The Feast of Saint Bartholomew 2022

Dear friends,

Sometimes upon reflection one discovers that many shifts have quietly occurred, some due to the gradual course of events, and some due to deliberate planning. As I write this, the parents of the preschool are being allowed to enter the playground and preschool for the first time since the pandemic began. It is great to see the parents gain greater access to the school. As well, a number of church projects have come to fruition over the year.

This past month the Parish Hall was carpeted. The result has been fantastic for teaching, as well as for casual conversation. Since I came to St. Mark’s, the congregation has struggled with how to manage the lively acoustic in the Parish Hall. There has been much discussion, but little action until now. The new carpet has greatly enhanced the hall, and many of you have expressed your delight with the final product.

We have also struggled with security issues on Kapahulu Avenue. The front entry of the church has been a hot spot for crime when night falls. Due to the installation of the new gate, the problems during nightfall, as well as during the day, have mostly ended. The teachers of the preschool are especially grateful that when they arrive early in the morning to open the school, the entrance of the church is now safe. Surprisingly, the new gate has made us discover an unexpected benefit. When visitors come to the church on Sundays or weekdays, it is now very clear how to enter the church. One immediately sees where the gate is open, and thus people are shepherded into the church by the structures themselves. We never anticipated this being the case.

Finally, many of you have been eager to hear news about our search for a new organist. Mike Dupre and I have been pleasantly surprised at the results of our organist search. We had several good candidates apply. We conducted initial interviews, and then we invited finalists to practice at the church and play for an audition. I am pleased to announce that we have offered the organist position to Thomas Soplinski, and he has accepted. Tom will begin his duties on September 1, and his first Sunday at the organ bench will be September 4. Tom has studied organ at Indiana University and the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music, and he has the unique gifts required for the liturgy at St. Mark’s. I am grateful to Karl Bachman and Kathy Crosier for serving as substitute organists this summer, and we look forward to welcoming Tom as our organist.

Summer is quickly coming to an end. I have more parish developments to announce, but for now this news will need to suffice. The Holy Spirit has been quietly working among us, and it is wonderful to witness the results.

Blessings,
Father Paul Lillie +