Dear Friends of St. Mark’s,
These past two Sundays we have enjoyed amazing worship. I want to thank the acolytes, musicians, ushers, and hospitality ministers for all of their hard work. Our celebrations of the Feasts of Dedication and Christ the King were spectacular, complete with rousing hymns, beautiful anthems, attentive servers, abundant flowers, sparkling linens, welcoming ushers, and delicious refreshments. This past Sunday after High Mass, many people mentioned to me how much they enjoyed the Palestrina mass setting sung by the choir, and how rare it is to hear such music anymore within our society. The choir is to be commended, because that mass setting is not easy. The ending of High Mass with Benediction on Christ the King also seems to be a congregational favorite.
We are fortunate to offer such splendid worship to Almighty God, and this is a gift which we must safeguard and nurture. According to this year’s preliminary stewardship results, it would seem that the congregation is heartily supporting our worship, ministries, and parish life. We have a number of new pledges, many people increased their pledges, and we are on target to surpass last year’s campaign of $240,000. If you have not pledged, you may still do so. The Vestry is grateful for every pledge, no matter how great or small. What is of supreme importance is that everyone makes a pledge as a sign of commitment to our corporate faith life.
Thanksgiving is a few days away, and the Christmas decorations are up all over town. The joy of the holidays is among us, and the mood is festive. That being said, let’s remember to keep Advent as Advent, so that when Christmas comes the desire remains to celebrate a robust twelve days of Jesus’ birth. Please join us for the Thanksgiving Day Low Mass at 10:00 am, and then come and enjoy the First Sunday of Advent as we begin a new year. We have three baptisms to celebrate this Saturday at the Vigil Mass, and on Sunday we will gather for one mass at 11:00 am. Advent beckons us with Jesus’ warning, “Keep awake, for you do not know the hour when the Master shall come.”
Father Paul Lillie +
