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
