Good Morning!
Here’s what’s happening around the parish as we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord:
THIS WEEKEND WE WELCOME OUR NEW PASTOR, FR. REGGIE NORMAN! Please plan to come to an informal Meet and Greet after all Masses this weekend, February 1st and 2nd. We will welcome Fr. Reggie in the Upper Room following the 5:00 p.m. Mass on Saturday, and in the church basement after all Masses on Sunday. Light refreshments will be served. Welcome, Fr. Reggie!
OUR NEXT CHILDREN’S MASS will be celebrated this Sunday, February 2, at 9:30 a.m. All are welcome!
TWO COLLECTIONS: There are two collections this weekend: Stewardship and the St. Mark Annual Collection.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROUS DONATIONS TO ASSIST VICTIMS OF THE CALIFORNIA FIRES: your generosity was overwhelming. The Diocese will forward all donations directly to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Please continue to pray for those who have lost so much.
ST. MARK SCHOOL HAS CANCELLED THEIR BOTTLES AND CANS COLLECTION FOR THIS SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1. Please hold on to your returnables until their next collection on March 1.
JUST IN TIME FOR THE BIG GAME! ST. MARK YOUTH GROUP BAKE SALE AND APPETIZER SALE: Our Youth Group will be selling lots of delicious apps and baked goods next weekend, February 8th and 9th, after all Masses. Money raised will help cover the cost of the Youth Group’s summer conference. If you would like to donate baked goods or appetizers, please drop them off in the Church Hall on Saturday, February 8th.
TEAM SOCIAL’S FIRST MEETING OF 2025: Team Social will be holding their first planning meeting on Thursday, February 27th at 6PM in the upper room. Welcoming new members and your ideas to pack our social calendar. With concerts, picnic, potlucks, excursions, etc., we’d love your input to Meet friends… Make friends.. Be friends in support of each other in our St. Mark Family. Please see the attached poster.
POSITION AVAILABLE AT ST. CATHERINE CENTER FOR SPECIAL NEEDS: Saint Catherine Academy for Special Needs educates young people in academics and life skills rooted in Gospel Values. We strive to provide our students experiences in the community where they can develop life skills and work on being independent. Currently, they are searching for a Coordinator of our Vocational Program This is a paid, 10 month position. If you would like more information on this position, please contact Ms. Lisa Lanni, Director of Education at 203-540-5381 or email llanni@stcatherineacademy.org.
UPCOMING DIOCESAN RETREATS:
Diocesan Eucharistic Retreat: March 11-13, this three-day retreat will deeply explore our relationship with the Eucharist through inspiring presentations, daily Mass, Adoration, and opportunities for Reconciliation. The retreat will be offered in English at Notre Dame of Easton, and in Spanish at St. Peter Church in Danbury. Please visit formationreimagined.org for more information.
Men’s Retreat: Your Faith Saves You, Saturday, March 15, 2025, at St. Catherine of Siena Church, 220 Shelton Rd., Trumbull, 7:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Join us for a transformative day at the 2025 Diocesan Men’s Retreat featuring keynote speaker Christ Padgett and music by Vince Abrosetti. The retreat includes breakfast, Prayer, Mass celebrated by Bishop Caggiano, small group discussions, and lunch. The cost is $25.00, please register at formationreimagined.org.
Women’s Retreat: A Spiritual Spa, Come to the Living Waters, Saturday, April 12, 2025, at St. Matthew Church, Norwalk, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The program will include Mass with Bishop Caggiano, inspirational talks, confession, prayer teams, adoration, shopping, lunch, raffles, and chocolate. On Friday, April 11 from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. there will be a special evening with the retreat speakers for anyone feeling called to lead women to Christ. Please visit CatholicVineyard.com for more information
GROCERY GIFT CARDS NEEDED: Deacon Paul is collecting grocery gift cards for the needy at The Lord’s Kitchen, Merton House, and Bethlehem House. Grocery gift cards should be from Stop and Shop or Shop Rite in $25 denominations and can be brought to the rectory or given to Deacon Paul at Mass. Deacon Paul thanks you for your endless generosity, the need is so great. May you be blessed many times over.
DIOCESE OF BRIDGEPORT VIRTUS SAFE ENVIRONMENT: The Diocese of Bridgeport is committed to the safety and welfare of our children! As all volunteers are aware, an updated background check and five-year renewal training session is imperative to keeping our children and community safe. For your information, you may visit the St. Mark website, click on “links,” click on “Diocese of Bridgeport” tab, click on “Safe Environment,” and read and review the most current data regarding safety for our children, and elderly, in the community. For those who are volunteers, please make sure you are updated in VIRTUS by visiting your existing account at www.VIRTUSonline.org. Or you may phone the Office of Safe Environment: 203-416-1407.
Additional resources are available and free to all parents at our parish. These resources include articles on human trafficking, youth protection, and care for vulnerable adults. Please visit the Virtus website Resources page for information:
The Diocese of Bridgeport also offers all parents the opportunity to attend Safe Environment training to supplement the Safe Environment training your child receives in public school. Please visit the Diocese of Bridgeport website to learn more and to sign up for this free and valuable training: https://www.bridgeportdiocese.org/safe-environments/home/.
Enjoy the week!
Laura and Joan
