The New Year...

Greetings to all of you!

Now that we are into the year 2009, it seems we need to take a deep breath and prepare for the upcoming months of uncertainty in the financial markets, as well as in our economy. I do know that many of you are hurting and I have been praying very hard that the situation will change for the better in the near future. Just keep remembering that God is good and for those who have faith, the desires of our heart will be fulfilled. Keep that faith alive and let us continue to help and pray for each other!

In order to continue making this such a great welcoming parish, we will be introducing Greeters before all the Masses to welcome regular parishioners, newcomers, and guests to our parish. I’m sure you have seen Stan Chmura all these years greeting many of you as you came into Mass, so we decided to give him some help! Of course we could always use more friendly faces to be greeters so if you would like to join this important ministry, please contact Kelly at the office.

I witnessed a wonderful event last Saturday. Our Confirmation Group attended their retreat at the Bethany Retreat Center. Over 26 teenagers participated in an all day event that helped them to learn to trust what God can do for them. I was impressed by their respectfulness and piety as they experienced various issues that they will face as they become confirmed men and women. We also have some very talented youth leaders who basically ran the retreat for their peers and did an outstanding job making the day go by so well. It just goes to show how a little time and effort given to a young man or woman can have such a profound effect on their lifes. I’m so proud of them all and especially the adults who were there to help. Mary Ann Weigel has done an outstanding job with our youth and we are so fortunate to have her working with them. She could always use more adult volunteers for this important ministry so if you would like to work with youth, give her a call. You will certainly be blessed.

Last weekend, 26 men also experienced a changing event in their lives by participating in the Christ Renews His Parish (CRHP) weekend. It’s wonderful to see men share their spiritual and life’s journey with other men and thereby see how the Good Lord works in our lives. The women are participating this weekend and I can already see the fire of the Holy Spirit in the lives of those who attend. I hope you will be able to attend one yourself in the near future. Ask any of those involved and you will hear for yourself.

I’m also very proud of four young men in our parish who have been awarded the great honor of “Eagle Scout.” They are Brian Guidry, Eric Christensen, Alex Presse, and Austin Shin who are part of Troop 148 and meet here at St. Mark. It’s pretty unusual for four people to be awarded this high honor at one time and to think that all are from our parish is simply amazing! Congratulations to our four new recipients! Well, that is all for now. Continue to enjoy the gift that God has given us in each other.

Peace,

Fr. David