Greetings to all of you!
As I sit here writing this article, I can’t help but be swelled with pride at three of our members of St. Mark parish who had participated in a National-level Financial Literacy Test. Over 76,000 students from across the United States participated in the test and these three members earned scores in the top 20% of the entire nation. They are John Riccardi, Scott Fleming and Dion Larson! The Department of the U.S. Treasury will then select 20 students from this 20% and will award each student $1000. In addition, Dion Larson achieved a perfect score of 100% on this National exam and is one of only 500 people to do so! Congratulations to Scott, John, and Dion, we are so proud of you!!
Last Saturday we had our annual Ministerial Leadership Informational Meeting in which we discussed the workings of the Pastoral Council and the various goals and objectives we have laid out for the next 5-10 years. Leaders from most of the ministries in our parish came together to hear some exciting news as we head into the future of our parish, and they were told of their importance in making much of this happen. We were also shown the latest plans for our new Church, which was truly a high point! I was very impressed by their enthusiasm and determination in the planning process of St. Mark, and we look forward to even better things as Jesus once promised us!
Well, that is all for now. Continue to enjoy the gift that God has given us in each other.
Peace,
Fr. David
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Vacation/APA/Capital Campaign/Holy Land Trip
Greetings to all of you!
I’m now back from a short vacation after Easter and, of course, lots of things will be happening in the next few weeks and beyond. Last Saturday, I was able to attend part of the Confirmation retreat with our youth at the Bethany Center. The retreat center is such a great place to get away from the world and all its stresses and be quiet for just a little while. We are so fortunate to have a place like this very near to us in Lutz. Anyway, while there I got the chance to hear confessions, have dinner, and then Mass with our young men and women. Every time I attend an event such as this, I am always amazed at the outstanding youth we have here at St. Mark. They are deeply spiritual and actually care about their world and the faith in which they have been brought up. Their families have done an excellent job in raising such wonderful young men and women!
It has been awhile since you heard from me regarding our Annual Pastoral Appeal (APA) and I wish to take this opportunity to update you on our progress thus far and express the importance of reaching our goal of $233,611. Appeal contributions support a variety of causes in our diocese that one parish alone would not be able to handle, such as, Parish and Diocesan ministries, temporal affairs, service to parishes and schools, Catholic Formation and Education of adults, seminarian support, and Social Services/Catholic Charities. So far nearly 500 families have pledged over $134,000 towards our goal and we are almost half way finished for the year. Please, if you haven’t given to the Appeal, I pray that you will because not only does it support so many different areas, but it also helps St. Mark in the process. For every dollar that you contribute is one LESS dollar we have to take from operating funds to meet our assessment. In a couple of weeks I am inviting Shelia Lopez, CEO of Catholic Charities to speak to us about where your sacrifices go to support the ministry of the Gospel. Pledge envelopes are in the Narthex and if you have already contributed, I thank you with a sincere heart!
We continue to work on our plans for a Capital Campaign in January of 2011 when we will begin raising money for our much needed Church. More news will be forthcoming!
I did get on the golf course last Friday for one of those miracle moments when things actually were going well. I lost only one ball and scored in the middle 80’s for the first time in awhile. Maybe this might be a good year after all.
Also, only two cabins remain for our Trip to the Holy Land in October. They tell me this week is the last week to book since the ship is full. Give me a call if you wish more information or wish to go. Well, that is all for now. Continue to enjoy the gift that God has given us in each other.
Peace,
Fr. David
I’m now back from a short vacation after Easter and, of course, lots of things will be happening in the next few weeks and beyond. Last Saturday, I was able to attend part of the Confirmation retreat with our youth at the Bethany Center. The retreat center is such a great place to get away from the world and all its stresses and be quiet for just a little while. We are so fortunate to have a place like this very near to us in Lutz. Anyway, while there I got the chance to hear confessions, have dinner, and then Mass with our young men and women. Every time I attend an event such as this, I am always amazed at the outstanding youth we have here at St. Mark. They are deeply spiritual and actually care about their world and the faith in which they have been brought up. Their families have done an excellent job in raising such wonderful young men and women!
It has been awhile since you heard from me regarding our Annual Pastoral Appeal (APA) and I wish to take this opportunity to update you on our progress thus far and express the importance of reaching our goal of $233,611. Appeal contributions support a variety of causes in our diocese that one parish alone would not be able to handle, such as, Parish and Diocesan ministries, temporal affairs, service to parishes and schools, Catholic Formation and Education of adults, seminarian support, and Social Services/Catholic Charities. So far nearly 500 families have pledged over $134,000 towards our goal and we are almost half way finished for the year. Please, if you haven’t given to the Appeal, I pray that you will because not only does it support so many different areas, but it also helps St. Mark in the process. For every dollar that you contribute is one LESS dollar we have to take from operating funds to meet our assessment. In a couple of weeks I am inviting Shelia Lopez, CEO of Catholic Charities to speak to us about where your sacrifices go to support the ministry of the Gospel. Pledge envelopes are in the Narthex and if you have already contributed, I thank you with a sincere heart!
We continue to work on our plans for a Capital Campaign in January of 2011 when we will begin raising money for our much needed Church. More news will be forthcoming!
I did get on the golf course last Friday for one of those miracle moments when things actually were going well. I lost only one ball and scored in the middle 80’s for the first time in awhile. Maybe this might be a good year after all.
Also, only two cabins remain for our Trip to the Holy Land in October. They tell me this week is the last week to book since the ship is full. Give me a call if you wish more information or wish to go. Well, that is all for now. Continue to enjoy the gift that God has given us in each other.
Peace,
Fr. David
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)