Structural Changes

Greetings to all of you!

As many of you know, we have been undergoing some structural changes regarding the administration and ministries here at St. Mark. I'm finally prepared to share the names of those Stewards who will be part of the new Parish Stewardship and Advisory Board. This particular board will act in an advisory capacity to me and they will deal with issues affecting our parish along with being the eyes, ears, and voice of the parish community. I am happy to announce the following individuals who have agreed to serve on this board: Chairperson--Rolando Lopez with Warren and Mary Dietz as co-chairs. Andy and Sandra Silecchia, Deacon Jose Moronta, Harry Thomas, Hector and Pati Rios, Jim and Lynn Thomas, Monin Gonzalez, Pat Fehey, Julio Dones, and Paul Pita. 

I am also happy to announce that Mary Strickland has agreed to come on staff as our new Ministry Coordinator. Mary will be the "go-to" person for all of our non-staff ministries in the parish. This will lead to greater communication and support for all the ministries of our parish and she will be the conduit for them to our office. Mary will answer to our Assistant General Manager, Claudia Garcia and I'm thrilled that St. Mark will be served by this gifted leader. Welcome aboard, Mary, and I offer my prayers and thanks for all those who have agreed to serve St. Mark.

As you read this I will be speaking at all the Masses regarding our Capital Campaign for a new Church. WE ARE VERY CLOSE! I pray that those of you who have been waiting to see what happens will finally jump on the bandwagon and make this happen! I'm so pleased and thankful that many of you have upped your pledge or agreed to pay off your pledge early. This has really helped to get us at that crucial 50% figure that will determine when we break ground. I will be having a video from our website to explain where we are in case you need more information or wish to share this information with those who haven't heard it. Again, keep us in your prayers, the time is coming!

Well, that is all for now. May God bless you for your goodness to Him!

Peace,

 Fr. David

St. Jude Award Medal

Greetings to all of you!

I am thrilled to announce that the recipient of this year's St. Jude Award Medal for outstanding service to the Church of St. Mark is Frank and Rose Lauro! This great couple have been members of St. Mark since the beginning of this parish and have given generously of their time, talent, and treasure for so many years! They will be awarded the St.Jude Medal by Bishop Lynch on the Feast of Christ the King in November. We offer them congratulations and a huge thank you for all their great work!

You may have noticed the ushers have new shirts to identify them when they are serving at Mass. These bone color, lightweight shirts, are both functional and dressy and were paid for by the ushers themselves. I've got my order in already and they tell me that they may also change colors during the liturgical year. What a wonderful and committed group of men, women, and children who serve our parish in quiet, yet very important ways. My many thanks to them for their crucial role in our parish Masses!

Well it looks like Fr. Ed will be returning this week to Tampa from his trip to Mexico! He is quite a fixture there saying Mass for the sisters and visiting the sick in his neighborhood. I'm sure they miss him when he's not there but I also know I'm glad when he comes back! Welcome home Fr. Ed!

Well, that is all for now. It looks like football season begins in a couple of weeks so I'm starting my Novena for the Giants now!

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

Peace,

Fr. David

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