Dear Saint Mark Parishioners:
I wish to inform you of several issues involving our parish and the Diocese of Bridgeport:
Item 1
As you know, for many years the Bridgeport Diocese has hosted speakers, priests and religious, from the mission countries around the world, to address the faithful of our diocese regarding the needs of their local churches during Mission Co-Op Weekend. This year Mission Co-Op weekend was scheduled for July 18-19, 2020. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, speakers are unable to travel to the United States to make their annual appeals. Therefore, Bishop Frank J. Caggiano has asked all parishes to take up a second collection the weekend of July 18/19, whose proceeds will be equally distributed to the Catholic Pandemic Relief Agencies in those parts of our global community that have been impacted the most by this scourge.
You have heard in recent news that in many developing countries, COVID-19 cases have been rising and church agencies, which are at the front lines of the pandemic, desperately need these funds to serve the poor and sick in Argentina, Ecuador, Haiti, India, Libya, the Philippines, Vietnam and Uganda, among other countries. On a personal note, you have heard stories about the plight of laborers in India who are returning to the villages from the big cities, walking hundreds of miles, and many priests and nuns whom I personally know are very involved in helping those poor people. They are getting very little or no help from the government. One of the recipients of this collection is my former diocese, Simdega, India.
Thank you very for your generous support in helping our less fortunate brothers and sisters in developing countries.
(You may use your Mission Co-Op Weekend envelope or a plain envelope marked second collection.)
Item 2:
The office staff has returned to the rectory office on a reduced work schedule of half days (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon), Monday through Friday. However, the office remains closed to all visitors. Any parish business you need to conduct must still be done through eMail, phone, or written correspondence.
Item 3:
We have received permission from the Bishop’s office to resume printing and distributing bulletins at the weekend masses. However, the Bishop has requested that bulletins be handed out to parishioners by gloved volunteers. Bulletins will not be left on tables at the entrances of the church. Please limit one bulletin per family as we are printing a very reduced quantity.
Item 4:
We would like to remind our family of faith that at weekday and weekend Masses, Baptisms, Funeral or Memorial Masses, or at Weddings, masks are to be worn at all times, in and out of the church. In addition, please do not remove the roping from the pews as it disrupts the established social distancing we have provided.
Item 5:
The 2021 Mass Intention Book remains open. However, dates are booking quickly. If you are still interested in booking your three masses for 2021 (two weekend masses; one weekday mass), please mail your request and check ($10 per mass) to the parish office, attention Paula. You must provide the name of the person for whom the mass is intended, how you wish the intention to be remember by, a preferred date, and an alternate date. If your preferred and alternate dates are already taken, the office staff will choose a date closest to your choice. Please write legibly. Remember: mass intentions are not booked by phone. Only written requests will be honored.
Item 6:
We would like to thank Happy Grass, Yatsinko Tree Services, and the Hoctor and Wu families for their hard work at maintaining the parish grounds these past few weeks. We have been “catching” up with some overdue projects and the volunteer help has been most welcome. Everything looks lovely!
Thank you for your attention to these matters. I will continue to provide updates with important information in a timely manner.
God bless.
Father Birendra Soreng
Pastor