August 4, 2008                                   

 

 

Wow, how the time has flown. I can hardly believe that I have been here in the office at St. Mark’s for two weeks now, it hardly seems possible. I guess the time has come that I introduce myself and say what a privilege it is to have been called to be your rector. As most of you know, my name is Sean Leonard and I was called in late April to become the next rector at St. Mark’s. Accompanying me on this journey are my wife, Chrishelle, my five year-old daughter, Alexis, and my almost two year-old son, Caden. We come to St. Mark’s from York, Pennsylvania where I was for the last two years, the Assistant to the Rector at the St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church. At Saint John’s, I had administrative oversight of their children, youth, and young family ministries. In addition to those responsibilities, I also had a number of liturgical and pastoral responsibilities. Prior to our time in York we spent three years in Alexandria, Virginia while I was attending Virginia Theological Seminary working on my Masters of Divinity. 

 

Originally though, both Chrishelle and I hail from New England. Chrishelle grew up outside Burlington Vermont, while I grew up in Massachusetts. We met as undergraduates at Bridgewater State College in Massachusetts where we both swam on the swim team. After graduating from college we moved to Indiana, Pennsylvania so that Chrishelle could pursue a graduate degree in School Psychology. While in Pennsylvania, we began attending the Episcopal Church. I had grown Roman Catholic and had left the church upon being confirmed. Not comfortable returning to the Roman Catholic church we decided to check out the Episcopal Church because of the similarities in their liturgies. After spending some five years in the Episcopal Church, a number of experiences led me to believe that God was calling me to become a priest in the Episcopal Church. There is so much more to share, which I hope to do over the nextfew months as we get to know each other.  

                                                                                       

 

                                                    

 

My hope for the next six months is that I will begin to get to know each and every one of you as I begin to learn about the community that is St. Mark’s Church. Each one of you is a crucial piece to the life and ministry of the Church, not only here in Orchard Park but the Church universal. May you realize that each of you is a gift from God with something incredible to offer the God’s Kingdom.   

 

Fr. Sean  

 

August 9 through August 16

 

Please keep the following Pilgrims and Leaders in your prayers . . .

 

                                         Lisa Baillo                    Alanna Ross

                                         Jeff Baker                     Bethany Saul

                                         Aislynn Berwalt            Charlotte Saul

                                         Ally Harrison                Chris Streczywilk

                                         Molly King                   Patrick White

                                         Kelly Rand                   Penny Foster

                                         Ryan Rhoads                Jamie Spriegel

  

            O God, whom to see is the end and the beginning, we entrust these pilgrims to  your loving and merciful care. Support them in this time as they walk the pilgrim  way in your light and your Presence. Let your loving care enfold them, and those  who love them and whom they leave behind. This we ask in the name of him who walked the pilgrim path even to Jerusalem, your Son, Jesus Christ our lord, who  lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, for ever and ever. Amen.

THANK YOU FOR SERVING on Sunday, August 10:

 

   USHERS: Ed Worden, Patrick White

 

   LITURGY:           8:00 a.m. -  Tom Lunt, Eucharistic Minister

                              10:00 a.m.-   Bruce Brown, Lector

                                    Alan Dewart, Intercessor and Eucharistic Minister

                                    Milania Lullo, Eucharistic Minister

 

   ACOLYTES:       8:00 a.m.-   Todd Michaels, Server

                              10:00 a.m.-   Heather Ross, Crucifer

                                                   Megan Burney, 1st Server

                                                   Morgan White, 2nd Server

                                                   Joel Ross, Torch Bearer

 

   COFFEE HOUR: Debby and Jerry Berwalt

THE LECTIONARY for The Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 14, August 10:   Genesis 37:1-4,12-28; Psalm 85:8-13; Romans 10:5-15; Matthew 14:22-33

   Your kind words, prayers and concern for my health have been very comforting during   this past month. Thank you for your loving support.

 

   Cassy Harrison and Family

 

CONGRATULATIONS to Ashley Alston Apollony who graduated with top honors  from Marymount University in Arlington, VA. We wish her God’s Blessing in her  future pursuits.

 

A NEW PARISH DIRECTORY is in the works. If you would like it to contain your E-MAIL ADDRESS, please contact Martha Rose at martha.rose@stmarksop.org, or

   662-4418.

 

   

 

 

   It took a while to get here, but summer has arrived with more warmth than most of us hoped for. While you are having a wonderful summer, we want to remind you that we  will be here for you. The regular worship schedule of 8:00 A. M. and 10:00 A. M. on Sundays will continue. We'll have the fans on and keep the church as cool as possible. Dress relaxed and cool when you come.

 

   We would also ask you to remember that the expenses of the church continue during the summer. Please keep current with your pledge, if possible. It makes things easier for the Treasurer.

 

What’s So Amazing About Grace?, by Philip Yancey

TUESDAYS at 7:00 p.m.

It’s cool in the Undercroft.

You are Welcome to Join us any Tuesday evening.

 

Bill Mayo, Bernard DePasquale Jr., Sean Sullivan, Rebecca Pigut Russo, Benjamin Russo, Robert Ffield, David Nadeau, Joseph Murray, Stephen Gallagher, Joey Brotka, Peter, Andrea Smith, Gordon Sprague IV, Dan Nitrai, Buck, Andy Kurtzman, Karen  DeYoung, Scott Mauer, Kristen Porterfield, Peter.                                                                

 

 

Michael Welker (2009) and Diane Durant (2010) – Wardens

 

      Lance Crawford         Patricia Burgess                  Edward Kent            

      Michael Hanitz            Misty Burney                     Lisa Saul

      Dee Jakel                     Tom Lunt                         Dawn Straitiff

 

 

   Thanksgivings, especially for Fr. Sean, Chrishelle, Alexis, & Caden as they begin their ministry with us. Thanksgivings, especially for the birth of Sophia Kay Robertson,  daughter of Scott and Christine, sister of Lily, granddaughter of Dawn and Ron Straitiff; Charles Robert Apollony, son of Michelle and John Apollony, grandson of Mollie Apollony, for the birth of Miles Julian Loyd, son of Gretchen and David Loyd, grandson of Ruth Graesser.

   Those who have died, especially for Mike Webster, Louisa, Louis Bassallo, Timothy Putnam, Ronald B. Henry, and for the loved one in whose memory the Altar Flowers  were given – Shirley W. Braithwaite, Jr., Leon Pigut, Harold and Helen Dinger,  Frances Varecka, Chester and Betty Pigut.

   Those who are shut-in: Carrel Calaiacovo Smith, Elisabeth Braithwaite

  

 

   

 

 

 

 

Every Sunday beautiful flowers adorn the St. Mark’s Altar and are usually given in Memory of a beloved family member or friend, or for a special Thanksgiving. If you would like to donate the Altar Flowers on one of the following Sunday, please put the name of the loved one to be remembered beside the date you want, sign your name at the bottom of the list, and return to the Parish Office. More than one name can be included.

The suggested donation is $20.00.

 

OR – e-mail information to martharose@choiceonemail.com

 

SEPTEMBER, 2008

7 _______________________________

14 ______________________________

21 ______________________________

28 ______________________________

 

OCTOBER, 2008

5 _______________________________

12 ______________________________

19 ______________________________

26 ______________________________

 

NOVEMBER, 2008

2 _______________________________

9 _______________________________

16 ______________________________

23 ______________________________

30 ______________________________

 

  

 

DECEMBER, 2008

7 _______________________________

14 ______________________________

21 ______________________________

28 ______________________________

 

JANUARY, 2009

4 _______________________________

11 ______________________________

18 ______________________________

25 ______________________________

 

FEBRUARY, 2009

1 _______________________________

8 _______________________________

15 ______________________________

22 ______________________________

 

No Flowers on the Altar during Lent –

     March 1 through March 29

 

 

  

APRIL, 2009

5 – Palm Sunday

12 – Easter Day

19 ______________________________

26 ______________________________

 

MAY, 2009

3 _______________________________

10 ______________________________

17 ______________________________

24 ______________________________

31 ______________________________

 

JUNE, 2009

7 _______________________________

14 ______________________________

21 ______________________________

28 ______________________________

  

   

JULY, 2009

5 _______________________________

12 ______________________________

19 ______________________________

26 ______________________________

 

AUGUST, 2009

2 _______________________________

9 _______________________________

16 ______________________________

23 ______________________________

30 ______________________________

 

 

 

 _________________________________Your Name