I am grand knight of St. Anastasia Knights of Columbus council #5911 in Douglaston and would like to praise a good priest who I have gotten to know. I have most recently worked with Father Mark Bristol on a meeting where we brought many together to discuss ways to make our parish safer from those who would do us harm.
At this time I would like to praise Father Bristol who I have felt his love of God and country. He is a most dedicated priest and is loved by all he has served. The Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, May 26, he was sworn in as the U.S. Navy’s newest chaplain, and on July 1, he will be stationed on the U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier.
Father Bristol is also a member of the American Legion Post #103 in Douglaston and a member of the Knights of Columbus.
On a personal note, five years ago as a new priest, he bestowed upon me a healing and prayer blessing as I was about to be operated on a week later for an aggressive prostate cancer. Well, I survived and maybe because of Father Bristol’s loving pastoral concern for my wellbeing.
In closing, as a fellow Navy veteran, bless you Father Mark Bristol for all you will be doing for our military men and women who also will need your loving care. You will be missed greatly at St. Anastasia and in the communities of Douglaston and Little Neck.
Frederick R. Bedell Jr.
Mineola
