WEEKLY RECTOR’S MESSAGE – November 29th – Fr. Thomas.

WEEKLY RECTOR’S MESSAGE – November 29th – Fr. Thomas.

A woman goes to the post office to buy stamps for her Christmas cards. She says, “I’d like fifty Christmas stamps.” The clerk replies, “What denomination?” The woman looks puzzled and replies, “Oh well, give me six Catholic, four Presbyterian, eight Baptist, five Lutheran, and twenty- seven Episcopalian.” OK, so even if the various Christian denominations have their idiosyncrasies, at least we can all celebrate the birth of Christ on the same day and with the same joyful enthusiasm.

Today, however, the day after Thanksgiving, is the “official” kick-off of the Christmas shopping season and, until this year, the longest shopping day of the entire year, when stores traditionally have expanded business hours. The biggest sales are conducted in the darkness of early morning or night. Coincidentally, many bad behaviors also normally occur after dark. However, the Advent we celebrate is altogether different. The hanging of the greens, the placement of the poinsettias, the lighting of the first Advent candle – all these invite us to dream dreams of a better world – to allow expectant visions that have little to do with “sugar-plum fairies dancing in our heads.”

The Good News of Advent is that in the shadows of our lives, God is present, and with each candle we light the hope of God’s light and love comes closer. The promise is that even where there is darkness and fear in our lives and in the world around us, God is still present to help us endure, and hope is alive. The morning will come – in God’s good time and in God’s good way. Meanwhile, may we bare the “ stamp” of God’s grace and love until we share in that marvelous light of God’s love, mercy, joy, and peace.

NOTICES:

Video Viewing Options for Sunday’s mass – there are three different ways to view our videos: 1) our church website; 2) our Facebook page; and 3) our YouTube channel.  See the links listed below.

Opportunities for Giving – there are several options that safely and efficiently expedite your generous donations: electronic bank transfers or automatic bank transfers via personal accounts or credit/debit cards; personal checks delivered by USPS; and our favorite through joining our giving family online through our website or at www.myEoffering.com with our secure vendor Church Envelope Budget Company, who provides you with yearly offering envelopes. Please do NOT leave any envelopes with checks/cash unattended at church mailboxes.

Sandwiches for St. George’s: We will continue making sandwiches at least through December. Please bring them to St. David’s parking lot each Wednesday morning from 8:30 to 9:30 am. St. George’s is trying to begin serving to-go dinner meals but is not getting enough of the parishes and other groups to support that yet. So the hot lunches with to-go sandwich bags for a later dinner will continue for a while. Thank you for the ongoing support! We continue to provide 300± sandwiches every week.

Stockings for Stars Christmas Project: After speaking with the Director of the Fortin Center in South Bay, we have decided to not ask parishioners to shop for clothes and toys for the children. We will be COVID safe and instead, similar to the school supply drive, we will collect money and order items to be delivered directly to the school. I know this is not the same, that we will miss fighting the Black Friday crowds, standing in long lines to pay, etc. Wait, maybe there are a few advantages to this new way. 😊

Please mail your donations to Joyce Parker, 104 Locust Lane, RPB, FL 33411. The check should be made out to St. David’s. Please write Stockings for Stars in the notes area. Many thanks. Joyce 561-312-2719

Holy Eucharist:
Sundays: 8 am & 10 am
Tuesdays: 8:30 am
Wednesdays: 6:30 pm

Please Pray – For the sick: Ashlyn, Beth, Charlotte, Donna, Francis, Iliana, Jeanne, Jim, Joaquin, Kim, Theda.

For birthday celebrations: Timothy Barreca, Natalie Kalphat, Rose Lewis, Dr. Katherine Harvey, Joe Piconcelli, Sr., Hannah Gardner.

For anniversary celebrations: Lester & Ola Walker

For our expectant mothers: Mayoli, Andi.