Happy Friday!
Here’s what’s happening around the parish as we celebrate the Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time:
ONE COLLECTION: There is one collection this weekend: Stewardship.
WE BEGIN LENT ON ASH WEDNESDAY, this Wednesday, March 5. Ashes will be distributed at Mass which will be celebrated at 8:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Ashes will also be distributed at Prayer Services at 12:00 noon and 3:00 p.m. Please see the attached Lent and Easter schedule as well as the Ash Wednesday schedule for all of the Stratford churches.
LENTEN LESSONS: A GUIDE TO THE BEAUTY OF THE LITURGY OF THE MASS Please join Fr. Reggie in the church on Fridays, March 7, March 21, and April 4 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. for a beautiful and informative journey to learn about the Holy Mass and explain why we do what we do in church. All are welcome!
VIRTUS SAFE ENVIRONMENT CLASS
The purpose of Virtus is to educate and empower everyone (individually and collectively) to ensure optimal safe environments for children and the vulnerable.
All who volunteer in any capacity at St. Mark are required to be Virtus compliant. This includes Cenacle groups, Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers, Scout leaders, Knights of Columbus, Team Social members, Religious Ed teachers, etc. There will be an in-person Virtus training class held on Saturday, March 15, 9:00 a.m. in the Upper Room. Please register for the Virtus Safe Environment Class by visiting VIRTUS.ORG. If you are not sure if you are Virtus compliant, please call Laura in the church office, Monday and Wednesday from 9-4, or Friday from 9-12.
LITURGICAL DECORATION MINISTRY: We are blessed to have a great group of parishioners who volunteer their help to decorate the church for the liturgical seasons. We want to make things official with the formation of a Liturgical Decoration Ministry, a new ministry to serve the parish by decorating our church for the liturgical seasons, especially Easter and Christmas. The Ministry will be responsible for the concept, design, execution, maintenance, and disassembly of church decorations.
A beautifully decorated church adds so much to our spiritual experience during the celebration of Mass, especially during holiday seasons. We are counting on our decorating veterans to continue to help and welcome all newcomers--no experience with liturgical decorating is necessary; everyone has a place in this ministry. Please call the rectory office, or email Laura (lrobertson@stmarkstfd.org) to join the ministry or 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 should be brought to the rectory office or put in the collection basket in an envelope marked "Grocery Gift Cards". Please make sure your name and address or envelope number are included so that we can properly credit your contribution. Deacon Paul thanks you for your endless generosity, the need is so great. May you be blessed many times over.
MARK SCHULTZ BENEFIT CONCERT FOR MALTA HOUSE Dove award-winning, singer-songwriter, Mark Schultz is coming to the Quick Center at Fairfield University this year with his full band for a concert benefitting Malta House on Friday, March 14 at 6:30 p.m. Mark was adopted as an infant and travels the US doing benefit concerts for pregnancy crisis centers. His lyrics, music, storytelling, and sense of humor are truly engaging, and he is an incredible example and inspiration for parents, young men and women, and all people of faith.
Please see the attached flyer and link for Quick Center Box office. Scroll to Mark Shultz And seating chart. There are discounts for seniors, students & veterans this year, discounts will be applied when you select your seats. Box office link: https://tinyurl.com/markschultz31425
THE CATHOLIC COMMUNITY OF STRATFORD is offering two Lenten programs. Please see the attached flyers.
LENTEN MISSION ABOUT FORGIVING: Holy Name of Jesus Church will hold a Lenten Mission About Forgiving, beginning on March 11, 2025. The Mission will consist of five Tuesday evening presentations:
· Forgiveness: A Gospel Mandate by Father Michael A. Boccaccio of the Tribunal Staff of our Diocese of Bridgeport (March 11)
· Jesus Said, “Father Forgive Them…” also by Father Boccaccio (March 18)
· Who or What Do We Need to Forgive? by Father Thomas Lynch and Barbara Mariconda, co-authors of After the Diagnosis…a Guide for Living: The Transformative Power of Love During Sickness, Dying and Death (March 25)
· Why Is Forgiving So Difficult? by Father Lynch and Barbara Mariconda (April 1)
· God’s Role in the Process of Forgiving and Healing by Father Lynch and Barbara Mariconda (April 8)
The presentations will begin at 6:30 and conclude at 7:30 followed by Questions in Heritage Hall at Holy Name of Jesus Church, 50 College Street, Stratford. A light Lenten meal will be available starting at 6 (“free-will” donations gratefully accepted). Please register at ParishOffice@HNOJchurch.org. In the event of dangerous weather, the presentation will be moved to the following Tuesday.
PIEROGI AND PANCAKE DINNERS: Holy Name of Jesus in Stratford is hosting 2 Pierogi and Pancake dinners during Lent, on Friday, March 7, and Friday April 11, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Take-out orders are available, and reservations are required. Please see the attached poster for all details.
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.
EXCURSION TO PENNSYLVANIA! St. James is planning a trip to Sight and Sound to see the production of Noah and other various activities in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The trip will take place June 25th-26th. Please see the attached poster and call Karen Smith at 203-209-4223 or karen.smith@stjct.org for more information.
THE DIOCESAN CHOIR is auditioning new members. Please see the attached flyer for all information.
CONNECTICUT MARCH FOR LIFE: SAVE THE DATE! The march takes place in Hartford on March 19, 2025. Please see the attached poster for details.
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
