Happy Friday and Happy St. Patrick’s Day. Don’t forget that Bishop Caggiano is allowing us to eat meat today in honor of St. Patrick. And Monday is the feast day of St. Joseph, spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Make sure you grab a St. Joseph zeppole from the bakery! They’re delicious.
Some updates (please scroll to the bottom of this message….we have some wonderful Social Events activities coming up and we don’t want you to miss out:
BIG REMINDER: Stations of the Cross will not be prayed today, Friday, March 17, at 4:00 p.m. The church is in use this afternoon for celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation for our children making their First Holy Communion in May. Stations will be prayed at 6:30 p.m. after the 6:00 p.m. Mass.
REMINDER: a Mass will be celebrated on the eve of the CT March for Life at St. James Parish, at 7:00 p.m., this coming Tuesday, March 21, 2110 Main Street, Stratford.
TWO COLLECTIONS: There are two collections this weekend: Stewardship and Catholic Relief Services for Central and Eastern Europe. (For the month of March, you can submit your Easter Flowers envelope at any Mass.)
RECONCILIATION MONDAY: We have updated the bulletin to include the notice from Bishop Caggiano that the Diocese will continue the tradition of conducting Reconciliation Monday, which will be held during Holy Week on Monday, April 3, 2023. In our Deanery (Mystical Rose), St. James, St. Mark, and St. Lawrence will be open for confession from 3:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.
LENT: Lenten weekday Masses are at 6:00 p.m. Stations of the Cross will be prayed at 4:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. in the church every Friday.
LENTEN FOOD DRIVE: Thank you for supporting our Knights of Columbus by providing canned and dry goods during Lent. Boxes are at the entrances of the church.
ADORATION CHAPEL: The Adoration Chapel will be closed during the Easter Triduum, from 10 p.m., Wednesday, April 5th, 2023, and reopen on Monday, April 10th, 2023,
at 9:00 a.m.
MASS SCHEDULE CHANGES FOR SAINT MARK PARISH:
In the last few years there has been a steady decline in Mass attendance across America and more so after COVID-19. As a result, following the recommendation of Bishop Caggiano, many pastors have reduced the number of weekend Masses in their parishes across the Bridgeport Diocese, including our own town. After deep prayer and reflection, and after consulting the clergy members and lay leaders of the parish, I have decided that it is time for us also to reduce the number of Masses in our parish.
Beginning January 1, 2024, the new weekend Mass schedule will be as follows:
Saturday – Vigil: 5:00 p.m.
Sunday – 7:30 a.m, 9:30 a.m., and 11:30 a.m.
(The 9:30 a.m. Mass on Sundays will be live-streamed.)
Baptisms – 12:30 p.m.
The weekday and Holy Day Mass schedules remain as they are.
CONNECTICUT MARCH FOR LIFE: The annual Connecticut March for Life is scheduled for Wednesday, March 22nd in Hartford. The speaker rally begins at 12:00 noon and the march will proceed at 1:00 p.m. around Bushnell Park. Round-trip bus rides from locations through Connecticut are available. Please visit https:/rally.co/ct-march-for-life. This website immediately lists the churches that are providing bus service, sign up, etc. You may also contact Maureen Ciardiello at the Diocese office, telephone 203-416-1445.
MARK SCHULTZ BENEFIT CONCERT: A concert to benefit Malta House and the Ministries of St. Francis of Assisi will take place on May 5, 2023, at 7:00 p.m., at the Quick Center for the Arts, Fairfield University. Cost and sign-up information are noted in the bulletin.
THE CATHOLIC BRIDGE: A Diocesan Mentorship Program. Are you interested in participating in a diocesan-wide mentorship program? The diocese has launched a mentorship program benefiting young adult Catholics as they look for career and life guidance. The program consists of one monthly meeting with your mentor or mentee for six months. Meetings can be held in person or via Zoom. If you or someone you know is interested in participating as either a mentor or mentee, please sign up by clicking on the link below:
For more information, please contact the Program Coordinator, Cindy Egloff, at CEgloff@diobpt.org.
LENTEN FISH DINNER 2023: Still plenty of time to send in your order for the Lenten Dinner, being held Friday, March 21, in the Parish Center. The order form is included in the bulletin. You may mail to the office, drop off, or put in the collection basket, your order form and payment. Please mark your envelope “Paula.”
Just a huge reminder that everyone please note their meal choice for the Lenten dinner! Fish & Chips, Shrimp Sampi over Spaghetti, or Grilled Cheese. Circle your choice. Thanks!
The event is open seating; we are not booking reserved tables.
Notes: Fish & Chips (both fried in vegetable oil). Shrimp scampi over spaghetti (shrimp are sauteed in butter), Bread, Butter, Salad, Tea, Coffee, Soda, Water, Cake. BYOB.
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS BLOOD DRIVE/RED CROSS: The Knights of Columbus, Saint John Paul II, will be hosting a blood drive for the Red Cross on Saturday, April 1st in the Parish Center from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Potential donors can sign up for an appointment at www.redcross.org. Our blood drive last year was a great success, and we hope this year will be a success too!
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS: The Knights of Columbus Connecticut District will be holding its Patriotic 4th Degree exemplification at St. Mary’s Church, 5 Hillhouse Avenue, New Haven, CT on Sunday, April 23, following the 10:30 a.m. Mass. Any Brother Knight who has not attained the rank of Sir Knight (4th Degree) can contact their Grand Knight or contact Sir Knight Joseph Sean Aparicio at administrativeaide@assembly2459.org or Sir Knight Frank Quadrino at scribe@assembly2459.org.
ST. MARK SCHOOL FUNDRAISER: The St. Mark School HSA is hosting its “Egg My Yard” fundraiser program again! Sign-up sheets will be placed at the entrances of the church for next weekend. I’ve attached the PDF file to this Flocknote message in case you want to get a jump on this fun activity. The “Easter Bunnies” arrive at your house and scatter candy and toy-filled eggs in your yard for an egg hunt on Saturday morning, April 8 (day before Easter). $20 for 24 eggs, +$10 for each additional dozen.
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, April 1, from 10:00 a.m. till 2:00 p.m.
BREAKING BREAD TOGETHER: a St. Mark Parish Family Cookbook! Team Social envisions a collection of recipes and photos from St. Mark gatherings, along with the bios of people, allowing us an opportunity to get to know each other more! The team is working on a form for use in submitting recipes and photos. More info to come!
HIPPIES….Peace, Hope, and Love: Grab your love beads and flowers in your hair to experience the music that defined a generation. Video history….DJ….Live Performances. Date: April 29, 6:00 p.m. till 9:30 p.m., Parish Center. BYOB and snacks. Serving brownies, dessert, coffee. Cost $25 per person. An RSVP schedule TBD.
Best,
Paula (and Joan too)
P.S. There is one thing that is great about being on Medicare! Michael and I get free gym memberships! Michael has been going faithfully; me, not so much...to be truthful, I haven’t gone once. I need to get on track (no pun intended.)
Made my corned beef /cabbage/potato dinner yesterday on my day off. Cannot wait for a bite later today.
Michael and I are on “dog sitting” duty this weekend. Yes, the dog is coming to the house so his parents can go to parties all weekend. When do I get a real baby?