Greetings to all of you!
This weekend, we would like to welcome Fr. Len Plazewski, Vocation Director of the Diocese of St. Petersburg. Fr. Len will be preaching at all the Masses regarding vocations, and I know for a fact there are a number of young men and women who are interested in pursuing this call by God. Even in our young history, there have been three individuals from our parish who are discerning a vocation and are currently in formation in their respective religious houses. However, we do need young men to look into Diocesan Priesthood to serve our local area and young women to look into religious life. I can't think of a time when it is more needed for our community and nation to have people who will serve in this way. So, if you think that someone in your family or circle of friends has the call to Priesthood or Religious life, let me know! Our Vocation Team headed by Monin Gonzalez is doing great work in promoting it, and I'm so grateful for all their work.
No more golf to report on after the hole-in-one, but since the weather is cooling down a bit, I may decide to chase that little white ball around again. Then again, after a shot like that, what else do I have to shoot for?
Well, it looks like one more week to go before many from our parish along with myself will be visiting the Missions of Italy, Greece, Turkey, Israel, and Egypt. I'm sure the people of those countries will be so grateful for our presence as we minister to their needs as only people from St. Mark can do! It will be a huge sacrifice and struggle on our part, but somebody has to venture out from our own safety and preach the word of God. I just hope we can tolerate the many days of being at sea and dining on the grub they usually give you on these big rigs. I have yet to begin to pack! Anyway, pray for us!
Well, that is all for now. Continue to enjoy the gift that God has given us in each other.
Peace,
Fr. David
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Tall Tale
Greetings to all of you!
There are some days when you get up in the morning and you wonder what this particular day may bring, and sometimes God decides to brighten your day with a big surprise! Well, last week I decided to drive to Ocala and play some golf with my brothers who live there, and which is becoming a nice routine for us. Well, I got there early and decided to treat them to a round of golf since they are always so generous to me. After playing a few holes, we came to the treacherous par 3 fifth hole, 148 yards long over a huge lake. The wind was brutal, blowing against us, feeling like one of those ocean holes at the British Open! In the lake there was what seemed like hundreds of alligators protecting the green which was surrounded by traps deeper than the baloney you're reading here! (But I digress). Anyway, I pull out my 7 iron at first and my brother Frankie talks me out of it, so I decide to hit the 8. I take a mighty swing ,and the ball rockets toward the green. Meanwhile, I see the alligators jumping up out of the water, chomping at the flying ball, trying to intercept it before it hits the green! At that point the tension was palpable, and I wondered if I was going to get out of there alive. Low and behold an angel from Heaven suddenly swoops down and rescues my golf ball from the monstrous alligators, drops it on the green where a squirrel takes it and drops it in the cup! You guessed it, A HOLE IN ONE!! My brothers jump for joy, and I stood there stunned at the events that just took place! It looked like a scene from a Cecil B. De Mille movie! Anyway, I got back in the clubhouse and bought the whole place a drink, (which consisted of 3 guys at the bar, thank God), and went home on cloud nine. I guess it goes to show what God does for us when we practice Stewardship in our lives. Who knows? Maybe YOU, too, can get a hole in one one day!
Well, that's enough for this week! Enjoy the gift that God has given us in each other!
Peace,
Fr. David
There are some days when you get up in the morning and you wonder what this particular day may bring, and sometimes God decides to brighten your day with a big surprise! Well, last week I decided to drive to Ocala and play some golf with my brothers who live there, and which is becoming a nice routine for us. Well, I got there early and decided to treat them to a round of golf since they are always so generous to me. After playing a few holes, we came to the treacherous par 3 fifth hole, 148 yards long over a huge lake. The wind was brutal, blowing against us, feeling like one of those ocean holes at the British Open! In the lake there was what seemed like hundreds of alligators protecting the green which was surrounded by traps deeper than the baloney you're reading here! (But I digress). Anyway, I pull out my 7 iron at first and my brother Frankie talks me out of it, so I decide to hit the 8. I take a mighty swing ,and the ball rockets toward the green. Meanwhile, I see the alligators jumping up out of the water, chomping at the flying ball, trying to intercept it before it hits the green! At that point the tension was palpable, and I wondered if I was going to get out of there alive. Low and behold an angel from Heaven suddenly swoops down and rescues my golf ball from the monstrous alligators, drops it on the green where a squirrel takes it and drops it in the cup! You guessed it, A HOLE IN ONE!! My brothers jump for joy, and I stood there stunned at the events that just took place! It looked like a scene from a Cecil B. De Mille movie! Anyway, I got back in the clubhouse and bought the whole place a drink, (which consisted of 3 guys at the bar, thank God), and went home on cloud nine. I guess it goes to show what God does for us when we practice Stewardship in our lives. Who knows? Maybe YOU, too, can get a hole in one one day!
Well, that's enough for this week! Enjoy the gift that God has given us in each other!
Peace,
Fr. David
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Heading into Fall
Greetings to all of you!
Wow! I can't believe it's September already! In a month or so, the cool weather will finally arrive and I can get back to golfing, biking, and other outdoor activities that I have long neglected due to the heat. Football is in the air which makes me look forward to a Sunday afternoon of yelling at the television screen, eating potato chips and salsa, and, of course, gaining weight to protect me from the winter cold. I'm going to warn you all right now, if anyone complains about how cold it is on a given day, I will remind you how hot it was this past summer, so you won't get any sympathy from me!
This weekend we also will introduce a new event here at St. Mark called, "Tea Time with God", which will take place later on this month. Men and women are invited to purchase tickets for the event, and I hear there will be a personal appearance by God Himself. I sure hope the tea is good! I've also heard that Sarah Brightman and Michael Crawford from “Phantom of the Opera” will also make a special appearance. Tickets will be on sale before and after all the Masses and only 80 will be sold. Make sure you get yours before they run out!
Well, that is all for now. Continue to enjoy the gift that God has given us in each other!
Peace,
Fr. David
Wow! I can't believe it's September already! In a month or so, the cool weather will finally arrive and I can get back to golfing, biking, and other outdoor activities that I have long neglected due to the heat. Football is in the air which makes me look forward to a Sunday afternoon of yelling at the television screen, eating potato chips and salsa, and, of course, gaining weight to protect me from the winter cold. I'm going to warn you all right now, if anyone complains about how cold it is on a given day, I will remind you how hot it was this past summer, so you won't get any sympathy from me!
This weekend we also will introduce a new event here at St. Mark called, "Tea Time with God", which will take place later on this month. Men and women are invited to purchase tickets for the event, and I hear there will be a personal appearance by God Himself. I sure hope the tea is good! I've also heard that Sarah Brightman and Michael Crawford from “Phantom of the Opera” will also make a special appearance. Tickets will be on sale before and after all the Masses and only 80 will be sold. Make sure you get yours before they run out!
Well, that is all for now. Continue to enjoy the gift that God has given us in each other!
Peace,
Fr. David
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