WEEKLY RECTOR’S MESSAGE – May 16th – Fr. Thomas.

/in /by

A group of teenagers were working on a Habitat project. By the end of a long week, they were pretty scruffy looking sitting on their duffels waiting for their parents to come and collect them. “What is this?” a passerby asked. They were exhausted, worn out, looked terrible and smelled worse. Then one of the “passersby” said to the boys: “Are you tired?” to which one of the teens replied, “Whew! Am I tired!” Then he added: “But this is the best tired I have ever been.” In the Bible it’s called joy.

On this Sunday after the Ascension, and one week before we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, we do well to remember that salvation came with a price. Even though the “Admission Fee” into heaven has been paid by Our Lord, we need to take steps in the right direction to claim our inheritance with the saints and angels who inhabit that Kingdom where there is no death, nor crying, but the fullness of joy which comes by getting off our “duffel bags” and traveling along that road that leads to everlasting life. Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending; because even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.

NOTICES:

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.

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.

Please note that our Vestry voted at its most recent meeting to lift the requirement on wearing masks inside the church and parish hall, leaving it up to the discretion of each individual.

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 https://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

ECW Raffle is ongoing. Please return completed ticket stubs with your check by May 30 for drawing. Tickets stubs can be placed in offering plates or mailed to the office. Prizes are $100, $200 and $300. Thanks for your support. Thanks. Linda

Help Needed: Pay is low but result is top of the scale. We need help on Saturday, May 22 at 8:30 to finish the trimming of the palmettos. With some more help, we could be finished in 2-2 1/2 hours so please try to come even for one hour. Water provided and a snack. Bring a chain saw or other electric or battery operated cutting devices.

Altar Flowers and Candles: We 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 still in operation with the necessary protocols 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 am.
Wednesdays: Holy Eucharist and Rosary 6:30 pm.

PLEASE PRAY – For the sick: Ampy, Barbara, Beth, Danny, Donna, Jeanne, Joaquin, Kip, Max, Miguel, Mike. For birthday celebrations: James Belden Sr., Andrew Elmore, Denise Wilson, Virginia Barley, Angelica Cortez-Bennett. For anniversary celebrations: Wally and Cindy Hernandez, Debbie and Joseph Piconcelli, James and Erika Belden, Laurie and Irwin Cohen.

Video Mass – May 9th, 2021

/in , /by

WEEKLY RECTOR’S MESSAGE – May 9th – Fr. Thomas.

/in /by

On this Mother’s Day weekend, I’ll share a favorite and familiar poem which speaks volumes about the love of a mother.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, you hung my first painting on the refrigerator and I wanted to paint another.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, you fed a stray cat and I thought it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, you baked a birthday cake just for me and I knew that little things were special things.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, you said a prayer and I believed there was a God that I could always talk to.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, you kissed me goodnight and I felt loved.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw tears come from your eyes and I learned that sometimes things hurt but that it’s all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it, and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, you cared and I wanted to be everything I could be.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I looked and I wanted to say thanks for all the things you did when you thought I wasn’t looking.

God bless our mothers, living and departed.

NOTICES:

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.

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 Thursday morning from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.

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 https://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

Help Needed: Pay is low but result is top of the scale. We need help on Saturday, May 22 at 8:30 to finish the trimming of the palmettos. With some more help, we could be finished in 2-2 1/2 hours so please try to come even for one hour. Water provided and a snack. Bring a chain saw or other electric or battery operated cutting devices.

New Procedure: Starting this week, 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 still in operation with the necessary protocols 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 am.
Wednesdays: Holy Eucharist and Rosary 6:30 pm.

PLEASE PRAY – For the sick: Alberto, Andi, Ampy, Barbara, Beth, Danny, Donna, Jeanne, Joaquin, Kip, Max, Mike, Miguel, Patricia, Shelby. For birthday celebrations: Helena Bresnahan, Megan Muir, Michel Guillaume, Jacqueline Algood, George Pinnock, Chris LaBorde. For anniversary celebration: Jackie and John Algood.

Video Mass – May 2nd, 2021

/in , /by

WEEKLY RECTOR’S MESSAGE – May 2nd – Fr. Thomas.

/in /by

Lucy asks Charlie Brown in the popular cartoon series, “Charlie,” she says, “Life is like an ocean voyage on a cruise ship. Some passengers sit in their deck chairs in the bow and look hopefully into the future, while others sit in the stern and reflect on the past. Now, Charlie, in the cruise of life, where do you sit?” “You know,” Charlie replies, “I can never get my deck chair open.”

So maybe during the Pandemic, we’ve had trouble opening our “deck chairs.” I suspect that many of us have more years behind us than ahead of us, but we know that we can’t live in the past, or rewind it like rewinding a tape player. (Remember those gadgets?) However, the Good News is that God has opened the gates of eternal life by the resurrection of His Son. All throughout this Easter season we celebrate what we believe and practice throughout the entire year; that life is worth living, the past can be redeemed, and our hope is not in vain! And even though we might not know precisely what lies ahead, the reality of His resurrection gives us hope. “May we go where He has gone, rest and reign with Him in heaven. Alleluia.” (Hymn #195, vs. 4.)

NOTICES:

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.

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 Thursday morning from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.

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 https://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

New Procedure: Starting this week, 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 still in operation with the necessary protocols 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 am.
Wednesday: Eucharistic Adoration 6:00 pm.
Wednesdays: Holy Eucharist and Rosary 6:30 pm.

PLEASE PRAY – For the sick: Alberto, Ampy, Andi, Barbara, Beth, Cindy, Danny, Donna, Jeanne, Joaquin, Kip, Max, Miguel, Mike, Patricia, Shelby. For birthday celebrations: Ella Falco, Donna Halle. For anniversary celebrations: Charles and Jenifer Elmore. For our expectant mother: Andi.

WEEKLY RECTOR’S MESSAGE – April 25th – Fr. Thomas.

/in /by

The world has no shortage of fanatics and lunatics. Religious and political leaders rightly condemn acts of violence as deplorable and uncharacteristic of civil human behavior. But demonizing those who might be different from us doesn’t help either. How many incidents in recent weeks have been successful in spreading “terror” amongst the populous; and yet, we realize that the perpetrators suffer from a variety of mental illnesses, or disturbing behaviors which go unaddressed. Mass media is quick to spotlight those who spread such evil, while often overlooking the many acts of love and kindness which are and should be the hallmarks of our Christian faith and life.

What could be equally distressing, from our perspective, is the erosion of Christian principles and values in our culture. Jesus said, “Love one another, as I have loved you. By this the world will know that you are my disciples.” Maybe if more people truly acted like Christians the Church would not have found itself increasingly marginalized in society. Living by the example of Our Lord who gave his life as a ransom for many and speaking the truth in love, are the most powerful and only weapons we have in the spiritual warfare that besets us. Yet, silence is not always golden. According to the 18th c. Irish born statesman, Edmund Burke, “The only thing needed for evil to prosper is for good men to do nothing.” Remember, actions do speak louder than words, but we can’t disregard one over the other, for “You may be the only Gospel your neighbor ever reads.”

NOTICES:

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.

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 Thursday morning from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.

Trimming of Bushes. We will be having a trimming of the palmetto bushes workday on Saturday, May 1 starting at 8:30 am. Bring some cutting tools if you have them. If you do not have tools, please come to help. Lunch will be provided at 12:30 pm.

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 https://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

Sunday School is still in operation with the necessary protocols 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 am.
Wednesdays: Holy Eucharist and Rosary 6:30 pm.

PLEASE PRAY – For the sick: Alberto, Ampy, Andi, Barbara, Beth, Cindy, Danny, Donna, Jeanne, Joaquin, Kip, Max, Miguel, Patricia, Shelby. For birthday celebrations: John Algood, Therese Guillaume, Janice Jacques. For our expectant mother: Andi.

Video Mass – April 18th, 2021

/in , /by

WEEKLY RECTOR’S MESSAGE – April 18th – Fr. Thomas.

/in /by

After one of the school chapel services this week, when it was time for the classes to leave the pews and walk out, one of the little girls said, “Aren’t we going to go up to the altar and look at the crèche?” She remembered that each class as a group came up last week into the sanctuary and examined the Easter crèche with my explanation of the various features and characters. Seeing the disappointment on her face, I thought later about the women who originally went to the tomb on the first Easter Sunday. Did they return just to convince themselves that the person they saw wasn’t a ghost, or a figment of their imagination? We know in fact that the original site is now a pilgrim shrine in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

The Gospel accounts following the resurrection record the several appearances of Jesus to his disciples; often at unexpected times. When Jesus appeared to the disciples on the Road to Emmaus, they were caught “off guard,” discussing the events of the past week, trying to figure out just what happened – perhaps avoiding the authorities who were responsible for Jesus’ death. Maybe this road describes the one we’re on. Often times we don’t know what has happened; we’re desperately trying to figure it out. And into such despair and confusion comes Jesus, but we don’t recognize Him because we are so caught up in our own difficulties. We really don’t recognize anything other than ourselves and our own problems – even if the Lord Himself is walking beside us. However, when the disciples invited Jesus into their home, and He took bread and broke it, then their eyes were opened. So, is Jesus an honored resident in our homes and lives, or just an occasional guest? When we lose hope and think it’s the end, God says, “Relax, it’s just a bend, not the end.” Remember: “Faith is not belief without proof, but trust without reservation.” — Elton Trueblood

NOTICES:

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.

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 Thursday morning from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.

Sunday School is still in operation with the necessary protocols 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 am.
Wednesdays: Holy Eucharist and Rosary 6:30 pm.

PLEASE PRAY – For the sick: Alberto, Andi, Barbara, Beth, Cindy, Danny, Donna, Francis, Jeanne, Joaquin, Kip, Max, Miguel, Patricia, Shelby. For birthday celebrations: Earle Williams, Emma Torres, Michelle Gardner, Erin Thomas, Assad Thompson, Patricia Burke, Vince Bianco, Phyllis Gibbs-Thomas, Kathleen Lannaman, Blake Wolliston, Francis Morlu. For anniversary celebrations: Rudolph and Pat Bernard, Victor and Jeanne Champagne, Howard and Karen Brown, Daryl and Shelby Walcher. For the departed: Dottie Watson, Edna Harris. For our expectant mother: Andi.

Video Mass – April 11th, 2021

/in , /by

WEEKLY RECTOR’S MESSAGE – April 11th – Fr. Thomas.

/in /by

The seminary I attended for three years had a rich liturgical and spiritual identity. In addition to the daily Mass, Morning and Evening Prayer and Compline (night prayers) were sung in the chapel on a regular basis. Students presided over Morning and Evening Prayer with a rotation list of “officiants.” On one particular weekday, a first year student presided at Evening Prayer and after the second reading and canticle, launched into the Apostle’s Creed with the customary first line, “I Believe in God.” (He apparently forgot that we didn’t say the Creed on weekdays.) Suddenly there came a loud knock on the Principal’s prayer desk in the rear of the chapel, with his deep rich voice, “Not on Thursdays we don’t!” Well, at least liturgically we didn’t, but hopefully all present did believe and practice the words of the Creed, not only on the weekend but every day of the week.

As I’m fond of saying, our Easter faith is not simply for one day, or one season, but a way of life throughout the entire year. To give that same seminary Principal, Dr. Alec Vidler, the last word, “We have for the most part ceased to be aware of another world, an eternal kingdom of heaven; we have ceased to take it seriously. All our interest has been in this world; it never entered our heads that here we are and always shall be “exiles of the Dispersion.” Our horizons make no provision for an unseen world of mystery where all things are being made new, and where we might be even more at home than we are in this world. The time may be coming when we shall realize as we have not done yet that this world is not and cannot be our home, but that we have as a result of the work of Christ, “a better country, that is a heavenly one, and that we might already in this world be living and working as citizens of that imperishable kingdom.”

NOTICES:

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.

Sandwiches for St. George’s: Please bring your sandwiches to St. David’s west side parking lot each Thursday morning from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.

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.

Sunday School is still in operation with the necessary protocols in place.

Forward Day by Day brochures for the next quarter are now available in the narthex.

Tuesdays: Holy Eucharist 8:30 am.
Wednesdays: Holy Eucharist and Rosary 6:30 pm.

PLEASE PRAY – For the sick: Alfredo, Andi, Barbara, Beth, Calvin, Cindy, Danny, Donna, Francis, Irene, Jeanne, Joaquin, Kip, Max, Miguel, Patricia. For birthday celebrations: Dale Pugliese, Shirley Fenner, Gabriel Falco, Kerry Jackson, Madge Tinglin. For anniversary celebrations: David and Leila South, Walter and Georgette Dzubiak. For our expectant mother: Andi.