St. Mark the Evangelist Londonderry, New Hampshire

Transcription

1 St. Mark the Evangelist Londonderry, New Hampshire Do not be afraid, for behold I proclaim to you good news of great joy, that will be for all the people. For today in the City of David, a Savior has been born for you, who is Christ and Lord. And this will be a sign for you. You will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. And suddenly there was a multitude of the Heavenly Host with the Angel praising God and saying Glory to God in the Highest and on Earth peace to those on whom His favor rests. (Luke 2)

2 From your Pastor Brothers and Sisters in Christ- Welcome to St. Mark s!!! On behalf of myself, Deacon Tom, our Parish Staff, volunteers, and our ENTIRE Parish Community, Merry Christmas!!! The Prophet Isaiah writes, The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone. You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing On this Christmas, we think about our world and how much it TRULY needs a Savior someone to make sense of it all We walk amidst darkness every day: whether we are having a difficult time at work, struggles with family life, addiction, poverty, serious illness the list can go on and on and on. Then we turn on the TV: war, hatred, lies, arrogance, greed, infidelity and we ask ourselves, What is going on in this world???!!!! One thing I hear over and over as a Pastor is, Father Church and Scripture are not relevant anymore. My answer is always, No, actually the Church is more relevant than ever, LOOK AROUND!!! We need a Savior!!!!.and guess what? WE HAVE ONE!! Christ is INDEED our Savior Letting HIM into our hearts and lives brings about PEACE, MEANING TO OUR LIVES, LIGHT TO OUR DARK WORLD, ETERNAL LIFE, LOVE!!! Without LOVE, nothing is possible Without CHRIST, nothing is possible, nothing has value! "Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests. Merry Christmas!!! Fr Mike

3 Calling all children from 3 years of age through 1st grade! The Good Shepherd Program is an approach to the religious formation of children, based on the conviction that God and the child are in a blossoming and ever-developing relationship. We will learn and meditate on scriptural and liturgical themes at an age appropriate level, allowing them to deepen their relationship with God through Jesus Christ! This dynamic program continues Jan 13 and runs until April 28th. It is for grades 2 through 5 and meets on Sundays immediately following the 9:30 AM Mass until 11:30 AM. To promote various learning styles there will be elements of art and music centered around Scripture. If your child is in a Sacramental year (Gr. 2 - Reconciliation, Gr. 3 Confirmation & Eucharist) they are required to participate to receive their Sacraments. Edge is a Catholic middle school youth ministry program. It provides a safe, fun place for youth to find real Catholic community, to get answers to their questions about faith and to experience Jesus in a profound and personal way! Edge meets on Sundays immediately following the 9:30 AM Mass. This is a GREAT opportunity for our teens to grow in discipleship and lead vibrant and radical Christian lives! There will be awesome social nights issue nights and liturgically centered nights - all chances to have an awesome and challenging time! LifeTeen meets bimonthly on Sunday nights from 6-8 PM. One Sunday a month we offer the entire parish the opportunity to participate in G.I.F.T. or Growing In Faith Together! We hope to build community and journey together toward deeper relationships with Christ. G.I.F.T. is held after the 9:30 AM Mass. There will be breakfast for all participants. The next G.I.F.T is Jan 6th.

4 Welcome to St. Mark s!!! We welcome all who may be visitors or guests to our parish as we celebrate the birth of Christ as one family! Be sure to introduce yourself to Fr. Mike, Deacon Tom or a member of the Welcome Team while you are here on campus. You are always welcome here at St. Mark s! Christmas Mass Schedule Christmas Eve: 4PM, 7PM & Midnight Christmas Day: 10AM *The 4PM Christmas Eve Mass will be celebrated in the Church and in the Hall. The children s choir will be singing in the Church. New Years Day Mass Schedule Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God 9AM and 7PM Faith Formation Dates Catechesis of the Good Shepherd & Time Travelers Jan 13, 27 / Feb 10, 17 / Mar 10, 17 / Apr 14, 28 Growing in Faith Together (G.I.F.T) Jan 6 / Feb 3 / Mar 3 / Apr 7 / May 5 EDGE Jan 6, 20 / Feb 3, 17 / Mar 3, 17 / Apr 7, 28 LifeTeen Jan 13, 27 / Feb 10, 24 / Mar 10, 24 / Apr 14 / May 5 Youth Altar Server/Lector Workshop Are you a kid looking for a way to serve our community? All 4th-12th graders who are interested in continuing or starting as altar servers or lectors are asked to attend a workshop on Sunday, December 30th from 12:00-1:30PM. Meet us in Rm 209 where a pizza lunch will be provided. Contact Hollis for more information. Thank You!!! A special thank you to everyone who helped decorate our worship space, the Christmas Basket volunteers who dedicated countless hours for others, to our wonderful music worship team and children s choir and for all others who have contributed to our Advent and Christmas Season here at St. Marks! We treasure your time and talent! St. Gianna s Place - Bottling Up Some Hope Want to serve a good cause!? On Sunday December 1:30PM please come down to the Hall to help assemble baby bottles for our parish-wide St. Gianna's Place Campaign that will take place through the month of January. St. Gianna's place offers God-given dignity and safe, long-term housing for women facing crisis pregnancies and their babies. Contact Hollis for more info. This St. Mark s!! Monday, December 24: 4:00 PM Christmas Eve Mass (Church/Hall) 7:00 PM Christmas Eve Mass 12:00 AM Midnight Mass Tuesday, December 25: 10:00 AM Christmas Day Mass Wednesday, December 26: 9:00 AM Morning Mass Thursday, December 27: 9:00 AM Morning Mass 7:00 PM K of C Business Meeting (Room 206) Friday, December 28: 6:00 PM Scouts / Den Mtg (Parish Center) Saturday, December 29: 12:00 PM Youth Altar Server & Lector Workshop

5 Parish Contact Information The Financial Report will appear in next week s bulletin, due to the early deadline for bulletin publishing leading up to Christmas Day. As always, thank you for your continued generosity!!! Without your continued gifts of time, talent and treasure, St. Mark s could not be the vibrant and welcoming community that it is!! We never take it for granted! Mass Intentions for Dec Dec /22 Saturday, 5 PM: Pat Trongo by his wife & family 12/23 Sunday, 8 AM: Mario, Filomena & Helen Pisano by Cheryl Hoegen 12/23 Sunday, 9:30 AM: Wayne Fernald by Allan & Terry Fernald 12/23 Sunday, 11 AM: Shirley Vasington by Marc & Ann D Anjou 12/24 Monday, 4 PM: Adrian Pallone & Joan Bompastore by their family 12/24 Monday, 7 PM: People of the Parish 12/24 Monday, MIDNIGHT: Dominique Coulon by Robert & Lucille Lemay 12/25 Christmas Day: Holy Souls in Purgatory by Allan & Terry Fernald 12/26 Wednesday, 9 AM: Ed & Martha Yantch by the Casey & the Yantch family 12/27 Thursday, 9 AM: Dorothy Maxwell by her husband & family 12/29 Saturday, 5 PM: John Harper by Roger & Paula Hubert 12/30 Sunday, 8 AM: Mary Salerno & her son Paul by the family 12/30 Sunday, 9:30 AM: People of the Parish 12/30 Sunday, 11 AM: Normand Saucier by the Fallon s 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 Brandon Sargent 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