Brrrr…..it’s cold and windy outside. Everyone please remember to bundle up!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Happy birthday to Father Birendra and Deacon Andy, who both celebrated birthdays yesterday, February 2. They both claim to be 29+.
CHILDREN’S MASS: Please join us this Sunday, February 5, at 9:00 a.m. Mass as we celebrate the monthly Children’s Mass. We invite you to come and worship and sing with our beautiful children! Thank you as always to our Ladies Guild for supplying refreshments afterwards in the Parish Hall. Everyone is welcome!
TWO COLLECTIONS: There are two collections this weekend: Stewardship and our Annual Collection for the Parish. Thank you for your generosity.
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 the bulletin highlighting all 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.
ST. MARK 2022 PARISHIONER CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTS: We are pleased to inform you that the contribution statements for calendar year 2022 were mailed. 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.
2023 ANNUAL BISHOP’S APPEAL “ONE IN CHRIST”: The 2023 Annual Bishop’s Appeal is underway. The theme Bishop Caggiano chose for the Appeal this year is simply, One in Christ, which celebrates not only the unity we form as sisters and brothers in the Lord and the mission we share amidst ourselves, but quite frankly, serves as a clarion call to go out into the world and invite others to experience what we have. And to see in real ways the tangible, reckless, generous love of God that comes through you and me. We always wish to draw closer together in bonds of unity, friendship, and love. Not simply for our own sake, but for our sisters and brothers in need, so that we might go out into the world hand in hand, heart to heart, shoulder-to-shoulder to serve others. Together in our works of charity and faith, we can invite them to see the true path that will allow the world the healing and hope, which is our right and destiny in Jesus Christ. So I [Bishop Caggiano] ask you, all of you, everyone listening to me today to please prayerfully consider giving generously to this year's Appeal. Whatever gift you can make-- big or small alike—is a tangible sign that we are together, “One in Christ,” as we go forward to bring our mission into the world.
LENTEN FISH DINNER 2023: We are happy to announce that Father Birendra is bringing back the annual Lenten Fish Dinner. Please mark your calendars for Friday, March 31, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. in the Parish Center. An order form is included in the bulletin starting this weekend. You may mail to the office, drop off, or put in the collection basket, your order form and payment. Please mark your envelope “Paula.” You will note that our “fish” dinner cost has risen to $20; however, we kept the children’s and grilled cheese selections priced as before. As many of you know from grocery shopping, prices are exorbitant. We thank you for helping us to cover costs. The event is open seating; we are not booking reserved tables. Please disregard the notice in the bulletin that you can order a table for eight.
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 introduced to the parish last weekend a new 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! Hopefully our YouTube link attached works this weekend and you can listen to the song and familiarize yourself with the words.
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 tomorrow, Saturday, February 4, from 10:00 a.m. till 2:00 p.m.
2023 MASS BOOK: The 6:00 p.m. Masses during Lent have all been filled!
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. The schedule of Masses and Sacrament of Reconciliation are in the bulletin.
Best,
Paula (and Joan too)
P.S. My garage is BEAUTIFUL! Can you say that about a garage? The painting brightened up the whole space, and my honey DID paint the garage floor. Looks fantastic. We put the new shelves up yesterday and arranged everything on them, in bins, so we are neat and orderly. I just don’t know what to do with myself !!!
The Ina Garten “Chicken Stew with Biscuits” recipe was delicious. There is a lot of prep work to be done, so I advise doing most of it the day before serving. Thank goodness I had the foresight to do this. I would never have had the time after leaving work on Friday to get it all done. The recipe makes a huge portion! Great for parties with a large crowd. Thanks to my co-worker Joan for suggesting this recipe. (I still need to make Joan’s recipe for Dolly Madison’s Cake.)
We have a free weekend. No company coming over; the house is already clean and in order. Will be nice to be a slug for a change. I think tonight might be a “let’s go out somewhere” to grab a bite!
See you all at church.
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