WEEKLY RECTOR’S MESSAGE – February 28th – Fr. Thomas.

My wife and I have the custom of crossing ourselves and praying for the departed whenever we drive by a cemetery. I recall some years ago, however, while driving behind Our Lady Queen of Peace Cemetery on Southern Blvd, crossing myself and reciting the usual prayer, “Rest eternal grant unto them O Lord, and may light perpetual shine upon them.” It wasn’t until a few days later that I realized what was actually on the other side of the high stone wall adjacent to the cemetery – an auto parts store!

Lent is only forty days long; a short reminder that we all need prayers from time to time, and for various reasons. We don’t say, “My Father, who art in heaven,” or “Give me this day my daily bread,” or “Forgive me my trespasses.” Our prayers are intertwined with the intercessions of millions of others throughout the world, every minute, every hour, every day. That doesn’t minimize the importance of our prayers, but is a reminder that our prayers are for the common good, and that “We’re all in this together.” The more time we spend saying our prayers, formally in liturgical settings, or in the private moments of our days, we turn our own lives into signs of God’s grace in this sinful and broken world we live in.

Prayer is not a spare wheel we take out only when needed – it’s the steering wheel that directs us in the right path – hopefully through the “cemeteries” of life and into the heavenly home that awaits those who stay on the right path toward everlasting life.

(BTW, the last time I drove by the auto parts store I noticed that it was still up and running – prayers must have flowed over to them!)

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.

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 https://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: Please bring your sandwiches to St. David’s west side parking lot each Thursday morning from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.

Lay Weeders: A landscaping workday is planned for Saturday, March 6 at 9 a.m. until finished. We will be planting and mulching the area by the dumpster as well as finishing the area in the right side of the church. Please bring a shovel and/or rake if you have one. Thanks. Linda.

Sunday School is still in operation with the necessary protocols in place.

Tuesdays: Holy Eucharist 8:30am
Wednesday: Eucharistic Adoration 6:00pm
Wednesdays: Holy Eucharist and Rosary 6:30pm
Fridays during Lent: Stations of the Cross 6:30pm. Dates: 3/5, 3/12, 3/19, 3/26

PLEASE PRAY – For the sick: Barbara, Beth, Cynthia, Diana, Donna, Efim, Francis, Jeanne, Jim, Joaquin, Leo, Tayvin. For the departed: Robert Gagnon. For birthday celebrations: Kati Erickson, Sue Ashe, Jim Philistin, Jackie Whiting. For expectant mothers: Andi, Bronwyn.