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

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

At a Super Bowl game, there was a vacant seat next to a woman sitting by herself.  After three quarters, the man behind her asked, “Why is that seat empty?”  She replied, “That was my late husband’s seat.”  The man asked, “Weren’t there any family or friends who could have taken his seat?”  The woman replied, “Yes, but they all chose to attend his funeral!”

The past month and a half have seen championship finals in a variety of sports which were postponed due to the pandemic. The Kentucky Derby, normally run on the first Saturday of May, was postponed to the first Saturday in September.  Likewise, the NBA playoffs, Stanley Cup Hockey playoffs, Tennis and Golf Championships, Baseball World Series all coinciding with the beginning of the fall Football season, on top of all that.  It’s a busy time for sports enthusiasts.

St. Paul writes, “We run the race that is set before us, persevering to win the prize of the upward call.”  In this competitive world of ours, the Church may be the only institution who puts out the welcome mat to “all sorts and conditions of men and women.”  Yes, we are winners, only in that we have been made righteous by the grace of God.  But if we never make it to the starting gate, or step up to the plate, we can’t expect great things to happen either.  God wants us to use His ministries of grace.  Even though during the pandemic, while opportunities of service and evangelism may seem to be limited, we are still called upon to be agents of love and mercy, whether it’s praying, supporting of our ministry here, or learning how to grow in grace in new and various ways.  So what’s stopping us from becoming “varsity players” on God’s team?  Remember, God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called.

 

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.  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  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 Outreach Project – Please continue to prepare sandwiches for St. George’s and bring them to St. David’s parking lot each Wednesday morning from 8:30 to 9:30 am. Thank you for your continued support!

 

School Supply Drive Outreach Project – August usually finds our parishioners looking for bargains on backpacks and other school supplies. For obvious reasons, that did not happen in 2020. I have spoken with the principal of Wynnebrook Elementary School and she has requested any help we can provide.  In order to keep our parishioners safe and still help the students and teachers, we will be providing items in bulk to the school.  If you wish to help, please send a check to me and I will order requested items in bulk and have them shipped directly to the school.  Thank you for any donation you are able to make! 💖 Joyce

Make checks payable to:             St. David’s in the Pines

Write: School Supplies in the Memo area

Mail checks to:                             Joyce Parker

104 Locust Lane

Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411

Questions?                                   Call me at 561-312-2719

Deadline:                                      Friday, November 6, 2020

 

Holy Eucharist:   Sundays: 8 am & 10 am

 

Please Pray – For the sick: Ashlyn, Charlotte, Donna, Iliana, Jeanne, Jim, Joaquin, Kim.

For birthday celebrations: Yvonne Wolliston, Aaron Harvey-Chung, Violet Henry.

For anniversary celebrations: Everald & Phyllis Thomas.

For our expectant mother: Mayoli.

Additional Links and Information

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

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WEEKLY MESSAGE – October 11th
The Church is open for “live” worships on Sundays at 8 & 10 am. Please note the guidelines below, which the Diocese is requiring to be followed for all in-person worship.
  • If you feel sick in any way or have any of the symptoms for COVID-19, please do not come to church.
  • All attendees must sign the register book – one family member can list all the members.
  • Those who live in the same household will be permitted to sit together in the same pew; but social distance from other attendees in alternate pews which will be set apart in advance.
  • Hand sanitizers will be available in the Narthex, and we ask that you use them, or your own, when you arrive at Church.
  • Facemasks must always be worn while in church.
  • There will be no physical sign of peace exchanged, at this time – except amongst family members.
  • The line for the reception of Holy Communion will follow appropriate distancing, as marked on the floor.
  • The Eucharist will be given in one kind in the hand only. We ask that you kindly keep your mask on as you receive Communion. Then step to the side, lift your mask, and consume the wafer before putting your mask back on and returning to your seat
  • Collection plates will be placed in the back of the church for your convenience – the plates will not be passed during Mass.
  • The Church building will be appropriately sanitized before and between Masses, as well as the restrooms.
RECTOR’S MESSAGE – Fr. Thomas.
A man was sleeping one night in his cabin when suddenly his room filled with light and God appeared.  The Lord told the man he had work for him to do, and showed him a large rock out in front of his cabin.  The Lord explained that the man was to push against the rock with all his might. So, this he did, day after day.  For many years he toiled from sun up to sundown, his shoulders set squarely against the cold, massive surface of the unmoving rock, pushing with all his might! Each night the man returned to his cabin sore and worn out, feeling that his whole day had been spent in vain. Seeing that the man was showing discouragement, the Adversary decided to enter the picture by placing thoughts into his weary mind. “You have been pushing against that rock for a long time and it hasn’t moved.”  Thus, he gave the man the impression that the task was impossible and that he was a failure.  These thoughts discouraged and disheartened the man. Satan said, “Why kill yourself over this?  You tried.  Quit wasting your time and move on.” That’s what the weary man planned to do, but decided to make it a matter of prayer and to take the troubled thoughts to the Lord.
“Lord,” he said, “I have labored long and hard in Your service, putting all my strength to do that which you have asked.  Yet, after all this time, I have not even budged that rock by a millimeter.  What is wrong?  What am I failing?” The Lord responded compassionately, “My child, when I asked you to serve Me and you accepted, I told you that your task was to push against the rock with all of your strength, which you have done.  Never once did I mention to you that I expected you to move it.  Your task was to push.  And now you come to Me with your strength spent, thinking that you have failed. But is that really so?  Look at yourself.  Your arms are strong and muscled, your back shiny and brown, your hands are callused from constant pressure, your legs have become massive and hard. Through opposition you have grown much, and your abilities now surpass that which you used to have.  True, you haven’t moved the rock.  But your calling was to be obedient, to push and to exercise your faith and trust in My wisdom.  That you have done.  Now I, my child, will move the rock.”
OK, so maybe we can’t move mountains, especially when life doesn’t always “go our way,” but we can with an obedient faith move “mountains” with God’s help.  Who knows what we can accomplish as long as we continue to PUSH.  (Pray Until Something Happens!!)  Because “He who fails is not the one who tries and falls, but the one who doesn’t try at all.”
NOTICES:
Video Viewing Options – 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  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 Outreach Project – Please continue to prepare sandwiches for St. George’s and bring them to St. David’s parking lot each Wednesday morning from 8:30 to 9:30 am. Thank you for your continued support!
Holy Eucharist: Tuesdays 8:30 am
                           Wednesdays: 6:30 pm
Please Pray – For the sick: Ashlyn, Charlotte, Donna, Eddie, Kim, Jeanne, Jim, Joaquin, Marie, Natalie.
For birthday celebrations:  Ampy Calatayud, Jean DeLeon, Joanna Morlu, Judy Bennett, Laurie Cohen, Theo Falco.
For anniversary celebrations: Robert & Theresa Falotico.
For our expectant mother: Mayoli.
Additional Links and Information

WEEKLY RECTOR’S MESSAGE – October 4th – Fr. Thomas.

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WEEKLY MESSAGE – October 4th
St. David’s will be re-opening its doors THIS Sunday, October 4, 2020 for both the 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. masses!  Weekday masses will resume on Tuesday mornings at 8:30 am and Wednesday evenings at 6:30 pm. Please note the guidelines below, which the Diocese is requiring to be followed for all in-person worship.
  • If you feel sick in any way or have any of the symptoms for COVID-19, please do not come to church.
  • All attendees must sign the register book – one family member can list all the members.
  • Those who live in the same household will be permitted to sit together in the same pew; but social distance from other attendees in alternate pews which will be set apart in advance.
  • Hand sanitizers will be available in the Narthex, and we ask that you use them, or your own, when you arrive at Church.
  • Facemasks must always be worn while in church.
  • There will be no physical sign of peace exchanged, at this time – except amongst family members.
  • The line for the reception of Holy Communion will follow appropriate distancing, as marked on the floor.
  • The Eucharist will be given in one kind in the hand only. We ask that you kindly keep your mask on as you receive Communion. Then step to the side, lift your mask, and consume the wafer before putting your mask back on and returning to your seat
  • Collection plates will be placed in the back of the church for your convenience – the plates will not be passed during Mass.
  • The Church building will be appropriately sanitized before and between Masses, as well as the restrooms.
RECTOR’S MESSAGE – Fr. Thomas.
This Sunday is the commemoration of Saint Francis; the Italian friar who left a life of fame, riches, and the comforts of home to preach and live among the poor and forgotten in the early 13th C.  For someone who never wrote a book, or held an official office in the Church (although he did receive deacon’s orders later in life,) his abiding influence has been enormous. He started life as a “swashbuckling” rich young man, the son of a wealthy cloth merchant in central Italy.  But after a near fatal disease, from which he recovered, he turned his life completely around, renouncing the distractions of the world and even stripping off his clothes in the public square before the bishop and all the towns folk.  Imagine Charlie Sheen or Tom Cruise doing that in Times Square to give their life over to the Lord.  (On second thought, before the pandemic, would anyone have noticed in Times Square?).
It seems that those who did the most for humanity have been those who seemingly had little to work with in the world’s eyes.  Jesus said, “The greatest among you must be servant of all.”  Do we see ourselves as servants or just “volunteers?” A servant serves no matter what; a volunteer does so when it’s convenient.
It’s important to remember, especially during these challenging times, that we all have something to give to God – no matter how small or insignificant we, or the world, may perceive it.  Remember the boy who offered two fish and five loaves of bread to Jesus who fed five thousand?  Even a little can be made great in the hands of God.  Francis’ love of God’s creation, in all its entirety, particularly nature and animals, may be an attractive feature of his life; but not everyone is called to a life of poverty or celibacy.  Yet, in our own ways, even when they seem unimportant, we can show love and reverence for all.  As St. Francis was fond of saying, “Preach the Gospel, in words if necessary.”
NOTICES:
This Wednesday, the first of the month, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, 6:00 p.m.
Video Viewing Options – 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  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 Outreach Project – Please continue to prepare sandwiches for St. George’s and bring them to St. David’s parking lot each Wednesday morning from 8:30 to 9:30 am. Thank you for your continued support!
Please Pray – For the sick: Ashlyn, Charlotte, Donna, Eddie, Kim, Jeff, Jim, Joaquin, Joshua.
For birthday celebrations: Daniel Anzures, Diana Myrie, Gavin Elmquist, Julian Belden, Evelyn Bartley, Tim Sauerbier, Douglas Richardson, Carolyn Schmiedl, Ginny Elliott, Laurel Coore.
For our expectant mother: Mayoli.
Additional Links and Information

WEEKLY RECTOR’S MESSAGE – September 27th – Fr. Thomas.

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WEEKLY Message– September 27th

I am still pleased to remind you that the Diocese has lifted the moratorium for in-church worship and that St. David’s will be re-opening its doors Sunday, October 4, 2020 for both the 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. masses!  Weekday masses will resume next week – on Tuesday mornings at 8:30 am and Wednesday evenings at 6:30 pm. Please note the guidelines below, which the Diocese is requiring to be followed for all in-person worship.

  • If you feel sick in any way or have any of the *CDC-listed symptoms for COVID-19, as listed below, please do not come to church.
  • All attendees must sign the register book – one family member can list all the members.
  • Those who live in the same household will be permitted to sit together in the same pew; but social distance from other attendees in alternate pews which will be set apart in advance.
  • Hand sanitizers will be available in the Narthex, and we ask that you use them, or your own, when you arrive at Church.
  • Facemasks must always be worn while in church.
  • There will be no physical sign of peace exchanged, at this time – except amongst family members.
  • The line for the reception of Holy Communion will follow appropriate distancing, as marked on the floor.
  • The Eucharist will be given in one kind in the hand only. We ask that you kindly keep your mask on as you receive Communion. Then step to the side, lift your mask, and consume the wafer before putting your mask back on and returning to your seat.
  • Collection plates will be placed in the back of the church for your convenience – the plates will not be passed during Mass.
  • The Church building will be appropriately sanitized before and between Masses, as well as the restrooms.

*CDC Symptoms List:

  • Fever
  • Dry cough
  • Tiredness

Less common symptoms:

  • Aches and pains
  • Sore throat
  • Diarrhea
  • Conjunctivitis
  • Headache
  • Loss of taste or smell
  • A rash on skin, or discoloration of fingers or toes

Serious symptoms:

  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
  • Chest pain or pressure

 

RECTOR’S MESSAGE- Fr. Thomas.

Around the end of the 19th century as African colonialism began to wane and the economic market opened up, two salesmen were sent by a British shoe manufacturer to Africa to investigate the market potential.  The first salesman reported back, “There’s no potential here – nobody wears shoes.”  The second salesman reported back, “There is massive potential here – nobody wears shoes.”

So is the glass half full or half empty?  Do we look at life with fear, or see opportunity in everyday challenges?  Perhaps we can’t change circumstances or other people; so if you don’t like the way your life looks, try changing the way you look at life.  Remember, the Lord doesn’t choose us for who we are, but for what we can become, because “Experience is not what happens to a man; it is what a man does with what happens to him.”  Aldous Huxley

 

NOTICES:

Forward Day by Day booklets for the next quarter are available in the Narthex book rack.

 

Video Viewing Options – 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  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 Outreach Project – Please continue to prepare sandwiches for St. George’s and bring them to St. David’s parking lot each Wednesday morning from 8:30 to 9:30 am. Thank you for your continued support!

 

Please Pray – For the sick: Ashlyn, Donna, Kim, Jeff, Jim, Joshua, Marie, Natalie.

For birthday celebrations: Tanya Lee, Gabrielle Kiminyo, Lucy Smith, Jeanne Champagne, Roxan Carty, Ray Walter, Erika Belden, Bonnie Mershon.

For our anniversary celebrations: Lincoln & Yvonne Elliott ~ 50 years!

AND Kenneth & Dorret Barnett ~ 40 Years!

For our expectant mother: Mayoli.

 

Additional Links and Information