Happy St. Patrick’s Day to the Irish and their descendants! But, not to be overlooked, is the Feast of St. Joseph, the spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary and foster father of Our Lord on March 19th. I’m reminded of a story about a certain father desperate for a bit of peace and quiet one rainy Sunday afternoon. So, from his newspaper’s color supplement he tore out a picture of a map of the world. He took a pair of scissors and cut the map into small pieces and said to his children, “Here’s a project for you – put the world back together again.” After a bit of grumbling there were whispers and giggles, followed by a period of silent concentration. Finally, the youngsters said, “Here you are, we’ve done it.” Indeed they had, but the picture was not a map of the world; it was a photograph of a very happy looking family which had been on the reverse side of the map!

Our calling as Christians is not necessarily to make people “happy.” The happiest people are too busy to notice if they’re happy or not. Happiness is a byproduct of a life lived according to the Gospel of Christ. During this season of Lent, if we’re willing to unite our acts of self-denial and suffering with Our Lord’s, it can stretch our hearts to make room for greater joy and love. Accept your path, with its twists and turns. The adventure is in the journey, not the arriving. And yes, despite the violence which permeates our nation and our world, perhaps the world will become a happier place. As I’m fond of saying, life doesn’t come with a bow, but it’s still a gift because “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift – that’s why it’s called the Present.”

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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 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. Bring your items to St. David’s on Saturday May 7th from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. and Saturday, May 14th from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

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, Anthony, Baldwin, Barbara, Bert, Beth, Carol, Carolyn, Donna, Doris, Doug, Edna, Eric, Gina, Grace, Jacob, James, Jayden, Jeanne, Jill, Joaquin, Kenzie, Lauren, Manuel, Michael, Miguel, Parker, Patricia, Rachel, Sharon, Susan, Tracy, Violet, William. For birthday celebrations: Alred Dyce, Matthew Hogan, Richard James, Meghan Schubert, Dexter Beresford, Austin LaBorde, Inara Elmquist. For anniversary celebration: Chris and Kati Erickson. For our expectant mothers: Aubrey and Ryan.

Our YouTube Channel – https://www.youtube.com/c/SaintDavidsinthePinesWellingtonFL

You might remember the comedian Yakov Smirnoff. When he first came to the United States from Russia, he was not prepared for the incredible variety of instant products available in American grocery stores. He says, “On my first shopping trip, I saw powdered milk – you just add water, and you get milk. Then I saw powdered orange juice – you just add water, and you get orange juice; and then I saw baby powder, and I thought to myself, What a country!”

We make these assumptions about Christian Transformation – that people change instantly at salvation. Some traditions call it repentance and renewal. Some call it Sanctification of the believer. Whatever you call it most traditions expect some quick fix to sin. Maybe some conversions come at a precise recognizable moment: miraculous change in habits, attitudes, and character. For most of us, however, conversion is a process – years in the making, and we know that it’s not that easy. We sometimes go to church as if we are going to the grocery store: Powdered Christian. Just add water and disciples are born instantly – not made.

Unfortunately, there is no such powder and disciples of Jesus Christ are not instantly born. Disciples are slowly raised through many trials, suffering, and temptations. St. Gregory of Nazianzen, the 4th c. Archbishop of Constantinople, speaks of the Christian as an “instrument played by the Holy Spirit.” The aim of Christian discipline, not just in Lent, but throughout the entire year, is to keep the instrument in tune. Mortifying the flesh is not simply a way of controlling instincts or appetites, rather it’s like tightening a violin string. We don’t just go on twisting and tightening until the string breaks. We slowly bring the strings to the exact pitch so that the instrument produces a melody of love – like the divine love we were created for.

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Quiet Day with Meditations. The theme will be the gifts of Faith, Hope, and Love. Saturday, March 12, 2022, 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon, sponsored by the Daughters of the King. But open to everyone, male and female.

Daylight Savings is Sunday, March 13th. Don’t forget to turn your clocks forward one hour.

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 Congregation. Next Sunday, March 20th will be hosted by the Daughters of the King.

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. Bring your items to St. David’s on Saturday May 7th from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. and Saturday, May 14th from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

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 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, Anthony, Austin, Baldwin, Barbara, Bert, Beth, Carol, Carolyn, Donna, Doris, Doug, Edna, Eric, Gina, Grace, Jacob, James, Jayden, Jeanne, Jill, Joaquin, Kenzie, Lauren, Manuel, Michael, Miguel, Parker, Patricia, Rachel, Sharon, Susan, Tracy, Violet, William. For birthday celebrations: Mark Veckman, Lincoln Elliott, Leroy Williams, Evelyn Medcalf, Brenda Barreca, Daniel Melton, Stuart Cohen. For anniversary celebrations: Jerry and Sally Frenz, David and Jackie Whiting. For our expectant mothers: Aubrey and Ryan. Congratulations on the birth of baby Emilio to Ana and Juan.

Our YouTube Channel – https://www.youtube.com/c/SaintDavidsinthePinesWellingtonFL

We have a new trash collection company in Wellington at present. Is it just me, or does it seems like the garbage and recyclable trucks are twice the size they were when I was a child? Reclamation facilities are now the size of football stadiums! God isn’t stingy, but I don’t think God wants us to stretch the earth’s resources to the max either. When do we reach the point when “Enough really is Enough!” Are we like the Hebrews in the wilderness after the Exodus who moaned that the daily ration of manna and quail wasn’t enough? I’m not picking on the Jews of Moses’ day; they had forty years to learn how to trust in the Lord. However, for some, it takes a lifetime! Many get addicted to bad habits, mostly to fill the emptiness only God can fill. The things of this world don’t really feed us in the long run; they merely “plug the hole.”

So when we feel empty, what do we do? Well, for one thing, we won’t be spiritually malnourished if we follow the spiritual disciplines of Lent – Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving. Being content with what you have is not just a matter of getting through lean times – it’s a key principle of spiritual growth. That’s why Lent comes in the springtime; it’s our time to clean out everything that is stale. The story of the Transfiguration this Sunday is a glimpse of the clear, unclouded vision of the glory of God. That’s why we give up things – to remind us, year after year, of the fleeting nature of this present world.

Next Wednesday is Ash Wednesday. The ashes we administer are not simply a reminder of our transitory nature, but a symbol of new life; forty days to remember that in dying, we are reborn to eternal life. If the theme of Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) is “Let the Good Times Roll,” then the message of Ash Wednesday is “Let the Good News Roll,” because in the grand scheme of things, with all life’s challenges and problems, God promises a safe landing, not a smooth passage.
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FAT TUESDAY CELEBRATION!
TUESDAY, MARCH 1ST
5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Adults $10 / Kids 12 & under $5

Pancakes, Bacon, Sausage, Juice and Coffee
Mimosas will be available for adults! 50/50 raffle

Please invite your family and friends
All Proceeds to Benefit St. David’s

Evensong for the Feast of St. David of Wales, our patron Saint. Sunday, February 27, 4:00 p.m.

Ash Wednesday. March 2nd at 8:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Ashes are administered at both masses.

Quiet Day with Meditations. The theme will be the gifts of Faith, Hope, and Love. Saturday, March 12, 2022, 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon, sponsored by the Daughters of the King. But open to everyone, male and female.

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: Beginning this week, please note we will be collecting sandwiches on Wednesdays instead of Thursdays. 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. We will also be collecting soup and other nonperishable items for St. Georges with our annual “Souper Bowl” through February 13th. Once we know the teams we will label the boxes but for now we just want to collect as much as we can.

Hospitality Hour is scheduled after the 10:00 a.m. service – Hosted by Daughters of the King.

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 back in operation with the necessary protocols in place.

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

Tuesdays: No service this week.
Wednesdays: Holy Eucharist and Rosary 6:30 p.m.

PLEASE PRAY: For the sick: Alice, Anthony, Austin, Baldwin, Barbara, Bert, Beth, Carol, Carolyn, Donna, Doris, Doug, Edna, Eric, Grace, Jacob, James, Jayden, Jeanne, Jill, Joaquin, Kenzie, Manuel, Michael, Miguel, Mike, Parker, Patricia, Sharon, Susan, Violet, William. For the departed: Michael Cooney. For birthday celebrations: Kati Erickson, Sue Ashe. For anniversary celebration: Yvonne and Dennis Wright. For our expectant mothers: Ana and Ryan.

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