Hello and Happy Friday!
Here’s what is going on at St. Mark as we prepare to celebrate the Solemnity of All Saints.
THERE ARE TWO COLLECTIONS THIS WEEKEND: Stewardship, and All Saints Day.
OUR KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS Daily Rosary and Litany Devotion to our Blessed Mother continues through TOMORROW, Saturday, October 31. Join the Knights tonight at 7:00 pm, and Saturday after the 5:00 pm Mass. The devotion takes about 30 minutes, and everyone is welcome!
THE BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE for 2026 is available at all church entrances. Please take a copy if you have a loved one remembered in the book.
EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS NEEDED! Deacon Paul needs additional Eucharistic Ministers to bring Holy Communion to Catholics at Lord Chamberlain on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Saturdays of the month, from 10:15 to 11:30. Volunteers choose the dates they can serve even if it's only once a month. The more ministers, the fewer dates needed. This is an important and highly rewarding ministry, for both the residents and the ministers.
Please consider this request prayerfully and contact Deacon Paul at 203-378-8025 (or e mail pkurmay@stmarkstfd.org). Thank you so much. " I was sick, and you visited me."
HEY KIDS, TRICK-OR-TREAT AT THE RECTORY after the 5:00 p.m. Mass on Halloween, TOMORROW, Saturday, October 31st. Fr. Reggie and Fr. Jacob will have special treats for all!
THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE: Each year, St. Mark Parish and St. Mark School work together to help fill the food pantries for Thanksgiving at Blessed Sacrament and St. Charles in Bridgeport.
Donations of the following are requested: beans (especially black beans), rice, canned vegetables, cranberry sauce, stuffing, boxed mashed potatoes, gravy, canned meats, tuna fish, spaghetti sauce, pasta, cereal, Chef Boyardee canned pastas, canned soups, peanut butter, brownie mix, cake mix, soap, and toilet paper. Please drop your food donations in the Upper Room.
Both churches have asked that we provide them with turkeys this year. Jared and the Youth Group will be collecting monetary donations for the turkeys on the weekend of November 14th and 15th.
Thank you for helping provide the less fortunate with a delicious Thanksgiving dinner!
COME SING WITH US! Choir Members Wanted! Father Reggie says we all have something we love to do that we could offer to the Saint Mark community! Perhaps you love to sing! Our choir sings for the Sunday 9:30am Mass. Rehearsals are on Wednesdays from 7-8pm. Basic music reading skills are a help. God is asking you to share your love of singing with the choir....
hopefully your response will be: " HERE I AM LORD!!"
Please email Don Brelsford for information: dbrelsford@stmarkstfd.org
OUR HANDS TO HEARTS GROUP is asking for donations of yarn, any type or color, as their supply has dwindled. There is a collection box for donated yarn in the Upper Room. The Hands to Hearts group knits and crochets baby blankets for all children who are baptized at St. Mark, they make prayer shawls for the sick, and warm winter hats and mittens for the needy. New members are always welcome. Their meeting schedule is in the bulletin. Thank you!
ST. MARK SCHOOL PRE-K & KINDERGARTEN OPEN HOUSE
Sunday, November 8th | 10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon
Come discover the difference of a Catholic education rooted in faith, love, and academic excellence. On Sunday, November 8th, St. Mark School will host private tours for prospective Pre-K and Kindergarten families.
Experience our safe and nurturing environment, meet our dedicated and faith-filled teachers, and see how we foster a culture of vibrant Catholic identity. At St. Mark, we partner with families to educate the whole child — spiritually, academically, and emotionally — through our Catholic Virtue Education Program, helping young children grow in faith, character, and confidence.
ST. MARK KINDERGARTEN TOURED THE CHURCH! Last week, our Kindergarten students enjoyed a special visit to the church with Father Reggie! He gave them a tour and taught them about the church, the tabernacle, and the sacristy as they prepare to attend Mass in November. The highlight of their visit? Father Reggie played the church bells for them! What a wonderful opportunity for our young learners to grow in their faith and discover more about our beautiful church. Please see the attached photos of all the fun!
TEAM SOCIAL INVITES YOU TO COME BE PART OF THE FUN! Team Social meets every first Tuesday of every month at 6:00 p.m. in the Upper Room. Newcomers are always welcome. Please email Lucille Marottolo for more information about Team Social: Lucille.Marottolo@quinnipiac.edu
GOD HAS ALWAYS DESIRED TO EAT WITH HIS PEOPLE
Dear Parish Family,
We are excited to share a new parish video series dedicated to one of the greatest mysteries and gifts of our Catholic faith: the Eucharist.
Through this series, we will explore the story of the Eucharist from Scripture and salvation history, and discover how God's desire to dwell with and feed His people reaches its fulfillment in Jesus Christ.
Episodes are posted on the St. Mark Parish website: The Eucharist: Heaven on Earth – St. Mark R.C. Church or on YouTube: The Eucharist: Heaven on Earth - YouTube. We currently have twenty-four episodes posted on our website!
Our hope is that this series will do more than simply teach us about the Eucharist. We pray that it will deepen our love for Jesus in the Eucharist, help us to be more intentional and reverent when we receive Holy Communion, and challenge us to live differently because we have received Christ.
The Eucharist is not simply a symbol.
It is Jesus.
And the more deeply we understand that gift, the more deeply it should transform the way we worship, the way we pray, and the way we live.
We invite everyone in our parish family to join us on this journey.
God has always desired to eat with His people. Let us rediscover what it means to come to His table. Please see the attached poster.
FALL PROGRAMS AT ST. MARK
Divorced, Separated & Widowed Support Group
Are you navigating the challenges of divorce, separation, or the loss of a spouse? You are invited to join our confidential Divorced, Separated & Widowed Support Group, a safe, faith-filled space to share experiences, explore emotions, find support, and begin or continue the journey toward healing.
We will discuss the emotions that accompany loss, including grief, anger, loneliness, guilt, and forgiveness, as well as the Catholic annulment process.
When: Thursdays at 6:00 PM Where: Rectory Living Room Privacy: All sessions are private and confidential.
Meeting Dates:
- November: 12, 19
- December: 3, 10, 17
- January: 7, 14, 21
- February: 4, 11, 18
You do not have to attend every session. Come when you can. Whether your loss is recent or from years ago, you are welcome. Together, we will support one another as we seek healing, renewed hope, and strength through faith and community. Please email Fr. Reggie to RSVP
Cooking with Fr. Reggie: Food, Family & Faith
Join Fr. Reggie for Cooking with Fr. Reggie, an opportunity to learn the basics of air fryer and Instant Pot cooking while renewing the meaningful traditions of cooking, eating, and praying together as a family.
These sessions are about more than preparing a meal. They are an opportunity to spend quality time together, share the joy of cooking, strengthen family bonds, and rediscover the importance of gathering around the table in prayer and fellowship.
All members of the family are invited!
Dates: November 2, 16, and 30 Space is limited to 25 people per session. Additional dates will be added if needed.
Reservations are required. Please reserve your spot by emailing rnorman@stmarkstfd.org.
Come ready to cook, learn, pray, and enjoy good food and fellowship with Fr. Reggie!
Seniors’ Ministry Planning Meeting
Building Community, Sharing Ideas, Shaping the Future
St. Mark Parish invites our senior parishioners to a special planning meeting to share ideas and discuss how we can better serve the needs, interests, and well-being of our senior community.
We recognize that many of our seniors face challenges with transportation, especially driving at night or traveling long distances. We want to hear directly from you about the programs, activities, services, and opportunities for fellowship that would make St. Mark more accessible, welcoming, and supportive.
This is an opportunity to share your experiences, voice your concerns, offer suggestions, and help shape the future of our parish’s senior ministry. Your voice matters, and your ideas can make a difference!
Date: Tuesday, November 10, 2026 Time: 12:00 noon Location: The Upper Room, St. Mark Parish
A light lunch will be provided.
Please RSVP to rnorman@stmarkstfd.org so we can plan lunch accordingly.
We look forward to coming together, listening, sharing, and finding new ways to ensure that our seniors remain an active, valued, and connected part of the St. Mark parish family.
Advent Day of Reflection
Prepare the Way of the Lord
Join Fr. Reggie and Fr. Jacob for a special Advent Day of Reflection as we take time away from the busyness of daily life to prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of Christ.
Through prayer, Scripture, and spiritual reflection, we will deepen our relationship with God and rediscover the hope, peace, joy, and love that Advent brings. Each day will feature a different reflection presented by one of our priests, offering a unique perspective to help us grow spiritually during this holy season.
Dates and Times:
- Saturday, November 28, 2026, at 6:30 PM
- Sunday, November 29, 2026, at 1:00 PM
Location: St. Mark Church
All parishioners are invited to join us for this opportunity to slow down, renew our faith, and prepare for the celebration of Christmas.
Come and make room in your heart for Christ this Advent!
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS BLOOD DRIVE: Saturday, November 28, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Parish Center. All donors will receive an exclusive Red Cross x Wheel of Fortune oversized mug, while supplies last. PLUS, those who come to give during that time frame will automatically be entered for a chance to win a trip for two to Los Angeles to see a taping of Wheel of Fortune!
Help save lives and empower your health by learning key medical insights. In November during National Diabetes Awareness Month, successful donations will get free A1C testing, commonly used to screen for prediabetes and diabetes. (One test result per calendar year; do not fast before you donate). Visit RedCrossBlood.org/Maze for details.
November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. Many patients battling cancer require blood transfusions. As 1 in 3 people are diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, it’s critical to keep the blood supply stable. Support patients with cancer or those needing transfusions by securing a time to give. Please see the attached poster for all details and sign up to give at www.redcrossblood.org.
IN THE DIOCESE:
BISHOP FRANK TO CELEBRATE MASS FOR DECEASED PRIESTS: On December 2, 2026, at 7:00 PM at Saint Luke Church in Westport, Bishop Frank Caggiano will celebrate the Annual Mass for Deceased Priests. Please see the attached letter from Bishop Frank for all details.
IN THE COMMUNITY:
No Place to Grow Old - Screening and Networking:
Date: Thursday, November 12, 2026, from 5:30PM to 7:30PM
Event Description: No Place to Grow Old is the first documentary to capture a growing crisis unfolding quietly across America: older adults aging into homelessness. This screening allows community members to connect with local grassroots housing organizations to support efforts to keep our aging population housed.
TOWN OF STRATFORD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION DAY is Saturday, November 7th from 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. 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 Weekend, Happy Halloween!
Laura and Dana
