Hello and Happy Friday!
Here’s what is going on at St. Mark as we prepare to celebrate the Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time.
THERE ARE TWO COLLECTIONS THIS WEEKEND: Stewardship and Extraordinary Expenses.
THIS IS THE LAST WEEKEND FOR THE 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.
Jared and the Youth Group members will be collecting monetary donations for the turkeys after all Masses this weekend.
Thank you for helping provide the less fortunate with a delicious Thanksgiving dinner!
PEACE IN THE STORM: Reflect. Renew. Respond.
Peace in the Storm is a St. Mark faith-sharing ministry for parishioners facing chronic pain, caregiving, the loss of a loved one, loneliness, or other life challenges.
Through prayer, reflection, and conversation, we come together to connect through shared experiences, and discover how faith can bring hope, meaning, and peace in difficult seasons.
Our mission is to create space to reflect in whatever way feels comfortable, renew our faith and hope, and respond with greater compassion, trust, and connection.
All are welcome.
Dana Zottli and Donna Marino will be at the main entrance of the church this weekend to answer and questions, or you may email them at dzottoli@stmarkstfd.org.
FAITH OF OUR FATHERS: CARING FOR THE PRIESTS WHO HAVE CARED FOR US: Next weekend we honor the “Faith of Our Fathers” by contributing to the care of retired priests. Our priests have shared our joys and sorrows and nourished our faith through the sacraments. Now we can help care for them as they grow older. Please read Bishop Caggiano’s letter (attached), pray for our retired and infirm priests, and consider a gift to support their dignified living and care. Your gifts go to the Saint John Vianney Trust, a special fund to assist retired priests. Learn more at www.vianneytrust.org.
ADVENT DAYS OF REFLECTION
🌟 SAVE THE DATES! ST. MARK ADVENT DAYS OF REFLECTION 🌟
Prepare your heart for the coming of Christ!
As we begin another new year in the Church’s liturgical calendar, let’s make time to step away from our busy schedules, reconnect with God, and prepare spiritually for the Advent season.
🙏 Join us for our Advent Days of Reflection at St. Mark Church!
📅 Monday, November 28, at 6:30 PM
With Fr. Reggie, following the 5:00 PM Mass
With Fr. Reggie, following the 5:00 PM Mass
📅 Sunday, November 29, at 1:00 PM
With Fr. Jacob
With Fr. Jacob
📍 Both gatherings will take place in St. Mark Church.
These gatherings are opportunities to pause, pray, reflect on God’s Word, and prepare our hearts for the coming of Jesus—both as we celebrate His birth at Christmas and as we look forward to His glorious return.
Everyone is invited! Whether you attend St. Mark regularly, are visiting, or simply want to grow closer to the Lord, there is a place for you.
Let’s begin this new liturgical year together, making room for Christ in our hearts and in our lives.
Come, Lord Jesus! We look forward to seeing you there!
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.
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."
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!
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.
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: 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 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!
ST. MARK BUSINESS DIRECTORY Let’s support our parish family!
Do you own a business? We invite all St. Mark parishioners who own or operate a business to be part of our new St. Mark Business Directory!
The directory will provide an opportunity for parishioners to share their businesses and services with one another, helping us build connections and support the members of our own parish community.
The directory will be printed and distributed to St. Mark parishioners and will also be available online.
Business submission deadline: November 30th
Let’s keep it in the family and support one another! If you would like your business listed in the directory, please fill out the attached form and return it to the church office.
🎄 A SPECIAL CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION! 🎄
Join us after the Children’s Mass on December 6th for a joyful Christmas gathering!
Bring the whole family and celebrate the season with us in the Church Cafeteria!
✨ Light Refreshments
🎲 Games & Activities
🎁 Exciting Raffle
🎅 A SPECIAL VISIT FROM MRS. CLAUS!
Join us after the Children’s Mass on December 6th for a joyful Christmas gathering!
Bring the whole family and celebrate the season with us in the Church Cafeteria!
✨ Light Refreshments
🎲 Games & Activities
🎁 Exciting Raffle
🎅 A SPECIAL VISIT FROM MRS. CLAUS!
Please bring a non-perishable food donation to participate in the raffle!
Come enjoy some Christmas cheer, fellowship, and fun as we celebrate the magic of the season together! Please see the attached poster.
ALL ARE WELCOME! WE CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOU! ❤️
AVOIDING INTERNET SCAMS
Scammers often target older adults because they may be more trusting, live alone, have savings, or be less familiar with newer technology. But anyone can become a victim. These criminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and they often use fear, urgency, loneliness, or the promise of a reward to trick people. The most important rule is simple: Never let anyone pressure you into making an immediate decision involving your money, personal information, bank accounts, or computer. Stop, verify, and ask someone you trust. Please see the attached guide for staying safe online.
FROM AROUND THE DIOCESE:
THE INSTITUTE FOR CATHOLIC FORMATION has many resources available online to help you and your family celebrate Advent, including a great Advent calendar (attached). Please visit Advent Resources 2026 - Formation Reimagined
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!
Laura and Dana
