St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church

Transcription

1 St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church 1602 Thousand Oaks Drive - San Antonio, TX Our Mission Statement: to spread the good news of Jesus Christ to all God s people by word and action. PARISH DIRECTORY Pastoral Office Pastor Rev. Msgr. Kevin Ryan Ext. 312 Pastoral Administrator Dot Hamlin Ext. 311 Pastoral Associate Catherine Lopez Ext. 315 Deacon Gil Hernandez Deacon Raul Adam Deacon David Seguin Asst. Bookkeeper Brenda Houchens Ext. 313 Administrative Asst. Marisa Knuffke Ext. 300 Development Director Shane Hamilton Ext. 306 Parish Data Services Carlene Zunker Ext. 327 Liturgy Office Liturgy/Pastoral Care Catherine Lopez Ext. 315 Liturgy Asst. Carroll Migura Ext. 307 Music Director Dolores Martinez Ext. 316 Music Director Asst. Courtney Guernsey Ext. 330 Sunday Receptionist Kathleen Bedingfield Ext. 303 Faith Formation/Religious Ed Director of Adult Faith Formation Sr. Marian Sturm, IWBS Ext. 326 Christian Initiation Ministry, (R.C.I.A.) Spiritual Direction Anne Kemper Ext. 329 Coordinators Elementary Theresa Crow Ext. 324 Middle School Youth Dorothy Godines High School Youth Cindy Hamilton Administrative Asst. Casey Magnuson Ext. 333 Administrative Asst. Donna Scalia Ext. 325 & Nursery Coordinator St. Mark Pre-School Offices Co-Directors Kathy Glendening Ext. 321 Connie Magott Ext. 322 Administrative Asst. Sharon Pena Ext. 337 Manager Team Leader Custodians Physical Plant George Wetherill Juan Olivo Rosa Hernandez Irene Marin Church Registration Are you new in the parish? You are invited to register in the Pastoral Office, Monday-Thursday 9:00 5:00; Friday 8:00 4:00 (Closed 12:00-1:00 PM), or in the Pastoral Offices located in the church on Saturday or Sunday. Pastor: Rev. Msgr. Kevin Ryan Parish Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Friday 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM (Closed for lunch from 12:00 1:00 PM Mon.-Fri.) Phone: Fax: For After Hours Emergencies: Phone and follow Answering Machine Instructions Masses Nursery available for 1 to 5 years old at Masses on Sat. & Sun. Sunday 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM, Communion Services NOON, and 5:00 PM Monday 6:30 AM Monday 8:15 AM & 6:30 PM Tuesday 8:15 AM Tuesday 6:30 AM Friday 6:30 AM Wednesday 6:30 AM & 8:15 AM Saturday 7:30 AM Thursday 6:30 AM & 8:15 AM Sacramental Preparations Friday 8:15 AM If you are considering celebrating the Sacraments Saturday 5:00 PM of Baptism, First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, or Confirmation, please contact the Faith Formation Reconciliation Office at , Ext For Anointing of the Saturday 4:00 PM 5:00 PM Sick or Matrimony, please contact the Pastoral (also by appointment) Office at , Ext 315. First Sunday of Advent November 27, 2011 On Guard In today's reading Saint Mark gets right to the point: be on your guard; stay awake; don't be asleep when the Lord arrives. Advent is a time to ponder three events: God's entrance into the world as a human child, God's coming into our world today, and God's glorious coming at the end of time. These reflect three promises: God's promise to bring salvation to all people, and Jesus' promises to be with his followers and to return at the end of time. We do not know when Christ will return. In the meantime we are gatekeepers and stewards. We must be ready to welcome Christ when he comes again. We must be attentive to God now: in the Eucharist; in the guise of the homeless, the hungry, the prisoner, the addict in whom Christ appears before us; and in the Spirit within us. We are urged to live with hope in our hearts for Christ's final return. Copyright 2011, World Library Publications All

2 St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church First Sunday of Advent November 27, 2011 MASS INTENTIONS & READINGS MONDAY, November 28 Is 2:1-5; Mt 8:5-11 8:15 AM Ricardo Bustamante Requested U.S.P.S AMS Friends 6:30 PM Maria Rodriguez Special Intention requested by Marisa Knuffke TUESDAY, November 29 Is 11:1-10; Lk 10: :30 AM Linda Speck WEDNESDAY, November 30 Rom 10:9-18; Mt 4: :30 AM Ben Valen no 8:15 AM Jack Sherlock THURSDAY, December 1 Is 26:1-6; Mt 7:21, :30 AM The St. Mark Community 8:15 AM Bob Kemper FRIDAY, December 2 Is 29:17-24; Mt 9: :15 AM Deacon Frank Galvan SATURDAY, December 3 Is 30:19-21, 23-26; Mt 9:35-10:1, 5a, 6-8 Requested by Emmett Haby Requested by Karen Kalcic Requested by Katherine Costello Special Intention Requested by Anne Kemper Requested by Ercilia Cantu 5:00 PM Hugo Armenante Requested by Luigina Armenante SUNDAY, December 4 Is 40:1-5, 9-11; Ps 85; 2 Pt 3:8-14; Mk 1:1-8 8:00 AM R. Cris Castaneda Requested by Richard & Christina Castaneda 10:00 AM Barbara & Tom Lawhon Special Intention - 60th Wedding Anniversary 12:00 PM Floyd D. Johnson Requested by Robert F. Johnson & Family 5:00 PM Rosalind Thomas Special Intention - Birthday First Reading Psalm Second Reading Gospel TODAY S READINGS We are the clay and you, O LORD, are the potter: we are the work of your hands (Isaiah 63:16b-17, 19b; 64:2-7). Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved (Psalm 80). God is faithful; by God you were called to fellowship with the Son (1 Corinthians 1:3-9). Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come. (Mark 13:33-37). The English translation of the Psalm Responses from the Lectionary for Mass 1969, 1981, 1997, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved. WE PRAY FOR THE SICK OF OUR COMMUNITY Paul Dickerson Mary Dickerson Frank Daleiden Maria Rodriguez Paul Dickerson Mary Dickerson Matt Kreger Scott Harris Sandy Harris David Hamilton Dale Barbee Rachel Mora Terri Ehrlich Julie Keegan Stephanie Keegan Maria Ortiz Karen Bernas Bob Marin Mary Gutierrez Rosie Lindquist Esperanza Sample Zelda Bolgren Al Keegan Teresa Berg Frank Ayala Elizabeth Ayala Lynn Hufford Joseph M. Volmer Fran Gleitz Kelly Klar Lorena Rodriguez Connie McRae Dolores M. Valero Lani A. Mejia Doris Hoyt Valerie G. Franklin Matthew Margotta Fairlie Zwartjes Saba Mebrahtu Jackie Salcito Walter Young Grace Toland Mike Churchman Regina Jenschke Lois Morris Matthew Farmer Connie Kuykendall Mary Ellen McGinley Ken Macinga Liz Czervinske Begonia Cole Conor Hopkins Lucia Masters Raymond Zwartjes Gloria Savoy Joan Davis Ben Brown Michael Czervinske Kay Barncord Doyle & Manda Gates Don Williams Bishop Thomas Flanagan Marilyn Marques M.W. Rollin Dan Perry Elroy & Gail Tschirhart Margaret Harty Minnie Arispe Jose Luis Urbina Cecile Simecki Mitch Achee Victor Zavala Andrew Klauenberg Jean Bailey Ehren Klauenberg Donna Phillips Eduardo Cabellero, Jr. Mary Lou Aguilar Dolores Knuffke Mary Delatte Valeria Pena Michael Swierc Tom Gers Donna Mazzara Paul Zuniga Carmel Van Alen Georgia Crow Esmerelda H. Gonzalez Mike Shafer Alma Arevalos Velma Greer William E. Fitch Jean Macina Amy Klar Tschirhart Tanya Pittman Catherine Holzmann Lisa Perri Molina Sam Szalwinski Craig Radick David Fischer We offer our prayers and sympathy to our parishioners who have experienced a death in their family. We pray for those who have died recently. May they rest in peace.

3 Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come. Mark 13:33 Sunday: Wednesday: Friday: Saturday: SAINTS & SPECIAL OBSERVANCES (born April 7, 1506, Xavier Castle, near Sangüesa, Navarre died Dec. 3, 1552, Sancian Island, China; canonized March 12, 1622; feast day December 3) Spanish-born French missionary to the Far East. Born into a noble Basque family, he was educated at the University of Paris, where he met Ignatius of Loyola and became one of the first seven members of the Jesuits. He was ordained in 1537, and in 1542 he embarked on a three -year mission to First Sunday of Advent St. Andrew First Friday St. Francis Xavier; First Saturday St. Francis Xavier India. In 1545 he established missions in the Malay Archipelago, and in 1549 he traveled to Japan, where he was the first to introduce Christianity systematically. He returned to India in 1551 and died the following year while attempting to secure entrance to China. He is believed to have baptized about 30,000 converts; his success was partly due to adaptation to local cultures. In 1927 he was named patron of all missions. STEWARDSHIP REFLECTION Stewardship: A Generosity of Heart A dvent is the season of anticipation of the coming of our Lord. The readings help us to keep in mind that we should be prepared for Him to come. Isaiah expresses the yearning of the Israelites for God to again bless them with His presence. They had turned away in sin but long to return to grace. Jesus message in the gospel is a reminder that the time of our entry into the kingdom of God is unknown and therefore we should always be ready. These scripture passages indicate that each of us has our assigned task and each should be watchful. May our individual watchfulness contribute to each other s readiness. THIS WEEK AT ST. MARK S Monday, November 28th Alcoholics Anonymous CH 201 Senior Nutrition Luncheon Young at Heart Senior's Club EDGE New Legacy Children's Christmas Choir Rehearsals Sanctuary Women's November ACTS Reunion Divine Mercy CH #202 CYO Practice Monday Night Prayer Group Brides Room Tuesday, November 29th The Great Adventure Eucharistic Book Fair The Great Adventure Evening Centering Prayer Brides Room OLOG Board Meeting Wednesday, November 30th Book Fair Eucharistic B2L New Legacy Spirit & Word CH #202 RCIA SMYG New Leg./ Thursday, December 1st Small Faith Community Matt/Mark Book Fair Eucharistic Alcoholics Anonymous CH #201 Bible Timeline Study CH # Just Faith Holy Family Catholic Book Group Library Friday, December 2nd Book Fair Quilters CH # KOC 24 Hr. Eucharistic Saturday, December 3rd Catechist Workshop Sanctuary Retrouvaille CH #201 Elementary Faith Formation Reconciliation at 4:00 pm Sanctuary HS Sock Hop Sales 1st Sunday Rosary Sanctuary T500 Scouts Poinsettia Sales KOC 24 Hr. Eucharistic Sunday, December 4th Hospitality Sunday Catechumenate for Children New Legacy Elementary Faith Formation HS Sock Hop Sales T500 Scouts Poinsettia Sales Adult Faith Formation EFF - Special Needs Insp./Charism Young Adults ACTS Team Meeting Charism Life Night/TOB /New Leg BOW & EDGE2 (Note: this is a highlight of events taking place this week at St. Mark)

4 COMMUNITY AND SERVICE Thank you to Grayson Magnuson who served as an Altar Server for years and now helps coordinate the Altar Servers at the Sunday, 5pm Mass. SVdP Giving Tree The St. Vincent de Paul Society and Knights of Columbus will once again sponsor our annual Giving Tree this year to benefit the children and senior community of St. Patrick s, St. Agnes and other less fortunate parishes. The trees will be adorned with ornaments that specify the gender and age of the children and seniors and are located in the Gathering Space and either side entrance. Please remove an ornament for a child and/or senior for whom would like to purchase a present. Please remember that the children we serve will be of varying ages including teenagers. Let s make sure every child in the family receives a package and not just the little ones! Gift Certificates/donations for City Public Service are good idea for the seniors. Donations should be payable to St. Marks with Giving Tree noted at the bottom. Please return the unwrapped presents with the ornament securely attached to it to the tree by Sunday, December 18 th. We would like to suggest that you be sure to remember these children and seniors on Christmas morning with a prayer. Through your generosity the spirit of giving on the Christ Child s Birthday is alive and well at St. Mark s parish. For further information please contact Rosemary or Barry May God continue to bless you and your family this coming Christmas season, as we join together in helping other families celebrates the birth of His Son, Jesus Holy Land Pilgrimage WALK WHERE THE MASTER WALKED! Join Monsignor Kevin Ryan as he leads his 5 th pilgrimage to the Holy Land, March 10 th through March 20 th, You've heard the story every Sunday...Now live it as you walk in His steps and experience the greatest story ever told as you never have before. The 11 day pilgrimage includes round trip airfare from San Antonio, hotel accommodations, breakfast and dinner daily, entry fees, airport transfers, a knowledgeable, English speaking guide, private air-conditioned motor coach, taxes, security fees and travel insurance. Total price is $3,400 per person. Hurry! Space is limited to 35 passengers. A $500 per person deposit will reserve your place in His-story. Full payment is due by February 1 st, Contact John F. Thabet at johnthabet@juno.com or call at Accent Travel Henderson Pass, San Antonio, TX, CATHOLIC BOOK GROUP Our Catholic Book Group gathers monthly 7:00-9:00 PM, in the parish library, to share discussion of a book from the America Magazine list of recommended reading. Upcoming books: December 1: Jesus Our Brother: The Humanity of the Lord, Wilfrid Harrington, OP Unless checked out, books are available in the library for preview. Happy Reading! Christmas Concert To benefit Padua Place Friday, December 7:00pm Missionary Servants of St. Anthony Convent Chapel 100 Peter Baque Road For Tickets Call Women s Guild Great Causes While you are searching for your holiday decorations and cleaning for your visiting relatives throughout the holidays, please keep in mind some of the items that the Women s Guild is collecting for the needy. We are in need of GENTLY used tennis shoes, new socks, monetary donations for socks, nearly new stuffed animals, GENTLY used, but clean hoodies, and baby blankets. We are helping Por 2011 Elf Louise Christmas Project Happy Holidays!!! Yes, it's that time of year already! The 2011 Elf Louise Christmas Project is gearing up for the Christmas holidays and we're already looking for volunteers to help in the Wrap Room this season. Our Wrap Days are from Sat, Dec 3rd to Thur, Dec 8th. We would love to have you work with us this year and help make a child's Christmas dreams come true. I promise it will touch your heart. Becky Schulze: Elf Louise Christmas Project Board Contact: btschulze@hotmail.com Cell Phone: Vida Academy Charter High School, Respite Care, Haven for Hope, Forgotten Child, and St. Vincent de Paul. Please drop your items off in the old Narthex or parish office. Also, any small miscellaneous items you would like to donate for the Trash and Treasure department store will be graciously accepted. If you have any questions, please call Carolyn Warden at or Velma Williams at Our deadline will be November 30 th. Thank you for your generosity.

5 COMMUNITY AND SERVICE You are invited to the Knights of Columbus Annual Family Christmas Party for Knights and their Families. December 3, :30 til 9:00pm Christopher Hall Bring the kids to see Santa Claus. Enjoy a meal and have fun with the children s games. The Council will provide Turkey and Ham, bread and gravy. Families are asked to bring a salad or a vegetable to feed yourselves and 5 people. Desserts should be simple, like cookies or cupcakes for the kids. Please RSVP by Nov 27th (ASAP) to Gary Richmond at or grichmond1@satx.rr.com. PILGRIM CENTER OF HOPE PRAYER BRUNCH You re invited to a Prayer Brunch with keynote speaker Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller, M.Sp.S. This annual fundraiser benefits the Pilgrim Center of Hope, which is a non-profit Catholic evangelization ministry serving San Antonio and South Texas. The event takes place Sat, December 3, 2011 from 10am-1pm at the Omni Hotel located 9821 Colonnade Blvd. This is the only annual fundraiser that the Pilgrim Center of Hope organizes. The event features a silent auction and an exquisite brunch prepared by the Omni Hotel chefs. Please come and make this benefit a success! Tickets are $50 per person. For more information go to pilgrimcenterofhope.org or call us at SOCIETY of ST. VINCENT de PAUL For more information please call Rich Miller at As we begin Advent we are called to Be watchful! Be alert as we stand in joyful anticipation for the race of Christmas to once again bless our lives. Your gift in the St. Vincent de Paul Blue Bag will help the poor to celebrate the grace of God s love this Christmas. The Pantry is in need of paper towels, toilet paper, detergent, shampoo, mixed veggies, and instant potatoes. USHERS NEEDED The Saturday 5pm Mass time is in need of some smiling and helpful people. Hospitality is so very important. Call Jan Danielski at for more information. WINGS & BEYOND Wings is a supportive gathering of individuals sharing thoughts and feelings after the loss of a relationship through divorce, death or separation. Meetings are held on the 2nd Friday each month at 6:30 pm in the Room. Snacks are provided. Call Jackie Salcito at or Mary Lou at for information. There will be no Senior Social Luncheon on the following days: Dec 12, 19 and 26, 2011 Jan 02, 2012 Stewardship: A Generosity of Heart Our theme this year, a generosity of heart, asks each of us to approach our Stewardship Commitment Renewal with generous hearts. It is a time to reflect and pray about the commitments each of us will make. Our Commitment Sunday was held on November Many families came forward with their pledge cards. You can still turn in your Stewardship Pledge card at the office or place it in the collection basket at Mass this weekend. Please turn in your Pledge Card KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS OPEN HOUSE All are invited to an OPEN HOUSE of the Knights of Columbus on November 27 th after the 8, 10 and 12noon Masses in Christopher Hall. Come and see how the Knights serve our families, our parish, our community, and the world. Light refreshments will be served. After the 12pm Mass, a brief membership presentation will be given. The Knights of Columbus is a Catholic Fraternal Order open to men who are practical Catholics and over the age of 18. For more information call Jerry Macfarlane at (210) Stewardship Pledge Card Thermometer Pledge Cards Returned = 588 or 1.9% As of 11/18/2011

6 WORSHIP AND WORD Young Adult ACTS Retreat Better than a bedazzled cell phone cover! Give your Young Adult the gift of an ACTS retreat this Christmas! Young Adult ACTS is for year olds to come together as a community to learn and serve God. What better present? The retreat will be held January 5-8, 2012 at Slumber Falls in New Braunfels. The cost is $155 and registration will be available starting in November. For more information contact the directors Kenny Magnuson , Allie Zapata , Al Pulido or Jacqueline Faucher We ll even create a certificate you can use as a stocking stuffer. TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION Long ago in northern Europe, the growing dark and winter weather in Advent forced people to remove the wheels from their carts and replace them with snow runners. The wheels were hung high in the rafters of the house, fitted out with lanterns, and wound tightly with evergreen boughs. The first wreaths were windows into heaven, a source of light, a comforting sign of the victory of the light of Christ over our world s dark wildernesses, its mountainous obstacles, its valleys of need. The Advent wreath started in the home, and only later appeared in church. Its four candles represent the four Sundays of our journey: typically three purple, one rose. Why not set a wreath in your own home as a place for Advent prayer? Don t let a shortage of purple candles discourage you: some use a deep blue, others have white candles and weave blue and purple flowers, seashells, and pine cones into the green. When the sun sets tonight, light a single candle, sing a verse of a wellloved Advent hymn, and name a mountain to be leveled, a valley to be filled. James Field, Copyright J. S. Paluch Co. The Knights of Columbus Council 7613 Invite you to join them for 24 hours of! December 2nd - 5pm - December 3rd - 5pm All are welcome! NEW ADULT DISCUSSION GROUP MEETS WEDNESDAYS 7-8:30PM Christopher Hall Rm. 206 For more information call: Bob Greger, cell or Sr. Marian Sturm MONDAY NIGHT INTERCESSORY PRAYER GROUP The Intercessory Prayer Group meets on Mondays in the St. Mark Family Room at 7pm. DIVINE MERCY Jesus, I Trust In You The Cenacle meets on Monday evenings from 7:10-9:00 pm in Christopher Hall, room 202 (elevator available). The Cenacle is devoted to the Diary of Saint Faustina, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, the Catechism of the Catholic Church and Holy Scripture. The Chaplet is sung every Friday at 3:00 pm (25 minutes) in the Chapel. Please call Ken at or Jeri at for information on the Evening Cenacle. HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGE OF PRAYER & SOLIDARITY Join Msgr. Kevin Ryan, Deacon Tom and Mary Jane Fox departing San Antonio on January 30 - February 12, A Pilgrimage is a calling, and the response is from the heart and mind through prayer. This customized pilgrimage offers 1 night at Mt. Carmel, 3 nights on the Mt. of Beatitudes, 2 nights in Bethlehem and 6 nights in Jerusalem. This journey of faith to the land our Lord sanctified with His very life is organized through the Pilgrim Center of Hope with 25 years of experience and over 40 visits. Please contact Mary Jane Fox at or dtmjfox@pilgrimcenterofhope.org for details. FIRST SATURDAY PRAYER GROUP For over 20 years, the First Saturday Prayer Group has been meeting for a Rosary and Communion Service. Come join us at 9am in the Day Chapel on the 1 st Saturday each month. CHARISMATIC PRAYER GROUP The Spirit and the Word Charismatic Praise and Prayer Group meet Wednesdays in Christopher Hall at 7:00 pm in room 202. Charismatic Healing of the Family Tree Mass takes place every third Wednesday in the Day Chapel at 7:00 pm for praise and worship. Hey Mom! Somebody knocked a hole in the wall. You are sure to notice some construction going on in the Main Sanctuary. Due to the generosity of a family in our parish, it has become possible to dedicate a shrine to Our Lady of Guadalupe. The project is estimated to be completed before the end of the year.

7 FAITH FORMATION FAITH FORMATION CLASSES *Faith Formation for Pre-school age Children continues the weekend of December 3 & 4. *Formation for Special Needs Children continues each Sunday. *Faith Formation-elementary (K-5 grade) continues the weekend of December 3 & 4. *Faith Formation for Middle School or The Edge continues on Monday, November 28 at 6:30pm and on Sunday, December 4 at 3:30pm. *Faith Formation for High School or LifeTeen continues on Sunday, November 27 at 6:15pm *Faith Formation for Adults continues this Sunday, December 4 in at 9:30am, 11:30am and 3:30pm. *The Catechumenate for Children (RCIA/CFC) the process for sacramental preparation for older children, meets every Sunday at the 10:00 am Liturgy and then in New Legacy, followed by a catechetical session from 11:30 am-12:30 pm. *RCIA (The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) the conversion process for those wanting to inquire about entering the Catholic Church, or for those wanting to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church, meets Sunday mornings at the 10:00 am Mass, and Wednesday evenings from 7:15 pm 9:00 pm in the Room and the Holy Family Room. CATECHIST WORKSHOPS If you plan to be a catechist this coming year, you are asked to take at least two of the Catechetical workshops required by the Archdiocese of San Antonio each year. These workshops will not only help you in catechizing the children you teach, but will also give you new insights into your own faith and help in your faith development, which is so important in growing in our relationship with God. Please give yourself this gift. The third Catechist workshop for this year is: Methods for Catechesis on Saturday, December 3, from 9 am 4 pm in the room. See the St. Mark website for other workshops and save the date. Calling all Youth to help with the ministries for the Sunday 5pm Mass. We need lectors, altar servers, ushers, and choir members. Call Youth The prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds; it does not rest until it reaches its goal, nor will it withdraw till the Most High responds. Sirach 35:17-18a LIBRARY NEWS The library is open Tuesday thru Friday from 9:00 to 4:00. The Librarian is available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8:30 to 10:30, and on Sundays after the 8:00 Mass to Noon. Providence Catholic School The College Preparatory School for Girls will hold its High School Placement Test on Saturday, December 3 rd.. You may register online at or contact Ida Ayala, Enrollment Director at ext Scholarships and financial aid are available. We also invite you to our Choir performance on Dec. 7 th at 7p.m. and Dance recital on Dec. 8 th at 7p.m. in the school gym to get a look at our award-winning fine arts department. CONTINUING ADULT FAITH FORMATION OFFERINGS Adult Faith Formation at St. Mark the Evangelist in November 2011 Adult Faith Formation sessions on the New Translation of the 3 rd Edition of the Roman Missal to be implemented in Advent of 2011 have now completed the 6th session. The next sessions in December will continue to cover the Communion Rite and Dismissal Rite, its Scriptural roots and the historical background of the Mass. These sessions take place at 9:30 am, 11:30 am and at 3:30 pm in the room in the Community Center. Each session is 1 hour and 15 minutes. DID YOU KNOW? The Mass /Eucharist is a ritual which reenacts the sacrifice of Jesus. The true priest at the altar is not the officiating minister but rather Christ himself. The real elements that are being offered are the body and blood of Christ, the fruits of God s love for us. Fr. Ron Rolheiser, O.M.I. defines sacrifice as a surrendering of something out of love, something that is ours and is painful to give away, and to let the pain of that surrender stretch and change our hearts in such a way that we are now more open to communion with God and others... We have an innate need inside of us to offer sacrifice. We are invited to stretch and change our hearts as Jesus did so that God can, in essence, stop our human sacrifice as he did Abraham s sacrifice of Isaac and give back to us, in a deeper way, all that we are trying to offer to God, the fruits of our labors and Jesus himself. SACRED WAITING A DOORWAY TO ADVENT A Prayer Journal workshop led by David Kauffman. The Noel CD and journal from Good For the Soul Music will be used. Using Scripture, song and story, David will facilitate our journey to the heart using Lectio Divina, focusing on one word to point the way. Monday, November 28 at Oblate Renewal Center, 7 9 pm. Registration fee: $30 (Includes the Noel Prayer Journal and CD)

8 FAITH FORMATION MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH NEED PRAYER PARTNERS The middle school youth are in need of prayer partners. We have over 200 youth who deal with a multitude of problems, issues and celebrations too. If you have a little time to add the name of a middle school youth to your daily prayers please contact Dorothy Godines in the Youth Office at Born 2 Lead Middle School Leadership B2L Next Meeting is Wed, Dec 5:30 In New Legacy All middle school youth interested in participating in leadership are invited. DAUGHTERS OF MARY NEEDS A NEW MINISTRY LEADER The Daughters of Mary is for middle and high school girls of St. Mark s community. The ministry is based around prayer and community service. Currently they are looking for an adult female to lead them in their ministry. If you feel called to, or would like more information, please call Mary Ann Schott at or Dorothy Godines in the Youth Office at Beyond Cana: Couples Retreat The Beyond Cana Retreat, a marriage enrichment retreat, has been rescheduled for February 10-12, This retreat offers each couple alone time together in the Boerne Hill Country, date-time, and some tools to better communicate for the future. Save the date. BURGERS - ROOTBEER FLOATS - 50 s TUNES SAVE THE DATE: Sunday, Jan 29th St. Mark Youth Sock Hop Fundraiser For Our Amazing Youth! What is Centering Prayer? Why attend a Centering Prayer Meeting? What does a Centering Prayer meeting include? When can I attend a Centering Prayer Meeting? Where can I get more information about Centering prayer? For the answers to any of these questions, please contact either Jo Ann Anders at or Denise French at Or plan to attend a Tuesday Morning Centering Prayer meeting at 11 am 12 noon each week. PRESCHOOL NEWS We will have our Scholastic Book Fair! starting November 29 th through December 2 nd from 9am to 2:30pm daily, and would like to invite all our parishioners to participate. If you re all booked up during Book Fair week (or just want to keep shopping), be sure to visit the Book Fair online at The online Book Fair is available for an extended time from November 28 th to December 7 th. Find an expanded selection of books for the whole family. Share your Book Fair with family and friends by sending wish lists or ecards. All orders ship to school for FREE, and each purchase benefits our school. 6:15 November 27 December 4 December 11 3:30 November 27 December 4 December 11 6:30 November 28 December 5 December 12 S M Y G St. Mark Youth Group Every Wed at 7pm ALL HS YOUTH INVITED Matt Maher Concert Where: Church of the Holy Spirit When: Friday, December 2, 2011 Time: Doors open at 6:00 pm / Concert begins at 7:00 pm Cost: Open Seating $20.00 ** Call the Youth Office for info ** , Ext. 333 GROWING IN GRACE Series Presented by Rita Minkley at Our Lady of Grace Parish, 223 East Summit Ave. on Mondays, 7:00 8:30pm in the Madonna Room. This series covers a topic monthly and is free to all interested persons. The next two months cover the following topics. December 5: Celebrating Advent with Mary January 9: The Lord s Baptism and Ours Support our Advertisers Let them know you saw their ad in the bulletin!