WEEKLY RECTOR’S MESSAGE – April 1st – Fr. Thomas

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Today, April 1st, is of course, April Fool’s Day. What is the origin of this special day? There are several theories; one explanation focuses on the practice from ancient times of people in some parts of Europe celebrating the New Year on or around the Spring Equinox before the revised calendar which defined January 1 as the first day of the year. People who forgot about the change, or observed the old rules for other reasons became victims of various jokes. For example, pranksters would discreetly stick paper fish to their backs. In France, the victims of this prank were called Poisson d’Avril, April Fish, or as we call it, April Fools. Biblical theories about the origin point to Noah as the first “April Fool”. It is said that on April 1, Noah mistakenly sent the dove out to find dry land before the waters subsided. A second story tells that the day commemorates when Jesus was sent from Pontius Pilate to Herod and back again. “Sending a man from Pilate to Herod”, is an old term for sending someone on a fool’s errand. Ancient Romans and Celts celebrated a festival of practical joking around the time of the March equinox.

Regardless of the origins of April Fool’s Day, we’re all advised not to be foolish, but to be aware of those sins which separate us from the love of God, and our responsibility as Christians to promote the Gospel in thought, word and deed. Easter is only two weeks away, and ushers in a new era in which we make known the redeeming love of God. The late evangelist Billy Graham told the story about a time early on in his ministry when he visited a small town to preach. Wanting to mail a letter once he arrived, he asked a young boy where the post office was. When the boy told him, Dr. Graham thanked him and said, “Why don’t you come to the Baptist Church on Third Street this evening? I’ll be preaching about how to get to heaven.” The boy replied, “Thanks anyway, but I don’t think I’ll be there; you don’t even know your way to the post office!”

Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life,” and He shows us the way by walking to Calvary, and ascending into heaven after the Resurrection. And that’s “no joke.” With only one more week before Palm Sunday, what more do we need to know? We are not Christians simply because we think Jesus rose from the dead, but because we think and hope that we will rise too.

Holy Week Schedule

Palm Sunday April 10
Procession and Reading of the Passion Gospel

Maundy Thursday April 14th 7:00 p.m.
Good Friday April 15th noon & 7:00 p.m.
Tomb Service April 16th 10:00 a.m.
Holy Saturday Vigil April 16th 7:00 p.m.
Easter April 17th 8:00 a.m. & 10:00 a.m.
Easter Egg Hunt April 17th after 10am mass 11:15 a.m.

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. Learn More Here: https://www.saintdavidsinthepines.org/2022/03/14/yardsale-may21-2022/

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