Question of the Week. News from Father Todd

Transcription

1 St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church (214) Sunday, November 22, 2015

2 Dear friends, Last Saturday the Rite of Acceptance took place at the 5:30 p.m. Mass. The men and women of the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) were presented to the community and signed with the cross of Christ. The Rite of Acceptance is a threshold rite which marks the end of one stage of formation and the beginning of another. Early in September the catechumens (those preparing for baptism) and the candidates (baptized Christians seeking full communion with us in the Catholic Church) began meeting with Deacon Tom and our parish RCIA Team for what is called the Period of Inquiry. The Rite of Acceptance marks the willingness of the catechumens and candidates to continue the journey as they enter the second period of formation called the Catechumenate. For those called to be one with us in the Catholic faith, the sacraments of initiation (baptism, confirmation and Holy Communion) will be celebrated at the Easter Vigil in Please keep the men and women of the RCIA in your prayers as they make their journey toward full communion with us in the faith. We also celebrated our annual Bingo Bash last Saturday. Monsignor Schafer Hall was filled with parishioners and friends for an evening of bingo, good food, music, fellowship and laughter. Bingo Bash began several years ago as a means of raising extra funds for the parish. It was the brainchild of the parish staff and continues to be organized by the staff. It is just one of the many, many extra things that the parish staff does for the benefit of the parish. Thank you to them, to all those who donated food and prizes and to all who helped. Special thanks to D.J. Bernie Eagan for lending his amazing voice to Bingo Bash again this year and to Fr. Ben Syberg for being a guest caller and entertaining us all. Congratulations to our parish Cub Scouts who are preparing for the Light of Christ and the Parvuli Dei (Child of God) emblems. These emblems are offered by the National Catholic Committee on Scouting to help Catholic scouts fulfill their promise to do one s duty towards God. We thank all of our adult Scout Leaders for the leadership and the example they offer our parish scouts. This Thursday the nation will mark Thanksgiving Day. We will have Mass at St. Mark at 9:00 a.m. and all are invited to begin the day in prayer and Thanksgiving to the One who is the source of the many blessings we enjoy. See you at Mass! News from Father Todd Question of the Week Q. You mentioned that the Pastoral Council has set communications as a priority for the parish this year. Often I hear people speaking of things going on in the parish that I don t know anything about. Where can I find out what is going on? A. Communication is important for couples, friends, families, organizations and parishes. In a parish like Saint Mark where there are so many activities and ministries going on every day, communication is very important. The Pastoral Council recently took stock of the means of communication we are currently using in the parish and I am happy to share them with you. Print Sunday Bulletin Church and School Sign Boards The Bridge (School Newsletter) Bulletin Boards in narthex The Criterion (Archdiocesan Newspaper) Electronic Parish Web Page ( Pastoral Council Minutes School Web Page School Commission Minutes Monitors in narthex of church News from the Pews Parish Facebook Page Youth Facebook Page and Twitter Parish-wide s Voice Homilies Pulpit Announcements Intra-parish (reports from various committees and commissions submitted to Pastoral Council) May we make good use of the means of communication we have in our parish.

3 Readings for 11/22/2015~ 11/29/2015 Mass Intentions Sunday: Dn 7:13-14; Rv 1:5-8; Jn 18:33b-37 Monday: Dn 1:1-6, 8-20; Lk 21:1-4 Tuesday: Dn 2:31-45; Lk 21:5-11 Wednesday: Dn 5:1-6, 13-14, 16-17, 23-28; Lk 21:12-19 Thursday: Dn 6:12-28; Lk 21:20-28 or Sir 50:22-24; 1 Cor 1:3-9; Lk 17:11-19 Friday: Dn 7:2-14; Lk 21:29-33 Saturday: Dn 7:15-27; Lk 21:34-36 Sunday: Jer 33:14-16; 1 Thes 3:12 4:2; Lk 21:25-28, Please pray for Eleanor Sowder, Lorraine Braasch, Samantha Hampton and Baby, Chris Gough, Mark Smith, John Perkins, Linda Lilly, Elaine Alexander, Don Bowling, Ron Shockey, Noah Duffer, Sue Marshall, Charles & Mildred Ragon, Richie Lowrey Barbara Beaton, Betty Newman, Sarah Clements, Jim Reed, Betty Mouser, Elizabeth Wilhite, Steve Chaplin, Lisa Engelking, Joan Matthews, Molly Brown, Mike Hendrickson, Carolyn Walters, George & Margaret Strack, Kim Huffman, Melanie Brady, Penny Bowling, Lucy Hopkins, Brenda Wheeler, Tanja Wozniewski, Nicole Richards, Judy Weaver, Alex Stavrou, Vince Huber, Cyril DesJean, Bill Rowley, Bernard & Elizabeth Price, Nick Kreuzman, Michelle Oberting, Jane Rosebrock, Don Pearson, Pat Courteau, John Conover, Jean Nightingale, Dick Schott, Katie Nightingale, Alicia Keaton, Joanne Scifres, Molly Russell, Margaret Payne, Pat Ward, Ethan Jones, Marybeth Greulich, Mont Jolley and Terri Rottler-Means. MILITARY: Please pray for our women and men in the Armed Forces and their families. Sunday, November 22 OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, KING OF THE UNIVERSE 7:30 a.m. Peggy Jo Lorenz 9:30 a.m. Michael George 11:45 p.m. Parishioners of St. Mark Monday, November 23 - Weekday; Saint Clement 1, Saint Columbian; Blessed Miguel Agustin Pro 9:00 a.m. Communion Service Tuesday, November 24 Saint Andrew Dung-Lac 9:00 a.m. Marjorie Ann Gottemoeller Wednesday, November 25 - Weekday; Saint Catherine of Alexandria 9:00 a.m. John Scheible Thursday, November 26 Weekday 9:00 a.m. Edmund Daeger Friday, November 27 - Weekday 8:15 a.m. Fran Maguire Saturday, November 28 - Weekday 5:30 p.m. Jim Morrison Sunday, November 29 FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT 7:30 a.m. Raymond Osburn 9:30 a.m. Bib & Margaret Funke 11:45 p.m. Parishioners of St. Mark Vocations Timothy DeCrane Home Parish: Most Holy Name of Jesus Beech Grove, Indiana Saint Meinrad School of Theology Brother James Jensen Temporary Professed Order of Saint Benedict Saint Meinrad Archabbey Prayer for Vocations Most generous Father, thank you for calling men and women into Your service especially those You are calling to serve as priests or religious. I pray especially for them during times of doubt and fear. May they be open to Your protection and love and trust in Your plan. Amen.

4 Faith Formation CONFIRMATION Preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation for high school students in grades continues Sunday, December 6 from 7-8:30 p.m. in the school's media center. For questions, please contact Julie Albertson at jalbertson@stmarkindy.org A required confirmation retreat will be held January 9 from 9am 6:30pm Young Adults If you haven't joined St. Mark Young Adults in the past this is a great opportunity to meet other young Catholics! If you would like more information about our young adult group please contact Julie Albertson at jalbertson@stmarkindy.org or Matt Sierp at mattsierp@gmail.com. School Thank You! On behalf of the students and staff of Saint Mark Catholic School, we would like to extend our appreciation and gratitude to all the parish families for your donations to the SMCS 2015 Canned Food Drive. With your generosity we were able to support The LIttle Sisters of the Poor, Officer David S. Moore Food Pantry and Hunger Inc. Many blessings to each of you this Thanksgiving. St. Mark Apparel- Do you want some St. Mark Apparel? You can purchase it online until Tuesday, November 24th at: eliteprintingindy.presencehost.net/stmarkspiritwear/ All items will be delivered to the Parish office on December 18th in time for Christmas! NEXT MEETING: Mon Nov 6:30pm in the Cenacle ATTENTION!!!! Men s Club Oaken Bucket Game! The men's club is sponsoring a trip to Ross-Ade stadium on November 28 for the annual Oaken Bucket game. Tickets are $65 each and include a seat, transportation and tailgating food and drinks. We will depart St. Mark between 8:00-10:00 AM, depending on the kickoff time (TBA). Please contact Tom Eckrich by text or phone at (317) for tickets and more information. Do you shop at Amazon? If you shop on Amazon, you can help our SMCS earn money by starting your Amazon shopping at our Marketplace Amazon search bar located at: school.stmarkindy.org/marketplace.html After you start your search at our marketplace Amazon search bar, just shop at Amazon as you normally do. No codes to put in or anything else to do but shop! Please start all of your Amazon purchases at our Marketplace Amazon search bar and 6-12% of your purchase will come directly to St. Mark Catholic School! Youth Ministry YOUTH CHOIR All High School Youth are invited to join our youth choir Sunday, November 29th at the 11:45 mass. Please arrive at 11 a.m. for rehearsal. All are welcome! MIDDLE SCHOOL Save the date for the Middle School Christmas Dance, Friday, Dec. 11 from 7-9 p.m. in the Schafer Hall basement. Permission forms will be required and can be picked up in the school office or the parish center office as well as in the Narthex of church

5 Music Ministry Throughout the history of our Catholic Church there have been Men s Choirs. Post Vatican II, the mixed Adult Choirs became the norm of many Catholic Churches. Music for the Men s Choir dates back to Gregorian Chant. St. Mark Parish has a Men s Choir that sing for Mass around three times a year. We are putting the band back together! Safe and Sacred ALL PARISH VOLUNTEERS All men of the parish (high school age and older) are invited to sing with the men s choir. Please invite friends outside the parish that might enjoy the opportunity to sing in a Catholic Men s Choir. If you have a voice to sing, this is a great opportunity to participate in this music ministry. There is no long term commitment. The Men s Choir will St. Mark Church Thanksgiving Morning Mass. The dates are as follows: Tuesday, November 24 th rehearsal 8:00 9:00pm Thursday, November 26 th Thanksgiving Holy Season Concert Sunday, December 20, 2015 Almost There Sunday, December 20th at 7:00pm, Saint Mark Catholic Church will have our Advent and Christmas Season Concert. The Saint Mark Children s Choir, High School Youth Choir, Ensemble, Adult Choir, Handbell Choir and Brass Choir will combine their talent and faith with love and prayerful music. The music from Handel to Michael W. Smith and Amy Grant will fill the church with joyful hymns of praise! SEATING IS LIMITED, so please plan to come early. The Brass Choir will begin a concert prelude at 6:30pm. The Choirs will begin at 7:00p. Save the Date 2015 Holy Season Concert December 20 th 7:00pm Almost There As a community of faith, we are committed to safeguard our children and youth, the most important gifts God has entrusted to us. The following rules and regulations reflect that commitment and apply to clergy, employees, and volunteers. All volunteers, CYO coaches, CYO concession workers, school volunteers, Men s Club volunteers, Choir members, Committee members and Eucharistic Ministers to mention only a few of our volunteers. In short, all who volunteer at St. Mark should participate in the Safe and Sacred program. This program is designed to broaden the focus of the training to increase awareness of all forms of child abuse. Not matter what your area of the parish volunteerism is, please sign up for the Safe and Sacred program. Safe and Sacred is an online line program designed to provide easier access to child protection training for clergy, employees and all volunteers. There is 24/7 access on line with paper copies upon request. The program takes just 45 minutes to complete and covers all forms of abuse (sexual, emotion and physical) and neglect. Each volunteer will receive a certificate upon completion. All volunteers the link to the Safe and Sacred Program, This link is posted on the Archdiocesan website, under Child Safety and Misconduct Reporting. Thank you for all you do for the St. Mark Community! For more information please sweeneyk@stmarkindy.org.

6 Parish Life Community The Parish and School Staff wish you and your family many continued Blessings. PARISH OFFICE AND SCHOOL WILL BE CLOSED on Wednesday at 3:00PM, and all day Thursday, Nov. 26 and Friday, Nov. 27th. We will resume normal office hours on Monday, Nov. 30. NOTE: There will be Mass this Monday, Nov. 23 at 9am and a Communion Service offered on Friday, Nov. 27th. INCLUSION MINISTRY: Canine Companions service dogs are one tool that people with disabilities can use to increase their productivity in the work place. Because of their ability to manage everyday obstacles on their own, many graduates with Canine Companions are able to pursue careers in the field of their choice. ELSIE S HATS AND GLOVES: It s that time again! For many yeas the people of St. Mark Parish have given away hats, gloves, and scarves to the people who receive Christmas food baskets at Holy Cross Church. It is our way of saying Merry Christmas to those less fortunate. As you go about your holiday shopping, please buy some extra mittens, gloves, scarves and hats for our elves to hand out. There will be baskets in the narthex through November and December to collect them. Know that ALL your items are very gratefully received by adults and children alike. (Since they are more expensive, we always need men s gloves). We will need at least 10 large garbage bags full of goodies to serve all the people. We also will need people to help with handling out the gifts on Monday, Dec 14 at 3:00pm. If you could help with this ministry, it would be greatly appreciated. Questions, Cathy Weinmann, or , cweinmann@sbcglobal.net LECTOR HANDBOOKS: The Lector Handbooks for Cycle C are now available on the book shelves in the Narthex. The new Cycle C begins on Sunday, November 29, Inside the book is an envelope for a donation of $5, this helps offset the cost of the purchase. HOPE AND HEALING SUPPORT GROUP: Our ongoing support group is for those who have attempted suicide and their loved ones, for those whose loved one has died and for those trying to prevent suicide. If you have questions please contact Judy Proctor, or, BIRTHLINE Clothing NEEDED: Birthline provides assistance to pregnant women and mothers of infants in need. Our current needs are sizes 0-3 months and 3-6 months clothes, (pants, tops, sweaters, jackets, and pajamas) for both girls and boys, and maternity clothes always welcome. Donations can be dropped off at the Catholic Center on Mondays and Wednesdays until 3:00pm, or place in the bassinette in the Narthex. CAREGIVERS: Catholic Charities Indianapolis sponsors monthly caregiver support groups for family members who are caregivers of older adults. For additional information, please contact Monica Woodsworth at or mwoodsworth@archindy.org. HEALING HIDDEN HURTS is a confidential ministry for women suffering from abortion loss. Debbie Miller has 17 years experience helping women find freedom from guilt, grief and shame. If you think about your abortion often and struggle with the painful memories, I would LOVE to help you! Call for FREE, confidential help at (317) or check out the witness films on our website at God wants to Heal your Hidden Hurts, why not start today! Bingo Bash Thank you to all who attended the Bingo Bash this year! Another sell out!!!!!! Also a special thanks to our event sponsors for your loyal support.

7 Calendar Of Events Sunday, November 22, 2015 NCYC Conference-Richmond - Cenacle (6:00 AM) MASS - Church 7:30 AM, 9:30 AM, 11:45 AM SMRE - School (9:00 AM) Location: School 4th grade CYO Tournament - SH Gym (1:00 PM) CRHP W19 - Media Center School (3:00 PM) Monday, November 23, 2015 COMMUNION SERVICE- Church 9:00 AM Quilter - Parish Center Upstairs (10:00 AM) After Care - Media Center (3:00 PM) 4th grade CYO Tournament - SH Gym (4:00 PM) ELS-program - CR 1, CR3, CR 4 (5:30 PM) Troop Art Room (6:00 PM) YOUNG ADULT - Cenacle (6:30 PM) Tuesday, November 24, 2015 MASS - Church 9:00 AM After Care - Media Center (3:00 PM) 4th grade CYO Tournament - SH Gym (4:00 PM) Cub Scouts - Schafer Hall Basement (6:00 PM) Bell Choir - Church (6:00 PM) SPRED - Media Center School (6:30 PM) Family Reconciliation Workshop - Church (7:00 PM) Divorce and Beyond - Classroom 8 (7:00 PM) Men's Choir - Church (8:00 PM) Wednesday, November 25, 2015 MASS - Church (9:00 AM) ELS-program - CR 1, CR3, CR 4 (5:30 PM) Quilters - Parish Center Upstairs (7:00 PM) RCIA - Media Center School (7:00 PM) Thursday, November 26, 2015 Happy Thanksgiving SCHOOL CLOSED - School (8:00 AM) MASS - Church 9:00 AM Friday, November 27, 2015 SCHOOL CLOSED - School (8:00 AM) MASS - Church (8:15 AM) HOOP - School Kitchen (3:15 PM) Saturday, November 28, th grade CYO Tournament - SH Gym (8:00 AM) Reconciliation - Courtesy rm (4:00 PM) MASS - Church (5:30 PM) Sunday, November 29, 2015 MASS - Church 7:30 AM, 9:30 AM, 11:45 AM 4th grade CYO Tournament - SH Gym (1:00 PM) Parish Office Hours: Monday - Friday 10:00AM - 6:00PM Parish Center Phone: Pastor Ext. 106 Administrative Assistant Ext. 100 Dir. Of Youth Ministry Ext. 101 Business Manager Ext. 102 Music Director Ext. 105 Pastoral Associate Ext. 103 Coordinator of Rel. Ed Ext. 104 Fr. Todd Riebe ft@stmarkindy.org Chris Guedel cdguedel@stmarkindy.org Julie Albertson jalbertson@stmarkindy.org Kevin Sweeney sweeneyk@stmarkindy.org Andy Eagan aeagan@stmarkindy.org Deacon Tom Horn deacontom@stmarkindy.org Angi Swiezy aswiezy@stmarkindy.org St. Mark Catholic School 541 E Edgewood. Av Indianapolis, IN School Principal Rusty Albertson Ext. 201 ralbertson@stmarkindy.org School Admin. Assistant Ext. 200 CONTACTS Beth Leszcynski bleszcynski@stmarkindy.org