Alleluia, Christ is risen! The Lord is risen indeed, alleluia! I want to express my gratitude for the dedication and hard work of so many people that made this recent Holy Week a deeply religious celebration. Thanks are due to the acolytes, servers, ushers, musicians, worship guilds, and hospitality ministers. I hope that everyone’s faith was enriched by the liturgies we enacted together in honor of our Lord’s death and resurrection.
Read More →
We had a wonderful time kicking off Holy Week this past Sunday with our Procession of Palms at the High Mass. I want to thank the ushers, choir, worship guilds, and servers for their hard work and planning. We chose a simple route along Kapahulu Avenue in order to avoid some of the narrow sidewalks within the neighborhood. When the city removed the crosswalks on Kapahulu, it also made crossing the road practically impossible with a procession. Nevertheless, all had a good time, and we made our presence known in the neighborhood.
Read More →
“The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes.” (Psalm 118:22) We have been busy at the church preparing for Holy Week. For the Christian, Holy Week is the most important week of the year. The week requires our attention, for this is when we intentionally embrace the mysteries of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ unlike any other time.
Read More →
I was at a concert not too long ago, and the organizers made several announcements about silencing cell phones. Notices were included in the program, and signs were also posted upon entry into the church. Thus it was particularly humorous that when the concert began, someone's cell phone rang with decibel raising volume. People gasped, and people frowned. Hands were clutching chests and hearts as people rolled their eyes in disgust.
Read More →
Last Friday Bishop Fitzpatrick ordained two deacons at St. Mark's who will eventually be ordained priests. Deacon Hannah Lee travelled from Guam to be ordained, while Deacon Erin Richardson Severin returned from Sewanee for the occasion. It was a joyous day, and we look forward to the celebrations when both are ordained priests. Deacon Erin discerned her call while a parishioner at Saint Mark's.
Read More →
This past Sunday was the first Sunday in Lent. We say that Sundays are “in” Lent rather than “of” Lent, as Sundays are always celebrations of the resurrection. If you are following our Shape of Lent booklet, this week we have given up sweets and treats, and next week we fast from unnecessary spending. If you have not picked up a Shape of Lent booklet yet, there are copies in the Church and Parish Hall.
Read More →
This Lent we will have two visitations of the Bishop. On Friday, March 14, Bishop Fitzpatrick will be at St. Mark’s to ordain two deacons who will eventually be ordained priests. The mass is at 11:00 am, and one of the ordinands is Erin Richardson Severin. Erin went through discernment at St. Mark’s, and she is in her final year of seminary studies at the School of Theology at Sewanee. All are most welcome to attend the mass.
Read More →
Last Sunday at the Rector's Forum I presented our parish Shape of Lent booklet. If you were not able to attend, copies have been placed in the Parish Hall and the Church. The Shape of Lent has been a labor of love of some parishioners since last summer.
Read More →
Ash Wednesday is less than two weeks away. Last Sunday was Septuagesima, seventy days before Easter; this coming Sunday is Sexagesima, sixty days before Easter; and March 2 is Quinquagesima, fifty days before Easter. If you are doing the math, you quickly discover these Latin titles are symbolic. These Sundays are often called Pre-Lent, and in some churches the color has already changed to violet, and the alleluias have been removed.
Read More →
