St. Mark's News & Events for April 29, 2007

Greetings as we begin another week!

Now that the build up to Easter Sunday has concluded we can all take a deep breath and enjoy the rest of the Easter Season. We have a few major events coming our way in the next few weeks beginning with Fr. Ed Lamps 25th Anniversary Jubilee Mass on Friday, May 4th at 6:00 pm. Tickets are available for sale after all the Masses for the reception at Hunters Green. The very next day, Saturday May 5th at 10:00 am, Confirmation will be bestowed upon over 65 of our high school students. Finally on Saturday, May 15th, we will celebrate two First Communions for over two hundred children at 10:00 am and 2:00 pm. Whew! It just goes to show how we are growing in leaps and bounds here at St. Mark and the energy and electricity of our congregation is amazing. Keep all them in your prayers!

I also would like to give you a report from the Steering Committee as they lay the foundation for the education of our parish by stating that we have had many meetings thus far and subcommittees have been formed and have been meeting on a consistent basis. More specifics will be forthcoming as the committees begin to organize and publish their thoughts and ideas.

As you can also see in the Narthex of the Church the thermometer continues to rise as we try to meet our Annual Pastoral Appeal (APA) assessment. Thus far, only 15% of our congregation has contributed or pledged to this campaign and I am praying that more families will be part of this most important endeavor. Please, whatever you can give would be most helpful to our parish and help us to make that thermometer rise in the next few weeks! God will bless you for it.

No golf to report on this week since I broke my driver and have been unable to play. Well, at least thats a good excuse! I wish I could tell you I hit the ball so hard that the head fell off or I smashed it against a tree out of anger after a bad shot, but that would not be the truth. It simply fell out of my bag while riding in the cart, hit the hard pavement, and broke in two. How unremarkable is the life I lead.

Well, that is all for now.
Continue to enjoy the gift that God has given us in each other.

Peace, Father David

St. Mark's News & Events for April 22, 2007

Greetings as we begin another week!

After celebrating Easter Sunday Masses with the vast crowds two weeks ago, I finally got the chance to take a big fat nap before some priest friends arrived at the rectory for an Easter celebration. I didn't cook mind you since I usually burn water, so one of the priests (a master chef in his own right) whipped up a delicious dinner and filled all of us for days. Overall, I think I gained over 5 pounds that day and I didn't want to see food ever again (until I broke down and had a nice snack of leftovers for lunch the next day). It just goes to show how talented many of our priests are and how they bring the glory of God to people in many ways. I am so glad that God allowed me to be part of this great vocation!

What can I say about the Services during Holy Week and Easter Sunday! They were absolutely magnificent especially the beautiful Easter Vigil on Saturday night. The newly baptized and those entering into full communion with the Church were absolutely glowing on that special night. Many could actually feel a special presence of God during the Mass and there were times I got goose bumps feeling the electricity of the moment. Thanks to Fr. Isaac, Todd LeBlanc and Nancy Larson for their magnificent work in making this happen. We are all so grateful!

Speaking of Nancy Larson, we had to say goodbye as she begins a new dimension of her life as she retires from St. Mark after 5 years of employment. She has been our Liturgical Coordinator for those years and has worked diligently to make our parish such a welcoming one and our Liturgies prayerful and holy. Her friendly attitude and constant concern for St. Mark will be missed by many and we pray that her retirement years will be filled with joy! God Speed Miss Nancy and thank you!!

Well, that is all for now.
Continue to enjoy the gift that God has given us in each other!

Peace,Fr. David

What is Stewardship?

Stewardship is giving to GOD a portion of the time that has been given to us. In 365 days we have 8760 hours. Most of us spend 4185 hours eating and sleeping. Most of us spend 2080 hours at work. This is saying that most of us have 2495 disposable hours. We need to spend a lot more time for GOD. We must realize that the time we have is a gift from GOD. All that we are asked is to return a portion of those disposable hours to GOD as well.

The Christian Steward is one who receives GOD's gifts gracefully, cherishes and tends them in a responsible manner, shares them in justice and love with all, and returns them with increase to the LORD.

Stewardship is important because we can develop our full potential as human beings, show gratitude for GOD's many gifts, help restore the world and human community and grow spiritually and become more like CHRIST.

St. Mark's News & Events for April 8, 2007

Greetings to you all on this Most Blessed Easter!

I’m sure all of you are glad lent is now over and we can begin to celebrate the wonderful event of the Resurrection. It is THIS event that makes our lives all worthwhile by God letting us know we are loved and we will spend eternal life with Him. I pray that all of you have a blessed Easter and don't eat too many Chocolate Rabbits!

I did get the chance to play golf this past week and again our team came in second place at the Rotary Golf tournament at Hunters Green. I still had to carry the team throughout the whole day but I did get some help when one of our teammates captured an eagle on the 14th hole! We had to let him go since they are endangered and we didn’t want to pay a heavy fine (only kidding). A great day was had by all and the real winners of the event was charity, as well as it should be.

St. Mark the Evangelist wishes to congratulate parishioner Joseph Caetano who won a seat on the City Council from District 7. Joseph will make an excellent advocate for us here and we wish him Gods blessings as he takes office. Congratulations Joseph!!

Well, that is all for now. Continue to enjoy the gift that God has given us in each other.

Peace and Happy Easter!
Fr. David