be about16 operate the large stapler while I got a soft drink. When I got back, he did more in those five minutes than I did in a whole hour! I simply stood and watched him in amazement until he decided to move onto something else. It was then I realized that I'm really getting older since the bones just don't work like they used to. Anyway, it was a fun time for all of us and at least we did our small piece in bringing joy to those who really need it.

Well, that is all for now. May God continue to bless you in the New Year and may all your resolutions come to fruition!

Peace, Fr. David