Mass Schedule and Parish Center Hours

posted: June 30, 2009

• Until our new pastor arrives, Mass will not be celebrated at 5:15 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
• On Saturday, July 4, we will have a 9:00 a.m. Mass celebrating the Independence Day Holiday. The 5:00 p.m. Mass on Saturday, July 4 will be in anticipation of Sunday, July 5.
• The Parish Center will be closed on Friday, July 3. We will have a 10:00 a.m. Mass on Friday but will not have a 5:15 p.m. Mass on that day.
• The Parish Center will also be closed on Sunday, July 5 in celebration of the Holiday. We wish you all a safe and Happy 4th of July!

Delegation from Kitui, Kenya

posted: June 30, 2009

We now have a host family for our delegates from Kitui--thanks to everyone who volunteered!

We are also forming a team of three to five people to help plan for the delegates' visit and host them while they are here. This team would be encouraged to attend events for the delegates at the Cathedral as well as here at Saint Mark's. Don't worry if you work during the days—others can cover for you. Please call Keely Wojda at the Parish Center if you can help as a host family or as part of the hosting team.

Parish Pastoral Council

posted: June 30, 2009

The following gentlemen were elected to the Parish Pastoral Council:

Manny Palomo
Glenn Norstrem
Steve Magnuson

We wish to thank Dan Carr for all his service as he leaves the Parish Council.

Saint Mark's Golf Tournament

posted: June 30, 2009

Sunday, July 12
Check in - 12 Noon
Tee-Off - 1:00 p.m.

Held at Highland National Golf Course. We are hoping to start this Annual Tournament to raise money for our beloved neighborhood school. Cost: $55 per person (18 Hole Scramble, Cart, & BBQ Feast)

For questions or to register, please contact Brian Frey through the Parish Center.

We are looking for hole sponsors and donations for prizes and drawings. Get your foursome together!

Remember the Food Shelf

posted: June 30, 2009

Please remember the Food Shelf. Donations may be dropped off at the Parish Center or in the back of church.

You may also make a monetary donation at the Parish Center or drop your donation in the collection basket.

Hunger doesn't take the summer off!

Choose Life!

posted: June 30, 2009

Taxpayer Funding of Planned Parenthood
Planned Parenthood receives millions of dollars in taxpayer funds each year in the form of family planning grants and reimbursements for hundreds of Minnesota abortions. It is our responsibility as caring Christians to make our State legislators aware that the majority of their constituents are not in agreement with State funding of Planned Parenthood.

Pro-life Prayer

posted: June 30, 2009

Every Friday afternoon at 3:00 p.m., the Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet are being prayed in front of Planned Parenthood, 1965 Ford Parkway, St. Paul. Everyone is welcome to join in prayer for the protection of the unborn.

Project Home

posted: June 30, 2009

St. Mark’s Justice and Peace Committee has been a project Home site offering overnight emergency shelter for families experiencing homelessness every August since 2001. Last year we were at capacity most nights. Over the course of the month, we served families with children ranging in age from infants to teenagers. This year the need is even greater, so we assume we will have 20 guests each night.

Who are our guests? Milton and Linda, and their seven-year old son share a story that is typical to many homeless people. Milton lost his job because of the recession; he suffered health problems and applied for disability benefits, but his claim was denied. He
was unable to find another job and the family lost their home. Last August, when they were staying at St. Mark’s, Milton commented that he did not know where his family would end up and where their son would go to school in the coming year.

Get involved by volunteering or donating:

• Two shifts of volunteers are needed each night during Project Home. the first shift greets guests as they arrive, serves a snack, visits with parents, and plays with the children; the second shift stays overnight, and serves a light breakfast. Individuals and families are welcome.
• Donate new children's pajamas and books! We would like to give each child a new pair of pajamas and a book. We need pajamas in sizes for infants through teenagers, and books that would appeal to children in these age ranges as well.
• Donate money for other needs that our guests may have during our month-long project. (although Project Home supplies many things, last year we bought extra towels, toothbrushes and other toiletries.) Donations can be brought to the Parish Center.

Please help the Justice and Peace Committee provide a welcoming home to our Project Home guests this August! Contact Ginny Steinhagen through the Parish Center with any questions.

Rosary

posted: June 30, 2009

Please join in praying the Rosary on Mondays at 6:45 p.m. in front of Mary's Shrine in the Church. The Rosary is also said daily after the 10:00 a.m. Mass except fro Holidays, School and Funeral Masses.

Faith Formation

posted: June 30, 2009

Urban Immersion Reunion
Everyone who went on Urban Immersion is invited to a Reunion on Sunday, July 26 at 6:30 p.m. in the Rumpus Room. Watch the bulletin for more details.

Markers in Mission
Have you noticed the bulletin board in the back of the Church celebrating the Mission activity of St. Mark’s parishioners? Markers have served God’s people all over the world! If you have done a mission trip, or you know of a parishioner who has been on mission, we would love for you to add a card to the map. Just fill in one of the blank cards and pin it to the map. Thanks!

Cathedral of Saint Paul Designated National Shrine

posted: June 30, 2009

The Cathedral of Saint Paul was designated as the first national shrine in honor of the Apostle Paul by the Office of the Holy See and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops on March 25, 2009 following a request by Archbishop John C. Nienstedt of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. According to canon law, "The term shrine signifies a church or other sacred place to which the faithful make pilgrimages for a particular pious reason with the approval of the local ordinary (bishop)."

The distinguishing mark of a shrine is that it is a place to which the faithful make pilgrimages. Tens of thousands of people make a pilgrimage to the Cathedral of Saint Paul every year. Bus loads of children come to learn about the role of the Mother Church of the Archdiocese.

To view or download photos of the Cathedral, visit their website.

Guided tours are given every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1 p.m. or by appointment. To schedule a tour, email: tours AT cathedralsaintpaul DOT org. You may call Carolyn Will at 612-414-9661. The public is also invited to visit the Cathedral Museum and Gift shop on the lower level.

Peter's Pence Collection

posted: June 30, 2009

On the weekend of July 11-12 our parish will take up the Peter's Pence Collection. This collection allows the Holy Father to cast the light of Christ upon the world by providing emergency assistance to those who need it most around the globe. Please be generous in this collection.

"In the finest traditions of the church in this country, may you also be the first friend of the poor, the homeless, the stranger, the sick and all who suffer. Act as beacons of hope, casting the light of Christ upon the world." -Pope Benedict XVI, Homily at St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York, April 19, 2008

Painting Parties

posted: June 30, 2009

The ladies living at Saint Mark's Convent are hoping to paint several of the rooms in the convent this summer (about 30 of them!). We will be hosting two "painting parties" for those who would like to come and help us paint. We will have them on Friday, June 26 and Saturday, June 27 then again on Friday, July 31 and Saturday, August 1. We will begin at 9 a.m. each day and paint until 5 p.m.

You can just show up by yourself, or if you would like to bring any painting supplies, we would be happy to use them. The convent address is 1976 Dayton Ave. If you have any questions, contact Mary Therese through the Parish Center.