WEEKLY RECTOR’S MESSAGE – March 25th – Fr. Thomas
Today, March 25th is the Feast of the Annunciation of Our Lord by the Archangel Gabriel to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Only nine months until Christmas, but it’s a perfect feast for Lent when we open our hearts and minds to God’s will so that we can say with Mary, “Let it be to me according to Your will.” All of us have the duty to go where God calls us to go; to respond to those daily annunciations, even when our task is not completely clear. What stumbling block needs to be removed before we say Yes to God? Maybe there’s some decision we’re having trouble saying “yes” to which gives us “morning sickness.” Just as the announcement to Mary was an “interruption” to her daily life from that day and forever – we reap the blessings as children of God because of Mary’s Yes to God. Every day we face a choice between yes to God, or yes to sin. God won’t compel us to say yes, but grace gives us the wisdom to choose well, and makes us His sons and daughters.
Mary is addressed as Ave in Latin, the inverse of “Eva” because, as medieval theologians pointed out, she undid what was done by Eve in the garden. So, if Jesus is the second Adam, Mary is the new Eve. Mary is the one who heard the word of God, opened the door of her life and received the presence of the Lord. No one can love the Blessed Mother more than Jesus, her Son, who from the cross commended his mother to all his disciples, “Behold, your mother.” As she stood by her Son with love and prayer, so the Church stands by those who suffer with love and prayer. If Mary, the young unmarried pregnant girl, can believe in the incredible happening that she is part of, then the most ordinary people can believe in their part in God’s plan of salvation. That’s why it’s an appropriate feast for Lent. His grace makes us sons and daughters not slaves; lovers not merely clients. God had to be born in Mary’s heart before he could be born in her womb, for as someone said, “In Mary, God fell in love with humanity.” And as the old hymn says, “Come into our hearts Lord Jesus, there is room in our hearts for Thee.”
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 parking lot each Wednesday morning from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. During Lent we will collect nonperishable food products for delivery at St. George’s. Publix have the weekly BOGO specials so why not donate your free item to the church during Lent. Bring your items to church with you or drop them off with your sandwiches to help others in need. Thank you.
Hospitality Hour is scheduled after the 10:00 a.m. service – Hosted by the Daughters of the King.
Candles: We will have a bag on the credenza to collect all candle donations for the Altar and Mary Shrine for upcoming Sundays in Lent. If you would like to donate candles, please put your check for $20 and request showing date and reason for donation. Do not put candle requests in offering plates.
Easter Flowers: We are collecting donations for Easter Lilies. Cost of flowers is $25. Please fill in a form and place it in the plate or mail it to the office. Please have your request in by March 28th.
Parish Mission: One night parish mission, Saturday, April 9th, 6:00 p.m. As a ‘Prelude” to Holy Week, we’ll walk The Way of the Cross, followed by a short meditation and simple potluck dinner.
The Easter Vigil Champagne Reception will be after celebration of the Easter Vigil Mass, Saturday night, April 16th. Sign up after Mass this Sunday to bring an hors d’oeuvre, sweet or beverage and to volunteer to help set up or clean up after the reception!
The Great Easter Egg Hunt will be after the 10 a.m. Mass on Easter Sunday, April 17th. We are collecting plastic eggs in the decorated box in the narthex for the next few weeks. Eggs can be empty or filled, but if they are filled, please no chocolate or gum. Thank you for your support!
St. David’s Community Yard Sale. Saturday, May 21st from 7:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon. Want to help? You can donate your gently used, clean, functioning items: Clothes, electronics, toys, furniture, and kitchen wares.
Sunday School is back in operation with the necessary protocols in place.
Forward Day by Day brochures 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: Alice, Baldwin, Barbara, Beth, Carol, Carolyn, Donna, Doris, Doug, Edna, Grace, Jacob, James, Jayden, Jeanne, Jill, Joaquin, Kenzie, Manuel, Michael, Miguel, Parker, Patricia, Sharon, Susan, Violet, William. For the departed: James Baldwin, Lester Walker and Steve Sagonas II. For birthday celebrations: Ann Chambers, Faubert Pierre-Paul, Eric Cohen, Laurette Bagley, Samuel Kalphat, Joe Mee, Lorna Lawrence. For anniversary celebration: Baldwin and Violet Henry. For our expectant mothers: Aubrey and Ryan.
Our YouTube Channel – https://www.youtube.com/c/SaintDavidsinthePinesWellingtonFL
