Greetings to all of you!
Since it's been so cold lately, I have not been able to ride my bike out on Flatwoods and thus, my exercise program has been sporadic, not that I'm complaining. Since my childhood days, exercise was not one of my most treasured moments and I still, after all these years, try to force myself to get out there. So I'm always looking for excuses, and the cold weather is a good one!
Some of you may or may not have noticed, but the Knights of Columbus put up parking spaces for expectant mothers a few weeks ago which try to promote life. I think it's a wonderful idea, and I thank the Knights for their efforts in obtaining this for our parish, and I hope those expecting will be able to use them.
I have been out of the office a lot lately visiting families who will be able to help us in our effort to build a new Church. I have been amazed at the generosity of our people and many of them are excited at the prospect of this becoming a reality in the near future. Many have even stretched themselves a little financially in trying to make this happen for our parish community, and it goes to show how FAITH is such an important element in this important endeavor. I know God will bless them abundantly! Stay tuned to the bulletin and web-site for further information as we begin the countdown to the parish-wide Capital Campaign in the Spring!
Well, that is all for now. Continue to enjoy the gift of each other!
Peace,
Fr. David
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
CRHP Men's Weekend/New Parking Spaces
Greetings to all of you!
As many of you know, last week we hosted the seventh men's gathering of Christ Renews His Parish (CRHP) and I was thrilled to see over 31 men attend! After participating in some of the events, I got a first hand chance to see the Holy Spirit in action, not only in the attendees, but in the team that put on the weekend. There was a glow in all the men, and it goes to show, once we let our guards down, the Holy Spirit will thrive! Congratulations to all the men who attended the retreat, and I can hardly wait to see the growth in holiness that this week's experience started in them. This week, the women of the parish will experience their retreat, so I ask for your prayers for these great ladies as they enter into this divine experience milieu!
Some of you also may have noticed that we have created two new parking spaces (right next to the parking spaces for Clergy) for expectant mothers of the parish. As young a parish as we are, I realize two spaces doesn't quite cut it since we have a good number of expectant mothers, but at least it's a start. Hopefully, the new Church will create more spaces, and the young Church of St. Mark will continue for generations to come! It is one of the ways we, as a Church try to promote life, and we also pray for families in this difficult time to let them know that we care for them.
Speaking of parking spaces, you may have noticed a new car in one of those clergy spaces. Yep, it's mine! One day I made the mistake of checking out the new Honda Fits and stumbled on the Honda Insight Hybrid which supposedly gets great gas mileage and is one of those green innovations for the protection of the environment. I'm having a great time driving it thus far, and it looks like I'm saving lots of gas when I stop and go in this Bruce B. Downs traffic! Monsignor Daly blessed the car for me the other day with his traditional Irish blessing. Then he proceeded to charge me for all his hard work! The Irish always know how to get something out of any act that's good. That's all I'm saying!
Well, that is all for now. Continue to pray for each other!
Peace,
Fr. David
As many of you know, last week we hosted the seventh men's gathering of Christ Renews His Parish (CRHP) and I was thrilled to see over 31 men attend! After participating in some of the events, I got a first hand chance to see the Holy Spirit in action, not only in the attendees, but in the team that put on the weekend. There was a glow in all the men, and it goes to show, once we let our guards down, the Holy Spirit will thrive! Congratulations to all the men who attended the retreat, and I can hardly wait to see the growth in holiness that this week's experience started in them. This week, the women of the parish will experience their retreat, so I ask for your prayers for these great ladies as they enter into this divine experience milieu!
Some of you also may have noticed that we have created two new parking spaces (right next to the parking spaces for Clergy) for expectant mothers of the parish. As young a parish as we are, I realize two spaces doesn't quite cut it since we have a good number of expectant mothers, but at least it's a start. Hopefully, the new Church will create more spaces, and the young Church of St. Mark will continue for generations to come! It is one of the ways we, as a Church try to promote life, and we also pray for families in this difficult time to let them know that we care for them.
Speaking of parking spaces, you may have noticed a new car in one of those clergy spaces. Yep, it's mine! One day I made the mistake of checking out the new Honda Fits and stumbled on the Honda Insight Hybrid which supposedly gets great gas mileage and is one of those green innovations for the protection of the environment. I'm having a great time driving it thus far, and it looks like I'm saving lots of gas when I stop and go in this Bruce B. Downs traffic! Monsignor Daly blessed the car for me the other day with his traditional Irish blessing. Then he proceeded to charge me for all his hard work! The Irish always know how to get something out of any act that's good. That's all I'm saying!
Well, that is all for now. Continue to pray for each other!
Peace,
Fr. David
Friday, January 28, 2011
Trip Continued-Egypt
Greetings to all of you!
I was informed the other day that despite the wonderful details of our trip, I forgot to mention our experience in Egypt. Possibly the reason was that our experience there was a little problematic. When we arrived at the Port of Alexandria, named after Alexander the Great, we found the city littered with garbage! It really took away from the beauty of this historic city, and it didn't get any better on our two hour bus trip to Cairo to see the Pyramids. The capital city was also littered with garbage and many of the streets were unpaved with donkeys pulling cargo on wagons. I didn't realize that Egypt was considered a "third world" country, and now I know! After arriving in Cairo, we took a lunch tour along part of the Nile which was kind of nice and the hotel we arrived at to stay the night was absolutely breathtaking! It was the hotel where Franklyn Roosevelt and Winston Churchill planned WWII. It also was the hotel where Begin, Carter, and Sadat signed the peace treaty between Israel and Egypt. It was amazing how a place of overwhelming decadence could be situated in such a poor country. Our first night in Cairo was spent watching the light show at the pyramids which at first was impressive until we sat through the narrative of the history of the pyramids and many of us ending up going to sleep. I think they should notify the folks at Disney to update their presentation! The next day after a wonderful evening at the hotel, we visited the pyramids themselves and it was quite an experience, although I wouldn't care if I ever saw another pyramid as long as I live. I'm sure history buffs and UFO followers would find them fascinating, but to me they were a neatly mounted pile of rocks that served no purpose but to be the burial chambers for Kings. Although there were camel rides available, I wasn't in the mood to get spit upon or smell like a Bedouin after I got off one. After the visit to the pyramids, we took the Kamikaze ride home through the desert and ended up back at the ship! I was never so glad to be "home" after that experience. I guess I'm not THAT happy a camper! Anyway, it was back to Italy after the experience in Egypt, and I looked forward to great food once again! Well, that is all for now. May we continue to pray for one another!
Peace,
Fr. David.
I was informed the other day that despite the wonderful details of our trip, I forgot to mention our experience in Egypt. Possibly the reason was that our experience there was a little problematic. When we arrived at the Port of Alexandria, named after Alexander the Great, we found the city littered with garbage! It really took away from the beauty of this historic city, and it didn't get any better on our two hour bus trip to Cairo to see the Pyramids. The capital city was also littered with garbage and many of the streets were unpaved with donkeys pulling cargo on wagons. I didn't realize that Egypt was considered a "third world" country, and now I know! After arriving in Cairo, we took a lunch tour along part of the Nile which was kind of nice and the hotel we arrived at to stay the night was absolutely breathtaking! It was the hotel where Franklyn Roosevelt and Winston Churchill planned WWII. It also was the hotel where Begin, Carter, and Sadat signed the peace treaty between Israel and Egypt. It was amazing how a place of overwhelming decadence could be situated in such a poor country. Our first night in Cairo was spent watching the light show at the pyramids which at first was impressive until we sat through the narrative of the history of the pyramids and many of us ending up going to sleep. I think they should notify the folks at Disney to update their presentation! The next day after a wonderful evening at the hotel, we visited the pyramids themselves and it was quite an experience, although I wouldn't care if I ever saw another pyramid as long as I live. I'm sure history buffs and UFO followers would find them fascinating, but to me they were a neatly mounted pile of rocks that served no purpose but to be the burial chambers for Kings. Although there were camel rides available, I wasn't in the mood to get spit upon or smell like a Bedouin after I got off one. After the visit to the pyramids, we took the Kamikaze ride home through the desert and ended up back at the ship! I was never so glad to be "home" after that experience. I guess I'm not THAT happy a camper! Anyway, it was back to Italy after the experience in Egypt, and I looked forward to great food once again! Well, that is all for now. May we continue to pray for one another!
Peace,
Fr. David.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Important Changes
Greetings and Happy New Year to you all!
As you know, Faith Formation has been in need of a part-time individual to help them with the many needs of educating our young and older parishioners alike. Thus, I have asked Chuck Rizzo to move down to the Faith Formation office and work with them on a permanent basis. He will be continuing his duties in communications and scheduling along with his duties in that office. Dick Ray will now be working with Tom Hanrahan on our Capital Campaign and continuing with his Stewardship responsibilities. I thank both men for their willingness to take on these responsibilities, and I pray that 2011 will bring us all an abundance of grace!
Peace,
Fr. David
As you know, Faith Formation has been in need of a part-time individual to help them with the many needs of educating our young and older parishioners alike. Thus, I have asked Chuck Rizzo to move down to the Faith Formation office and work with them on a permanent basis. He will be continuing his duties in communications and scheduling along with his duties in that office. Dick Ray will now be working with Tom Hanrahan on our Capital Campaign and continuing with his Stewardship responsibilities. I thank both men for their willingness to take on these responsibilities, and I pray that 2011 will bring us all an abundance of grace!
Peace,
Fr. David
Beginning a New Year
Greetings to all of you!
It has been a few weeks since I've written because the holiday season always throws me for a loop when it comes to writing about my experiences on deadline schedules. Nevertheless, I hope to be back in the rhythm of things and write a little more consistently until the next holiday season approaches!
I hope by now we have gotten through Christmas and New Year unscathed and that we are still on our new year resolution schedule. I have made a few myself but of course I would never tell for fear of being accountable for what I promised, but as of this writing, I'm still on track! No, it doesn't concern my golf swing since that has been a wonderful lesson in hopelessness, but I do wish to improve upon a variety of things. Let's pray for each other in that!
These past few months we have been working hard on preparing for the upcoming Capital Campaign for a new church. A wide variety of dedicated individuals have come forward to work on the campaign and also have already made pledges. Despite the tough economic times, people have been VERY generous and willing to help to make this Church a reality. They see it as giving back to God for all His great blessings on us which really is what Stewardship is all about! So as we move forward, we pray that God will look upon us on this historic venture for our parish and bless us with his grace!
Next week, Christ Renews His Parish will conduct their 7th retreat weekend for men which is always a profound experience! Pray for those who will be attending this retreat and for their families who will sacrifice in allowing them to attend.
Well, that is all for now. Continue to enjoy the gift that God has given in each other.
Peace,
Fr. David
It has been a few weeks since I've written because the holiday season always throws me for a loop when it comes to writing about my experiences on deadline schedules. Nevertheless, I hope to be back in the rhythm of things and write a little more consistently until the next holiday season approaches!
I hope by now we have gotten through Christmas and New Year unscathed and that we are still on our new year resolution schedule. I have made a few myself but of course I would never tell for fear of being accountable for what I promised, but as of this writing, I'm still on track! No, it doesn't concern my golf swing since that has been a wonderful lesson in hopelessness, but I do wish to improve upon a variety of things. Let's pray for each other in that!
These past few months we have been working hard on preparing for the upcoming Capital Campaign for a new church. A wide variety of dedicated individuals have come forward to work on the campaign and also have already made pledges. Despite the tough economic times, people have been VERY generous and willing to help to make this Church a reality. They see it as giving back to God for all His great blessings on us which really is what Stewardship is all about! So as we move forward, we pray that God will look upon us on this historic venture for our parish and bless us with his grace!
Next week, Christ Renews His Parish will conduct their 7th retreat weekend for men which is always a profound experience! Pray for those who will be attending this retreat and for their families who will sacrifice in allowing them to attend.
Well, that is all for now. Continue to enjoy the gift that God has given in each other.
Peace,
Fr. David
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
APA Update
Greetings to all of you!
Year end always provides us with the opportunity to reflect on our successes for the year. Among the many is the success you have achieved with the Annual Pastoral Appeal. I am very pleased with the result thus far having achieved nearly 95% of our goal.
Remembering that our 2010 APA goal is $233,611, thus far 713 of our St. Mark family have pledged $220,995. The average gift is $ 310.00. Many of you have seen fit to support the Appeal even during these hard times. This speaks volumes about our St. Mark family and I am proud of you.
We still have a way to go, however, and I am asking those of you that gave last year to do so again this year. Those of you, who have not given, consider the need of the many ministries the Appeal supports. Thirty eight per cent, the largest portion of your donation supports Parish and Diocesan Ministries, family and life support ministries, multicultural ministries, Scouting and LPMI, just to name a few.
Services to Parishes and Schools, Catholic Formation and Education, Clergy, Religious and Seminarian Support and Vocation and Seminary Educations find support from your APA donations.
Please remember that we are committed to paying the $233,611. Any difference between your donations and the assessment will come from our general revenues. Make your donations directly by using the envelopes available in the Narthex or use a debit/credit card and donate online.
Thank you again for your support and it is my sincerest hope that we will meet our APA goal this year. One of my dreams is to have just one donation from you that will be used to support the different expenses we incur. I pray that this dream will be fulfilled.
Peace,
Fr. David
Year end always provides us with the opportunity to reflect on our successes for the year. Among the many is the success you have achieved with the Annual Pastoral Appeal. I am very pleased with the result thus far having achieved nearly 95% of our goal.
Remembering that our 2010 APA goal is $233,611, thus far 713 of our St. Mark family have pledged $220,995. The average gift is $ 310.00. Many of you have seen fit to support the Appeal even during these hard times. This speaks volumes about our St. Mark family and I am proud of you.
We still have a way to go, however, and I am asking those of you that gave last year to do so again this year. Those of you, who have not given, consider the need of the many ministries the Appeal supports. Thirty eight per cent, the largest portion of your donation supports Parish and Diocesan Ministries, family and life support ministries, multicultural ministries, Scouting and LPMI, just to name a few.
Services to Parishes and Schools, Catholic Formation and Education, Clergy, Religious and Seminarian Support and Vocation and Seminary Educations find support from your APA donations.
Please remember that we are committed to paying the $233,611. Any difference between your donations and the assessment will come from our general revenues. Make your donations directly by using the envelopes available in the Narthex or use a debit/credit card and donate online.
Thank you again for your support and it is my sincerest hope that we will meet our APA goal this year. One of my dreams is to have just one donation from you that will be used to support the different expenses we incur. I pray that this dream will be fulfilled.
Peace,
Fr. David
Monday, November 22, 2010
Trip Continued/Stewardship Director
Greetings to all of you!
Our travels this week takes us to what I think is one of the most peaceful and beautiful settings in all the world. After leaving Turkey, we visited the region of Galilee in which Jesus spent His early years and most of His adult years growing up. Upon visiting this historic place, one can see why Jesus spent much of His time here, especially with His disciples after the resurrection. We began by visiting the Mount of the Beatitudes where Jesus gave His most inspiring teaching to the multitudes that were gathered on the slope of the hill. Behind them was the Sea of Galilee which goes as far as the eye can see and was the scene of many of the parts in the New Testament. It was there where many of our group took their shoes off and waded in those waters where Jesus performed some of His miracles. I couldn't help but picture in my mind those scenes from scripture where Jesus calmed the storm and where He would sit in a boat and teach just beyond the shore to those willing to listen. After we left there we went to a Kibbutz where we had a wonderful "Gospel meal" consisting of fish from the Sea of Galilee along with some Jewish vegetables and bread. I think I even found a coin in one of the fish! We also visited the area in which Jesus visited after the Resurrection and the spot where He gave Peter the Keys to the Kingdom. After we had our meal we went back to the ship, took a nice nap and then prepared for yet another feast for dinner. Next week: Jerusalem!
It also has been a busy week as we have been interviewing candidates for the Director of Stewardship position here at the parish. We had many applications and we currently have begun the interview process. There are some excellent candidates who have applied and we ask for your prayers as we continue the n process. Well, that is all for now. Continue to enjoy the gift that God has given us in each other.
Peace,
Fr. David
Our travels this week takes us to what I think is one of the most peaceful and beautiful settings in all the world. After leaving Turkey, we visited the region of Galilee in which Jesus spent His early years and most of His adult years growing up. Upon visiting this historic place, one can see why Jesus spent much of His time here, especially with His disciples after the resurrection. We began by visiting the Mount of the Beatitudes where Jesus gave His most inspiring teaching to the multitudes that were gathered on the slope of the hill. Behind them was the Sea of Galilee which goes as far as the eye can see and was the scene of many of the parts in the New Testament. It was there where many of our group took their shoes off and waded in those waters where Jesus performed some of His miracles. I couldn't help but picture in my mind those scenes from scripture where Jesus calmed the storm and where He would sit in a boat and teach just beyond the shore to those willing to listen. After we left there we went to a Kibbutz where we had a wonderful "Gospel meal" consisting of fish from the Sea of Galilee along with some Jewish vegetables and bread. I think I even found a coin in one of the fish! We also visited the area in which Jesus visited after the Resurrection and the spot where He gave Peter the Keys to the Kingdom. After we had our meal we went back to the ship, took a nice nap and then prepared for yet another feast for dinner. Next week: Jerusalem!
It also has been a busy week as we have been interviewing candidates for the Director of Stewardship position here at the parish. We had many applications and we currently have begun the interview process. There are some excellent candidates who have applied and we ask for your prayers as we continue the n process. Well, that is all for now. Continue to enjoy the gift that God has given us in each other.
Peace,
Fr. David
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