WEEKLY RECTOR’S MESSAGE – March 16th – Fr. Thomas
Blessed St. Patrick’s Day. Patrick was a fifth century Bishop and Missionary in Ireland who is universally remembered for his use of a three leaf clover as an illustration to teach the doctrine of the Holy Trinity. Not to be overlooked, however, is the feast of St. Joseph, the foster father of Jesus and patron saint of fathers, whose commemoration is March 19th. As Christians, we believe in the Incarnation, the Word made flesh; not simply God in man, but God as man. If you believe in the unique vocation of Mary as the Mother of Our Lord, then you’ll respect her husband as a model of fidelity to God and to Mary as well.
Even though our fathers are not always perfect, we can still learn something from them. Joseph had a vocation too. There’s no record of his having any spoken parts in the Gospels, but he did show up when necessary. In other words, “Real Men” show up (and know when to “shut up.”) At the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, the aged prophet Simeon told Mary that, “A sword will pierce your own soul also.” So Joseph led Mary and Baby Jesus into Egypt to evade Herod and his henchmen.
True love costs something. Joseph loved his wife and his Son. He took his commitment seriously, to protect his beloved wife and their Son, while remaining humble and loyal. So God bless our fathers, who sometimes in spite of themselves, teach us to “do the right thing,” and ask for the prayers of St. Joseph, and the Blessed Virgin to help us walk in the way of holiness.
NOTICES:
Weekly Offering for Week Ending 3/11/2023. Total $3,985.00. Average Weekly Budget $4,646.00. The difference (-$661.00).
Stations of the Cross. Fridays at 6:30 p.m. during Lent.
Holy Week
• Maundy Thursday April 6th 7:00 p.m. (Followed by an all-night Vigil)
• Good Friday April 7th 12 noon – 1:00 p.m.
• Tomb Service April 8th 10:00 a.m.
• Holy Saturday Vigil April 8th 7:00 p.m.
• Easter April 9th 8:00 a.m. & 10:00 a.m.
• Easter Egg Hunt April 9th after 10am mass 11:15 a.m.
There is a sign-up sheet in the narthex for the Maundy Thursday Prayer Vigil April 6th, which starts after the Mass Thursday night until noon on Good Friday. Sign up to pray for one hour and keep company with Jesus in the Holy Eucharist.
Sandwiches for St. George’s. Please bring your sandwiches to St. David’s west side parking lot each Wednesday morning from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Hospitality Hour is scheduled after the 10:00 a.m. service – Hosted by the Congregation. Please bring a dish to share. Next Sunday will be hosted by the Daughters of the King.
ECW will meet at 11:15 a.m. on Saturday, April 1, in the parish hall. After the business meeting, we will have lunch at a nearby restaurant. All women of St. David’s are encouraged to attend. Contact Irene Oknewski at ireneok1940@outlook.com or Jenifer Elmore at Jenifer_Elmore@pba.edu for more information.
Men’s Bible Study. If anyone is interested in joining a Men’s Bible study after the 8:00 a.m. service on Sundays, please contact Ken Barnett at 561- 339-3625 today/
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 return completed form by Sunday, March 26th.
Altar Flowers. We are in need of flower donations for June 18 through August 20 and October and November also. If you can help with a $40 donation, please email Linda McKeown at llmckeown51@comcast.net with names and occasion you would like remembered. Thank you. Linda McKeown.
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.
Sunday school is open and available for children starting at age 3 years old. We are looking for volunteer Sunday school teachers, anyone interested can contact Erin Thomas to learn more details, or contact the church office.
Forward Day by Day brochures are now available in the narthex. Donation $3.00.
Tuesdays: Holy Eucharist 8:30 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 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.
PLEASE PRAY. For the sick: Alice, Amanda, Barbara, Beth, Carol, Carolyn, David, Diana, Donna, Dorothy, Doris, Doug, Dudley, Ezra, Gina, Grace, Jacob, James, Jayden, Jeanne, Jill, Joaquin, Jory, Kenzie, Manuel, Michael, Miguel, Parker, Patricia, Predrag, Rachel, Robin, Ron, Rosie, Scott, Sharon, Shelly, Steve, Sue, Susan, Theresa, Tracy, Vernetta, Violet, William, Woody. For birthday celebrations: Stuart Cohen, Alfred Dyce, Matthew Hogan, Richard James, Dexter Beresford, Austin LaBorde. For anniversary celebrations: Chris and Kati Erickson. For our expectant mothers: Rebecca, Alexandra, Taylor, Abby and Bethany.
Our YouTube Channel – https://www.youtube.com/c/SaintDavidsinthePinesWellingtonFL
