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After serving St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church in Boynton Beach for more than two decades, Father Marty Zlatic has donned his pilgrimage jacket to walk a different path, with the Lord and his wife, Dee, by his side.

On Sept. 3, an official announcement appeared on the church’s Facebook page:

“We give thanks to God as we bid farewell to Father Zlatic, who is retiring after 26 years of faithful service as an Episcopal priest. His ministry at Saint Joseph’s and within our diocese has touched countless lives, guiding many closer to Christ.
“As Father Zlatic enters this new chapter, we pray that God blesses him with joy, peace and time well spent with his beloved family. His legacy of faith and love will continue to inspire us all. Thank you, Father Zlatic, for your unwavering dedication!”

On Aug. 31, the church hosted the “Father Marty and Dee Celebration Dinner” at Benvenuto Restaurant in Boynton Beach. Father Marty was known for openly sharing his love of good food, exotic travel destinations and music with his congregation, and this was a fitting tribute.

When he spoke to the congregation the next day for the last time, he talked about how “St. Joseph’s is our thin place.” A thin place, he said, is where the veil between heaven and earth, between man and God, is very thin.

Father Marty also told a story of how when he arrived at St. Joseph’s in 2001, he had to borrow a pair of Father Michael Cassell’s shoes. They were huge, he said. He told the congregation at the time, “I will not attempt to fill these shoes and I hope you do not expect me to.” Then he continued: “I carry that image to you today because I do not leave my shoes behind.”

The departure of the pastor and his wife, who led the children’s ministry, is not the only change going on at St. Joseph’s. The Rev. Mary Ellen Cassini, called “Mother Cassini,” has stepped in as associate rector, along with the Rev. Michael McManus, the interim associate priest.

Of Father Marty, Cassini said, “We are so grateful for his service. He is a man of great integrity, honor and love for the Lord. We wish him the best.”

St. Joseph’s offers a traditional service at 9:30 a.m. and an “Unplugged Service” with the band at 11:45 a.m.

St. Joseph’s is at 3300 S. Seacrest Blvd., Boynton Beach. 561-732-3060 or www.stjoesweb.org

EJS Project fills vacant school space at St. Joe’s
Finally, there will be teaching and learning, playing and coaching, laughing and new friendships filling the buildings and grounds of the former St. Joseph’s School on Seacrest Boulevard in Boynton Beach, which closed in 2023.

On Sept. 16, the EJS Project, founded 10 years ago, hosted a ribbon cutting at the former school. The move is a big step for the organization whose stated mission is “to provide a safe space for teens throughout Palm Beach County while creating and empowering tomorrow’s leaders.”

Dozens of advocates for children, donors, volunteers and other supporters lined up to have pictures taken with the founder, Emanuel Jackson Jr.. The Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce hosted the event, which featured food, speeches, a formal ribbon cutting and a lot of happy people.

“This new space will help us further our mission to educate, empower and inspire the youth of Palm Beach County,” Jackson wrote on the EJS Project Facebook page, a message he echoed in his welcome speech.

Jackson, known as “Dupree,” grew up in The Set, the historically Black community in the heart of Delray Beach, between Interstate 95 and Swinton Avenue, north and south of West Atlantic Avenue.

Jackson’s bio on Facebook says he has always had a passion and a skill for connecting with at-risk youth. After getting an associate’s degree at community college, he “earned a full athletic scholarship to North Dakota State University where he studied communications and minored in psychology. Upon his return to Delray Beach, Dupree noticed youths needed more mentors, and the idea for the Emanuel Jackson Senior (EJS) Project was born.”

Jackson lives in Delray Beach with his wife, Janay, and two daughters.

Next up for the EJS Project is its benefit gala “Journey Through the Decades,” from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Nov. 7 at The Addison of Boca Raton, 2 E. Camino Real. The suggested dress is 1940s fashion in memory of Emanuel Jackson Sr., for whom the project is named. Individual tickets are $350 and sponsors are needed.

Visit ejsgala24.givesmart.com or contact Adrianne Kurman at Adrianne.kurman@ejsproject.org or 561-400-4720.

Flea market coming up at St. Paul’s Episcopal
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church is hosting a Flea Market & Fall Boutique from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Oct. 18 and 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Oct. 19 at the church, 188 S. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach.

The sale will feature new and gently used furniture, quality clothing and shoes, fine and costume jewelry, framed artwork, small appliances, fine housewares and linens, home décor, sporting goods and holiday décor.

A 50-50 raffle takes place Oct. 19. Raffle tickets are $5, or three for $10 or eight for $20 or 20 for $40. You do not need to be present to win. A silent auction is also planned.

Call Ann at 904-710-2416 or Kari at 609-619-9234 for more information.

Flag retirement ceremony at St. Lucy Catholic Church
Father Brian Horgan will lead an official “Flag Retirement Service and Ceremony” on Nov. 10 at St. Lucy Catholic Church, 3510 S. Ocean Blvd., Highland Beach.

Sometimes called a Ceremony for Disposal of Unserviceable Flags or a Ceremony of Final Tribute, this solemn event is especially important to Horgan, who joined the U.S. Air Force and became a commissioned officer serving as a social and trauma counselor. He rose to the rank of major while earning a doctorate in philosophy and psychology.

The ceremony begins at 11 a.m. and refreshments will follow. Anyone with an old/worn/used flag is asked to bring it or, if you can’t attend, you can drop your flag off at the Rectory Office from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Call 561-278-1280.

Patriotic concert set at First Presbyterian
First Presbyterian Church of Delray Beach will host its final concert of 2024 with a salute to the United States of America at 4 p.m. Nov. 10. To honor veterans and celebrate our nation, a performance including This Land Is Your Land and God Bless America is planned at the church, 33 Gleason St.

Tickets are $20 at firstdelray.com/concerts/reserve-concert-tickets. Call 561-276-6338.

The Challah Prince teaches his craft
More than 250 women gathered for a special lesson in challah making from Idan Chabasov, more commonly known as Israel’s Challah Prince. The sold-out event was hosted by B’nai Torah Congregation’s Women’s League in partnership with the congregation’s social action group, the TLC Program.

Challah is a special bread in Jewish culture that is eaten on ceremonial occasions like Rosh Hashanah, which started Oct. 2. Chabasov’s lesson included how to braid a challah, the proper prayer to say before eating a challah, and how the challah should be presented.

The challah dough was prepped at Lenny’s Pizza, a Kosher Pizza restaurant in Boca Raton, which donated the space and equipment for the event. Chabasov’s challah were auctioned off to support women and children’s charities in Israel. More than $1,800 was raised.

B’nai Torah Congregation is the largest conservative synagogue in Southeast Florida with more than 1,300 membership families.

For information on B’nai Torah Congregation’s Rosh Hashanah celebrations, visit https://btcboca.org.

— Janis Fontaine