As we head into Palm Sunday and Holy Week there is a lot to remind you about.
First, good morning! What a beautiful, if chilly, day.
Let’s get down to business!
OFFICE CLOSED: The office will be closed tomorrow, Friday, March 31, and the phones will be on the answering service (hence my Flocknote message going out today). As usual, my phone can pick up eMail and text messages linked to the office if you need me.
LENTEN FISH DINNER: We look forward to seeing everyone signed up for the Lenten Fish Dinner tomorrow evening at 6:00 p.m. in the Parish Center (gym).
But yes! Even though the dinner is at 6:00 p.m., Father Birendra is still celebrating the 6:00 p.m. Mass and the 6:30 Stations of the Cross in the church. Father Russ will give the blessing for dinner and Father Birendra will join us after church.
Thank you in advance to Patricia Nettleton and her team of “kitchen” staff for preparing our delicious meal, as well as the 8th graders and Knights of Columbus for helping with set-up and clean-up.
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS BLOOD DRIVE/RED CROSS: The blood drive is this Saturday, April 1, in the Parish Center from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
PALMS AND PANCAKES: The Knights of Columbus will be hosting their annual Palms and Pancakes breakfast this Sunday, April 2, in the Parish Hall, after all four Masses. Admission and food is free; donations are always welcome!
OFFICE CLOSED: The rectory office will be closed starting at 12:00 noon Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Monday. (April 6, 7, 10). The office will reopen on Tuesday, April 11, 9:00 a.m.
FIRST FRIDAY HOLY HOUR: There is NO First Friday Holy Hour on Friday, April 7.
NO 8:00 A.M. MASSES: There are no 8:00 a.m. Masses on Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday (April 6, 7, 8).
BLESSING OF THE EASTER BASKETS: The blessing of the Easter baskets takes place at 1:00 p.m. on Holy Saturday, April 8.
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.
HOLY WEEK MASS RECAP:
Thursday, April 6 – Mass of the Lord’s Supper – 7:30 p.m. in the Church
Friday, April 7 – Solemn Liturgy/Veneration of the Cross - 3:00 p.m. in the Church
(St. Mark School children will be reenacting the “living stations” immediately following 3:00 p.m. Liturgy – please stay and join our school and parents)
Saturday, April 8 – Easter Vigil Mass - 7:30 p.m. in the church
Sunday, April 9 – Easter Masses – regular Sunday mass schedule: 7:30, 9:00, 10:30, 12:00
HOLY WEEK SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION RECAP:
Monday, April 3 - Reconciliation Monday for Deanery Mystical Rose at St. James, St. Mark, and St. Lawrence from 3:00 p.m. till 9:00 p.m.
Thursday, April 6 – St. Mark from 12:00 noon till 1:00 p.m.
Friday, April 7 – St. Mark from 11:00 a.m. till 12:00 noon
Saturday, April 8 – St. Mark from 11:00 a.m. till 12:00 noon
REMINDER FOR HOLY THURSDAY “DISCIPLES” Thank you to the twelve men and women who have graciously volunteered to be “disciples” and have their feet washed during the Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper. Remember to come to church at least 15 minutes early. Reserved seating will be set up in BOTH second-row pews of the church (row behind handicapped seating). The ushers and I will be there to guide you as well.
REMINDER FOR ALTAR SERVERS: Thank you to all our altar servers who are assigned to serve at the Holy Week “special” Masses. Let us thank them for their service, which includes coming to church to “practice” with Deacon Andy and showing up at least one-half early to dress and prepare.
ONE COLLECTION: There is one collection this weekend: Stewardship (For the month of March, you can submit your Easter Flowers envelope at any Mass.)
ANNUAL EASTER EGG HUNT: If you are between the ages of 2 and 10, grab a bag from home and HOP on down to the St. Mark great lawn on Sunday, April 16, after the 9:00 a.m. Mass, and hunt for Easter eggs and meet the Easter bunny. The event is hosted by our St. Mark Youth Group and is free of charge.
DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET: We needed to place an order for the Divine Mercy Chaplets and ordered some of the Chaplets in Spanish. We will place them in the wall holder for religious materials at the main entrance to the church.
ST. MARK SCHOOL/PARISH: In light of the recent shooting in Tennessee, we wanted to highlight security here at St. Mark. The St. Mark School building and the Parish facilities underwent security updates back in 2013.
These changes are still in effect today, which include:
- Steel exterior doors
- Thick, translucent polyethylene film applied to windows to hold the glass together, even if penetrated
- Electronic lock/buzzer system at school and rectory entrances
- Routine unannounced fire and lock down practice drills
- Security cameras for all entrances
- Walkie talkies for all faculty and staff (school)
- Locked rectory doors with remote opening clickers
The purpose of security upgrades in school and parish facilities is to delay an intruder(s) and improve notification to police so their response time is as quick as can be. Father Birendra and Mrs. Warner ask all parents to discuss school safety and security with their children, in a way that is appropriate for their family, and for parishioners to be cognizant of their surroundings at all times while on church property. We will continue to keep the church unlocked for worship.
ST. MARK SCHOOL FATHER’S CLUB “PASTA NIGHT:” This just in! Save the date for Saturday, May 6, at 6:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall. The St. Mark School Father’s Club is hosting a “pasta night” and all the dads are cooking (with the help of Patty Nettleton of course….we don’t want our pasta to be too al dente or too mushy!). Further details will be forthcoming.
LADIES GUILD: The St. Mark Ladies Guild will meet on Tuesday, April 11 at 1:00 p.m. in the Upper Room. Our guest speaker will be Karolina Nemchek, Director of Community Relations for Spring Village (formerly Atria). Her topic will be “Choosing the Right Senior Living Community and What it Means to Seniors”. All women of the parish and their guests are welcome. Refreshments will be served.
WOMEN’S SPRING RETREAT: All the women of the Diocese are invited to attend the Women’s Spring Retreat, being held at St. Rose of Lima, 38 Church Hill Road, Newtown, CT, on Saturday, April 29, 2023 from 8:00 a.m. till 4:00 p.m. Mass immediately following at 4:00 p.m. The theme is “How Big Is Your God?” Registration $25 and includes continental breakfast and lunch. Register online: https://www.osvhub.com/stroseoflimachurch/forms/womensretreat2023. Questions? Contact Cate Gosselin at 203-426-2333 or dre@strosechurch.com.
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.
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.
BOTTLE/CAN DRIVE: The next bottle/can drive in front of the Parish Center is scheduled for this, Saturday, April 1, from 10:00 a.m. till 2:00 p.m.
ST. MARK SCHOOL CROWNING OF THE MAY QUEEN: Please join our St. Mark School for the Crowning of the May Queen on Wednesday, May 17, at 9:00 a.m. in the Church. All are welcome.
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.
I’m here at the office with Joan, and we’ve gone over this Flocknote message a hundred times to make sure we didn’t miss anything. Easter is the BUSIEST time here at the rectory office and we don’t want to omit providing important information to you! Everything looks like it has been covered. OK, I’m going to press SEND!
Best,
Paula (and Joan too)
Finished reading The Plot. I don’t know. Not sure it’s one of my favorites. I really had to push myself to finish the book. You guys give it a read and see what you think.
As we head into Holy Week, there is lots of “Italian” cooking to be done. Easter bread, rice and ricotta pie, Pizza Grande (meat pie), colored eggs. Love, love, love the Easter traditional foods!
A quiet weekend ahead, which is great since last weekend was so busy. Michael is busy doing yard work and truly, where do all those branches, twigs, and sticks come from each year? Every spring as we get ready to clean up, Michael will say to me, “Is it me, or did the yard get bigger this past winter.?” I’m sure all of you are out in your yards doing spring clean-up as well. Have fun.
Bird feeder is stocked and it’s only a matter of time for the migrating birds to show up. Cannot wait.
May you all have a blessed Easter.