Hasn’t it been an unbelievable week with the weather in the USA affected by the fires in Canada! Let’s pray that the fires are contained soon.
Here are the updates for this coming week/weekend:
TWO COLLECTIONS: There are two collections this weekend: Stewardship and Extraordinary Expenses.
CORPUS CHRISTI SUNDAY: Please see the beautiful message Father Birendra wrote for the bulletin this weekend regarding the beauty of Corpus Christi Sunday.
REMINDER: EUCHARISTIC PROCESSION AT ST. JAMES CHURCH: The five (5) Catholic Churches of Stratford are having a combined outdoor Eucharistic procession on the Feast of Corpus Christi on June 11th. There will be a celebration of the Holy Mass at 3:00 p.m. at St. James presided by Bishop Frank Caggiano, followed by a procession. This is a public demonstration of our faith in the Eucharistic Lord. I encourage many parishioners from St. Mark to participate in this event. In a special way, Father Birendra is encouraging parents of our First Communion children to bring their children in their beautiful white dresses and handsome suits. Parking is available at St. James church/school and at Baldwin Center.
IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR LECTORS, EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS, AND CATHECISTS:Mr. Patrick Donovan, with the assistance of Deacon John DiTaranto, will be hosting a LEAD training session for all five churches for the Town of Stratford on Thursday, June 15, at 7:00 p.m. in the Parish Center. This one-night training session will bring everyone “current” with their LEAD training for a three-year period! Doors and registration will begin at 6:00 p.m. This is an excellent way to bring your training current. (If you are already “current” with your training in the LEAD system, you do not have to attend.)
ANNUAL BISHOP’S APPEAL: We are getting there! At present, we are at $96,600, but we need to reach $110,000. If you have not made a pledge, please consider giving one. We are still $13,400 away from our goal. REMEMBER: For every dollar we pledge by June 30, 2023, that is OVER the $110,000, we receive back at the parish at 100%.
JUST BECAUSE: It just so happened that this week we were having the air-conditioning and heating systems here at the rectory/church/school serviced by our contractor. The contractor suggested that after all the smoke from the raging fires in Canada has subsided, parishioners should think about changing the filters in their units at home. Just a suggestion.
FOOD NEEDED: Fr. Skip from Blessed Sacrament Church, Bridgeport, is desperately in need of non-perishable food items. He distributes over 400 large grocery bags full each week! And that amount will increase substantially over the summer as children are out for the summer recess and will not be getting their breakfast and lunch at school. To help, we will be holding a food collection “drive-through” in the school parking lot on Saturday, June 24th, from 9: a.m. till noon in front of the Parish Center. Please stock up and bring as many items as you can. Fr. Skip and the poor from Blessed Sacrament thank you so much!
BOY/CUB SCOUTS: Last Friday, June 2, two St. Mark cub scouts received their “Light of Christ” award from Monsignor Kinnally at St. Aloysius in New Canaan. The award is given through the Catholic Committee on Scouting. J.R. Duffy and Anthony Padro were both awarded their medals. Congratulations to them both!
DIOCESE OF BRIDGEPORT YOUNG ADULT COUNCIL: The Young Adult Council will be hosting a Mass and Social on July 19, at 7:00 p.m., St. Margaret’s Shrine, Bridgeport, CT. This is the first of many planned gatherings aimed at kindling engagement and fellowship among our young adults. Any questions please reach out to Valerie Bien-Aime at 203-416-1613 or valerie.bien-aime@diobpt.org.
HELP WANTED: Are you a handman or handywoman? St. Mark is looking to sign up individuals who would be willing to “help” our senior parishioners in need of some light work done around the house. Change a lightbulb, weed, light gardening, change a faucet, etc. If you have skills you would like to share, please let me know in the office and I will put you in tough with anyone in need. Thanks!
PARISH NURSES: The Parish Nurses will be taking blood pressure readings after all the Masses for weekend June 17/18.
BOTTLES/CANS COLLECTION: Our next bottle and can collection is Saturday, July 1, in front of the Parish center from 10:00 a.m. till 2:00 p.m.
ST. MARK VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: We are proud to announce that Vacation Bible School is back at St. Mark! Bible School runs from July 10 thru July 14, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. till 12:00 noon in the Parish Center. For children in rising grades K-4. Cost is $75 per child. Information and registration forms can be found at www.stmarkstfd.org.
ST. MARK LADIES GUILD: It’s Pizza time for the Ladies Guild --- Tuesday, June 13 at 12:30 p.m. in the Upper Room! Menu: Pizza, Salad, and Dessert with Coffee, Tea, or Cold Beverage. Cost: $10. All women of the parish and their guests are invited. RSVP: Gerri Szabo 203 (378) 2552, by June 9 (which is today but I think late responders will be welcome!!!).
ST. MARK SCHOOL IS LOOKING FOR PreK TEACHING ASSISTANTS/AIDS:
St. Mark Little Lions Preschool program is searching for dedicated teaching assistants/aides to come grow with us! The ideal candidates will support students' learning center environment under the supervision and direction of the classroom teacher/program director. Aides assist with appropriate daily activities for children, establish and maintain a safe and healthy nurturing environment for children, and supervise children for safety.
This is a 10 Month Position, M-F with part-time hours and Summers Off!
Qualifications/Skills:
· Patient, kind, flexible, positive, dependable, cooperative and a love for children
· High school diploma, GED, or equivalent required
Fingerprinting, background check, and Save Environment Training required
At St. Mark School, we are committed to providing an outstanding early childhood program that encourages the social, emotional, physical, intellectual, and spiritual growth of every child. Jesus is at the heart of all that we do. The teachers, staff, parents, and students in our faith community are called to be the face of Christ, the hands of Christ, and most importantly, the heart of Christ to others through our words and actions. Consider joining our school community and advancing the mission of Catholic education! For more information, call 203.375.4291 or email contactus@stmarkschool.org and to apply, email Principal Melissa Warner at mwarner@stmarkschool.org.
Looking all around the desk. Seems like I captured everything. That’s it for now.
Best,
Paula (and Joan too)
P.S. Michael and I had the BEST time ever with our son Matthew home from Texas last weekend. Family and friends gathered on Sunday, and we laughed, and laughed, and laughed. Matthew is doing great. The new girlfriend is adorable - teensy tiny, can’t weigh more than 95 pounds on a “fat” day, and she speaks three languages! Christian and his fiancé Kristen were home too (along with the dog – ugh). Wonderful for our two sons to be together with us.
Did a lot of gardening this week. Things are looking great at the Mollica house...but the house needs a painting job. I think the painter has us lined up for the Fall.
Company is coming for dinner tonight. Simple BBQ. Nothing fancy.
Oh, oh, don’t forget that June is “museum month” for the Town of Stratford. See their notice from the Town website:
“Throughout the month of June, Stratford celebrates Stratford Museum Month. Stratford is home to 10 museums and counting, and each will offer a June Special, such as discounted or free admission or a discount on merchandise, as a part of museum month. A "Hidden Gems Passport" will also be available at every museum location, the Stratford Public Library, and Stratford Town Hall, which can be stamped as patrons visit various Stratford museums. Each stamp constitutes a chance to win the Museum Swag Bag at the conclusion of the campaign. Visitors should email pictures of their passports to museums@townofstratford.com or drop them off at Town Hall, Room 118, to enter. For the list and locations of Stratford’s museums and additional information on Stratford’s growing “Hidden Gems” Initiative, please visit www.stratfordhiddengems.com. The site features an interactive map linking users to each museum’s website.”
I will be a “docent” at Putney Chapel Meeting House this Sunday if you wish to stop by. Putney Chapel Meeting House will be open from 12:00 noon till 4:00 p.m. A beautiful little building rich in history. Please stop by!