Happy Friday! The sun is shining today. I almost forgot what it looked like, we’ve had so much rain.
Father Birendra just poked his head in the office and told me to leave at 12:00 noon today. He keeps telling me "go home, go home." And since I would never, ever consider disobeying my Pastor and boss, I'm taking him up on it! Closing at 12:00 noon today.
Here's this week's news:
ONE COLLECTION: There is one collection this weekend: stewardship.
ST. MARK 2022 PARISHIONER CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTS: We are pleased to inform you that the contribution statements for calendar year 2022 were mailed this past Tuesday, January 24. Please note that we are directed by the Diocese to send statements only to those families/individuals who contributed more than $250 for the year.
ST. MARK ANNUAL COLLECTION: February is our kick-off month for the St. Mark Parish Annual Collection. Father Birendra has provided a “State of the Parish” address in this weekend’s bulletin, highlighting all of the activities for the parish over the last year. Pink envelopes were provided for your use with the recent OSV envelope mailing. Thank you for your generous support to Father Birendra and the parish.
MEN’S BIBLE STUDY: A bible study exploring “The Passion and Resurrection Narratives of Jesus” will begin Monday, February 13 at 7:00 pm in the Upper Room. It is open to the men of the parish and will continue for the next six Mondays ending just before Holy Week. There will be a small charge for the course materials. Please call Dave Robertson:
203-913-7484 with any questions.
A MESSAGE FROM OUR DIRECTOR OF MUSIC DON BRELSFORD: I have been your Music Director for almost four years now, but in a sense, with the interruptions of Covid, I almost feel like I’m just getting started! I believe that my most important mission as Director of Music at St. Mark is to help all of you to pray and praise the Lord at Mass, other liturgical services, and to create a sense of a united community in Christ through the music you sing! Whether you think you have a great or horrific singing voice, believe it or not singing is not optional at Mass!! God, through the scriptures, COMMANDS us to “Sing a NEW song to the Lord,” so the quality of your voice doesn’t matter at all!! This coming weekend, we will be “singing a new gathering song” titled, ‘You Are Welcome Here’ by composer, Chris Muglia! You may not be aware of it but all the songs in our ‘Breaking Bread Hymnal’ can be listened to on YouTube! Jared Forcier is posting the YouTube link in our Friday update! You can now listen to it here and already be familiar with it before singing it at Mass. Maria and I try to go over new songs before Masses start, but that’s rather difficult as we must start the rehearsal prior to the lector’s pre-Mass announcements, so many people, arriving a little later miss that rehearsal!! Now, through the wonders of modern technology, you can learn songs at home as well as enjoy listening to other songs in our hymnal!!
(“If any of you grandparents reading this would like to hear the song on YouTube, but aren’t sure how to use it, just ask an expert to help you….one of your grandchildren!!!!! It would be great to ask them to help you, and you’ll be sharing your faith with them as you invite them to listen to the song with you!!”)
MASS FOR POPE EMERITUS BENEDICT XVI: We will celebrate a Mass in honor of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI on Sunday, March 26, at 7:30 a.m. All are welcome.
BOTTLE/CAN DRIVE: The next bottle/can drive in front of the Parish Center is scheduled for Saturday, February 4, from 10:00 a.m. till 2:00 p.m.
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK: In honor of Catholic School Week, St. Mark School students will be reading a short essay at each of our Masses this weekend. Please welcome our students!
2023 MASS BOOK: A reminder to everyone that Father Birendra is continuing with the 6:00 p.m. Masses, weekdays, during Lent. My eMail message is working. Lots of parishioners booked the 6:00 p.m. masses during Lent. Only a few masses left! If you would like to schedule an additional mass for a loved one, please eMail pmollica@stmarkstfd.org or send a written request to the rectory office. Please provide the name of the Mass intention, and how the “remembered by” should read.
LENT: Easter Sunday is early this year - Sunday, April 9. Ash Wednesday is February 22. Please mark your calendars as this most sacred season of our faith is only weeks away.
Best,
Paula (and Joan too)
P.S. Michael is diligently working on the garage. Old shelves and brackets taken off the walls. Holes spackled and sanded. Painting is complete for the walls. Looking great so far. Everything is just so much brighter with a clean coat of paint! Tomorrow we will wash the garage floor and get ready to paint it. Wow, who knew that concrete/cement floor paint could be so expensive! The new shelving has been put together waiting to sit in their new home.
Company is coming for dinner tonight. They are going to be guinea pigs for a recipe from the Barefoot Contessa called “chicken stew with biscuits.” Wish me luck. I’ve never made it before, but Joan swears to me that it is delicious and not too hard to make. Fingers crossed!
Like everyone else, Michael will be watching football on Sunday while I start to read a new book. I love books. Reading is one of my favorite things to do in the whole wide world (besides gardening)! If you want a wonderful read, grab a copy of a short book entitled “The Happiest Man On Earth,” by Eddie Jaku. A Holocaust survivor who is an inspiration to all. His story proves that even through the worst adversity possible, life can be beautiful and joyous. Mr. Jaku died in 2021 at the ripe old age of 101.