I'm sure many of you by now are into the hustle and bustle of Christmas yet keeping your stress levels at an all time low, at least I hope! For Advent I have made a commitment to increase my meditation time every day and do some things I don't get a chance to do that often like visiting jails and prisons when I'm allowed to enter one. It all kind of takes my mind off of all the commercialism of Christmas and really try to deepen what this time represents. I've even dusted off my bike and took it for a ride last week listening to the new CD made by our choir! I felt like I was in heaven as I rode around the trail at Flatwoods and saw the depth of God's wonderful creation. Now if I could only dust off the golf clubs and maybe hit a ball once in awhile.
As you read this we continue to move forward on the building of our new Church. We hope to meet with the Diocesan Finance Council sometime before the spring and see if they will allow us to build sooner rather than later. I realize we are in a tough economy and maybe you are not in a position to give toward the new Church, or maybe you're even tired of hearing me speak about it or feel we really don't need one, but after much prayer and collaboration, the time to build really is NOW! Now only are interest rates down and costs are at an all time low, but I know it's the right thing to do. Many times we wish to delay important plans and let future generations will have to face the issue, but if our ancestors thought that, then we would not have the beautiful Churches that we grew up in. I just don't think that we should have our children and grandchildren pay for something we can do now, especially the uncertainty of what they face in the future. After all, our parents and grandparents sacrificed for us and so why can't we do this for our own children in return. As some of you may know, we are very limited to what we can do here at St. Mark because of space. We are holding back the works of the Kingdom, so to speak, and I'm praying that many of you will find it in your heart to give generously to this important project. The Church we intend to build in New Tampa will be a center of spirituality and outreach and just think of the many who will benefit by our sacrifices. So as the Calendar year ends, why not make a pledge or a gift to the campaign and make this happen! I really need your help!
Well that is all for now. Continue to enjoy the gift that God has given us in each other.
Peace,
Fr. David
