THE EVANGELIST. Welcome Home! We, as a Parish Family, are so glad you are here! Welcome to the Catholic Community of SAINT MARK

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1 Welcome to the Catholic Community of SAINT MARK THE EVANGELIST A Catholic Community of Caring Since 1981 Serving Londonderry, Hudson & Windham - New Hampshire Fr. Mike Zgonc Deacon Tom Lavallee Claudia Dominguez Vicky Wood Hollis Cornelissen Lisa Olsen Artie Carew Amanda Morgan Richard Dussault Church and Parish Center (603) One South Road, Londonderry, NH Pastor Permanent Deacon Director of Evangelization Family Faith Formation Family Faith Assistant Youth Minister Office Manager Music Director Music Ministry Custodian MASS SCHEDULE 5:00 PM 8:00 AM 9:30 AM and 11:00 AM Monday through 9:00 AM Welcome Home! We, as a Parish Family, are so glad you are here! As sharers of the one baptism & the one Spirit of the Risen Christ, we come together as the Parish Community of St. Mark the Evangelist to proclaim our identity as the People of God. The Eucharist is the center of our life and work together. Through the one bread, we become the one body of Christ, a living sacrifice of praise. In our worship of God, the Author of life and holiness, we proclaim our hope in the life of Christ s Resurrection; we open our hearts and minds to the Spirit of God dwelling in our midst. In our work, together, we seek to enable our children to grow in the wisdom and knowledge of God; to accompany our young sons and daughters on their journeys of discovery toward adulthood; to deepen our faith commitment through prayer & study; to be present to one another in the joys and sufferings, the victories and struggles of life; to give witness to the Gospel of justice and compassion to our hurting world. We welcome to our parish family all who share our Catholic faith & traditions & our search for God in all things. -Parish Mission Statement Website: Facebook: stmarkslondonderry Flocknote: flocknote.com/smecnh

2 From Your Parish Evangelist Allow me to take a moment at the beginning of this column to offer a note of humility and profound gratitude. In the months and weeks leading up to my wedding, the prayers, encouragement, and support of this community was truly overwhelming. Corinne and I are forever grateful to all of you for your generosity and heartfelt wishes. Some of you were in attendance at the celebration, and our souls were lifted to know that this St. Mark s community is truly our family. Even if you weren t there, please know that all of you were in our prayers and intentions, and will continue to remain there in our spiritual life as a couple. St. Mark s is so much more than a church - it truly is a family - and your outpouring of support for my wife and I are a blessed testament to that. Thank you. It is with some irony that my first column as a married man finds us reflecting on the wedding feast at Cana! This story from John s Gospel is rich in symbolism and bridges the narratives of Jesus domestic life and His public ministry. Our Blessed Mother and Jesus are both invited to witness and celebrate this marriage. While the couple is not named, we can infer that the presence of Jesus and Mary would imply that this was a family event. We know from the Old Testament that a Jewish wedding could be celebrated for as long as a week (I wouldn t want to see that bill ), so the fact that the couple ran out of wine presents quite an embarrassing predicament! Mary s concern leads to her intervention on the couple s behalf - indeed, she intercedes for the couple by petitioning a miracle from her Son. As Catholics, we know that this powerful intercession from Mary, our Advocate, is as real today as it was at Cana. Our Lord s Blessed Mother is truly Our Lady - she knows our needs and brings them to her Beloved Son. Jesus response may seem a bit harsh to us, but we should put it into perspective. How does your concern affect me? seems to indicate that Jesus would not have performed the wondrous changing of water into wine on His own accord. But at the request of His mother, the occasion of a wedding becomes the scene of His first public miracle! My hour has not yet come foreshadows a mysterious connection between His hour and the wine. It will be years later, when the time of His Passion arrives, that He will initiate a transformation far superior than the changing of water into wine - He will change the substance of wine into His very Blood - the Blood of the new and everlasting covenant. If you are reading this article before Mass, you are in fact participating in this hour right now! Our Lord is soon to be truly present among us in the visible sign of wine! God be praised! Finally, we must take notice of what is, in my humble opinion, the most beautiful verse in today s Gospel. It is, in fact, the last thing Our Lady says in Scripture: Do whatever he tells you. How appropriate that she speaks these words at a wedding - at a celebration of two lives forever joined with the expressed purpose of discerning and obeying God s Will - not as individuals, but as a sacred partnership with our Lord Himself as the cornerstone. Many of you know that the process of my vocational discernment has been a long and winding one, and I m sure that many of you reading this can relate. What is God calling me to? Where am I going? Is there a plan for me - a purpose to my joys, my struggles, my talents, and my failings? As I stood before friends, family, and the Lord God two weeks ago, looking into the eyes of the partner He created especially to help me reach Him, listening to the Word He spoke to us to draw us closer to Him and each other in Love - I knew. I surrendered. I said I do I will do whatever He tells me. Peace be with you,

3 CGS & TT Pick up Time Change!! Time Travelers and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd will now end at 11:45 AM. We will still start on the designated Sundays after the 9:30 Family Mass. The extra 15 minutes will allow the teachers a little more time with the students! Super Bowl Subs - Order Yours Today!! With the support of the Knights of Columbus, our Just5Days! missionaries and Steubenville East participants are asking for your help!! Please support their opportunities to be courageous witnesses of the Christian faith by purchasing subs during the weekend of the Super Bowl. Subs will be made to order and whatever is left will be sold after the Masses from February 2-3. Pick up an order form today! All forms are due by Sunday January 27th. EDGE - Climbing to the Heights! This week, following the 9:30 Mass, we will continue our exploration of the liturgy- what it means and why it is vital to our Catholic faith! Come to Gathering Gear ready for some fun and faith sharing!! Women s Winter Retreat Our annual winter retreat will be February 15-17, at Betania II in Medway, MA. This year our theme is Twelve Baskets Full (based on the parable of the loaves and fishes). The weekend is a wonderful time to connect with other local Catholic women, and to recharge our faith and our spirits. Registration forms with more information are available at the Welcome Center. February 8 th is the firm registration deadline but if you could register by the end of January that would be greatly appreciated. We hope you and your friends will join us! Vacation Bible School - Summer 2019! Vacation Bible School is back! We are SO EXCITED to announce that St. Mark s, Orchard Christian and Londonderry Christian will be joining forces for this summer s epic African adventure! Kids will explore God s goodness and celebrate a ferocious faith that powers them through this wild life! We look forward to you joining us July 8-12!! Registration Coming Soon. Good Shepherd Today our 3-6 year old children learn about the mustard seed parable. The next class will be January 27 after the 9:30 AM Mass. Time Travelers Today our explorers witness The Israelites Enter the Promise Land. The next class will be January 27 after the 9:30AM Mass. We are delighted in having so many explorers among us! Time Travelers Catechist Meeting It is not too soon to plan for Lent! Teachers for grades 2-5 please come for a planning meeting on Sunday, January 27 at noon in room 101. Community Outreach We will be collecting cans of SOUP on February 2 & 3 for Super Bowl (SOUPER BOWL) Sunday! Donations will be given to the local soup kitchens to help those in need have a SOUPER healthy meal!! Please place donations in container at the church entrance. Thank you for your support!! This St. Mark s!! Sunday, January 20: 9:30 AM EDGE 7:00 PM K of C Adoration/Rosary Monday, January 21: Parish Office Closed 9:00 AM Daily Mass 7:00 PM Adult Faith Formation (Lounge) Tuesday, January 22: 7:00 PM K of C Respect Life Adoration / Reception (Chapel Hall) 7:00 PM St. Gianna s Place Meeting (Room 204) Wednesday, January 23: 9:30 AM Wednesday Witness Thursday, January 24: 6:30 PM Worship Team Choir Rehearsal 7:00 PM K of C Business Meeting (Room 206) Friday, January 25: 6:00 PM Scouts / Pack Meeting (Parish Center) Saturday, January 26: 9:30 AM Al Anon (Room 209) Sunday, January 27: 9:30 AM Catechesis of the Good Shepherd & Time Travelers

4 Welcome Visiting Priests Let us all welcome Fr. Matt Mason who will be celebrating with us this Monday thru Thursday at daily mass and Fr. Ron Mrozinski from Cross Catholic Outreach who will be celebrating with us next weekend as Fr. Mike is away. St. Andrew Dinners An invitation to young men, ages 14-18, who are considering a vocation to the priesthood or would simply like help hearing the Lord s call for their life, to an evening of prayer, conversation with the Vocations Team, and dinner on February 8, 6:00-8:00 pm at the Joseph House (279 Cartier Street) in Manchester. RSVP to rvinson@rcbm.org or if you would like to attend: February 15: Young Men: Age or February 22: Older Men: Age K of C Scholarship St. Mark s Knights of Columbus, Council 10488, intends to award a $500 scholarship to a 2019 high school senior from this parish pursuing higher education following graduation. All seniors associated with St. Mark s Parish will soon be sent letter advising them of this scholarship opportunity along with the general guidelines to apply for this scholarship. K of C Trivia Night Test your fun trivia skills St. Jude K of C is hosting the 3rd annual Trivia Night charity fundraiser, Saturday February 2 from 6-8 PM in the St. Jude parish hall. There are so many prizes, most contestants win something. Tickets are $20 per person and includes free food and refreshments. If you have any questions, please contact Bill at 9999blvd@gmail.com for tickets. Only 110 tickets will be sold, so get yours today! Winter Advisory Please remember to check our website, and/or WMUR for updates, which include the celebration of Holy Mass and Faith Formation classes. If Londonderry schools are closed, all parish activities are cancelled. Respect Life, Day of Fasting, Rosary & Benediction Please join with members of our neighboring parishes in penance for the sins of our nation against the Culture of Life. Fasting can be selected by each individual, but it is suggested to abstain from solid foods for 24 hours starting 7 PM, Monday evening, January 21, Adoration and rosary also begin Sunday 7 PM at St. Mark Church. Please sign up for adoration by calling John ( ), or send to matu19@comcast.net, or sign up in the Welcome Center. Our fasting concludes with a Benediction at St. Mark starting 7 PM Tuesday evening January 22, Light refreshments will be available after the service in the parish hall. If you cannot attend at the church, please participate in the fast and prayer at home, each of us can do something. Restore, Renew & Proclaim the Hope that is Christ! Following Bishop Libasci s Restore, Renew & Proclaim initiative, St. Mark s preparation process of sacramental preparation is a two year process. Children are now required to actively participate for two years in Time Travelers faith formation program before they will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. Time Travelers is for our children entering into grades 2-5 that starts immediately after the 9:30 mass. In the first year, (ideally 2nd grade) students will receive the sacrament of reconciliation. The following year (ideally 3rd grade) students will be prepared for the sacraments of Confirmation and First Eucharist. Women s Ministry Book Discussion All women of the parish are invited to join us in the lounge on Wednesday, February 6 th for our first book discussion of the year. We ll gather at 7pm to discuss Into His Likeness by Edward Sri, which teaches us to better follow our Rabbi, Jesus Christ, so closely that we are covered with His life, changed and made new. This is a great time to jump in whether or not you ve attended any of our gatherings. We re looking forward to discussing this intriguing book with you! No registration necessary. Questions? Susanne at Live4Him@myfairpoint.net.

5 Sacrificial Giving (Jan 12 - Jan 13) Parish Contact Information Operating Funds Offertory Envelopes (158) $4, Loose Cash & Checks $2, Special/Holy Day - Solemnity of Mary $ ElectronicGiving $85.00 WeShare $1, Fuel $ Social/Coffee&Donuts $54.00 General Donations $ Religious Ed $ Mass Donations. $15.00 Total $10, Capital Development $ Charitable $ Diocesan/Retired Religious $ Total $ Grand Total $11, Mass Intentions for Jan Jan. 27 1/19 Saturday, 5 PM: Pauline Haney by Rita & Ed Gorman 1/20 Sunday, 8 AM: John Kelly by his children 1/20 Sunday, 9:30 AM: Catherine Dichirico by her children 1/20 Sunday, 11 AM: Abraham Maalouli & deceased family by Nouhad Soueidan 1/21 Monday, 9 AM: Jane Blake by St. Mark s Knights of Columbus 1/22 Tuesday, 9 AM: Louisa Gendron by her family 1/23 Wednesday, 9 AM: Emil C. Birnstein Sr. by Bob & Liz Tabor 1/24 Thursday, 9 AM: Edward J. Humora by Anne & Dan Emerson 1/26 Saturday, 5 PM: Matthew Donovan by his Dad 1/27 Sunday, 8 AM: Peter Sohm by his loving family 1/27 Sunday, 9:30 AM: Grace Schaefer by Mike & MaryJane Williams 1/27 Sunday, 11 AM: Roland R. Biron, Sr. by Marc D Anjou Parish Office (603) Parish info@stmarksnh.org Web Page stmarksnh.org Office Hours Mon-Thurs 9:30AM- 4 PM Fr. Mike Deacon Tom Claudia Dominguez Vicky Wood Hollis Cornelissen Lisa Olsen Artie Carew frmike@stmarksnh.org dctom@stmarksnh.org claudia@stmarksnh.org vicky@stmarksnh.org hollis@stmarksnh.org info@stmarksnh.org brandon@stmarksnh.org artie@stmarksnh.org Pastoral Council Justin Paré Finance Council Kevin Cronin Music Artie Carew (603) Outreach Dianne Zdankiewicz (603) Knights of Columbus Brian Roche (603) Men of St Joseph Bill Donroe (603) Prayer Line (603) Safe Environment Claudia Dominguez (603) Al-Anon Saturdays, 9:30-11 AM Birthright (603) NH Catholic Charities, Windham (603) Sacrament of Baptism Parents are asked to participate in the baptismal catechesis program prior to their child s baptism. Sacrament of Reconciliation Saturday 3:30-4:30 PM or by appointment Sacrament of Marriage Couples should contact the parish office at least six months in advance and before making any other wedding arrangements. Sacrament of the Sick Please call us to request the Sacrament of the Sick or to receive communion in the home. Eucharistic Adoration Tuesdays, 6:00 AM-11PM / First Fridays 8 PM-12 AM