A lot of activity around the office

 Greetings to all of you!

As we get closer to Christmas, there has been a lot of activity around the office in preparing to make this great celebration a memorable one. As you know, during Christmas Eve and Christmas day there are always a huge influx of people coming to Church. Unfortunately, due to our lack of space, many people simply have to stand outside in the Piazza to "attend" Mass. This year, to make it a somewhat better experience, we are putting up a tent outside so that the overflow can be better accommodated. Thus, two live Masses, one starting at 4;10 pm on Christmas Eve, and one 10;40 am on Christmas day will be celebrated in the tent this year. I hope that will relieve some of the foot traffic in the building and give people a better Mass experience. At least that's the idea and I hope it works, so spread the word!

In addition, we will be giving out books and CD's written by Matthew Kelly called "The Four Signs of a Dynamic Catholic". According to the book, those four signs are: Prayer, Study, Generosity, and Evangelization. After discussing this with the Stewardship and Advisory Board, we have agreed to follow Matthew Kelly's advice and implement this program in our parish. Each year we will be studying each characteristic so we can better disciples of Christ. Thus, beginning in January, we will begin to implement the aspect of prayer in our lives. Watch the bulletin for prayer experiences that will be offered here at St. Mark. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the entire  parish became more prayerful after this year is over? We will show you how it can be done even in a busy schedule! So I hope you will take advantage of this opportunity.

Well, that is all for now. I still have lots of shopping to do and less time to do it. Hopefully I can maintain my advent peace!

Peace,

Fr. David

   


 

"What an experience!"

Greetings to all of you!

Well I recently got back from the National Catholic Youth Convention (NCYC) in Indianapolis and I have to say, "What an experience!" Over 23,000 young people and adults gathered together in Lucas Oil stadium, the home of the Colts, singing and praising the Lord! The speakers were so informative and the teenagers and I were mesmerized by some of the stories we heard. To me, one of the highlights of the weekend was the closing Mass in which I was able to concelebrate along with over 200 priests with the Archbishop of Indianapolis who reminded me of the actor John Goodman. After communion, there was a moment of silence. Suddenly, to my astonishment, all of the teenagers in the stadium arose from their seats and began to scream and applaud Jesus Christ! Then the priests got to their feet followed by over 30 bishops clapping and yelling. It was the most amazing experience I have ever seen. This went on for a full five minutes until the Archbishop finally began to say the prayer after communion. I thought to myself, "only the youth can bring out the inner child of a bishop!" But the most precious moments of the weekend for me was spending time with our youth from St. Mark. They are incredible people with extraordinary faith and I was so thrilled watching them embrace their Catholic faith with so many others their age. I wished we had this experience when I was their age, maybe the world would be a better place. But I have been bitten by hope after seeing this young Church become an example for us older folk. I'd like to thank our Youth Minister, MaryAnn Weigel, for her leadership and keeping us all in line. Also, the chaperones who gave of their time, talent, and treasure in making this experience an awesome one to behold. At this point I'm exhausted after trying to keep up with all this energy of youth, but deeply satisfied and fulfilled to have been part of their lives at least for a few days. NCYC meets again in two years at the same location. I hope and pray that more teens will be able to join us in 2015 and experience this remarkable sight! Save your pennies! It is well worth the investment.

Peace,

　

Fr. David

National Youth Covention

Greetings to all of you!

As you read this, I will be in Indianapolis, Indiana attending the National Youth Convention! Every two years this event is celebrated by over 20 thousand youth throughout the country and what a great experience to see so many of our young Church praising God! I am so looking forward to being there!
Also this weekend, two of our very own will be receiving the St.Jude Award Medal from Bishop Lynch at the Cathedral of St. Jude! Frank and Rosemary Laura were picked this year as the outstanding Stewards of St. Mark! We are so very blessed to have this great couple in our midst giving so much of their time and talent to our great parish. They will be the reigning King and Queen of St. Mark for the next year. Congratulations to you!
We are still in countdown mode for the ground breaking of our new Church. As you know, permits and my first born are usually required up front before this can happen. I will try to keep you posted.
Well, that is all for now. Continue to pray for the people of the Philippines.
Peace,
　
　

Fr. David

Presided over the wedding of my niece

Greetings to all of you!

As you read this I will have presided over the wedding of my niece Amanda, who is the daughter of my twin brother Frank and his wife, Terri. Moments like these always reaffirm my decision to go into the priesthood and thus be privileged to be a special part in important family life events. We have family coming in from all over to be here and it portends to be a fun event since it has been awhile since I've seen them. The wedding will be in a Catholic Church in Ybor City so I just hope nobody from the family ends up in the slammer after it's all over!

This week we also welcome Fr. Diego who will be working part-time for us mostly with the Spanish ministry. Fr. Diego comes to us from Our Lady of the Rosary and he will be splitting his time between both parishes. He will be here at St. Mark on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, and we are thrilled to have him with us! When you see him, give Father a warm St. Mark welcome.

In addition it seems the Holy Spirit is working over time here lately. Not only have we been given permission to break ground and welcomed a new priest, we also have been blessed with individuals who are contemplating the Priesthood and Religious life. Next week, some of them will be traveling to St. John Vianney Seminary in Miami to spend a weekend seeing what it's all about. Please continue to pray for them and for all those who are being called to a religious vocation. God is indeed working here at St. Mark and I hope one day in the near future to have their First Mass here in the new Church!

Well, that is all for now. May God continue to bless the people of St. Mark parish!

Peace

Fr. David

A Miraculous Week

Greetings to all of you!

What a miraculous week it has been for us at St. Mark! As you know, we have been cleared by the Diocese to break ground on our new Church and I am still in a daze. The people of our parish have stepped in with great generosity to make this happen and I am so grateful to you and to God for this wonderful grace! I pray for your continued support during this process and I look forward to the day when this Church will be a reality. It just goes to show how persistence in prayer and a true focus on doing God's work will make this happen. Never give up!

It looks like Eric the Lion doesn't want to get up on the bell tower platform. I think he's thrilled with all the attention he has gotten down below and doesn't want to leave! However, he may not get his wish and I hope soon he will be lifted so he can watch over New Tampa a little better. It seems the powers that be wish to make sure of his security up there and ours down below, so keep watching!

Last week I attended a workshop called "Fortunate Families" in which the topic of discussion dealt with parents who have a of Gay, Lesbian, bisexual, or transgenderd child. I have to say how eye opening it was for me to see how parents deal with issues that affect those so closest to them. I was so impressed by the honesty of these parents and how they had to finally come to acceptance although it wasn't an easy path. There was a quote that struck me, "When children finally come out of the closet, many parents go in." In light of the words of Pope Francis that we should not judge, I thought the day was an uplifting experience for those attending and those children and parents need our prayers and acceptance. If anyone needs more information on this workshop, feel free to email or call me at the office.

Well that is all for now. May God continue to bless St. Mark and the wonderful people who make it all happen!

Peace,

Fr. David

Lots happening at St. Mark

Greetings to all of you!

Lots of things have been happening lately at St. Mark which has kept me quite busy! A few weeks ago the SMARTS group put together a fundraiser for our Youth Ministry to help some of our youth attend the National Youth Convention held every two years. This year it is in Indianapolis and thousands of Catholic youth throughout the country gather together to praise God for all His blessings. I will be attending with them this year and I'm looking so forward to this moving event. It's always amazing to see all these young men and women on fire for God. It truly is a life changing moment for many of them! I'm also thrilled that the "more experienced" members of our parish are willing to help out our youth. It's a great testament of our connectedness in Christ.

Last week was the Annual Convocation for Priests of our Diocese held at the Bethany Center in Lutz. This year Catholic Relief Services put on an impressive presentation on all that CRS does for the world in terms of aid to the most needy. We, as Catholics, continue to lead the world in providing for the needy as the Gospel demands. Catholic Social teaching is also the impetus behind this great organization and I hope every Catholic educates themselves on the beauty of this teaching so we can bring people to Christ.

We also celebrated Oktoberfest last Saturday night and it turned out to be a great night for dining and dancing. I even saw some "break-dancing" going on as I looked on at the dance floor! The brats were also very good and I'd like to thank the Knights for another outstanding job! I just hope next year they can keep me away from the funnel cake booth!

Well, that is all for now. It looks like this football season will be a downer since the Bucs and Giants have yet to win a game. Maybe I need to perform a blessing for them to get rid of all the evil spirits! A fall trip to NY would also be a good thing too!

Peace,

　
Fr. David

That "Fall Feeling"

 

Greetings to all of you!

 

I'm beginning to get that "fall feel" as we begin to head into October!  This time of year is always my favorite since I know that cooler weather is just around the corner and we celebrate some major holidays.  In addition, my golf clubs have been screaming to go out and play so I better get out on the golf course soon or they may abandon me for someone else.  At least my bike has been getting a little workout as it rides through the beautiful paths of Flatwoods Park.  It feels great passing through the natural preserve and one almost forgets we live in a city.  Besides, it's also where I sense God's presence all around me and brings me a feeling of peace.  

 

Speaking of changes in the weather, it seems that there is some change in the air regarding our Catholic Church.  I have been moved by the way Pope Francis has approached some important topics regarding abortion, homosexuality, and other hot button issues that we face as Catholics. His style is one of mercy rather than of condemnation and I really see the Church reaching out to those who seemed to have felt ostracized by our Church in prior years.  Nothing he has said goes against Church teaching, but the way he handles the issue is definitely different.  His nonjudgmental attitude and merciful love reminds me of another man who lived over 2000 years ago.  I really think more people are coming back to the Church because of him and I am thrilled that we have such a pastoral Pope.  Let's keep praying for this wonderful man!

 

What a great response we have been having with our Capital Campaign!  We are close and I know we will get there by the end of the year.  If you haven't pledged just yet, please do so!  We also have pews left over to memorialize along with other items.  If you can't pledge, please pray!  We need your participation!

 

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

 

Peace,

Fr. David