Save the Date

posted: August 20, 2008

On Sunday, September 21, we, as a parish, will celebrate the sisters who have lived and worked in our Community. We will begin with Mass at 11:00 a.m. A reception will immediately follow Mass in Carolyn Hall.

Welcome Celebration For Fr. Joe Fink

posted: August 20, 2008

Please join us as we gather as a whole community to worship and give thanks for the blessing of our new Associate Pastor.

There will be a reception afterward in Carolyn Hall, to meet and welcome Fr. Joe.

Please Note: This will be the only Mass celebrated on October 5. We will have the Saturday evening 5:00 p.m. Mass on October 4.

Faith Formation

posted: August 20, 2008

The Vatican has declared a special year in honor of Saint Paul from June 29, 2008 to June 29, 2009, and we at Saint Mark's do NOT want to miss the boat! Here is what we have planned:

• John Martens, a Paul scholar from the University of Saint Thomas Theology Department will be with us on October 12, November 16, and January 25 to do three talks on Saint Paul and his writings. John is a fabulous speaker and has great insights into Saint Paul—don't miss it!
• Every Sunday when we have Coffee and Donuts AND the second reading at Mass was from Paul, we will have a Paul's Table at Coffee and Donuts where anyone who wishes can sit down and discuss and reflect on the reading with fellow parishioners. A short bible commentary on the passage will be provided to enhance our understanding.
• Each week, starting today, we will have a featured passage from Saint Paul's writings, often taken from the Sunday readings. This passage can be found in the bulletin—there will also be cards available in the back of church with passages on them as well. This week's passage is...

"Love does no evil to the neighbor; hence, love is the fulfillment of the law." Romans 13:10

Saint Mark's is in the beginning stages of learning about the Alpha program and would like to bring Alpha here in the near future. Alpha is a 10 week course that covers fundamental questions like "Who is Jesus?" and "Why and How Do I Pray?". More than 8 million people have completed the Alpha course since it began in London. Many Catholic churches all over the world have participated. We are interested in sending a few parishioners to an Alpha course at Saint Bonaventure in Bloomington which begins on September 25. Interested? Please call Keely at the Parish Center.

Join us for our Sunday School Open House on September 14 after 9:30 Mass. Sunday School will begin Sunday September 21. Wednesday Night Faith Formation begins September 17. Please get your registration in if you have not done so. We have a wonderful team of returning catechists, but we still need some Aides to assist us on Sunday and Wednesday. For Wednesday, we would very much appreciate having one aide who has experience working with children with special needs. Please call Keely at the Parish Center if you are interested.

Saint Mark's Choir

posted: August 20, 2008

Saint Mark's Choir begins a new season this week, September 11, at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Room.

Parish members of all ages, from high school and up are invited to come and learn more about this unique and gratifying way to serve our parish. Is there a choir robe waiting to be filled by you?

CCW

posted: August 20, 2008

Youth Ministry

posted: August 20, 2008

All Youth in grades 6 through 12, young adults and adult leaders, are invited to join in our second WASH FOR LIFE on SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 10:00 a.m.—2:00 p.m. We will wash cars and accept free-will donations to support the Highland LifeCare Center. It’s fun, it’s soapy, it’s good for our society. Learn more (and see photos from last year) at www.washforlife.org

Keely's Trip to Kitui, Kenya

posted: August 20, 2008

Our delegation has met for the last time and we are now counting the days until our departure on September 16. Our gift coordinator is getting gifts together to take to our friends in the six main parishes we will be visiting. She asked our delegation if anyone could add three prayer shawls to the three that her parish is sending. The Saint Mark's Prayer Shawl Ministry responded with three beautiful shawls! Thank you to this ministry for this work of prayer and love that blesses us here and will now reach Africa! Please keep our trip in your prayers.

RCIA

posted: August 20, 2008

As our Parish Community shifts gears into preparation for school and Faith Formation programs, we invite all adults who have been thinking about becoming Catholic to come and take a closer look at the church through RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults). Friends and family members of parishioners, and interested visitors, are welcome.

For more information, call Mary Payne at the Parish Center, (651) 645.5717

Prayer Shawl Ministry

posted: August 20, 2008

St. Mark's Prayer Shawl knitting group
will meet on September 17 and October 22 from 1 to 3 p.m.

Family Night Out

posted: August 20, 2008

Family Night Out returns. The first outing will be on Thursday, September 20, at Noodles and Company. 2100 Ford Parkway

Small Church Communities

posted: August 20, 2008

Want to meet fellow parishioners to discuss questions that arise from faith-filled living?

You don't even have to have all the answers! There are discussion manuals and workbooks available in the Saint Mark's parish center library. If you are interested in joining or starting a discussion group—sometimes called a small church community—contact Karen Shrake through the Parish Center.  651.645.5717

Justice and Peace Committee

posted: August 20, 2008

Saint Mark's has been providing meals twice a month at the Maplewood Shelter for the past several years. Dianne McMenomy and Karen Shanahan have faithfully lead teams who buy and prepare these meals. We invite any and all who would like to be a part of this ministry to join us. Contact JoAnn Mason through the Parish Center for more information. 651.645.5717

The SPACE, of which we are a member church, does tireless work for those in our city who struggle. They are having a Bringing Faith to Life Fundraising Breakfast in October. Let's get a table together to attend—more later.

The Justice and Peace Committee will meet September 15 at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Room. We are hoping to increase membership maybe even encourage new leadership for this committee.

Fall Rummage Sale

posted: August 20, 2008

We cannot accept humidifiers, dehumidifiers, used mattresses and box springs. We also cannot accept baby cribs and car seats unless they meet current standards.

We absolutely cannot accept televisions at this rummage sale. As of February 2009, older televisions will not work without a converter box, and we will have to pay to dispose of them.

We ask that the items you bring be clean.

We can only accept operational computer systems with minimum components (processor, keyboard and monitor).

Heart Defibrillators

posted: August 20, 2008

My name is Janis Ideson and I am the Director of our Child Care Center here at Saint Mark's School. I have taken on a venture to raise money to install at least nine heart defibrillators in our school and church. I need your financial help and support. I will contact all the local businesses and clubs for support also. These units will save lives and are a needed asset to our parish. If you can support us in raising money or know of any backers who would like to invest in our school and parish, please contact me. I would like to have these units up by the first of 2009.