Adult Small Group Leaders/Participants

In response to the Archdiocesan Evangelization Initiative, we will have small groups of adults meeting for seven weeks each Lent for the next four years to discuss the Evangelization Initiative materials. These materials are designed to help participants focus on and talk about their relationship with Jesus Christ within their small group. Leaders for these groups will be trained each Fall.

Children's Liturgy of the Word

A commitment of once every five or six weeks from September through May. Liturgy of the Word enables our young people in first through third grade to hear the Word proclaimed at their level and to respond to it. The Children's Lectionary is used and the leader prepares a brief reflection for the children. Training is provided. Seventh and eighth graders are encouraged to volunteer as assistants.

Family Nights

Family Nights are designed to bring together all members of the parish from all age groups to learn about our Faith. Volunteers will help lead activities for the different age groups as well as help with set up, welcome and refreshments. Join the fun!

Lenten Soup Suppers

This is a parish event that occurs on three separate Fridays during Lent. We share a simple meal of soup and bread followed by a thought-provoking presentation. We need help with set up, serving, and clean up. We would like to establish a childcare cooperative for these Faith Formation events. Please consider helping in this area.

Sunday School

A weekly commitment from September through April. A faith formation program designed for children ages 3, 4 and 5. The focus of this program is on people and loving relationships. Children are invited to explore Bible stories in fun and active ways. In addition to this, children learn many songs and give two short recitals during the year - at Christmas and after Easter. Ideally, two adults can share the teaching and rotate Sundays. Seventh and eighth graders are encouraged to volunteer as assistants.

Wednesday Night Faith Formation (Grades 1-8)

A weekly commitment from September through the first week of May. Team teaching is encouraged. We use a faith formation series that is in conformity with the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Children learn Catholic practices and skills, Catholic beliefs through doctrinal statements, moral teachings, scripture and profiles of the Saints. We view faith formation as a life-long process and the basics of the faith are clearly presented. Please consider sharing your faith with the children of the parish. Training is provided.

Youth Ministry

Our youth ministry involves a year of fun activities for Junior and Senior High plus small Bible study and discussion groups that meet a couple of times per month. We need help with driving to the NET Mass and other events or service projects. This year we are forming a retreat team to do a retreat for Junior and Senior High in January. Mentorship with more experienced volunteers is provided.

Stewardship is recognizing that God is the source of all of our gifts. It is being grateful for the gifts we have received, cultivating those gifts because of our love for God and then sharing those gifts of time, talent and treasure for the welfare of others. Please take a few minutes to read and prayerfully consider each of the ministries described on this webpage and choose one or several to become an active member of Saint Mark's parish community.

Our mission

Called by a loving God to be Holy People, we place ourselves in the light of our Baptismal commitment and come together as a community of believers. We reflect on God's plan for us as revealed by Jesus Christ and brought to fullness by the Holy Spirit, who unites us in communion with our Pastor, with the Archbishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis, and with the Bishop of Rome. We believe we are called:

• To rejoice and to celebrate, through prayer and the Sacraments, God's ongoing and creative presence in our lives;
• To provide quality education, especially to the young, in order to pass on the Christian message as revealed in the Scriptures and in the Tradition of the Church;
• To create an environment of human concern in order to hear the cry of those in need and to respond to those needs in an ecumenical spirit;
• To give vision and hope to the future by our openness to the Good Shepherd, who calls us and nurtures us as we go forward with love.