Hello and Happy Wednesday!
Here’s what’s going on at St. Mark as we prepare to celebrate the Fourteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time and the 4th of July Weekend. Happy 4th of July!
THE CHURCH OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED this Friday, July 4, and next Friday, July 11th.
THERE IS ONE COLLECTION THIS WEEKEND: Stewardship.
PROJECT FROM THE HEART (donations for the military) has been collecting donations for the military for a number of years. In honor of the Fourth of July, we will be collecting supplies for the troops until July 13. Collection boxes have been placed at the main entrance of the church and in the Upper Room. Items especially needed include wipes, cold weather items such as hand warmers and foot warmers, body wash, and shampoo (in small travel sizes for ease of shipping). We thank you, and our military thanks you, for your continued support.
SAVE THE DATE for the next Team Social Concert on the Lawn. The Mostly Green Band coming on Wednesday, July 16. Social hour begins at 6:00 p.m. and the concert will start at 7:00. Mostly Green is a Fan Favorite, see you there! Please see the attached poster.
THANK YOU TO ALL WHO ATTENDED FR. REGGIE’S INSTALLATION MASS and party! It was a wonderful “official” welcome for Fr. Reggie. I offer my special thanks to all who helped with planning and execution of the Mass and party: our Deacons, musicians, altar servers, the St. Mark Knights of Columbus, Patricia Nettleton, Mary Ryan, Jared Forcier, the band- Sean Morrissey Acoustic, and the many hands who helped during the party. Thank you! Photos are attached.
CHURCH BASEMENT RENOVATION: Renovation of the church basement begins this week. Access to the basement, including the basement restrooms, will be restricted. There are two accessible restrooms on the main floor of the church: one in the hallway off the vestibule, and one in the Upper Room.
IS YOUR CHILD interested in becoming an Altar Server? Fr. Reggie will be scheduling a training class for new servers. To sign up for the class or for more information, please call the church office.
THE MERTON HOUSE shower program has run out of many sizes of undergarments for their guests. They have about 50 guests a week who sign up for the showers. Donations of new undergarments for their shower program may be left in the marked bin in the Upper Room. Deacon Paul will deliver all donations to Merton House. Specific sizes needed can be found in the attached flyer. Thank you for your generosity.
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.
THE DIOCESE OF BRIDGEPORT is hosting several Guild events including a one-day retreat for Music Ministers, and one day pilgrimage to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. Please see the attached flyers for all details.
OUR BULLETIN ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE, Robin Ungaro, will be at St. Mark on Monday, July 7, and Tuesday, July 8, to discuss advertising opportunities in our bulletin. Please call Robin at 203 747 5671 to set up an appointment to speak with her! Please see the attached flyer for additional 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. Poster is attached!
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.
The Question Boxes were quiet again this week, everyone is busy enjoying the summer! Check back next week for more Q&A!
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 4th of July weekend!
Laura and Joan
