Rites

Greetings to all of you!

Last week at the 8:30 am Mass we welcomed 9 persons who decided to make the first step in learning more about the Catholic Faith and more importantly, their relationship with God. I always look forward to these Rites since it requires the participation and acceptance by our Catholic Community and those making this step get to see what a truly welcoming and God centered community we really are. Pray for these Catechumens and Candidates as they continue to make additional steps toward full reception in the Catholic Church sometime around Easter of next year.

Also last week was the first meeting of the new Parish Stewardship and Advisory board which will continue to plan and execute the practice of Stewardship and Spirituality here at St. Mark. They will also be my eyes, ears, and voice of the needs of our people. The board seemed very excited to make St. Mark the best it can be and I look forward to seeing what they can accomplish. Pray for them!

As you know, we are still waiting the arrival of Eric the Lion for our bell tower and should be any day now. This Majestic lion will be greeting parishioners and visitors as they enter the round-about located in front of the Family Life Center. We are also getting closer and closer to breaking ground for our new Church. Many of you have or will receive a letter from me asking to make this happen soon. Again, the longer we wait, the higher the cost will be. Those of you who haven't made a yearly pledge please do so. Last week, over 90 families from our Spanish Community pledged over $32,000 towards our goal. Be assured, from a God who can never be out-given in generosity, He will certainly bless yours with abundance!

Well, that is all for now. It looks like football season is just around the corner and cooler days are ahead!

Peace,

Fr. David

Notre Dame

Greetings to all of you!

Last week I had the opportunity to do a wedding for two of our parishioners at the Basilica of Notre Dame. It was my first time in this beautiful Church and I just cannot say enough about how kind and professional the staff was in helping me to navigate the inner workings of the wedding Mass. The aura of the Basilica was amazing and the guests at the wedding were moved by the ceremony as well as the wedding couple and myself. Although it was held at 9 o'clock in the morning, everyone was there on time ready to go, including the priest which can be a rare feat! We also were able to tour the Campus of Notre Dame which included the famous football stadium and locker room. We even got to tap the two signs that the players tap on their way into the stadium. It was a thrill realizing that we were part of the mystique of all the famous people who also touched those signs. I was also glad that the signs were low enough for me to touch since my jumping abilities have thoroughly diminished through the years. Anyway, I offer congratulations to David and Jill Parker in their new life together. May the Graces received on that special day continue to be with you both.

While at Notre Dame, we also got to play their new golf course which was quite beautiful. I haven't picked up a club since February and played rather well despite the toughness of the course. Unfortunately, my bones hurt the next two days afterwards which means I better start exercising again or I'll turn into a tree. But I digress...

Well, that is all for now. May God continue to bless your Stewardship as we continue to proclaim the Kingdom to all the world.

Peace,

Fr. David

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

Bell Tower

Greetings to all of you!

Every day as I pass the bell tower, I continue to be more and more excited as the finishing touches are administered to this beautiful edifice! As you have seen, the bells await in our Worship space along our main aisle to finally find its resting place when the tower is completed. I hope you were able to see some of the video from the blessing and naming of the bells held a few short weeks ago on our website. It was an extraordinary night and one that I will always treasure!

 

As you read this we will have celebrated Latin Night this past Friday put on by members of our Latin community. They sure know how to throw a party as the dining and dancing charged up our New Tampa community! I would like to thank all those who coordinated and planned this successful event and all those who participated. All proceeds went to our building fund as we move closer and closer to building this great church. 

Next week we welcome Bishop Lynch who will confer the Sacrament of Confirmation to over 90 young men and women at the 5:30 pm Sunday Mass. This is always an exciting event for our parish when the Bishop comes, but I have to warn all of you who normally go to that mass that it will be a long one! You might want to plan accordingly. Don't say I didn't warn you!

Well, that is all for now, May God bless all of you on this "Birthday of the Church".

Peace,

Fr. David

Annual Tea Party

Greetings to all of you!
It seems April is just rolling along so quickly and before you know it May is here! Forget about April showers bringing May flowers because due !our crazy up and down climate here in Florida, I don't think the flowers know what time of the year it is! I'm just going to enjoy the last few weeks of cool weather before the hot summer comes. Where are my shorts????

Last week I attended the Annual Tea Party hosted by the Columbiettes and once again they outdid themselves! It's always a fun and happy time and I am so impressed by all the hard work these ladies put into this event. Each table was beautifully decorated in a different way and for a non-tea drinker, the tea was magnificent. I half expected Queen Elizabeth to make an appearance with her exotic hat but she must have forgotten. I'm also thrilled that the ladies decided to donate all of the proceeds from the Tea Party to the building fund! Thank you ladies!

As I'm writing this, the Masters is on TV and it looks like it's going down to the wire. I've been rooting for Angel Cabrerra from Argentina since we now have a Pope from there, we may as well have a Masters Champion from there too! I wonder if the Pope plays golf? Anyway, it's looking like a cliff hanger and I will know soon.

As you know we will be having the ancient rite of the Blessing of the Bells on Thursday, April 25th. It truly will be an historic moment in our Church history and it should prove to be a moving ceremony. Hope you can make it!

Well that is all for now. I hope you haven't eaten all your chocolate bunnies from Easter Sunday already!

Peace,

Fr. David

Easter Sunday

Greetings to all of you!
 

As I write this we are celebrating the Second Sunday of Easter so I wish to tell you a little about Easter Sunday! I have to say that I have never experienced crowds of this magnitude here at St. Mark in the ten years that I have been Pastor. I'm sure it was a combination of things that made this such a joyful Easter, first, especially, with the naming of a new Pope called Francis. Although I enjoy the mystery and majesty of the office of Pope, it can bring with it a feeling of stiffness and a lack of intimacy. Pope Francis seems to be a breath of fresh air to our Church at a time when I think it needs it, not that it's better, it is just different. Maybe that's what people are feeling all around the world. Secondly I also like to think that St. Mark is making a difference in our community with it's moving liturgies and warm hospitality. With a new Church we would be able to accommodate more people by having multiple Masses at the same time on Easter and Christmas. Just think if at least half of those who come during these Holy Seasons would begin to come every Sunday! New Tampa would be on fire for Christ and what a change it would be not only for our area, but all those surrounding us. We still have a lot of work to do and I pray that it will be accomplished according to God's Will.

Last Saturday I heard confessions and said Mass for the young men on retreat at Bethany Center who will be making their Confirmation in the near future. I'm always impressed by their willingness to allow God into their every day life and I was impressed by their desire to get closer to Him. Our Youth Minister, MaryAnn Weigel does an excellent job motivating these young men and women and I'm especially impressed by the adults who also attend the retreat as helpers. They bring so much to these young people and they get so much back in return. 

Hope you will be able to join us for the Blessing and Naming of the Bells on Thursday, April 25th at 7:30 p.m. This is a very ancient Rite which will be celebrated in the context of Evening Prayer. It promises to be a beautiful ceremony so mark your calendars and participate in this moment of history for St. Mark Church!

Well, that is all for now. May this Easter Season be one of joy for all of us as we celebrate our Redemption!

 

Peace,
　
　

Fr. David