Back to Ordinary Time

Greetings to all of you!

Now that the Easter Season and the various Feasts and Solemnities that follow it are almost over (Feast of St. Peter and Paul this weekend), we can now get back to Ordinary Time and take a small breather!  We are back to the Gospel of Matthew as we continue the Cycle A readings. Matthew is written primarily to a Jewish audience hoping that they will follow and learn from the true Messiah.  We will be reading from Matthew until the season of Advent begins on November 30th.  It's hard to believe that it is less than six months before Christmas!  Maybe I will get my shopping done early this year!

As you can see, our building is going up quickly. I am told we are right on schedule (Easter 2015) despite the rains, and when the walls go up the real exciting part begins!  Keep praying for the safety of the workers and the success of our building campaign.

As an added benefit, the 4th of July is on a Friday this year so it makes for a long weekend!  Just be careful, we need you here in one piece on Sunday morning! 

Well, that is all for now.  Enjoy the holiday and be good to one another.

Peace,

Fr. David

     

Congratulations!

Greetings to all of you!

First of all, I would like to congratulate our very own Mary Strickland for graduating from the Lay Pastoral Ministry Institute held at the Cathedral this past week.  The LPMI is an accredited course of studies in theology that prepares students for teaching and working in parish ministry.  It takes four years to achieve this degree and we are so thrilled that Mary was able to accomplish this feat!  Looks like we will all have to genuflect in front of her next time we are in her presence.  I hope she doesn't ask for a raise just yet! Congratulations Mary!

I am also happy to announce two new staff members to our St. Mark family. The first is Yoceline Rincon who will be managing the staff in the front office. Yoceline is a parishioner here and attends the 12:30pm  Mass in Spanish. She also helped with the many decorations in our Sanctuary as a member of the Liturgical Art and Environment committee.  She will be starting on June 18th.

Our other new staff member is Dr. Valarie Mainguy, who will be the Director of Development, Communications, and Marketing for St. Mark Church.  Dr. Valarie is also a parishioner of St. Mark and comes to us with many years of experience in the corporate world.  She will begin her assignment on July 1st.  I'm sure they will make a wonderful addition to our staff as we continue to grow more in the future.  I'm sure you will get a chance to meet them sometime soon and see what great individuals these are. 

As I write this, I've been told that the walls of our new Church might be going up very soon.  It is all so very exciting and I simply ask for your continued financial support to make this a Church for the generations.  If you haven't pledged or you are behind in your payments, I ask that you reach down deep and join the many others who have made this happen. Building a house of God is a privilege and I know He will bless you greatly for your sacrifice.

Well, that is all for now.  May God bless your Stewardship!

Peace,

Fr. David

Welcome Bishop Lynch

Greetings to all of you!

This weekend we welcome Bishop Lynch at the 5:30 pm Sunday Mass as we celebrate the Rite of Confirmation to over 90 young men and women of our parish. This will be the first time that the Bishop will have seen the beginnings of construction of our new Church. I'm sure I will hear an earful!
Speaking of the Church, I didn't realize there would be so many meetings regarding this construction! I am slowly becoming a small expert on roofing, plumbing, wall construction, sound, air conditioning, etc. etc. etc. There are so many acronyms being thrown around that I thought I was also in the military. Of course, sometimes I sit there wondering where God fits in to all this. I guess someday I will know!

Some times during my day off I enjoy sitting in a coffee shop reading and sipping on my favorite beverage. The other day I realized that as I get older, the more "stuff" I have to take in with me. First, the book itself. Then the sunglasses to keep the sun out of my eyes; then reading glasses because they print the sentences so small these days; and finally my cell phone so I can stay connected with the world. I'm running out of pockets! I just hope my knees hold out so I won’t need crutches too.

 

Well, that is all for now. May God bless you as we begin another summer!

 

Peace,

 

Fr. David

 

Summer in Florida

Greetings to all of you!
Now that summer is unofficially here in Florida, with it comes the hot weather and makes it not my most favorite time of year. I always envy those who love the hot weather but it seems God made me with more of a cold blooded nature so I will just have to grin and bare it. Yes, you can call me "wimpy" and I would have to agree with you! I say, "Bring on the Fall!" We are now heading into the sixth month of our "Year of Prayer" and I hope all of you are taking the time to pray during our busy days. Just taking a minute to be in God's presence every day will certainly change your life! As they say in the commercial, "I guarantee it!"
During this busy time I have been involved with meetings, meetings, and more meetings! Much of it has to do with our new Church and the Family Life Center. I have been working with some outstanding men and women with great ideas regarding the future of our parish. More information will be forthcoming. Next week is Pentecost! We will have the privilege of having Bishop Lynch here to Confirm over 90 young men and women at the 5:30 pm Sunday Mass. This is always a huge celebration in our parish and if you can wear red that day, all the more festive. If you normally go to the 5:30 pm Sunday Mass, expect a packed house and a longer service than usual. 
Peace,

　
Fr. David   


 

Thank you MaryAnn Weigel and Lorraine Green

Greetings to all of you!

 

It has been awhile since I last wrote an article and so much happened!  As you can see, we are progressing on our new building.  Although it looks just like a lot of dirt being tossed around, the contractors have been busy doing the work we usually don't see. like the foundation and plumbing.  Hopefully soon we will have the new parking lot finished which will give us more room and eliminate the hassle of finding a spot.  Thank you so much for your patience during this hectic time!  Better times are coming.

 

As many of you know, MaryAnn Weigel, our Youth Minister is moving to Alabama in the next few weeks.  After 8 years at St.Mark we will miss her greatly and we offer our love and prayers to her and Monty as they venture into a new life.  We thank you MaryAnn for all your wonderful work these past years and please know that you will always be a large part of our St. Mark family.

 

On a similar note, Lorraine Greene, the leader of our front office staff, will be retiring at the end of June.  She has been a member of our staff here at St. Mark for over 6 years and we will miss her greatly.  It is well known that when God ends one journey, He takes us on another.  We thank Lorraine for her work here these past years and we look forward to see what God has in store for her in retirement.  Well done good and faithful servant!

 

We also welcome back all our college students, especially our graduates!  It is great seeing them and hearing all about their experiences.  Hope to see you all at Church while you are home.

 

Well, that is all for now. Enjoy the gift that God has given us in each other.

 

Peace,

Fr. David

Fourth Week of Lent

Greetings to all of you!

I can't believe as you read this that it's the 4th week of Lent already!  Thus far, my lent has been a good one although I've stumbled a few times. However, I'm making progress so that's what Lent is really all about.  Hope your Lent is going as well.  Just a few short weeks to go until the big day! Make Easter a meaningful one for you! 

As you can see, the dirt is all spread around for the construction of our new church!  We received notice last week that the building permit has also been issued so I'm looking forward to seeing a wall or two up by Easter! We have been deeply blessed at the swiftness of these permits and I look forward to seeing the Church going up soon.  

I was also moved by the responses of those who attended our 3-day mission with Fr. DiSianno.  He presented some wonderful insights on prayer and also the prayers of the Mass.  Although it was an incredible presentation, I just wish that more people were able to attend.  These are opportunities to experience our faith in a deeper way and be more educated in our richness and history.  Try not to let these moments go by.

Well, that is all for now.  May God continue to give you His strength and fortitude during this most holy time.

Peace,

Fr. David 

Lent Has Begun

Greetings to all of you!

 

As you read this, Lent has begun!  When I was younger, I really wasn't a real fan of lent because it simply meant that I had to "give up" something that I enjoyed and I always wondered why God would want me to do that!?  Of course, as I grew older I realized differently.  Now I always look forward to this time of year when I am reminded once again of the more important things in life.  Here's hoping that we can get to a deeper meaning of Lent this year.  Why not make a better effort at prayer this lent in our "Year of Prayer."  Believe me, it will change your life!

 

Last Saturday I participated in the "Academy Awards" ceremony put on by the Columbiettes!  Stars from all over the stage and screen from Liberace to Honey Boo Boo were on hand to sign autographs and perform for the people attending.  It was a wild ride and one that was enjoyed by all.  I thank Barbara Delman and her many helpers for putting on such a great show to help in the building of our new Church!  I can't wait to see what they have planned for next year!

 

This weekend we will be traveling to the newly renovated Cathedral for the Rite of Election!  This is always a highlight in our year when the unbaptized (Catecumens) and Candidates (those baptized in other faiths) are greeted by Bishop Lynch and "Elected" to move forward to the Easter Vigil where they will be made Catholics!  It's such an exciting time not only for them, but for us too!

 

Well, that is all for now.  May God bless you abundantly during this Holy Time.

 

Peace,

Fr. David