WEEKLY RECTOR’S MESSAGE – October 17th – Fr. Thomas

Paddy Kerrigan was going through Irish customs after his trip to France. Among his suitcases stood a brown gallon container. “And what might this be?” asked the customs officer. “Sure, that is holy water from Lourdes I’m bringing back to my loved ones.” The customs officer unscrewed the top, sniffed, blinked, raised the bottle, and tasted the contents. “Water, did you say? This is brandy, strong French brandy!” “Praise the Lord!” cried Kerrigan; “Another miracle!”

We’re all familiar with the poplar story in John’s Gospel of Jesus changing water into wine, a hundred and eighty gallons, at the wedding feast of Cana; (after they had already consumed the first lot.) So how does our walk with Jesus change our life for the better? How does it transform our emptiness into something even greater? When the wine of our souls runs out, follow Mary’s words, “Do whatever he tells you.” And for that reason alone– she ought to be our heroine; because as a woman of faith Mary believed Jesus could do anything.

So “Hang in There.” Remember, though, before God can fill us up, He has to empty out “the old water” first. God can only fill us up in proportion to the emptiness of our cup. We are earthen vessels; and God wants to wash out the guilt, sorrow, resentment, selfishness, and pride of our lives. The Good News is that we don’t walk the journey alone. Mary and all the saints accompany us. As she was there at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, so she was there at its earthly end too. In Him is the “Fullness of Joy;” and we pray that His joy might be in us and that our joy might be full. Jesus saved the best for last; because the best is yet to come.

—-

Sunday’s Worship – We are open for live worship on Sundays at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. We also “live-stream” our 10 a.m. service.

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 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.

Blood Drive: The Big Red Bus will be at St. David’s on Sunday, October 17th, from 8:30 am to 12 pm. To donate please register at https://donor.oneblood.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/1045955. Be sure to eat a good breakfast. Remember, you can save lives by donating. Thank you, Joyce Parker 561-312-2719

Sandwiches for St. George’s: Please bring your sandwiches to St. David’s west side paring lot each Thursday morning from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Hospitality Hour is scheduled after the 10:00 a.m. mass – Hosted by the Congregation.

Caribbean Sunday: Please join us for our 1st Caribbean Sunday service on October 24th at 10 a.m. We will have steel pan music with a Caribbean reception following the mass. Volunteers and donations are welcomed! For more information, please contact Howard Barrett at 917-837-2675

Shop with Scrip: Gift card fundraising is the best way to raise money. Start giving back to St. David’s the moment you buy a gift card with the RaiseRight mobile app today! You can join the program by downloading the app on your phone or go to www.ShopWithScrip.com on your computer. The enrollment code to set up your free family account is BB6656B177722. For more information, please pick up a flyer in the narthex, or email Kimberly Joy Castellotti-Ward at choiceplusrealestate@gmail.com

Altar Flowers and Candles: We will have a bag on the credenza to collect all flower and candle donations for upcoming Sundays. If you would like to donate for altar flowers for memorials and celebrations, please put your check for $40 with a request showing the date you want altar flowers and the reason for your donation into the bag. If you want to donate candles, please put your check for $20 and request showing date and reason for donation. Do not put flower and candle requests in offering plates.

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

Forward Day by Day brochures for the next quarter are now available in the narthex. Donation $3.00.

Tuesdays: Holy Eucharist 8:30 a.m.
Wednesdays: Holy Eucharist and Rosary 6:30 p.m.

PLEASE PRAY: For the sick: Assad, Barbara, Beth, Carol, Donna, Doug, Ginny, Jacob, Jayden, Jeanne, Joaquin, Manuel, Max, Michael, Miguel, Mike, Parker, Rosalind, Susan. For the departed: Peggy Forbes, Granville Worell. For birthday celebrations: Yvonne Wolliston, Aaron Harvey-Chung, Christopher Hernandez. For anniversary celebration: Everald and Phyllis Thomas.  For our expectant mothers: Lauren, Meghan, Priya and Ryan.

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzWRA9VxChBQd5l6rf3kF3A