Happy Friday!
Here’s what’s going on at St. Mark as we prepare to celebrate Pentecost Sunday.
THERE ARE TWO COLLECTIONS THIS WEEKEND: Stewardship, and Extraordinary Expenses.
FR. REGGIE’S INSTALLATION MASS will be held on Sunday, June 29, at 11:30 a.m. A reception with light refreshments will follow in the Parish Center. All are welcome!
THE ST. MARK SCHOOL COLLECTION OF BOTTLES AND CANS will be held this Saturday, June 7 from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon in front of the parish center. Thank you for supporting St. Mark School!
CONGRATULATIONS TO ST. MARK SCHOOL’S 2025 GRADUATING CLASS! St. Mark School will graduate 24 eighth graders at Graduation Mass this evening, eight of whom have been students at St. Mark since Pre-K. May God bless and protect them as they move on to new adventures in High School.
ON MONDAY, JUNE 9 St. Mark will host the Diocese of Bridgeport’s Eucharistic Procession. Bishop Frank Caggiano will celebrate Mass at 11:30 and the Eucharistic Procession will follow at 12:30 p.m. All are welcome at the Mass and Procession. Please note: the parking lot will be closed within 10 minutes of the end of the Mass so that the Procession can proceed safely on the church grounds. If you are not planning to stay for the Procession, please leave immediately after Mass. Thank you. Please see the attached flyer for more information.
PROJECT FROM THE HEART thanks you for your overwhelming support of their Memorial Day collection for the troops. All donated items will be appreciated by our brave U.S. Soldiers. Thank you!
MASS BOOK 2026: The 2026 Mass Book opened on Monday, June 2, 2025. Masses may be arranged in writing or email (email requests will not be fulfilled until payment is received.) Masses are booked on a first-come, first-served basis.
NO PHONE CALLS OR IN-PERSON REQUESTS WILL BE ACCEPTED
Stipends are required at the time of scheduling. Masses and Collective Intention Masses are $10.00 each. Each family may schedule three (3) Masses: two (2) weekend Masses and one (1) weekday Mass. Also, the Perpetual Candle which runs Sunday through Saturday may be scheduled at $10.00 per week.
Please print legibly. Please provide the date(s) you would like. Please provide alternate date(s) in case someone has already selected your date. Please provide the time for your Mass and alternate times in case someone has already selected your time. Please print legibly how you wish the intention to be remembered e.g., Smith Family,etc. PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR PHONE NUMBER WITH YOUR REQUEST. The office will send you a receipt for your payment as well as a sheet listing your Mass intentions. Please save the sheet.
BIBLE STUDY with Fr. Reggie meets on Wednesdays from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Upper Room. Newcomers are welcome, please email Laura (lrobertson@stmarkstfd.org) to register.
FROM FR. REGGIE:
NEW PROCEDURE FOR BRINGING THE EUCHARIST TO THE HOMEBOUND.
For people who are homebound, meaning they cannot go to church because they are sick or elderly, the Church makes sure they can still receive the Eucharist. We use Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist to bring the Eucharist to them. This is a separate ministry that functions outside of Mass. It is not proper to bring a pyx up during the distribution of Eucharist as individuals should be focused on reverently receiving for themselves.
To assist us and to make sure that the Eucharist is handled properly and the office knows who needs to receive the Eucharist: we ask that prior to Mass, individuals bring their pyx to the sacristy and sign their name and the name of the person or persons they are bringing the Eucharist to and how many they need in their pyx. The pyx will then be left on the sheet and prior to Mass the Deacon will place the pyx on a special table at the foot of the Sanctuary. At the end of Mass (Before the prayer to St. Michael), the celebrant will invite the ministers up to retrieve their pyx and bless them. The Eucharist should be taken to the person immediately after Mass.
Ministers to the homebound need to be Virtus compliant and have completed training through Lead resulting in a Diocesan Mandate to fulfill this duty. If you have questions on Virtus or Eucharistic Minister training, please call the office.
THE PRACTICE OF INTINCTION, which is when the Eucharist (the Body of Christ) is dipped into the wine (the Blood of Christ) before being given to someone or receiving it yourself is not allowed in the Diocese. Ministers have been asked to just gently place their hand over the precious blood in order to prevent intinction.
FROM THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS:
ROSARY: The St. John Paul II Knights of Columbus Council 8 would like to thank all of our parishioners that supported our Rosary and Litany devotion to the Blessed Mother that was held throughout the entire month or May. Our next Rosary and Litany devotion will be held as part of the Knights 5th Sunday program on the weekend of June 28 -29. As not to interfere with Fr. Reggie’s installation Mass and celebration we will meet on Saturday June 28 at 6:00 pm (after the 5:00 pm Mass) rather than on Sunday June 29. Thank you for your continued support of our Rosary devotion.
BLOOD DRIVE: The St. John Paul II Knights of Columbus Council 8 thanks all who supported their blood drive last Saturday. The Red Cross was able to collect 36 units of blood. Their next two scheduled blood drives are on August 9th and November 29th. Please visit www.redcross.org/give-blood to book your appointment now for the August and November drives.
CONCERT ON THE GREAT LAWN: Wednesday, June 18th, featuring the Tony Ferrigno Trio. See the attached poster for all the information.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 2025: Mark your calendars: August 18-22, 2025, the Catholic Community of Stratford will be offering Vacation Bible School at Our Lady of Peace Parish. The theme will be Live It Out. Each day will run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Please reach out to Lorena at lmelgar@setoncollaborative.org for registration. Please see the attached poster and registration forms for campers and volunteers.
SAVE THE DATE FOR A CONCERT FEATURING FR. ROB GALEA, a young, dynamic speaker, recording artist, song writer and priest from Australia, on Friday, October 17th, at 7:00 p.m. at St. Mark! He will perform with members of our Adult Choir (including the Adult Choir of St. Ann Church in Devon under the direction of Peter DeMarco) and St. Mark School Children's Choir. Fr. Rob travels the world, ministering to more than 200,000 young people annually, and has been at World Youth Day with Pope Francis! Watch for more information and check out Fr. Rob’s story and music at www.frrobgalea.com
DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION FOR FR. REGGIE ABOUT OUR FAITH? Write it down and drop it in the “Ask your Pastor a Question” box, there’s one by each entrance of the church. Fr. Reggie will answer your questions in the weekly Flocknote.
Here’s what came in this week:
Do animals go to heaven?
While we love our pets and animals, and many people hope to see them again in heaven, the Church does not give a clear answer about this. It is a mystery, and we can trust that God loves all His creatures.
What happened to the people from the Old Testament who died before Jesus' sacrifice. Do they go to heaven or purgatory
The Catechism of the Catholic Church addresses the state of the souls of the righteous who lived before Christ's sacrifice, particularly in the context of the "harrowing of hell." According to Catholic teaching, those who died in a state of grace before Jesus' redemptive act were not able to enter heaven until Christ had accomplished his work of salvation.
1. **The Limbo of the Fathers**: The righteous who died before Christ went to a place often referred to as the "Limbo of the Fathers" or "Abraham's bosom." This was not a place of punishment but rather a state of waiting for the coming of the Messiah. They were in a state of natural happiness but could not enter heaven until Jesus opened the gates of heaven through his death and resurrection.
2. **Christ's Descent into Hell**: The Catechism teaches that after his death, Christ descended to the dead (often referred to as "hell" in the Apostles' Creed, but this refers to the realm of the dead, not the hell of the damned). He preached to the souls there and liberated the righteous, allowing them to enter heaven.
3. **Purgatory**: Purgatory is a different concept and pertains to those who die in God's grace but still need purification before entering heaven. The souls in purgatory are those who have been judged worthy of salvation but must undergo purification due to their imperfections.
In summary, the righteous from the Old Testament who died before Jesus' sacrifice went to a state of waiting, often called the Limbo of the Fathers, until Christ's resurrection allowed them to enter heaven. Purgatory, on the other hand, is for those who die in God's grace but need further purification. This distinction is important in understanding the Church's teaching on salvation and the afterlife.
1. **The Limbo of the Fathers**: The righteous who died before Christ went to a place often referred to as the "Limbo of the Fathers" or "Abraham's bosom." This was not a place of punishment but rather a state of waiting for the coming of the Messiah. They were in a state of natural happiness but could not enter heaven until Jesus opened the gates of heaven through his death and resurrection.
2. **Christ's Descent into Hell**: The Catechism teaches that after his death, Christ descended to the dead (often referred to as "hell" in the Apostles' Creed, but this refers to the realm of the dead, not the hell of the damned). He preached to the souls there and liberated the righteous, allowing them to enter heaven.
3. **Purgatory**: Purgatory is a different concept and pertains to those who die in God's grace but still need purification before entering heaven. The souls in purgatory are those who have been judged worthy of salvation but must undergo purification due to their imperfections.
In summary, the righteous from the Old Testament who died before Jesus' sacrifice went to a state of waiting, often called the Limbo of the Fathers, until Christ's resurrection allowed them to enter heaven. Purgatory, on the other hand, is for those who die in God's grace but need further purification. This distinction is important in understanding the Church's teaching on salvation and the afterlife.
How long does it take to become a priest, deacon or nun?
The time it takes to become a priest, deacon, or nun can vary depending on the specific requirements of the diocese or religious order, but here are some general guidelines based on the teachings and practices of the Church:
1. **Priest**: Typically, to become a priest, a candidate must complete a bachelor's degree (usually in philosophy or a related field) followed by a Master of Divinity degree, which usually takes about four years. This means that the process can take around 7 to 10 years after high school, depending on the individual's educational background and the specific program of formation they enter. Additionally, candidates usually undergo a period of pastoral formation and may be required to complete a year of residency or internship (CCC 1572).
2. **Deacon**: The process to become a permanent deacon generally requires candidates to have a strong commitment to their faith and community. Candidates often participate in a formation program that can last around 3 to 5 years, which includes theological education, spiritual formation, and practical training. Permanent deacons can be married or single, but if married, they must be married before ordination (CCC 1570).
3. **Nun (Sister)**: The time it takes to become a nun varies widely depending on the religious order. Generally, candidates go through a period of discernment and formation that includes a novitiate, which can last from 1 to 2 years. After the novitiate, they typically take temporary vows and may spend several more years in further formation before taking perpetual vows. Overall, the process can take anywhere from 5 to 10 years or more, depending on the order and the individual's journey (CCC 913).
In summary, becoming a priest typically takes about 7 to 10 years, becoming a permanent deacon can take around 3 to 5 years, and becoming a nun can take anywhere from 5 to 10 years or more, depending on the specific requirements of the diocese or religious community. These timelines reflect the Church's commitment to thorough formation and preparation for these important roles in the Church.
1. **Priest**: Typically, to become a priest, a candidate must complete a bachelor's degree (usually in philosophy or a related field) followed by a Master of Divinity degree, which usually takes about four years. This means that the process can take around 7 to 10 years after high school, depending on the individual's educational background and the specific program of formation they enter. Additionally, candidates usually undergo a period of pastoral formation and may be required to complete a year of residency or internship (CCC 1572).
2. **Deacon**: The process to become a permanent deacon generally requires candidates to have a strong commitment to their faith and community. Candidates often participate in a formation program that can last around 3 to 5 years, which includes theological education, spiritual formation, and practical training. Permanent deacons can be married or single, but if married, they must be married before ordination (CCC 1570).
3. **Nun (Sister)**: The time it takes to become a nun varies widely depending on the religious order. Generally, candidates go through a period of discernment and formation that includes a novitiate, which can last from 1 to 2 years. After the novitiate, they typically take temporary vows and may spend several more years in further formation before taking perpetual vows. Overall, the process can take anywhere from 5 to 10 years or more, depending on the order and the individual's journey (CCC 913).
In summary, becoming a priest typically takes about 7 to 10 years, becoming a permanent deacon can take around 3 to 5 years, and becoming a nun can take anywhere from 5 to 10 years or more, depending on the specific requirements of the diocese or religious community. These timelines reflect the Church's commitment to thorough formation and preparation for these important roles in the Church.
Thank you for all your great questions!
Fr. Reggie
ST. MARK SCHOOL GOLF TOURNAMENT: St. Mark School will be hosting their Golf Tournament on Monday, June 16, 2025, at Orange Hills Country Club. The tournament kicks off at 8:00 a.m. with a shotgun start. Sponsor opportunities are available. Please visit https//birdease.com/stmarkgolfclassic for more information or to reserve your foursome! Please see the attached poster.
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/.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Laura and Joan
