BINGO and Steak-n-Shake

What a night a BINGO last night! With only 48 people there, the big pots went down, but the odds went up. Gail didn't join us, but we sat with Larry and Rebecca. Larry won $100 on the first game, "Six Pack". I won $100 on the second game, "T", and split $250 three ways on the "UK" game for $85. I also won $25 on a Pretty Pearl pull-tab. So, we walked in with $60; $15 to the sitter, $20 for the regular game cards (we didn't make it on time for the early birds) which left us with $25 to spend. I bought $4 in food, leaving $21 which I spent on pull-tabs. Kathy kept all but $30 of the winnings, which I also spent on pull-tabs. Kathy spent an additional $20 from the winnings on "Hitter" pull-tabs in a big mix up from which we hoped we were going to benefit. We didn't, but Larry did, winning an additional $75.

So, after all that the bottom line is we walked out with $160 - netting $100. Not bad, and alot of fun!

We all went to Steak-n-Shake (13 of us counting the kids) for munchies and shakes. It took over an hour to get our shakes and by then the food was either eaten, or cold. The poor waitress didn't know which shakes were which and forgot who ordered what. I finally went to the manager and complained after an hour. We got our shakes for free and only paid for our munchies! Nicholas had a second dinner!

We all got to bed too late and too full.

Kids in the Paper for Making Cards for Pope Benedict XVI

Nicholas and Rebecca were in the April 12th editions of The Richmond Register and Lexington Herald Leader for making birthday cards for Pope Benedict XVI upon his first visit to the USA. I scanned them and present them here (click on them to enlarge them):

From the Front Page of the Register:

















From the Back Page of the Register:

















From Page B3 of the Leader (Rebecca is the 4th kid on the right):














co published in Norton's News, Notes 'n' Nonsense

St. Mark Students Make Cards for Pope's Visit

Check this video out from Channel 27:

Making Cards For Pope's Visit

BINGO Night

Kathy and I have been going to St. Mark's BINGO for last three months. We try and go twice a week (the second and fourth Fridays so the proceeds go to the school and not the KoC), but often only get to go once a month.

It's really a good deal. For $15 all three kids are babysat by one of the school's teachers in the library. Early Bird (five games with six cards per game) is $5 and the main BINGO is $10 for six cards for each of 10 games.

We have been very "blessed" (not lucky, because there is no luck) when we have played. Tonight we won $130 on the Shamrock BINGO pull tabs and two plates of cupcakes as door prizes. Last time we went we won two figurines as door prizes. The time before that, we won $130 on Shamrock and $125 on the "UK" game.

It's really alot of fun and we encourage my mother-in-law, Gail to come. And she does. After a long week with Bob, it's good just to get away and have a little fun with friends and family.

My Trip to Benedictus

I was on Spring Break last week and took the opportunity to go to Benedictus, a Catholic bookstore in Lexington. It is so calming and peaceful in the store - and rich with Catholic material! How I wish we had a Catholic library where I could spend an entire day! I wonder is there is such a thing?

I picked up a few books at the store:

At Prayer With the Saints

The Catholic Bible Study Handbook

Lives of the Saints II

Bible Day by Day

Daytime Prayer

Minute Meditations for Each Day

Reading Reflection

Today's reading comes from Acts 6:1-7. In it we find the Twelve asking the Hellenists to, "select from among you seven reputable men, filled with the Spirit and wisdom" to be leaders in spreading the Good News.

As I wrap up my tenure on Pastoral Council, I am grateful for the opportunity to have been in that servant leadership position. What I do know is that my experience on the council has increased my prayer life and hopefully "filled me with the Spirit and wisdom".

Lord, those are those in the parish who are discerning their role in St. Mark's Parish. Continue to send the Holy Spirit to those and others so our new Pastoral Council may serve You and the people of St. Mark faithfully. Through Your Son Jesus Christ we pray.