WEEKLY RECTOR’S MESSAGE – October 31st – Fr. Thomas

Charlie was a regular visitor at the racetrack. One afternoon he noticed an unusual sight. Right before the first race, a Catholic priest visited one of the horses in the paddock area and gave it a blessing. Charlie watched the horse race very carefully, and sure enough the blessed horse came in 1st! Charlie followed the priest before the next race, again the priest went to the paddock and performed a similar procedure. Charlie played a hunch and put a couple of dollars on the blessed horse. Sure enough, the blessed horse came in by two lengths, and Charlie won close to fifty bucks!

The priest continued the same procedure through the next few races and Charlie won each time. He was now ahead $1,000 so between races Charlie left the track and went to the bank and withdrew his life’s savings, $20,000. The feature race of the day was next. Charlie followed the priest and watched carefully which horse he blessed. He then went to the betting window and put his whole $21,000 bundle of cash on that horse to win. Then Charlie went down to the finish line to watch the race. Down the stretch they came. The horse he bet on broke first from the gate and led for a couple of furlongs, then all of a sudden he started to fade. One by one each horse passed him and finally the jockey pulled up the favorite and gently guided him off the track. Charlie was dumbfounded and crushed. He went to the paddock, found the priest and told him that he had been watching him bless the horses all day and they all won except the last horse on which he had bet his life savings. Charlie then asked, “What happened to the last horse which you blessed? Why didn’t it win like the others?” “That’s the trouble with you Protestants,” the priest sighed, “You can’t tell the difference between a blessing and Last Rites.”

So what does it mean to be blessed? “Blessed” in Greek means joy – and the side effects are peace and tranquility. It’s related to the word “bliss,” which was used by the ancient Greeks to describe a life free of anxiety, an untroubled state of perfect harmony and calm. The Greek word conveys a message something like, “Oh, you lucky person!” So Jesus said in effect, “How lucky are the unlucky!” So, if following the Beatitudes makes one happy with an internal joy regardless of our circumstances, do we receive rewards only in this life, or in the next? REJOICE and BE GLAD! For Christ has called you out of the world! Take joy, you who are poor in spirit –you will see heaven. Take joy, you who mourn – God will comfort you. Take joy, you who are meek – the earth is given to you. Take joy, you who are desperate for righteousness – the Spirit will guide you. Take joy, you who show mercy – for those in God will receive no condemnation. Take joy, you who have been given pure hearts – one day your eyes will see God. Take joy, you who seek peace – God is your Father. Take joy, even in trials – for your reward is great in heaven. Remember, it’s not what they take from you that counts: it’s what you do with what you have left.

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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.

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 Maria Scher.

Bunco continues on Saturday, November 13th, at 6:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall. Loads of fun and super easy for newcomers! The more the merrier, so please bring a friend, a bite to share, and your favorite beverage! Cash prizes awarded – even if you lose! $10 per person.

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.

Vases for Flowers: The flower delivery ministry is in need of vases to be used weekly to put flowers in to be delivered to people. If anyone has any medium to large size vases, please bring in and place in Ladies Room of the church. Thanks. Linda McKeown.

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: Eucharistic Adoration at 6:00 p.m.
Wednesdays: Holy Eucharist and Rosary 6:30 p.m.

PLEASE PRAY: For the sick: Alice, Assad, Barbara, Beth, Carol, Donna, Doug, Jacob, Jayden, Jeanne, Joaquin, Manuel, Max, Michael, Miguel, Mike, Parker, Susan. For the departed: Jim Wigglesworth, Melba Vlahakis. For birthday celebrations: Zoe Chung, Julie Skinner, Jean-Rene Guillaume, The Rev. Steven Thomas, Trevor Carter. For anniversary celebration: Jim and Sherry Richardson. For our expectant mothers: Ana, Meghan, Priya and Ryan.

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