Hot Summer

Greetings to all of you!

 

I pray that your summer is going well so far even though the hot weather is upon us!  I'm sure some of you will be escaping the heat for more cooler places so I guess the rest of us will have to bare the burden for you!  Just remember not to forget about God during the time that you are away. I realize that for some of you might be burdensome in finding a Church nearby, but at least make the effort.  He is the One who gives us rest and as St. Augustine says, "our hearts are restless until they rest in Thee."  Besides, I love to read all the bulletins from other Churches around the world and "borrow" some ideas from them!

 

I heard that Eric, the St. Mark Lion that will go on the bell tower is just about finished and will be arriving after it clears customs.  Soon you will be greeted by this beautiful statue as you walk or drive into the roundabout.  This will complete the first stage of the building of our new Church and with your help, we can break ground when we get the 50% cash needed.  We are close but we still need more people to commit.  Just think what a wonderful experience it will be for people when the Church is finally here!  Believe me, we can have so many more spiritual and educational opportunities for our community and most of all, we can evangelize for Christ in an even better way.  So if you haven't committed just yet, do so!  Trust that God will provide for your needs especially when you are committed to Him!

 

As you read this I will be starting a week's vacation for myself and hopefully get some rest and renewed energy for the rest of the summer.  I'm sticking around the Tampa area so I can see some of the places I don't get the chance to visit while working.  I might even hit that rotten golf ball around if I can stand the heat.

Have a great summer and be safe!

 

Peace,

Fr. David

Our Hearts saddened

Greetings to all of you!

Our hearts were saddened this past week as we said goodbye to a man who has been an institution here at St. Mark as well as the Tampa area for so many years. This past Tuesday we laid to rest the soul of Dick Ray, whom I'm sure, most people knew and loved with all their hearts. His funeral liturgy was packed with all those that Dick touched in his life and who touched him. There were a few tears but also joy in knowing that he would go with God's Grace to his Heavenly reward. Dick Ray was an icon here at our parish and an innovator as well. Despite his advancing age, he never slowed down with ideas and actions that would make St. Mark a great place to worship and serve. As a matter of fact, it was Dick who instigated our desire to build a new Church and one day he said to me that he was so thrilled that it just might happen in his lifetime. Well Dick, we got very close, all because of your tireless support! But, there was one first that I'm happy to report. His funeral was the first time our new bells tolled for a funeral liturgy and then peeled with excitement as we said farewell to this great man for the last time. May you rest in peace my dear friend, until we all meet again in that heavenly banquet that God has prepared for all of us!

Well that is all for now. May all of us follow the example of this great man, a life always lived for others.

Peace,

Fr. David